Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan 'paralysed from the waist down'
'He put his heart and soul into the business and (it) ate him up.'
Hulk Hogan has reportedly lost feeling in his lower body following back surgery and has to use a cane to walk around.
The 69-year-old wrestling superstar, real name Terry Gene Bollea, is said to have undergone an unknown procedure where nerves were removed from his back.
Fellow WWE legend Kurt Angle revealed his long-time friend's ailment during his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show.
It is not known if the damage to Hogan's legs is permanent, though he shared a photo of himself on Instagram on Monday night which appears to show him standing unaided and suggests he is in recovery.
Angle, 54, said Hogan cannot feel anything below the waist. However, he also said the athlete was now walking with a cane, suggesting he still has some use of his legs.
"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," Angle said.
"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 continued.
Hogan has not spoken about the surgery or his current condition.
Angle said he spoke to Hogan, a six-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, for half an hour about their various health concerns at the WWE Raw 30th anniversary show in Philadelphia last week.
Hogan, who had a 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.
"He put his heart and soul into the business and (it) ate him up," Angle said.
"He's the name and face of the company. He's the guy that revolutionised pro wrestling. I have so much respect for him."
In 2021, Hogan's daughter, Brooke, said her dad had undergone 25 surgeries.
Hogan has also previously revealed, "my knees are fake, hips are fake, back is full of metal and part of my face is full of metal".
