Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, burst onto the
professional wrestling scene in the late seventies and went
on to become a world wrestling champion many times over.
From humble beginnings, this giant of a man escaped a
pre-ordained life of dock and construction work in Port
Tampa, Florida, to become one of the most recognizable
celebrities on the planet. He did it through sheer will,
grit, determination, and a drive to always go over the top
and do more than what others thought possible. From the
outside, his story was one of a charmed life—he was at the
top of his career, had a wonderful and loving family, and a
lifelong fan base who worshipped him. Of course he had his
up and downs—including hints of steroid abuse and his
falling out with WWE and Vince McMahon—but it’s been the
last two years that have tested Hogan more than any other in
his lifetime.
In 2007, while riding the massive
success of his VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best,
his son Nick was involved in a tragic car accident that
left his best friend in critical condition. Then Linda, his
wife, left him after 23 years of marriage, his beloved
daughter Brooke blamed
him for the breakup and
his son went to jail. The tabloid media had a field day.
When unflattering jailhouse conversations between him and
his son were released to the press the tabloids were in a
frenzy. The sudden turmoil and tragedy surrounding Hogan
took its toll. He fell into a deep depression, seeing no way
out, until one fate ful phone call.
In My Life
Outside the Ring, Hogan will unabash edly recount these
events, revealing how his new found clarity steadied him
during the most difficult match of his life—and how he
emerged from the battle feeling stronger than ever before.
I was right there leaning on the side
of the car with my hands when I finally saw Nick—my only
son—folded up like an accordion with his head down by the
gas pedal. “Nick!” I yelled. I could see he was alive. He
turned his head, he stuck his hand out, and gave me a
thumbs-up. For a second I was relieved. Then the chaos set
in. The noise of engines. Sirens. A saw. Para - medics
pulling John from the passenger seat. So much blood. I can’t
even describe to you how panicked I was. The police and
firefighters surrounding us seemed panicked, too. The
firefighters started cutting the side of the car open to try
to get Nick out, and I’m still standing right there when I
hear my boy screaming, “No, no, no, stop! Stop! You’re gonna
cut my legs off. Dad! Just unbuckle the seatbelt. I can get
out!” So I reach in and I push the button on his seat belt,
and Nick just crawls right out. His wrist was broken. His
ribs were cracked. None of that mattered. He was gonna be
okay. But not John. John wasn’t moving.
—from MY LIFE OUTSIDE THE RING
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