WWE icon Hulk Hogan is on the mend following recent surgery, according to sources close to the wrestling legend. The news comes amid swirling online rumors about his health, which have been strongly refuted.
Multiple reports confirm Hogan, 71, has undergone a significant medical procedure. While sources exclusively speaking to Us Weekly specified the surgery was a “pretty serious heart surgery” performed a few weeks ago, other reports mentioned a recent hospitalization for a back or neck procedure, including a neck fusion surgery previously reported by TMZ. This difference in reporting may have contributed to fan concern.
However, sources close to Hogan have been quick to reassure fans. The Us Weekly insider clarified that while the heart surgery was serious, “it wasn’t a near-death thing,” and Hogan has been “recovering” well. His representative has also publicly denied more dire accounts of his condition.
These reassurances directly counter alarming rumors that spread online, notably fueled by radio host Bubba The Love Sponge, who reportedly claimed Hogan was in the hospital and family members were being called to say their goodbyes. Those close to the WWE Hall of Famer have firmly stated that he is not “on death’s door.”
Dealing with Personal Challenges
The health update emerges as Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, is also navigating personal difficulties, including a notable estrangement from his daughter, Brooke Hogan.
Brooke, 37, publicly addressed her decision to go “no contact” with both her father and her mother, Linda Hogan (Hulk’s ex-wife), in a March social media post. She explained that her reasons for distancing herself were distinct for each parent and based purely on “how they have dealt with me directly my entire life.”
According to sources, the “Hogan Knows Best” star was reportedly caught off guard by Brooke’s decision. One insider stated that Terry Bollea not speaking to Brooke is a “much more recent thing,” and he “tells people he doesn’t specifically know why Brooke won’t speak to him.”
Compounding the family dynamic, Brooke’s husband, former NHL player Steve Oleksy, 39, has reportedly attempted for years to initiate a “man-to-man conversation” with Hulk regarding the family issues, but this has “never been in the cards.” The situation has been described by a source as carrying “very, very heavy” hurt for Brooke.
A History of Health Battles
Hulk Hogan’s recent surgery is the latest in a long line of procedures the wrestling icon has faced throughout his legendary career. The physical toll of decades in the ring has led to numerous back, hip, spine, and knee injuries requiring multiple surgeries over the years. Earlier reports, for instance, referenced fellow wrestler Kurt Angle mentioning Hogan dealing with significant nerve damage in his lower body from a prior back surgery, requiring him to use a cane for stability due to a lack of feeling. While seemingly separate from the recent health events, such reports highlight the long-term health challenges Hogan has managed.
Beyond health and family, Hogan also reportedly wants “nothing to do” with an upcoming film about his infamous legal battle with Gawker Media.
For now, the focus remains on the WWE legend’s recovery from his recent procedure and debunking the unfounded rumors about his condition. Sources maintain that despite the surgery’s seriousness and the conflicting reports about its exact nature, Hulk Hogan is recovering and doing well.
