Former WWE Star Typhoon/Tugboat Undergoes Surgery – Fred Ottman, remembered by fans as Tugboat, Typhoon, and the unforgettable Shockmaster, is recovering after undergoing vascular surgery. The news was shared by former WWE Women’s Champion Leilani Kai, who posted a heartfelt message on Facebook asking fans to keep Ottman and his wife, Sheila, in their thoughts.
“Today, my dear friend and wrestling brother Fred Ottman (who fans know as Tugboat, Typhoon, and of course The Shockmaster) is undergoing vascular surgery,” Kai wrote. “Fred has given so much of himself to this business, both in the ring and outside of it. He’s always been larger than life, but what I love most is his heart. He has a way of making everyone around him feel cared for, and that’s something truly special.”
Kai added a message of support for Ottman’s wife: “I want to ask all of you to please lift Fred and his wife Sheila up in your thoughts and prayers today. Sheila has been right by his side through everything, and I know your love and support will mean the world to both of them. 💪 Wishing my friend a safe surgery and a strong recovery. We’re all pulling for you, Fred.”
Ottman rose to prominence in WWE during the early 1990s as Tugboat, a fan-favorite ally of Hulk Hogan. He later reinvented himself as Typhoon, teaming with Earthquake (John Tenta) as The Natural Disasters. Together, they captured the WWE Tag Team Championships in 1992.
Though he is also remembered for his infamous WCW debut as The Shockmaster, Ottman’s career spanned decades, and he remains a beloved figure among wrestling fans and peers. In 2025, he and his late partner John Tenta were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025, further cementing their legacy as one of WWE’s most dominant tag teams.
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Former WWE Star Typhoon/Tugboat Undergoes Surgery
