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.