Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan’s confidante reported that the athlete felt numbness in his lower body after undergoing back surgery, and was required to use a cane for support when moving.
At the age of 69, Terry Gene Bollea also known as Mr. Hogan underwent a mysterious procedure involving nerve extraction from his back. Regrettably, not much is revealed about the process or whether there will be permanent damage to Hogan’s legs.
On Monday night, he posted a photo of himself from the event and it showed him standing without any assistance. This suggests that his condition is improving.
Last week, iconic wrestling figure Kurt Angle, age 54, divulged on his podcast the long-standing health issues of his friend and colleague Mr. Hogan. He stated that sensation is absent in his lower body but with a cane, he is able to walk again – giving hope for some utility in those areas too.
As WWE fans get ready to attend the most anticipated event of the year, WrestleMania, it has been revealed that many prominent wrestling figures – including Hulk Hogan and Kurt Angle – are expected to make an appearance.
We’re getting this party started at #hoganshangout #clearwaterbeach Monday night #karaoke brother!!! pic.twitter.com/SuiT4s9zdv
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) January 31, 2023
“He had the nerves cut from his lower body, he can’t feel his lower body. So, he has to use his cane to walk around. I thought he was using the cane because he has pain in his back. He doesn’t have any pain, he has nothing at all. He can’t feel anything,” Mr. Angle stated.
Despite public attention, Mr. Hogan has not released a statement on the matter yet.
“So now he can’t feel his legs. So he has to walk with a cane which is, you know, that’s pretty serious, man,” Angle added.
At the highly anticipated WWE Raw 30th anniversary show in Philadelphia last week, Angle – a six-time World Heavyweight Champion – revealed he and McMahon had an extensive conversation about their shared health issues.
With his 35-year journey in the WWE, Hogan revealed to Angle that he has lost sensation in his lower body, yet still stood on stage with no assistance from a cane.
Last year, Angle endured double knee surgery, making his road to recovery arduous and leaving him almost helpless.
Unfortunately, injuries are an all-too-common occurrence for wrestlers in the WWE. Many champions have seen their careers abruptly halted due to serious damage sustained to various body parts such as the back, head, and neck.
“He put his heart and soul into the business and it ate him up,” Mr. Angle stated.
“He’s the name and face of the company. He’s the guy that revolutionized pro wrestling. I have so much respect for him.”
Hogan has been frank regarding the measures he took to mend his injuries incurred in the wrestling arena.
Brooke shared that her father, in 2021, had been through a staggering 25 operations in total.
“My knees are fake, hips are fake, back is full of metal and part of my face is full of metal,” he stated.
In 2006, Hogan experienced a minor meniscal tear in his right knee but chose not to undergo surgery at the time. This was when he began acknowledging that he had reached an age where his professional athletic career would be ending soon.
He stated: “I’m sort of freaking out. I’m beginning to learn I’m a lot older… And with age, it’s tough to be the same dependable guy I’ve been in the past. I realize that as I get up there in age, I can’t go on forever.”
After his last combat in 2013 for TNA Wrestling, Mr. Hogan hadn’t grappled ever since. His numerous accidents and the consequent medical procedures had to end his wrestling career abruptly – though if it was up to him, he would have made it a glorious goodbye with one final match.
Last year, he shared on the Two Man Power Trip podcast: “If I was healthy, shoot—yeah, man, all day long.”