WWE Hall of Famer Nick Bockwinkel Passes Away - #MMBWWE

The wrestling world is saddened to learn that Nick Bockwinkel, a WWE Hall of Famer and four time AWA World Heavyweight Champion, has passed away at age 80.

Bockwinkel, known for his great in-ring skill and intelligent interviews, began his sports-entertainment career in the mid-1950s after concluding his time on the University of Oklahoma football team. Bockwinkel was trained by his famous father, Warren Bockwinkel, and wrestling legend Lou Thesz. Nick teamed with his father on many occasions, competing in Georgia, Texas and the Pacific Northwest before moving onto where he would find the most success: the American Wrestling Association.

Buddy Landel: Knoxville, Tenn., Wrestler Known as 'The Nature Boy' Passes Away at 53 #MMBWWE

The wrestling world is saddened to learn of the passing of William Ansor, aka “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel.

Landel made his in-ring debut in 1979, performing in regional promotions before signing in 1985 with the NWA’s Jim Crockett Promotions. With flowing blond locks, glittering robes and WWE Hall of Famer J.J. Dillon in his corner, Landel set his sights on then-NWA World Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. Though he left Crockett Promotions by the end of the year, Landel left his mark, defeating Terry Taylor at Starrcade 1985 to capture the NWA National Championship.

Landel continued to compete in various promotions in Tennessee and Alabama, then returned to the NWA in 1990 to face off with Flair in a “Battle of the Nature Boys,” before moving on to compete in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. He also made brief appearances in WWE in 1995 and 1996.

All of us extend our condolences to Landel’s family, friends and fans.

Ric Flair Tribute to Dusty Rhodes 'I'll Miss My Friend, Mentor' #MMBWWE

Despite their epic rivalry, Ric Flair says Dusty Rhodes was one of his greatest friends ... and tells TMZ Sports he was "honored to have shared the ring with him." 

We just obtained a statement from Flair, through his agent Melinda Morris Zanoni, who tells us:

"Today I lost one of my greatest opponents and greatest friends. He was the definition of heart and soul and I’m honored to have shared the ring with him countless times.

"He became the 'American Dream' because wrestling needed a hero they could respect, and he was the man for the job. Dusty Rhodes, I will miss you my mentor and friend."

Flair and Rhodes battled in the ring several times ... and their feud was the basis for Dusty's legendary, "Hard Times" speech.  

R.I.P. 

Details Reporting On WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes's Cause Of Death #MMBWWE

WWE announced this afternoon that Virgil Runnels, aka “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, passed away today at the age of 69. Details have begun to surface regarding the cause of his death.

TMZ reports that Rhodes fell in his home in Orlando, Florida on Wednesday morning and he was transported to a nearby hospital.

“Officials tell us … emergency personnel responded to Dusty’s home in Orlando, FL at 5:56 AM Wednesday morning after getting a call reporting a 69-year-old male had taken a fall.”

Rhodes suffered “numerous complications” due to the fall, which ultimately proved fatal.

Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer also reported on Rhodes having a fall, adding that his kidneys shut down and he became dehydrated.

Fans & Wrestlers Tweet Condolences & Stories About Dusty Rhodes #MMBWWE #ThankYouDream

Many have taken to Twitter to leave comments about the passing of WWE Hall of Famer The American Dream Dusty Rhodes. Below are a continuous feed of mentions. 


Click READ MORE to see more. 

Saddened to hear the passing of Dusty Rhodes. Legend, teacher, mentor, friend...Love you Dream #BookinAintEasyKid pic.twitter.com/ZxlGSgKB8J

— Triple H (@TripleH) June 11, 2015

Dusty Rhodes vs Ric Flair NWA World Championship [Video] #ThankYouDream #MMBWWE

WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes Has Passed Away #MMBWWE

WWE and the wrestling fans around the world are deeply saddened that Virgil Runnels, aka “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes — WWE Hall of Famer, three-time NWA Champion and one of the most captivating and charismatic figures in sports entertainment history — passed away today at the age of 69.

Runnels became a hero to fans around the world thanks to his work ethic, his impassioned interviews and his indomitable spirit. Moreover, Runnels was a dedicated father to WWE Superstars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels), a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended.

WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Runnels’ family, friends and colleagues.

WWE Hall of Famer Verne Gagne Passes Away At 89 #MMBWWE

WWE is saddened to learn that Verne Gagne, one of sports-entertainment’s most celebrated performers and promoters, has passed away at the age of 89.

Larry Zbyszko to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2015 #MMBMania

A true Living Legend in the sports-entertainment industry, Larry Zbyszko is the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2015. He will be inducted by his former mentor and rival, WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino.

Zbyszko got his break in the ring game in 1973, studying under Sammartino, a fellow Pittsburgh native. He broke into WWE in the mid-1970s, making a name for himself as part of a tag team with Tony Garea and capturing the World Tag Team Titles from the Yukon Lumberjacks.

Former AWA Champion Could Be Going Into WWE Hall of Fame #MMBMania #MMBWWE

WWE is planning to induct former AWA World Champion "The Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko into the 2015 Hall of Fame..

The former WCW announcer is a regular at NXT TV tapings in Orlando and has appeared at WrestleMania Axxess in recent years.

CREDIT / SOURCE - PWInsider

Midget Wrestling Star Little Tokyo Passes Away

Midget wrestling star Little Tokyo (Shigeri Akabane) died Tuesday of a heart attack in St. Joseph, Missouri. He was 71 years old.