Hulk Hogan is back.

After a series of personal disasters that would have killed a lesser man, the most famous professional wrestler is making his triumphant return to the ring Monday.

Casting his lot with upstart Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's "iMPACT!" Hogan will go against World Wrestling Entertainment's "Monday Night Raw" in the first time that two wrestling companies have broadcast live head-to-head since the 1990s glory days of the WWE versus World Championship Wrestling rivalry.

AP Photo/Charles SykesHulk Hogan returns to wrestling Monday night, working for TNA.

Hogan can't wait to battle "that 8,000-pound monster, Vince McMahon and the WWE."

"TNA has so much talent," he told Page 2. "If someone programs these guys, if someone breathes life into their characters, changes a few little things in the company, it's going to be history repeating itself."

At 56, Hogan remains a force of nature.

Two years ago, things weren't so thrilling. His life fell apart under the glare of reality TV and tabloids. He fought with his teenage daughter, Brooke. His teen son, Nick, had a terrible car wreck, seriously injuring a family friend, John Graziano. Nick went to jail for five months, and the Graziano family sued. Then Hogan had the first of what would become three major back surgeries, and his 25-year marriage to Linda Bollea spectacularly imploded.

"My 51-year-old wife left me for her 18-year-old boyfriend," he said.

His soon-to-be ex-wife, Linda, also took the kids, the dogs and every stick of furniture in the house. She even stripped the light fixtures and a valuable antique toilet seat.

Hogan was overwhelmed. "In a short amount of time, I lost everything," he said. "From my family, to financially, my heath -- I was devastated."

He fell into a deep depression, drinking heavily and "sinking lower than I ever thought I could go." But Instead of taking an easy path and becoming another dead celebrity, Hogan cleaned up, got right with God and found a healthier romantic relationship. He also wrote "My Life Outside The Ring," a 320-page autobiography that opens with Hogan at rock bottom, gun in hand, contemplating suicide.

"It was tough writing the book," he said, "but it helped me a lot."

Now Hogan has "pulled the nose up." He is embracing life and bringing that newfound clarity to TNA. "They don't even know how close they are," he said.

Come Monday, they, the fans, and the WWE will find out.