Hulk Hogan's widow Sky Daily claims his phrenic nerve was 'compromised' during a surgery before death
TAMPA, FLORIDA: Sky Daily, the widow of Hulk Hogan, claims that the legendary wrestler’s phrenic nerve was “compromised” during one of his many surgeries before his death in July. Hogan, born Terry Bollea, reportedly died of a heart attack after years of mounting health complications from decades in the ring.
Daily told TMZ Sports that an autopsy has been performed but declined to reveal the results, adding that Hogan’s body has not yet been cremated. She did not specify which procedure she believes caused the nerve damage.
Hulk Hogan had two dozen operations over past decade
Over the past decade, Hulk Hogan underwent more than two dozen operations, including 10 back surgeries, multiple spinal fusions, double knee and hip replacements, shoulder and abdominal procedures, eye work, and a cervical fusion as recently as May.
“Each surgery was related to the unforgiving toll of thirty-five years' worth of main-event big-boot-plus-leg-drop combinations that thudded WWE canvases,” as per reports by Daily Express.
Daily's words implied that damage to Hogan’s phrenic nerve reflected how years of in-ring punishment caught up with him.
Hulk Hogan described his pain as endless
In a 2023 interview with Chris Van Vliet, Hulk Hogan admitted his daily life had become a cycle of dull pain and physical limitations.
“Everything hurts,” Hogan said. “If it's brushing my teeth and leaning on the counter, I can't push away. When I'm done, I must lean in and pull back. I can't push a glass door open. Everything in the gym is short strokes. I can't straighten my arm out, and it’s the same with my knees, hips, back, and neck.”
He added humor to his suffering, joking, “I probably wrestled too long. I didn't get the memo that the stuff is fake,” while noting that “two cups of coffee and two Tylenol” were enough to get him moving in the morning.
Injuries plagued Hulk Hogan’s career for decades
Hulk Hogan’s health struggles dated back to his WWF hiatus after WrestleMania VIII in 1992 due to lingering back and hip problems. By the end of WCW in 2000, chronic knee and hip issues forced him off television for over a year. In 2003, he underwent back surgery following his feud with Brock Lesnar.
Shoulder and hip issues limited Hogan after his 2006 SummerSlam match against Randy Orton. During his TNA Wrestling run from 2009 to 2012, he underwent multiple spinal fusions.
These procedures were so complicated that Hogan later sued the Laser Spine Institute in 2013, alleging unnecessary surgeries left him worse off. He eventually received a $10 million lawsuit settlement.
