WWE Hall of Famer Fred Ottman has been released from hospital and says he is feeling better, although doctors are still investigating his health concerns.
The 70-year-old, known to wrestling fans as Typhoon, Tugboat and The Shockmaster, shared the update in a Facebook video after being hospitalised last week. His illness forced him to cancel an appearance at the SWFL Super Card Show in Fort Myers, Florida.
Ottman chose to keep the medical details private but thanked fans for their support, offering some humour along the way.
“They’ve released me from the hospital. They still got a lot more stuff to investigate and get me along the way better. I can’t go into any detail, I’m not going to go into any detail,” he said. “They’re still investigating some things and seeing what’s going on, my orthopedic and my primary [doctor]. I’m just letting you know, I’m better. I’m only a little ugly, not a lot of ugly, okay? [laughs] So I’m just sharing that with you. But God bless you, and thank you for all the people that were keeping me in their thoughts and prayers and everything like that. One day at a time. It’s been a rough, rough year. God bless. See ya.”
He also showed bruising on his arm from the hospital stay, joking about its colours.
This latest setback follows a serious medical emergency earlier in 2026, when Ottman underwent surgery after his gallbladder “exploded”. He spent around 30 days in hospital and later worked to rebuild his muscle mass and become comfortable walking again.
Ottman entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2025 alongside his late Natural Disasters partner, John “Earthquake” Tenta. The duo won the WWF Tag Team Championship in 1992.
Speaking to Sportskeeda WrestleBinge last year, Ottman reflected warmly on their friendship.
“[Tenta] was literally my brother from another mother,” Ottman said. “I’d tell him that all the time because we’d cut up and joke and have a good time and John was just so amazing as an athlete. I was proud when they put us together,” Ottman said. “It was great. I never had to worry about him, he never had to worry about me. We were always where we were supposed to be. We’d be early, and whatever needed to be done, we did. And that makes for perfect business.”
Everyone at WNS wishes Ottman well as his recovery continues.
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