Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, burst onto the professional
wrestling scene in the late seventies and went on to become a world
wrestling champion many times over. From humble beginnings, this
giant of a man escaped a pre-ordained life of dock and construction
work in Port Tampa, Florida, to become one of the most recognizable
celebrities on the planet. He did it through sheer will, grit,
determination, and a drive to always go over the top and do more
than what others thought possible. From the outside, his story was
one of a charmed life-he was at the top of his career, had a
wonderful and loving family, and a lifelong fan base who worshipped
him. Of course he had his up and downs-including hints of steroid
abuse and his falling out with WWE and Vince McMahon-but it's been
the last two years that have tested Hogan more than any other in
his lifetime.
In 2007, while riding the massive success of his VH1 reality
show, Hogan Knows Best, his son Nick was involved in a
tragic car accident that left his best friend in critical
condition. Then Linda, his wife, left him after 23 years of
marriage, his beloved daughter Brooke blamed
him for the breakup and his son went to jail. The tabloid
media had a field day. When unflattering jailhouse conversations
between him and his son were released to the press the tabloids
were in a frenzy. The sudden turmoil and tragedy surrounding Hogan
took its toll. He fell into a deep depression, seeing no way out,
until one fate ful phone call.
In My Life Outside the Ring, Hogan will unabash edly
recount these events, revealing how his new found clarity steadied
him during the most difficult match of his life-and how he emerged
from the battle feeling stronger than ever before.
I was right there leaning on the side of the car with my
hands when I finally saw Nick-my only son-folded up like an
accordion with his head down by the gas pedal. "Nick!" I yelled. I
could see he was alive. He turned his head, he stuck his hand out,
and gave me a thumbs-up. For a second I was relieved. Then the
chaos set in. The noise of engines. Sirens. A saw. Para -
medics pulling John from the passenger seat. So much blood. I can't
even describe to you how panicked I was. The police and
firefighters surrounding us seemed panicked, too. The firefighters
started cutting the side of the car open to try to get Nick out,
and I'm still standing right there when I hear my boy screaming,
"No, no, no, stop! Stop! You're gonna cut my legs off. Dad! Just
unbuckle the seatbelt. I can get out!" So I reach in and I push the
button on his seat belt, and Nick just crawls right out. His wrist
was broken. His ribs were cracked. None of that mattered. He was
gonna be okay. But not John. John wasn't moving.
-from MY LIFE OUTSIDE THE RING
