We here are saddened to hear the news, that one of the all time greats in tag team professional wrestling, Road Warrior Animal, has passed away at the age of 60. The news was officially confirmed by WWE earlier this morning.
Road Warrior Animal (Joseph Michael Laurinaitis), started in the business in the early 1980s as a singles wrestler, under the persona of 'The Road Warrior' but then transitioned to tag team wrestling, teaming up with his former long time partner and lifelong friend Road Warrior Hawk (Michael Hegstrand) and one of the greatest tag teams of all time; The Road Warriors was formed. The Road Warriors had tremendous success as a team all over the world, wrestling for Jim Crockett Promotions, the AWA under Verne Gagne and in Japan for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He also had success as a singles wrestler in Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling.
The Road Warriors headed North, to the WWE (F) in the 1990s under the renamed 'Legion of Doom' and had a phenomenal run in the company as WWF World Tag Team Champions. Joseph Laurinaitis' family are no strangers to sports and professional wrestling, as his brother John, was a former WWE Executive and on screen personality and his son James is currently playing in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints.
At this time, we do not know Animal's cause of death, but a statement was officially released from his Official Twitter Account and when we have an update, we will provide it here.
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
We here at Pro Wrestling Slam! extend our deepest condolences to the Laurinaitis Family during this time. Road Warrior Animal was without a doubt a legend and an icon in professional wrestling.
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