WWE’s Road Warrior Animal dies aged 60 as Hulk Hogan pays tribute to his ‘brother’ in heartfelt post
Joseph Laurinaitis, known by his ring name Road Warrior Animal, has died aged 60.
The WWE star was one half of legendary wrestling tag-team the Legion of Doom along with his partner Hawk in the 1980s and 90s.
Fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan was among those who took to social media to pay their respects to Animal following his passing.
Passing: Joseph Laurinaitis, known by his ring name Road Warrior Animal, has died aged 60 (pictured in 2015)
His death was confirmed on his Twitter account with a statement that 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.’
Taking to Twitter, Hulk wrote: ‘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.’
Animal died 12 days after his 60th birthday and appeared on the Legions of Raw podcast just a day before his death.
Icon: The WWE star was one half of legendary wrestling tag-team the Legion of Doom along with his partner Hawk in the 1980s and 90s (pictured in 2011)
His death was confirmed on his Twitter account with a statement that read: ‘At this time we ask for you to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers’
WWE hailed Animal, who was 6’2 and weighed 300lbs, as ‘one of the most intense Superstars to ever step into the squared circle’.
After leaving WWE in 1992, the duo went on to work for New Japan Pro Wrestling and WCW before they returned to their first home in 1997.
Animal, along with Hawk, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, inducted by fellow wrestler Dusty Rhodes.
Hawk, whose real name was Michael Hegstrand passed away in 2003 aged 46 following a sudden heart attack.
He and Animal were said to have been working on a book about their careers at the time of his death.
Animal, who became a born-again Christian in 2001, announced his retirement from the ring in February 2014.
The wrestler and his ex-wife Julie have two children, a son named James, 34, and a daughter called Jessica, 31. He is also believed to have a 40-year-old son named Joseph from a previous marriage.
Several of Animal’s fans took to social media to send their condolences to his family and friends in the wake of the tragic news.