Hulk Hogan, GTA 6 and the Passing of Pop Culture Icons: A New Era Dawns
WWE legend Hulk Hogan passes away at 71. As GTA 6 nears release, this article will explore how these icons redefined wrestling, gaming and modern pop culture. The end of an era leads to a new one.
In one word, Hulk Hogan was an icon. His legacy was only further cemented by being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, not once but twice. The long list of achievements made him the embodiment of the real-life Hulk. His actual name, “Terry Gene Bollea,” is now stuck in our hearts, as he unfortunately passed away on Thursday, 24 July 2025, at the age of 71.
It’s the end of an era, but also the beginning of another; with GTA 6 on the horizon, this article will cover the legacies of both these iconic symbols: one in real life, who redefined wrestling, and the other, who redefined gaming. Let’s get into it.
The Hulk Hogan Legacy
Before The Rock and before the term “sports entertainment” even existed, there was Hulk Hogan. The man who went on to popularize wrestling worldwide, with his signature leg drop, 24-inch pythons, andunforgettable catchphrase, “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you!” He headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, held the WWE Championship 6 times, and reinvented himself as a villain, causing fans to go crazy. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice and appearing in blockbuster films like Rocky III, Hogan blurred the lines between athlete and icon.
While his popularity took a massive hit with surfacing controversies, leading to him being removed from the hall of fame, he was reinstated, and quite honestly, love him or hate him, there’s no denying his impact in wrestling. What was once an underrated sport turned into a full-blown production. The former WWE chairman and CEO said it best: “He was a trailblazer, the first performer who transitioned from being a wrestling star into a global phenomenon.” But, Hulk Hogan wasn’t the only global phenomenon.
The Legacy of GTA Series: Re-Defined Open Gaming
GTA was among the first to truly let players explore an expansive, living city, which players could explore freely. From GTA 3’s Liberty City to GTA V’s Los Santos, the game gave players the ability to create chaos and not just follow a set storyline. The jump from the previous 2D perspectives to the full 3D worlds in GTA 3 was groundbreaking and pushed the boundaries of AI, with NPC behavior, weather conditions, and so on.
It’s largely predicted that GTA 6 will be redefining that boundary once again. GTA pulled forward culture like the good and the bad, giving the game depth and actual world-building, pulling that to another height with its constantly evolving multiplayer world, letting players stay engaged. The community has a voice, and it’s been loud for both these icons.
Community Reactions
Fans of Hulk Hogan are in dismay; at age 71, his death has sparked a lot of debate. One fan stated, “No matter what, there WOULD NOT be professional wrestling as we know it today if it wasn’t for this man, the Immortal Hulk Hogan!!! Rip Mr. Terry Bollea!!!” another reminisced.
“The reason why we started watching wrestling, the greatest of all time!” while others were in disbelief, “This is insane was listening to Ozzy and then went to sleep, and woke up and he died. Literally watched a video about Hogan in TNA last night and just woke up not long ago. Rest in peace to the biggest name in wrestling history.”
No matter, the end of an era leads to another, and with GTA 6’s release date fixed, many fans took to social media to comment, with one joking, “We're going to have another year of "we got this before GTA VI" jokes”, while others felt betrayed: “I got excited then saw the year.”
The news of Hulk Hogan passing away before the release of GTA 6 could signify the closing of an impactful chapter. Hulk Hogan was much more than just a wrestler; he was a figure of strength, charisma, and unforgettable moments that shaped a generation of admiration. The news of Hulk Hogan passing signifies the end of an era that we grew up admiring. And while one great man exits the scene, another emerges. GTA 6 represents another new wave of culture, freedom, and storytelling. Aside from the thrilling real-life events and moments we enjoy, there are many stories and moments that await us in the virtual world. While great icons may exit, their legacy remains and travels with us to shape whatever will come next.
Written By: Sarah Dar
Edited By: Probaho Santra
