The new Netflix documentary Hulk Hogan: Real American takes a close look at the life of Hulk Hogan, showing both the legend and the real person behind “Hulkamania.” Built around what is said to be his final long interview before his passing in July 2025, the series made some new revelations about his injuries, personal struggles, and controversies from inside and outside the ring.
The most shocking moments from Hulk Hogan’s Real American documentary
1. Extreme Fentanyl Use
One of the most shocking parts is Hogan talking about his heavy use of fentanyl later in his career. While working in TNA, he said he was taking very high doses just to get through the day.
“I was taking 80-milligram fentanyls, two in the morning, stuffing them under my gums here I had two 300mg patches of fentanyl on my legs and they gave me six 1500mg fentanyl lollipops to eat,” Hogan said.
At one point, a pharmacist reportedly told him he shouldn’t have survived with that amount. Eric Bischoff also backed this up, saying Hogan was given huge amounts of medication, sometimes along with alcohol.
2. Suicide Attempt After Divorce
The series also talks about Hogan’s mental health, especially after his 2009 divorce from Linda Hogan. He said the breakup left him emotionally and financially drained.
“I went home and I started drinking and you know, started eating pills, and I just went down this rabbit hole for a couple days, and the next thing I know I’m sitting in front of my bathroom with a gun in my mouth and not knowing what I was doing,” Hogan said during the interview.
Hogan said that he gave “70% of everything” he had to Linda, just to move on from the situation. He was financially broke at the time, and TNA emerged as his savior.
3. Lying About Steroid Use
For years, Hogan denied using steroids, even in public interviews. However, in this documentary, he finally admitted the truth. “Of course I lied,” he said in the interview.
His ex-wife Linda also said that Hogan was deeply affected after new legal laws for steroid use came up in the wrestling business.
Looking back, Hogan admitted that lying about it was a mistake.
4. Regret Over Racial Slur Controversy
The documentary also covers the 2015 controversy where Hogan was caught using racial slurs in leaked audio. He was removed from the WWE Hall of Fame for the time and was fired from the company later.
“I’m a person that got very mad about a personal situation. I used a word. Yeah, I regret it because even under that heavy crazy fire I should’ve remained still. Kept my mouth shut but what I said resonates and has an echo effect and it keeps vibrating for years,” Hogan said.
He also spoke about how those words affected his career and reputation for years.
Triple H added that while “Hulk Hogan” remained a legend, Terry Bollea had to face the consequences.
5. Struggles With Identity And Health
The series also shows how much Hogan’s body has slowed down. Once known for his strength, he struggled with simple tasks like opening water bottles. He was seen using a cane and dealing with daily pain.
Along with physical pain, Hogan also struggled to separate his real self, Terry Bollea, from the larger-than-life Hulk Hogan character. Although he wanted to live as authentically as he could, he lived much of his life as Hogan, wearing his trademark attire even in private. The world also wanted to see him as “Hulk Hogan,” not Terry Bollea.
Overall, Hulk Hogan: Real American celebrates his legacy but also shows the dark side of fame and success.
Read More: Triple H Reveals He Led Hulk Hogan’s WWE Firing After 2015 Controversy
