Joseph Laurinaitis, a former professional wrestler who was known in the ring as Road Warrior Animal, has died at 60.
The former wrestler who was one half of the famed tag team known as the “Road Warriors” and “Legion of Doom”.
A tweet from the wrestler’s official Twitter account confirmed his death on Wednesday morning and asked for prayers.
At this time, we would like to confirm the passing of Joseph Laurinaitis aka Road Warrior Animal at the age of 60. The family is planning to release a statement later today. At this time we ask for you to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. #OhWhatARush
— RoadWarriorAnimal (@RWAnimal) September 23, 2020
According to TMZ, the wrestling legend passed away at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, Missouri.
Police were called at around 11:49 PM but when deputies arrived on scene, emergency personnel had already declared the ex-wrestler deceased and cause of his death was not disclosed.
WWE reacting to this said it was “saddened” to learn of Animal’s passing and expressed condolences to his family.
It stated;
With their intimidating face paint, outfits covered in metal spikes and impressive array of power moves, the duo captured titles and destroyed opponents wherever they roamed. Their dominance made them so popular that the phrase ‘Road Warrior pop’ has been used in locker rooms to describe particularly deafening reactions from the crowd ever since.
Animal and his tag team partner Hawk were two-time WWE tag team champions and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.
Hawk, real name Michael Hegstrand, died of a heart attack in 2003 at age 46.
The Road Warriors, who were managed by Paul Ellering, began as a duo in Georgia Championship Wrestling before wrestling in the AWA in the mid-’80s. They also worked for WCW and had stints in Japan.
Animal is considered one of the best in-ring performers of all-time.
May his soul rest in peace.
