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Wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan’s friend said he lost feeling in his lower body following back surgery and had to use a cane to walk around.
Mr Hogan, 69, who is legally named Terry Gene Bollea, underwent an unknown procedure where nerves were removed from his back. Further details of the surgery have not been shared, and its unclear if the damage to Hogan’s legs is permanent.
He shared a photo of himself at an event on Monday night, and appeared to be standing unaided, suggesting he is recovering.
Fellow WWE legend Kurt Angle, 54, revealed his long-time friend’s ailment on Monday’s podcast last week. He said Mr Hogan cannot feel anything below the waist, but that he is now walking with a cane, suggesting he still has some use of his legs.
The news comes as the WWE world prepares for WrestleMania, its largest event of the year where many iconic wrestling figure – like Hogan and Angle – often make an appearance.
Hulk Hogan, 69, reportedly had nerves removed from his lower back, leaving him without feeling in his lower body, though it is unclear whether that was a result of a complication during the procedure or if that was an expected effect
Wrestling star Kurt Angle said on his podcast that he spoke with Mr Hogan for about 30 minutes last week at the WWE Raw 30th anniversary show where they discussed the surgery
Hogan shared this image of himself in a Florida bar on Monday evening, suggesting he is recovered
‘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 said.
Mr Hogan has not publicly addressed the issue. DailyMail.com attempted to reach out to Mr Hogan’s representation for comment.
‘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,’ Mr Angle continued.
The six-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion appeared at the WWE Raw 30th anniversary show in Philadelphia last week, where Mr Angle said they spoke for half an hour about their various health troubles.
Mr Hogan, who had 35-year career in the WWE, told Angle he has lost all feeling in his lower body though he still appeared on the stage without the help of a cane.
Angle had double knee surgery last year, leaving him ‘pretty much useless’ during a difficult recovery process.
Injuries are not uncommon among WWE champs, several of whom have seen their careers grind to a halt thanks to devastating blows to the back, head, and neck, to name a few.
‘He put his heart and soul into the business and ate him up,’ Mr Angle said.
‘He’s the name and face of the company. He’s the guy that revolutionized pro wrestling. I have so much respect for him.’
Mr Hogan has been open about past procedures to address the damage he sustained in the ring.
In 2021, his daughter Brooke said he had undergone a total of 25 surgeries.
‘My knees are fake, hips are fake, back is full of metal and part of my face is full of metal,’ he said.
In 2006, Hogan suffered a slight tear in the meniscus in his right knee, though he declined to have surgery at the time. That is when he said he started coming to terms with the fact that he was getting older and his career as a pro athlete was likely sunsetting.
He said: ‘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.’
Mr Hogan hadn’t wrestled since 2013, when he appeared in a match for TNA Wrestling. His many injuries and surgeries to remedy them have forced him to bookend his career as a wrestler. Though if it were up to him, he would have had a final farewell match.
He said on the Two Man Power Trip podcast last year: ‘If I was healthy, shoot—yeah, man, all day long.’
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