WWE legend Joe Laurinaitis, a.ok.a Road Warrior Animal, has died at age 60. His household and WWE each confirmed his loss of life on Wednesday morning.
Laurinaitis was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011 alongside accomplice Michael Hegstrand (Road Warrior Hawk) as the 2 comprised one of probably the most iconic and dominant tag groups within the historical past of skilled wrestling, the Road Warriors (often known as the Legion of Doom).
Hegstrand died of a coronary heart assault in 2003 at age 46.
Laurinaitis had a quick run at the beginning of his profession competing individually as The Road Warrior earlier than being paired with buddy and fellow wrestler, Hegstrand, to kind The Road Warriors in 1983. With their trademark face paint and spiked shoulderpads, the highly effective duo rapidly grew to become a prime attraction in Georgia Championship Wrestling, successful the NWA nationwide tag workforce championship 3 times within the promotion.
The pair moved by means of the AWA, Japan and Jim Crockett Promotions -- later World Championship Wrestling (WCW) -- successful tag workforce championships at each cease whereas establishing themselves as one of the largest attracts in wrestling with legendary reactions from followers. They have been additionally half of the first-ever WarGames match in WCW, teaming with Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff towards The Four Horsemen.
In June 1990, the pair signed with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and debuted because the Legion of Doom, a reputation that they had used at instances early of their run with supervisor Paul Ellering. As was customary for the duo, they might finally win the WWF tag workforce championship, beating The Nasty Boys in a avenue battle at SummerSlam 1991.
L.O.D. had extra extra runs in WCW, Japan and WWF all through their careers, together with a quick second run with the WWF tag workforce titles in 1997. Laurinaitis returned to WWE in 2005, two years after Hegstrand's loss of life, reforming L.O.D. with Heidenreich. He devoted his ultimate WWE run to his Road Warriors teammate.
With their energy wrestling and no-selling fashion, Animal and Hawk have been thought of one of probably the most influential tag groups within the historical past of skilled wrestling. To at the present time, no workforce has ever been capable of really seize the aura that made the Road Warriors such a large attraction throughout their peak.
Laurinaitis is survived by 4 kids together with James Laurinaitis, a star linebacker at Ohio State who went on to play within the NFL. Joe's brother John Laurinaitis has been an government, producer and occasional on-air expertise in WWE since 2001.
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