Hulk Hogan Netflix doc reveals steroid use, sex tape fallout and Trump friendship

Erin Jensen, USA TODAYWed, April 22, 2026 at 10:05 AM UTC

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Hulkamania is taking over Netflix.

“Hulk Hogan: Real American” (now streaming) reveals how a young man born Terry Gene Bollea – dogged by his dad for not being as strong as his older brother – became a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer and helped make the sport what it is today.

In conversations captured last year before his death on July 24, 2025, Hogan walks viewers through the journey of his career, which began under the guise of the masked Super Destroyer. The four-part docuseries continues up until Hogan’s death from a heart attack at age 71.

Hogan’s son, Nicholas Bollea, known professionally as Nick Hogan, says in the docuseries his dad faced complications following a neck surgery before his death. “It was about 2.5 months that we were in and out of hospitals. But he still showed so much resilience and strength in those moments.”

Nick’s mother Linda, Hogan’s first wife, participated in the film, speaking about the excitement of their love story before it fizzled. Hogan’s manager, James “Jimmy” Hart, and fellow wrestlers Bret Hart and Jesse Ventura discuss Hogan’s decades-long career. Even President Donald Trump sits for an interview, at the request of Hogan.

“Wrestling is a mimicking of life,” Trump says. “There’s a winner and a loser. But Hulk was really at the top of the game.”

Wrestler Hulk Hogan sat for his final on-camera interview early in 2025 for Netflix's docuseries "Hulk Hogan: Real American," streaming now.

Hogan’s legacy, while premier is far from pristine. The wrestler admitted to using steroids and uttering offensive racial slurs, as covered in the docuseries.

“Terry Bollea was not the greatest person of all time,” Hogan admits. “The character was impeccable, even though I wasn’t. I just loved the greatness of the character.”

Here are the notable moments from “Real American" on Netflix:

Hulk Hogan admits to steroid use after denying it for years

Hogan often attributed his physique to a regimen of training, saying his prayers and taking vitamins. He failed to mention one thing that allowed him to balloon to 300+ pounds: steroids. Hogan says he began using steroids a couple of years after graduating from high school in 1971.

“Back then, the mindset was steroids were safer than sugar,” Hogan says. Administering steroids for nonmedical use was outlawed in 1988, but Hogan continued using. His reliance came to light when Dr. George Zahorian, charged with giving steroids to wrestlers in 1991, named Hogan as a recipient. Hogan, aware he “had to do something,” appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show” to deny the story.

“Of course I lied to him,” Hogan says in the docuseries. “It’s something that would be classified in the ‘mistake’ category. If I could relive it, I wouldn’t do it again.”

Hogan admitted to using steroids in 1994. At the time, Vince McMahon, who purchased the former World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from his dad in 1982, stood accused of conspiring to distribute steroids.

“I said he never sold me steroids,” Hogan says. “I told the judge it was just like a carton of cigarettes. ‘Hey, give me a carton of cigarettes, and next time I get one I’ll pay you back.’” McMahon was acquitted.

Hulk Hogan addresses infamous O. J. Simpson quote

Linda says she learned Hogan had been unfaithful when their housekeeper discovered an earring in their bed that didn’t belong to her. Hogan had an affair with Christiane Plante, a friend of his daughter, Brooke (who does not participate in the docuseries). Linda filed for divorce in 2007, and the pair endured an acrimonious split, which Hogan spoke about in a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone.

“I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like O.J., cutting everybody’s throat,” Hogan told the outlet. “You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can’t go to anymore, you’re driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife … I totally understand O.J. I get it.”In 1995, Simpson stood accused in the “trial of the century” of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Both were fatally stabbed on June 12, 1994. Though a jury found Simpson not guilty, some feel he is responsible for their deaths.

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Hulk and Linda Hogan embrace in happier times. The two wed in 1983, and Linda filed for divorce in 2007.

“I spent three days with Rolling Stone,” Hogan says in the docuseries, believing he and the writer had become friends. “All of a sudden, we’re sitting on my back porch and drinking beer on the beach and had a little buzz on, and he asked me about O.J. Simpson. I said, ‘Wow, brother, you know I’ve been that jealous and that mad at a girl that I completely understand how he flipped out. But I would never do that. I would never go there.”

Hogan says amid the backlash, he “started drinking and started eating pills. And I just went down this rabbit hole for a couple of days, and the next thing I know I’m sitting in front of my bathroom with a gun in my mouth, not knowing what I was doing.”

Hogan says he “gave Linda 70% of everything … to get rid of her,” and was financially wiped after their divorce.

Hulk Hogan wins suit against Gawker over sex tape

In 2012, celebrity-focused media company Gawker published part of a sex tape from 2007 that featured Hogan and Heather Clem, wife at the time of Hogan’s friend Todd Clem, known as Bubba the Love Sponge.

When asked to take the tape down, Gawker refused, citing the First Amendment. Hogan sued.Hogan “was horrified at the idea of a little kid Googling him and seeing that,” attorney Ken Turkel, who represented Hogan in the lawsuit, says in the docuseries. In March 2016, a jury awarded Hogan a $140 million dollar judgment, which caused the company to shutter. Hogan and Gawker settled for $31 million, months later, in November 2016.

Hulk Hogan expresses regret over racial slurs

The Gawker lawsuit wasn’t a complete victory for Hogan. A transcript of the tape, released in 2015, revealed he used a racial slur during the encounter. Hogan apologized at the time and was fired by WWE.

“I’m a person that got very mad about a personal situation,” Hogan says in the show. “I used a word. Yeah, I regret it, because even under that heavy, crazy fire, I should’ve remained still and kept my mouth shut. But what I said resonates and has an echo effect. It keeps vibrating for years.”

Hogan spoke of his temper earlier in the docuseries when he recalled a conversation with McMahon. When Hogan triumphed over Yokozuna in 1993 at WrestleMania IX, Hogan wondered what the future held, while McMahon believed his days were numbered.

Hogan remembers he “just went nuts,” on a call with McMahon. “You name it. Every… bad name that you could say that would get you canceled.”

Hulk Hogan tears his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance tee at the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee.President Donald Trump discusses friendship with ‘very controversial’ Hogan: ‘I’m fairly controversial too’

At the top of his interview, Trump encourages the crew to begin if they’re ready, as he has “a big Russia meeting going on.” While the president’s appearance may be surprising, he and Hogan became friends after meeting in the ‘80s and share a commonality, Trump says.

“The Hulk was always very controversial, and that’s OK,” he says. “I’m fairly controversial. I think I’ve become less controversial over the years, but I’m fairly controversial too.”

Hogan admires Trump’s work ethic. Trump compliments Hogan’s showmanship, loyalty and their “good chemistry.”

Hogan says he previously avoided politics as to not alienate any of his fans but quietly voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020. He planned to do the same in 2024, but after the assassination attempt that summer, Hogan could no longer remain silent. Days later at the Republican National Convention, Hogan enthusiastically endorsed Trump as if he were promoting a wrestling match. He even ripped his shirt to reveal a Trump/Vance tee underneath.

“He’s my friend,” Hogan explains. "A lot of people would say I’m completely crazy, but I know the person. I know him very well. I’m not saying I agree with everything he does, but at least he’s honest about who he is.”

If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 any time day or night, or chat online.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hulk Hogan Netflix series depicts steroid use, scandals and regrets

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