Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71, Iconic 1988 Match Still Most-Watched

Hulk Hogan, a wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer who passed away at 71, was a defining figure in professional wrestling and pop culture. Known for his charismatic persona and iconic matches, Hogan's 1988 WWF World Title match against Andre the Giant remains the most-watched wrestling match in American television history, drawing 33 million viewers and a 15.2 Nielsen rating during its prime-time NBC broadcast. The match featured a dramatic and controversial finish involving a referee impersonation storyline that led to the WWF title being vacated and a tournament at WrestleMania IV. Hogan's career, spanning over three decades, included multiple world championships and memorable bouts such as his 1987 WrestleMania 3 match with Andre the Giant and his final televised wrestling appearance at the 2011 TNA Bound for Glory event. His influence extended beyond wrestling into movies and television, cementing Hulkamania as a cultural phenomenon. Hogan's agreement with Marvel Comics in 1984 also highlights his unique crossover into media and merchandising under strict trademark terms.