WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is on the mend after a significant neck surgery, and according to close friend Eric Bischoff, the initial results are very promising. Speaking on the latest episode of his “83 Weeks” podcast, Bischoff provided an update on Hogan’s condition and shared a poignant detail about his recovery.
“They had to work on the discs in his neck, but they had to go in through the front to get to him to relieve some of the pressure and damage that he was experiencing in his legs and his hands,” Bischoff explained of the lengthy four-to-five-hour procedure.
While he hasn’t spoken to Hogan directly post-surgery to allow him time to heal, Bischoff heard encouraging news. “What I heard from one of the people that works closely with him on a daily basis was that coming out of that surgery, for the first time in a long time, he could actually feel his hands,” Bischoff shared. “He hasn’t been able to feel his hands… as soon as he woke up, the first thing he said was,’ I can feel my hands’, which I think is really cool.”
Bischoff also addressed the dichotomy between the sometimes critical discourse surrounding Hogan within the internet wrestling community and his enduring mainstream appeal. He described some online negativity as “low hanging fruit, just bottom feeder, unproductive sheep that tend to want to be the loudest people in the room.” He contrasted this with Hogan’s real-world reception: “you go outside of that little bubble, and as you pointed out, it’s mind boggling the kind of response he gives. It’s not only at the fan level, but even now… I’m talking to networks, large ones, who are wanting to know how much we’re going to be able to use Hulk.”
Interestingly, Bischoff noted a concern about overexposing Hogan in a new, separate wrestling-related venture they are involved in, which he stressed is “real freestyle wrestling” and distinct from “sports entertainment.” He stated, “I don’t want to see too much Hulk Hogan on TV… because that will make the job of separating ourselves and defining our brand from sports entertainment (harder). So the more I see Hulk on TV as a producer, the harder my job becomes, but yet the networks I’m talking to are going, ‘Yeah, but can we get a special interview… Can we get Hulk on a pre-show?'”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit AdFreeShows.com with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
