Hulk Hogan dies aged 71 - WWE

COLOMBO (News 1st): Professional wrestler Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, the WWE confirms.

In a statement World Wrestling Entertainment says it's "saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away".

Describing Hogan as "one of pop culture’s most recognizable figures", it says "Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s".

"WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans," it added.

Hogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, was the biggest professional wrestler of the 80s and 90s and went on to achieve crossover fame

He debuted in 1977 and became the defining figure of the industry

In 2018, he was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame after being ejected for using a racist slur