Hulk Hogan has said he'll never wrestle again after undergoing 23 surgeries in 10 years.
Though his real name is Terry Bollea, 'Hulk Hogan' is the name synonymous with the world of wrestling for many fans, with the 68-year-old wrestler having achieved six WWE Championships throughout his career.
Though he has made some appearances in more recent years, it's been 16 years since he last stepped into the ring for WWE, and while Hogan has expressed his wishes that he could do a 'farewell' match, he implied his body simply wouldn't be able to handle the stress.
Hogan discussed the possibility of getting back into the ring during a recent interview with the Two Man Power Trip podcast, where he responded to the question of a comeback with the words: 'No, no, no, no, no.'
He continued: 'In the last 10 years, I've had 23 surgeries, 10 back surgeries, both hips, both knees – forget it. If I was healthy, shoot – yeah, man, all day long.'
Hogan went on to discuss some of the wrestlers he'd be willing to take on if he had the chance, saying: 'The first one I'm trying to pick off would be Roman [Reigns], then I'd like to get to Brock [Lesnar], but good God, I'd be in a wheelchair by the time I get done with that.'
The former wrestler does, at least, have the memory of going up against Lesnar nearly 20 years ago at WWE Smackdown; a match that Hulk lost by submission.
In spite of the loss, Hogan said: 'I don't need no rematch with Brock. I'm good.'
Though he might not be able to end his career with a final match the way he wants to, there's no denying Hogan has well and truly carved out his place in the world of WWE.
In a biography about the wrestler on the organisation's website, Hogan is described as the 'key figure in WWE’s rise from regional attraction to worldwide entertainment leader in the 1980s'.
It adds: 'The Hulkster’s superhuman size and undeniable charisma set the standard for what a Superstar should be.'
Hogan's daughter, Brooke, spoke of the numerous surgeries her dad has undergone during an interview with the Hollywood Raw podcast las year, where she described how he has had 'both shoulders scoped and he had his whole bicep and his bursa sac and everything tied up in his shoulder last year'.
‘That was a disaster,' she said, adding: 'He got MRSA and it was like a big thing. So we had to go back and undo tons of physical therapy. He’s had both of his knees replaced multiple times, I think twice on both. He’s had his hips done. He’s had his elbow scoped.’
News of Hogan's apparent retirement from the ring will no doubt be met with disappointment from fans, but the wrestler has definitely already done his fair share of entertaining!
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Emily Brown