Hulk HoganHogan, whose real name was Terry Bollea, spoke in detail about the most difficult period of his life in his final recorded interview, which was released posthumously in the Netflix documentary Hulk Hogan: Real American. Hogan died in July 2025 at the age of 71 from an acute myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack. The four-part series, completed before his death, follows his life and career and focuses closely on 2009, when he returned to wrestling while battling severe pain, heavy fentanyl use, and the aftereffects of his divorce.

Return to wrestling and drug use levels

Hogan’s narrative focuses on his decision to return to wrestling with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), at a time when his body was under stress from years in the ring. He described taking fentanyl in multiple forms at the same time to manage pain from repeated surgeries. “Taking 80 milligrams of fentanyl at two in the morning, stuffing them under my gums…” He said, before detailing the extensive routine: “I had two 300-milligram patches of fentanyl on my legs and they gave me six 1500-milligram fentanyl lollipops to eat.” He recalled a pharmacist’s reaction when he picked up his prescription: “I went into the pharmacy, she said, ‘You should be dead. We’ve never seen a human being take that much fentanyl.'” In the same interview, Hogan said doctors told him straight out that the level he was taking was higher than any he’d ever seen, adding, “I just had so much in my body.”

Injuries and day-to-day situation

The physical conditions behind that dependence run through the chain. Hogan points to multiple back surgeries that left him in constant pain and unable to function normally. “I had to sleep on a chair, and if I moved my finger like that, my whole back would go into spasms and twists,” he said, describing how even small movements would cause severe pain. Eric Bischoff, who worked closely with Hogan and arranged for his move to TNA, described what he looked like during filming and appearances: “I would literally have to go to his hotel and help him get out of bed and get in the shower so he could get ready to go shoot.”

Jeremy Borash, who was involved in the production at the time, said that Hogan was initially expected to appear regularly on screen, but “it became clear very quickly that he was not ready to do that.”

Divorce, Finance and Withdrawal Decision

The timing of Hogan’s return is directly tied to his high-profile divorce from Linda Hogan after 24 years of marriage. He said he had performed “extremely well” after giving them “70 percent” of his net worth. “I gave everything I had to get rid of him,” he said, adding that he was “devastated.”

Bischoff, who negotiated the TNA deal, explained the situation surrounding that decision: “Hulk was reluctant to go, but he needed the money.” He also described the broader circumstances Hogan was dealing with at the time: “Your wife is divorcing you, your doctor is giving you a handful of pills that will kill a horse, and you’re chasing it down with a quart of vodka a day.”

substance use beyond pain management

The documentary also addresses Hogan’s long-term issues with drug use beyond fentanyl.Friends and family spoke about his steroid use during the 1980s and 1990s, as well as his long-term alcohol abuse.Bischoff’s description of that period included both, describing a cycle where Hogan was dealing with prescription drugs along with heavy drinking.

Mental health and lowest points

Hogan also spoke openly about his mental state after his divorce, including a time when he contemplated suicide.“I went home, I started drinking and taking pills, and I just went down this rabbit hole for a few days,” he said. “The next thing I know, I’m sitting in front of my bathroom with a gun in my mouth and don’t know what I’m doing, you know?” Bischoff, reflecting on that period as someone who was in regular contact with him, said: “He was down, he was hurting.”

Family and later life

Following Hogan’s death, Linda Hogan, his ex-wife and mother of his two children, Brooke and Nick, shared a statement on Instagram reflecting on his passing. She said the “end result” of his loss was “shocking”, adding: “We spent every minute together for many years. I’ve known him since he was 28! … It’s so sad. I love you Hulkster. You were my man. The only man for me.” At the time of his death, Hogan was married to his third wife, Sky Daly, whom he married in 2023. He previously divorced Jennifer McDaniel in 2021.

final account

The series brings together Hogan’s own accounts with those who worked closely with him during that period, showing how injury, medication, financial pressures and personal stress all existed together during his final years in and around wrestling.