November 8, 2024

WWE great Road Warrior Animal dies at age 60

Road Warrior Animal #RoadWarriorAnimal

a man wearing a costume: Joe Laurinaitis a/k/a Road Warrior Animal attends the C2E2 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place on April 24, 2015. © Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images Joe Laurinaitis a/k/a Road Warrior Animal attends the C2E2 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place on April 24, 2015.

WWE legend Road Warrior Animal, half of the famous tag team duo the “Road Warriors,” has died.

Animal, whose real name is Joseph Laurinaitis, was 60. A message posted on his official Twitter account Wednesday confirmed the news.

a man wearing a costume: Joe Laurinaitis a/k/a Road Warrior Animal attends the C2E2 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place on April 24, 2015. © Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images Joe Laurinaitis a/k/a Road Warrior Animal attends the C2E2 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo at McCormick Place on April 24, 2015.

Animal and his tag team partner, Road Warrior Hawk, were two-time WWE tag team champions. They wrestled together on several circuits, including WCW, prior to joining the WWE. Hawk died in 2003, and the two were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.

Animal’s son James Laurinaitis played linebacker for the then-St. Louis Rams from 2009-2015 and finished his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2016.

Hulk Hogan was among those who paid tribute to Animal on social media.

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