WWE Hall of Famer Fred Ottman has been admitted to hospital, forcing him to cancel a scheduled appearance at this weekend’s SWFL Super Card Show in Fort Myers, Florida.

The 70-year-old, best known as Tugboat and Typhoon in WWE and The Shockmaster in WCW, shared the news in a video for fans. He confirmed he had been taken to the emergency room before being admitted, but did not reveal the reason.

“Unfortunately, due to things beyond my control, I was put into the hospital here this evening,” Ottman said. “Finally got admitted after I was taken to the emergency room. But I will not be able to be in Fort Myers.”

Despite his situation, Ottman focused on apologising to those who had hoped to meet him at the convention, which runs from Friday to Sunday.

“I want to apologise, and I’ll get together with the promoters and my friend Matthew that was bringing me in after I see what’s going on here with the doctors,” he said. “But I love you all, and keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Hopefully I’ll be seeing you soon.”

The latest hospital admission follows a difficult spell for Ottman earlier this year. He spent around a month in a St. Petersburg hospital with a serious gallbladder complication and an infection. He later said doctors had warned him that waiting another day could have been too late.

Ottman was discharged on February 9 and underwent surgery later that month. During his recovery, he returned home to his wife Sheila and received support from home health care staff. The lengthy hospital stay also left him with significant muscle loss, and he used a walker as he worked towards walking again.

Signing cards and autographs for fans helped keep him occupied throughout that recovery. Convention appearances have remained an important part of his life since retiring from the ring, giving him opportunities to meet supporters and revisit memories from his career.

Ottman enjoyed WWE Tag Team Championship success alongside the late John Tenta, better known as Earthquake, as The Natural Disasters. The pair were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2025, with Tenta honoured posthumously.

His brief run as The Shockmaster also gave wrestling one of its most memorable television moments. Although his 1993 WCW debut famously went wrong, Ottman embraced its lasting popularity and continued sharing the story with fans for decades.

No further details have been announced about his current condition or how long he may remain in hospital. It is also unclear whether his other upcoming appearances will be affected or whether the Fort Myers booking will be rescheduled.

Everyone at WNS wishes Fred Ottman a speedy recovery.