WWE Hall of Famer Fred Ottman, known to wrestling fans as Tugboat, Typhoon, and The Shockmaster, has posted an emotional video from the hospital revealing he has been fighting for his life over the past month.
Ottman, 69, shared the update to let fans know he hasn't disappeared. He explained that he, his wife Sheila, and his immediate family and close friends had kept the situation private out of respect for their privacy.
Ottman's Gallbladder Ruptured, Releasing Poison Into His Body
According to the video, Ottman's gallbladder exploded inside of him, releasing toxins throughout his body. The former WWE Tag Team Champion revealed he has been bedridden for 30 days as doctors and surgeons worked to save his life.
Ottman said he also developed a major infection on top of the ruptured gallbladder. The situation was so dire that doctors told his wife that if he had waited just one more day to seek treatment, he likely would not have survived.
Learning To Walk Again
The wrestling legend described the ordeal as a brutal fight. He has lost a significant amount of muscle mass during his hospital stay and has been learning how to walk again. Despite the progress, Ottman acknowledged he is not out of the woods yet.
Ottman said he expects to be discharged on Monday afternoon to continue his recovery at home. However, he will need another surgical procedure later this month and will require dialysis due to the damage the ordeal caused to his kidneys.
Ottman Grateful For Support
Throughout the video, Ottman expressed deep gratitude toward his medical team, his wife Sheila, his friends, and his wrestling friends for their support during this difficult time. He also thanked God for watching over him and his loved ones, noting that he came very close to not making it.
This is unfortunately not the first health scare for Ottman in recent months. In September 2025, his close friend and fellow former WWE Women's Champion Leilani Kai revealed that Ottman had undergone vascular surgery, asking the wrestling community to keep him and Sheila in their thoughts and prayers.
A Beloved Figure In Wrestling
Ottman is best known for his run in the early 1990s as Tugboat, a fan-favorite ally of Hulk Hogan in the WWF. He later turned heel and became Typhoon, forming The Natural Disasters with Earthquake (the late John Tenta). The duo captured the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1992 and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Ottman is also remembered for his infamous debut in WCW as The Shockmaster, a moment that has become one of the most talked-about bloopers in wrestling history. Despite that incident, Ottman has remained a beloved figure in the wrestling community for decades. We wish Fred and his family all the best as he continues his recovery.
