It makes no difference if you’re a regular person or you have been called a “champion” of the World Wrestling Federation, when your wife files for divorce and you learn about it from a journalist, you find no strength to fight the surprise.

This is the case of Hulk Hogan, on his real name Terry Bollea who was taken by surprise by a St. Petersburg scribe when the latter referred to Linda Bollea’s divorce intentions.

According to Pinellas County court records, the famous wrestler’s wife Linda Marie Bollea, 48, initiated a file to dissolute marriage from Terry Gene Bollea, 54. The divorce petition was filed on Tuesday. The couple has been married for 23 years.

When the reporter called Terry Bollea on Friday night, found that the star was in the dark with the subject, so the journalist informed him that the request was filed on Tuesday. Hulk Hogan, who will host NBC’s “American Gladiators” the next year said “Thank you for the great information” and hang up. Later he explained his blunt behavior through the shock created by hearing the news.

“I'm kind of shocked. You caught me off-guard. My wife has been in California for about three weeks. ... Holy smokes. Wow, you just knocked the bottom out of me,” he said.

The couple, who stars in VH-1’s reality show “Hogan Knows Best” explored the possibility of divorce in a recent episode of the show. The recent gigs depicted arguments and reconciliations of the couple, so virtually nobody expected the materialization of the divorce possibility.

Mr. and Mrs. Hogan were preparing the defense for their son, Nick, 17, who is facing a felony charge of reckless driving. In August he lost control of his Toyota Supra and collided a tree, causing a passenger, John Graziano, severe brain injuries.