One half of the famous Legion of Doom tag team and WWE wrestler Road Warrior Animal, has died at the age of 60.
Real name Joseph Laurinaitis, Animal was part of the wrestling duo that would later be lauded as the greatest to ever enter the ring.
With his tag team partner Michael Hegstrand, who was known as Hawk and died in 2003 aged 46, the Legion of Doom were two-time champions in the heydays of WWE when the business was known as the WWF.
One of the most intense Superstars to ever step into the squared circle, the 6-foot-2, 140kg Animal spent the majority of his career alongside his tag team partner in a number of different wrestling companies.
Animal’s own Twitter page broke the news, saying: “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.”
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan shared his sadness, saying: “RIP Animal,love you my brother, I know you and Hawk have a lot of unfinished business to take care of!
God speed and blessings to your beautiful family,one love4Life. HH.”
A WWE spokesman added: “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.
“The Road Warriors thrived in multiple stints with WWE, where they were known as The Legion of Doom. The team won the World Tag Team Titles on two occasions and were eventually enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame.”
A tweet from Road Warrior Animal’s official account confirmed the sad news.
It read: “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”
