In a candid revelation, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan disclosed the extent of his struggles with fentanyl addiction during his later career, as documented in the recently released Netflix series *Hulk Hogan: Real American*. This impactful four-part docuseries began streaming on April 22, 2025, featuring what would be Hogan’s final interview shortly before his passing in July of the same year.
The year 2009 marked a tumultuous period for Hulk Hogan, following his divorce from ex-wife Linda Hogan. In his revelations, Hogan noted that the financial and emotional fallout from the divorce left him “broke” and necessitated his return to professional wrestling. He joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), which was at the time considered the second-largest wrestling promotion after WWE.
Eric Bischoff, a former wrestling executive, recounted Hogan’s precarious situation during this period in the docuseries. He described how Hogan’s life was spiralling, stating, “Your wife’s divorcing you, your doctors are giving you fistfuls of pills that would kill a horse, and you’re chasing it down with a quart of vodka a day.” Despite his reservations, Hogan needed the financial support and agreed to a deal with TNA, marking a challenging chapter in his life.
Hogan’s struggles were further compounded by his need to manage excruciating physical pain through a hefty regimen of fentanyl. He disclosed that at that time, he was consuming an alarming quantity of the powerful painkiller, revealing, “I was taking 80-milligram fentanyls, two in the morning, stuffing them under my gums here.” He further explained that he used two 300mg fentanyl patches on his legs and consumed six 1500mg fentanyl lollipops. A pharmacist’s reaction underscored the gravity of his situation, stating, “You should be dead. We have never seen a human being take this much fentanyl.”
The docuseries also highlighted the impact of Hogan’s addiction on his daily life; his physical pain was so intense that he struggled to sleep in his bed, often opting for a chair instead. Bischoff revealed that Hogan often required assistance just to perform basic daily tasks, reflecting the extent of his suffering. “I would literally have to go to his hotel and help him get out of bed and get into the shower to get ready to go to the shoot,” he lamented.
Despite the difficulties he faced, Hogan felt a deep commitment to fulfil his contractual obligations with TNA. As the series revealed, he fought through incredible pain and dependency, which many around him found distressing to witness. Bischoff admitted, “There were times I felt really s—ty about myself for making him do that,” indicating his internal conflict over Hogan’s situation.
As he reflected on his storied career and personal life in *Hulk Hogan: Real American*, Hogan’s candour about his struggles offered a stark look into the underlying issues that can plague a life in the spotlight. His revelations about his battles with addiction and pain management were a poignant reminder of the human cost often overshadowed by celebrity status.
Tragically, just months after his interview for the docuseries, Hogan passed away from acute myocardial infarction. Reports following his death revealed that he had also been dealing with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, a condition that had remained private prior to his passing.
As audiences engage with *Hulk Hogan: Real American*, they are invited to reflect on the complex interplay of fame, personal pain, and the broader implications of addiction within the world of professional wrestling. The series serves not only as a chronicle of Hogan’s life but also as a critical dive into the challenges faced by many in the industry.
Hogan’s story now stands as both an inspiring tale of a wrestling icon and an unsettling reminder of the perils of substance abuse, echoing the need for compassion and understanding within and beyond the ring.