From Setbacks to Comebacks: How Touro Helped Pro Wrestler Luke Hawx Return to the Ring

Luke Hawx is no stranger to adversity. Born and raised in New Orleans, Luke—real name Oren Hawxhurst—survived a tumultuous childhood shaped by his parents' addiction and life on the streets. But through the chaos, one dream stayed constant: pro wrestling.

“Pro wrestling got me through all my darkest days,” said Luke, now 44. “Even when I was in between homes, or had nothing to eat, all I had on my mind was wrestling.”

That lifelong focus on wrestling didn’t just provide escape, it built a career. For 25 years, Luke has competed professionally and carved out a second life in the film and TV industry as an actor, stuntman, and action coordinator. His credits include Logan, Fast & Furious, and Young Rock, where he portrayed “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

But in May 2023, while wrestling a match with his son, fellow pro wrestler P.J. Hawx, Luke sustained an injury that brought everything to a halt.

A Hidden Injury, a Tough Decision

“I felt something, but I didn’t know it was a double hernia,” said Luke. He pushed through the pain at first, but it worsened. “I’ve been wrestling and training intensely for decades. I’m used to being sore, but this was different.”

After a sternum injury sidelined him in 2021, Luke was especially frustrated by this new setback. “I had just gotten back to full strength. With film and wrestling, if you’re not out there, someone else will take your spot. You can’t sit out for long.”

Eventually, he reached out to a friend and fellow trainer who connected him to Ian Hodgdon, MD, a board-certified general surgeon at Touro in New Orleans. Luke needed a specialist who understood both the physical and aesthetic demands of his career. There was no time to waste.

“When I called Dr. Hodgdon, I didn’t have to explain who I was or why I needed to get back to work quickly,” said Luke. “He understood immediately. I film shirtless all the time. I’m a public person. To find a doctor who didn’t need a crash course in my life was amazing.”

Minimally Invasive, Maximally Effective

On June 6, 2024, Dr. Hodgdon performed a robotic bilateral inguinal hernia repair on Luke using the Da Vinci surgical robot. This approach involves inserting a small mesh patch through tiny incisions to reinforce weakened muscle areas in the groin.

“These types of hernias are very common, especially in men who are extremely active,” said Dr. Hodgdon. “With robotic-assisted surgery, we can make precise repairs that allow patients like Luke to recover faster and more comfortably.”

Because Luke’s body fat was exceptionally low—around 3 percent—his abdominal area was under severe strain, making the procedure slightly more complex. But Dr. Hodgdon and the surgical team were up to the task.

“He had very little tissue cushioning the area, but we were able to place the mesh exactly where it needed to go,” said Dr. Hodgdon. “He was sore afterward, which is normal, but he pushed himself carefully and made a remarkable recovery.”

The Touro Difference

Luke was back home the same day and began light movement within a week. What stood out most to him wasn’t just the technical precision of the surgery—it was the care he received.

“The staff at Touro was incredible,” said Luke. “My nurse Cynthia was amazing. Super attentive. They made sure I had everything I needed. I’ve had bad medical experiences in the past, where I felt like just a number. This was the first time I truly felt cared for.”

The personalized attention didn’t end when he was discharged. Luke saw Dr. Hodgdon at University Medical Center for a follow-up visit. “He kept checking in with me. He didn’t just fix the hernia and disappear. He wanted to make sure I was healing properly and getting back to my life.”

Turns out, this past June, Luke had an emergency appendectomy. Dr. Hodgdon was in touch with the surgeon who performed the operation. “I was very happy to hear that the patch stayed in the perfect spot – exactly where I placed it,” the surgeon said.

Back in the Ring—and Beyond

With the support of his wife, physical therapist Sonia Saini, and a disciplined recovery plan, Luke began easing back into training by late July. Heavy lifting was off the table for a while, but he focused on mobility, cardio, and maintenance workouts. By September, he was back in the ring, training full-time for a major cage match in November—with his son P.J.

“It took six weeks of hardcore training to feel like myself again,” he said. “But I did it. I got back.”

Today, Luke is juggling multiple projects, including an overseas wrestling tour and a documentary about his life. He trains daily, often before sunrise, and still finds time for his roles as a father, actor, and business owner. Luke’s company, Wildkat Sports and Entertainment, is the premier wrestling company and training center in the South. It regularly hosts local live events, with a portion of the proceeds from each event benefiting local middle and high school athletic programs.

“I know I can’t wrestle forever,” he said. “But I’ve been lucky to build a career that gives me options. Acting, stunts, coaching—it all keeps me moving. I feel incredibly fortunate.”

And when it came time to get back on his feet, Luke is quick to give credit where it’s due.

“Touro and Dr. Hodgdon didn’t just repair my hernias,” he said. “They helped me reclaim my livelihood. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

To learn more about general surgery services, including hernia repair, visit Touro | New Orleans, LA Hospital