Wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan has reportedly lost feeling in his lower body following back surgery.
Mr Hogan, 69, whose legal name is Terry Gene Bollea, underwent an undisclosed procedure that involved removing nerves from his back. Further details of the operation were not shared and it is unclear if Hogan would later be able to regain feeling in his legs or if he now faces permanent paralysis.
WWE Legend Kurt Angle, 54, revealed his longtime friend’s illness on Monday’s podcast last week. He said Mr Hogan was not in pain and was now walking with a cane.
The news comes as the WWE world prepares for WrestleMania, its biggest event of the year, which features many wrestling icons – like Hogan and Angle – making frequent appearances.
Hulk Hogan, 69, reportedly had nerves removed from his lower back, leaving him with no feeling in his lower body, although it’s unclear whether this was due to a complication during the procedure or if it was an expected effect
Wrestling star Kurt Angle said on his podcast that he spoke with Mr. Hogan for about 30 minutes at the WWE Raw 30th Anniversary show last week, where they discussed the surgery
“He’s had nerves cut off his lower body, he can’t feel his lower body. So he has to use his cane to walk around. I thought he used the cane because he has back pain. He has no pain, he has nothing at all. He can’t feel anything,’ said Mr. Angle.
Mr Hogan has not addressed the issue publicly. tried to reach out to Mr Hogan’s representative for comment.
‘So now he can’t feel his legs. So he has to walk with a cane, which is pretty serious man,” continued Mr. Angle.
The six-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion appeared at WWE Raw’s 30th anniversary show in Philadelphia last week, where Mr. Angle said they spent half an hour talking about their various health issues.
Mr. Hogan, who has a 35-year career in WWE, told Angle he had lost all feeling in his lower body, although he still appeared on stage without the aid of a cane.
Angle had double knee surgery last year, leaving him “pretty useless” during a difficult recovery process.
Injuries are not uncommon among WWE Champions, some of whom have ended their careers with devastating blows to the back, head and neck, to name a few.
“He put his heart and soul into the business and ate it up,” Mr Angle said.
“He is the name and the face of the company. He’s the guy who revolutionized pro wrestling. I have so much respect for him.’
Mr Hogan has been open about previous procedures to repair the damage he sustained in the ring.
In 2021, his daughter Brooke said he underwent a total of 25 surgeries.
“My knees are wrong, my hips are wrong, my back is full of metal and part of my face is full of metal,” he said.
In 2006, Hogan sustained a slight tear in the meniscus in his right knee, although he declined surgery at the time. At that point, he said he was beginning to come to terms with the fact that as he got older, his career as a professional athlete was probably on the wane.
He said: “I’m kind of freaking out. I’m starting to learn that I’m a lot older… And as I get older, it’s difficult to be the same reliable guy I was in the past. I realize that as I get older, I can’t go on forever.
Mr. Hogan had not wrestled since 2013 when he appeared in a match for TNA Wrestling. His many injuries and surgeries to heal them have forced him to end his career as a wrestler. But if he had his way, he would have had one last farewell game.
Last year, on the Two Man Power Trip podcast, he said, “If I were sane, shoot — yeah, man, all day.”