Documentary Reveals Hulk Hogan’s Troubling Struggles

The recent docuseries “Hulk Hogan: Real American” sheds light on the wrestling icon’s personal battles, including heavy fentanyl use and a near-suicide incident.

This series explores various aspects of Hogan’s life, from his wrestling career to his controversial moments. It touches on tragic events like the death of his brother, his steroid use, and his difficult divorce. During a discussion about this divorce, Hogan made a statement regarding O.J. Simpson’s alleged reasons for harming his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, which sparked significant backlash and emotional distress. This turmoil, he shared, led him to a suicide attempt.

“I started drinking and taking pills, and I fell into a dark place for a couple of days,” Hogan recounted in the docuseries. “Suddenly, I found myself sitting with a gun in my mouth, feeling completely lost.”

Hogan’s legendary career with WWE was marred by injuries, multiple surgeries, and steroid use. By 2009, he began relying on fentanyl to cope with his health issues. The docuseries unveils the shocking extent of his dependency on the drug.

Hogan admitted, “I was taking 80 milligram fentanyls, two in the morning… I had two 300-milligram patches on my legs, plus they would give me six 1,500 milligram fentanyl lollipops.”

At one point, a pharmacist even told him, “You should be dead… we have never seen someone take this much fentanyl.”

Clips in the series show Hogan working out in his home gym just months before his passing, with a cane by his side.

Reflecting on his health, he commented, “I feel okay, but it’s a struggle.” He also revealed that he often needed help with simple tasks, saying, “I have my son take the tops off water bottles for me, because I can’t do it myself.”

Hogan passed away from a heart attack in July 2025 at the age of 71.