WWE legend ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The Hall of Famer – who won the first-ever Royal Rumble in 1988 – is set to undergo surgery this week at the MUSC hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.
In a video alongside his wife Debra on Instagram, the 67-year-old retired wrestler revealed he’s been battling the disease for several months.
Although he’s planning to take a step back from social media, he promised fans that his partner will keep them updated on his condition throughout his health battle.
Earlier this month, Debra revealed Duggan had been rushed to hospital to undergo emergency surgery, but didn’t offer any further details.
In a message posted on his own Twitter account, she wrote: ‘Back where we don’t want to be. Please pray for Jim and his doctors as he has emergency surgery this morning. Thank you, Debra’.
She later revealed he was recovering and the surgery had been a success.
At the end of 2018, the star was hospitalised due to heart issues and spent time in ICU, and in January 2020 gave a health update after listening to his doctor’s orders.
‘I’m doing great but I had a few health issues last year. I listened to my doctor and I’ve dropped about 40 pounds and am doing much better,’ he told The Wrestling Inc Daily at the time, adding that he’d definitely wrestled his last match.
‘Once in a while I’ll hit the ring with a 2×4. I joke that it works as good as it always has,’ he said. ‘I still love doing the indies because those are the kids that really love wrestling. They have regular jobs but still love wrestling so much.
‘They know the odds of making it are a million to one but it’s still great to go out and see those kids out there and be a part of their show.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.