The Big Regret Hulk Hogan Confessed About His Career

The late Hulk Hogan was one of the most iconic, most recognizable WWE stars within the ring prior to his death at age 71, from his trademark blonde mustache to his yellow and red feather boa, and later, when he rocked the now-iconic graffiti-like black and white New World Order logo. Another memorable thing about Hogan, to those who were fans of him throughout all stages of his career, was his move set. Hogan's moves within the ring stayed consistent no matter the era, from how he would "Hulk up" after no-selling his opponent's offensive, to the big boot that would proceed his finisher: the leg drop.

It could be argued that Hogan should have had many career regrets, and that's excluding his various scandals outside of the squared circle. However, it was his leg drop finisher that Hogan repeatedly said was the one thing he regretted about his decades-long career. Most recently, back in October 2023, Hogan told Chris Van Vliet on his "Insight" podcast that he knew the leg drop didn't look like a tough move, but it did a number on his body with how tough the rings were back when he started wrestling in 1977.

"All those years, dropping that leg in those rings, with the boards, sticking up or landing on my tailbone," Hogan said. "My arms were big. I should have used the sleeper. No bump. I think I would have been in a lot better shape with my spine and my back."

Hogan told the LA Times in October 2019 that the leg drop was responsible for numerous back surgeries and other injuries he suffered throughout his career. In December 2010, Hogan underwent spinal fusion surgery, then claimed he had six operations over a period of a year and a half before that. He said only the fusion surgery gave him any relief from the ongoing pain, and it did let him get back into the ring for a handful of matches in TNA.

He filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Laser Spinal Institute in 2013 to the tune of $50 million after he needed to have so many surgeries in such a short period of time. In the suit, Hogan alleged that the surgeries cost him the $50 million in "provable loss of past and future income."

Hogan continued to have issues with his back throughout his life, and in May 2025, prior to his death, Hogan also underwent neck fusion surgery, though his now-widow, Sky Daily, confirmed that the surgery was unrelated to any previous health issues. "The Hulkster" died of cardiac arrest on July 24, 2025 after suffering numerous health problems post-surgery.