The passing of the legendary Hulk Hogan marks the end of an era in professional wrestling. The industry, and indeed, pop culture itself, lost one of its most defining icons this week. Hogan, a 12-time World Champion across WWE and WCW, leaves behind a complex legacy that has changed the wrestling landscape forever.Widely regarded as one of the greatest ever to lace up a pair of boots, Hogan was the man who brought professional wrestling to the mainstream with the unstoppable wave of Hulkamania in the 1980s. Even after his red-and-yellow prime with the WWF, when wrestling was brought to national audiences with pay-per-view (WrestleMania), cable TV, and even network TV (Saturday Night's Main Event), he reinvented himself as the black-and-white anti-hero in the '90s, leading the New World Order (nWo) and launching WCW into its most dominant run.It is for these two eras of immense influence that Hogan holds the rare distinction of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice; first as an individual in 2005, and later in 2020 as a member of the nWo.Hogan’s first induction came in 2005, when his singles career, headlined by multiple WrestleMania main events and championship reigns, earned him a place among the immortals. However, his impact was too significant to be summed up by just one plaque. In 2020, WWE inducted Hogan again, this time as a founding member of the revolutionary nWo alongside Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.Though Hogan was temporarily removed from the Hall of Fame in 2015 following a controversy, he was quietly reinstated in 2018. WWE publicly acknowledged his return to the Hall during Extreme Rules that same year. Despite all the ups and downs, there’s no erasing the footprint Hogan left on the business.Tributes pour in for Hulk Hogan after his deathSince the heartbreaking news broke, tributes have poured in from the wrestling world and beyond. While Hulk Hogan's career was not without controversy, Hogan's contributions to sports entertainment are universally acknowledged.Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Triple H, Sting, Steve Austin, The Rock, Shawn Michaels, and more have shared emotional messages celebrating the life and legacy of the Hulkster, as have the POTUS Donald Trump and his deputy, JD Vance.Hulk Hogan's passing has sent shockwaves through the industry, and its timing, just days after the death of music legend Ozzy Osbourne, has added to the grief felt by fans across multiple generations. Hulk Hogan didn’t just captivate audiences inside the squared circle; he transcended wrestling, becoming a household name across America and worldwide. His legacy as one of the greatest and most impactful figures in wrestling history will be eternally immortal.