WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon has disclosed a harrowing health crisis that left him hospitalised for an entire month. The retired wrestling icon, whose real name is Fred Ottman, shared the distressing details in an emotional video posted to his Instagram account over the weekend.
A Life-Threatening Medical Emergency
The 69-year-old former wrestler explained that his gallbladder had ruptured, leading to a severe and widespread infection throughout his body. Ottman was urgently admitted to hospital, but his condition deteriorated so rapidly that medical professionals warned his wife of a high probability he might not survive the ordeal.
'If I would have waited one more day, the doctors told me I probably wouldn't be here with you, be able to talk to you guys,' Ottman revealed in the heartfelt footage.
Intensive Medical Intervention Required
Upon arrival at the medical facility, Ottman – who competed in the WWE between 1989 and 1993 – was immediately placed on dialysis. This critical, life-sustaining procedure filters harmful toxins from the bloodstream and was necessary for a brief period during the initial stages of his treatment.
The infection that followed the gallbladder rupture has taken a devastating physical toll on the wrestling veteran. Ottman has been confined to his bed since the incident occurred, resulting in substantial muscle deterioration and dramatic weight loss.
The Gruelling Road to Recovery
Ottman's mobility has been so severely affected that he has faced the daunting challenge of relearning how to walk. 'I've lost a lot of muscle mass. It's been a brutal fight,' he confessed. 'I've been learning how to walk again.'
Despite the slow and painful rehabilitation process, the wrestling legend has maintained an optimistic outlook. He confirmed that medical staff planned to discharge him from hospital on Monday, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey.
Support System and Positive Outlook
'I'm not out of the woods yet, but Monday afternoon they are going to let me out of here,' the former WWE tag team champion stated. He expressed profound gratitude for his support network, adding: 'Thank God, I've got a good wife. I've got great friends. My wrestling buddies are just amazing.'
Fred Ottman, who performed under the ring name Typhoon, was inducted into the prestigious WWE Hall of Fame just last year. He received this honour alongside his Natural Disasters tag team partner, Earthquake – also known as John Tenta – who was posthumously inducted following his passing in 2006 after a prolonged struggle with bladder cancer.
The wrestling community and fans worldwide are now sending their well-wishes as Ottman continues his gradual recovery from this frightening health scare that nearly claimed his life.
