About a year ago, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan gave a rousing speech in support of Donald Trump on the final night of the Republican National Convention.
"At the end of the day, with our leader up there, my hero, that gladiator, we're going to bring America back together one real American at a time, brother," Hogan said as Trump watched on from his seat in the audience.
Hogan, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer whose real name is Terry Bollea, died on Thursday at the age of 71.
MORE: WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan dies at 71
"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans."
Hogan didn't publicly endorse Trump until the convention, citing the assassination attempt against Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, as the reason for his announcement.
In this July 18, 2024, file photo, professional entertainer and wrestler Hulk Hogan rips his shirt as he speaks on stage on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE
"As an entertainer, I try to stay out of politics," Hogan said at the convention, which took place days after the Butler shooting. "But after everything that's happened to our country over the past four years, and everything that happened last weekend, I can no longer stay silent."
"I'm here tonight because I want the world to know that Donald Trump is a real American hero, and I'm proud to support my hero as the next president of this United States," Hogan added in his remarks, noting the two had known each other for decades. (Trump hosted two early WrestleManias in the late 1980s.)
In this March 29, 1987, file photo, businessman Donald Trump and World Champion Wrestler Hulk Hogan are shown at Wrestlemania Vl Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Jeffrey Asher/Getty Images, FILE
Hailing what he dubbed "Trumpmania," Hogan memorably ripped his shirt in half to reveal a red Trump-Vance tank top to deafening cheers in the Milwaukee stadium.
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Trump, a well-known fan of professional wrestling, praised Hogan for the speech.
MORE: Video Hulk Hogan calls Trump 'my hero' at RNC
Hogan later supported Trump again on the campaign trail at a rally at Madison Square Garden just weeks before Election Day.
A popular shirt featured at campaign rallies was the "Trumpmania" running wild shirt, inspired by the wrestler.
ABC News has asked the White House for a statement on Hogan's death.
While Hogan became a favorite of the MAGA base, his own political history is mixed. He supported Barack Obama in the 2008 election, but later changed his tune. In the 2012 election, Hogan supported Republican Mitt Romney over the incumbent Democrat.
Donald Trump Jr., the president's son, quickly posted a tribute to Hogan on X with a photo of the two of them at the RNC. "R.I.P to a legend," Trump Jr. wrote.