Hulk Hogan sues spine surgery clinic for $50 million - 14th January 2013

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Wrestler Hulk Hogan has filed a lawsuit against the Tampa-based Laser Spine Institute, saying the clinic did unnecessary surgeries that damaged his career.

The Tampa Bay Times reports that Hogan filed the lawsuit Monday. He filed under his real name, which is Terry Bollea. It seeks damages of $50 million.

In addition to claiming unnecessary surgeries, the lawsuit also says the Laser Spine Institute used an endorsement from Hogan without permission or payment.

The Laser Spine Institute did not return a call for comment.

Earlier this month, TMZ reported Hulk was refiling a $100 million lawsuit against the website Gawker, which posted a portion of his sex tape online. The former reality show first sued the gossip site back in October 2011, but dismissed the suit in a federal court, only to later refile in a Florida state court. He is also reportedly currently suing Heather Clem, the woman he appears with in the sex tape.

The dismissal was necessary to consolidate his claims against both Clem and the website.

HULK'S BACK SURGERY LAWSUIT: I Lost a $50 Million Shot AT JOHN CENA
- 15th January 2013
(TMZ)

It was supposed to be the wrestling match to end all wrestling matches -- Hulk Hogan vs. John Cena in a battle royale -- but it was all dashed to pieces thanks to some bogus back surgery ... according to Hulk Hogan ... and it cost him $50 MILLION.

TMZ broke the story ... Hulk filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Laser Spine Institute of Florida -- claiming its doctors duped him into undergoing multiple procedures in 2009 that were completely useless and damaged his career.

Hulk doesn't explain why he's suing for $50 million in the lawsuit -- but Hulk's legal team (headed by Wil Florin) tells TMZ, the reason for the massive sum is a lucrative "phase out contract" that was torpedoed by the bad surgeries.

According to Hulk's team, the contract outlined a blowout match between Hulk and Cena -- a match that was supposed to be Hulk's career ender -- but thanks to the surgeries, it never happened.

Hulk's claiming the contract -- along with subsequent appearance opportunities -- was worth $50 million.

LSI has yet to comment on the litigation.