Back in the mid-80s to late 90s, Hulk Hogan was the epitome of strength and power in the world of wrestling. To say Hulk Hogan was the archetype of a strong wrestler would be an understatement as he was larger-than-life. His admirers and fans always surrounded Hogan. The former six-time WWE Champion’s career in wrestling was second to none. The Hollywood Hogan had the Midas touch while he worked with Vince McMahon. Through the years, Hogan gained quite a lot in terms of popularity, accolades, love, and respect from the wrestling Universe. However, as time passed, he also lost a lot on the way.
No one can deny that Hulk Hogan was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete to have ever graced the wrestling ring. His historic heel turn in WCW caused an insurgency among the fans when Hogan joined the NWO led by Eric Bischoff alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
During that time, Hogan made some close friends who would not give up on him even during dire straits. WWE Hall of Famer recalled being on Hogan’s side in his new book when the latter lost all hopes in life.
Eric Bischoff reveals that Hulk Hogan almost took his own life
In his new book “Grateful”, Bischoff divulged the troubled past of Hulk Hogan. According to Bischoff, the wrestling legend’s life spiraled down in 2015 after his racist remarks went viral on a tape. The damage Hogan took from it is still indelible.
In addition to that, Mr. America was going through a divorce with his ex-wife Linda and was contending with an emotional fallout from his son’s tragic car accident. With declining health conditions, Hogan was at his wit’s end and contemplating suicide. In his book, Bischoff recalled witnessing the devastation of the wrestling icon in close quarters.
“I think Terry really recognized that fact once I was no longer in a position to get anything from him. After WCW was sold, and then we both worked together again at the WWF, his divorce from Linda began a very devastating period in his life. Add to the mix his physical challenges – and the emotional fallout from Nick’s terrible car accident – and we started spending a lot of time on the phone.”
“Things had got to the point, as he has talked about in his own book and public statements, that Terry found himself alone at home, pointing a gun to his head.” He wrote.
Things went out of control when Bischoff learned that Hogan was alone at home pointing a gun to his head and crying out for help. After learning about Hogan’s adversity, Bischoff wasted little time and moved in with his best friend.
The brainchild of NWO also stated in his book that his wife Loree was supportive of Bischoff’s decision to move to Florida to live with Hogan as she was concerned about his well-being. Thankfully, the disaster was averted and Hulk Hogan persevered and eventually got healthy.
Hulk Hogan thought his Mr. America gimmick would have a longer run in 2003
In 2003, Hogan returned to WWE as a masked man representing the red, white, and Blue. Although his Mr. America gimmick did not last for long, Hogan believed it had huge potential.
Fans saw interesting segments involving Mr. America’s arm-wrestling contest with Vince McMahon. Apart from that, Hogan wrestled three matches as Mr. America, one of which was against the late wrestler Roddy Piper. While making an appearance on Ringside Collectibles, Hogan stated:
I thought Mr. America was going to rock on and be a huge angle, and they said ‘Hey brother, you’re doing the job tonight.’ And I went ‘Hmm, I guess this isn’t going very far’ […] I just figured they didn’t like the gimmick, so at the end of the match, I kind of pulled the mask up if you guys remember. and showed everybody it was me.”
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