On Wednesday, rumors began circulating that former pro wrestler Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Gene Bollea) was in the hospital and on his deathbed after a radio host claimed he had some intel.
“It’s not good,” radio host Bubba the Love Sponge said of Hogan’s condition during his morning show on June 18. “I got some pretty reliable information that there are phone calls being made to various family members about getting to town to come say your goodbyes.” Bubba claimed that his sources told him that Hogan “might not make it.”
However, Hogan’s rep spoke to E! News later on Wednesday, shutting down the narrative that the WWE Hall of Famer, 71, was nearing the end. The rep did confirm, though, that Hogan was recently in the hospital because he “had problems with his back,” which prompted him to undergo neck surgery. TMZ reported on Hogan having this procedure last month, with a source noting that he underwent a “little fusion procedure” to help him “feel a little better.” The source also claimed that he recovered within a few days.
That said, was it Hogan’s neck and back that had brought on the latest speculation about his health?
Us Weekly also spoke with an insider in Hogan’s circle on June 18 who claimed that Hogan was actually recovering from heart surgery. “Hulk had pretty serious heart surgery a few weeks ago and was doing well afterward. It wasn’t a near-death thing,” the source told the outlet.
The conflicting reports likely exacerbate fans’ concerns, which were already heightened after Hogan made an appearance on “Fox and Friends” last month. Fans claimed the “Hogan Knows Best” star didn’t look like himself.
“Does anyone believe this is Hulk Hogan?” one person wrote via X alongside two photos of him, in which it appeared he had dyed parts of his beard blue. Per Parade, one fan commented, “He looks unwell.” Meanwhile, another said, “He looks like death.”
Known for his massive physique and colorful ensembles, Hogan is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers of all time. A 12-time world champion, Hogan’s heyday was in the ‘80s, but he has continued to remain a prominent figure in pop culture. In addition to wrestling, he has starred in films like “Rocky III” and “Mr. Nanny,” as well as his own reality TV show, “Hogan Knows Best.”
In 2023, he married his third wife, Sky Daily, who is 26 years his junior. Hogan has two kids, a daughter named Brooke and a son named Nick, who he shares with his first ex-wife Linda Hogan.
