Tag: fred ottman

WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon gives update after ‘pretty tough’ surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon (Fred Ottman) is ready to start the recovery process after undergoing surgery.

Earlier this month, Ottman revealed that he had been hospitalized for approximately 30 days after his gallbladder “exploded” and released poison into his body. He was discharged on February 9 and was awaiting surgery, which Ottman has now undergone. It was a “pretty tough” operation, but Ottman is home and looking forward to getting better.

“They released me from the hospital yesterday. They kept me in the hospital for an extra couple days for observation because the surgery was pretty tough,” Ottman said. “But I’m home with my beautiful wife Sheila. And I got home health care coming in and checking on me today. And then will become the road to recovery, which ought to take a while I believe.

“But I just wanted to keep you guys in the loop, and thanks for all the prayers and all the thoughts and everything and the cards and letters that have been sent to me. God bless you, each and everyone. I really appreciate the support. You know, you’re my extended family. So I just wanted to keep you in here. All right, I love you and I won’t bother you anymore. Have a great day.”

During his hospitalization, Ottman lost a lot of muscle mass that he’s working to get back. He’s also needed to get used to walking again.

Ottman played the characters Typhoon, Tugboat, The Shockmaster, and Big Steel Man during his wrestling career. He and his Natural Disasters tag team partner Earthquake (the late John Tenta) were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2025.

WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon shares update following hospitalization

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon (Fred Ottman) is taking things one step at a time as he navigates his health situation.

Earlier this month, Ottman shared that he had been hospitalized for approximately 30 days after his gallbladder “exploded” and released a bunch of poison into his body. He was released from the hospital on February 9 and is awaiting surgery on February 23. Ottman posted a Facebook video on Sunday noting that he has a pre-surgery consultation scheduled for today. Amid his recovery, he is learning to walk again and dealing with the muscle mass that he lost while hospitalized. It’s a frustrating process but is helping Ottman occupy his time.

“I just want to thank everybody for all the well wishes and everybody that’s been there for me and everything,” Ottman said. “I’m glad for all the support and everything and God bless. I’ve been trying to occupy my mind training as far as walking, learning to walk again with this walker and all that stuff. Getting up and getting down and getting up and getting down. It’s very frustrating sometimes. But some of you that’s been there know what the deal is.”

Ottman said one of his friends visited him yesterday and gave him a haircut and shave, which has made him feel a bit better. Ottman is also signing autographs for fans who have sent him trading cards.

“Like I said, I’ve been signing some cards and doing some autographs for some wrestling fans,” he said. “Trying to keep my mind where it needs to be. But everything is good. It just takes time. It’s a slow, one step at a time kind of situation. But I love you all, and thank you very much for all the support. God bless you.”

Ottman and his late tag team partner Earthquake (John Tenta) were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2025 as The Natural Disasters. During his career, Ottman also played the characters of Tugboat and The Shockmaster.

WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon reveals he’s been hospitalized for a month

Posted on by Ian Carey

Fred Ottman (aka Typhoon, Shockmaster) revealed that he has been hospitalized for an extended period of time.

The 69-year-old posted to Instagram on Sunday to say that for the last 30 days he has been in the hospital after his gallbladder “exploded,” resulting in serious infections. However, he said he is hopeful to be discharged soon.

Ottman said:

“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.

“But I’m here. I’ve lost a lot of muscle mass. I’ve lost a lot of different things. It’s been a brutal fight. I’ve been learning how to walk again. It’s been a fight.

“I’m not out of the woods yet, but Monday afternoon they are going to let me out of here.”

Ottman also noted that he will be going in for surgery on January 23 to have a drainage bag removed.

“Thank God, I’ve got a good wife. I’ve got great friends. My wrestling buddies are just amazing.”

Ottman, as Typhoon, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025 along with Earthquake as The Natural Disasters. They are former one-time WWE Tag Team Champions, having defeated Ted DiBiase and IRS of Money Inc. for the titles at a house show in Denver on February 7, 1992. They dropped the belts back to Money Inc. at another house show that October.

Ottman’s post is below: