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Animal Of Road Warriors Passes Away
Joseph Laurinatis, better known to wrestling fans as Road Warrior Animal has passed away at age 60.
The news was confirmed Wednesday morning with a tweet from his official account.
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
https://twitter.com/RWAnimal/status/1308747451415830529?s=20
Animal was a major star worldwide, with successful runs in WWE, WCW, NWA, and Japan. He began his pro-wrestling career in 1982, eventually teaming with Michael Hegstrand, better known as Road Warrior Hawk. The duo took their act, alongside Paul Ellering throughout the United States and Japan.
The team became a mainstay with Jim Crocket Promotions / NWA , and eventually the WWE where they adopted the tag-team name The Legion Of Doom. Road Warrior Hawk passed away in 2003.
In 2011, The Road Warriors were inducted in the WWE Hall Of Fame. Animal worked his last match in WWE in 2012, defeating Heath Slater on SmackDown.
He was scheduled to appear at this weekend’s Jerry “The King” Lawler 50th Anniversary show.
As this is a developing story, further details will be reported once they are known.
We send our condolences to his friends and family.