Hulk Hogan, Triple H, AEW, Ric Flair And Others Pay Tribute To Road Warrior Animal
As noted earlier, the official Twitter account of WWE Hall of Famer "Road Warrior Animal" Joseph Laurinaitis announced this morning that the pro wrestling legend has passed away at the age of 60. It was also noted that the family is set to issue a statement later today.
It was reported by TMZ that Animal passed away from natural causes, at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Orange Beach, Missouri. Police reportedly received a phone call on Tuesday night at 11:49pm, from Laurinaitis' wife. Authorities arrived Laurinaitis was declared deceased already. It was noted on Laurinaitis' Twitter account that he and his wife Kim had been celebrating their wedding anniversary on Wednesday, shortly before police were called.
Several WWE Hall of Famer and other pro wrestling stars have paid tribute to Animal on social media today. You can click here to read WWE's statement on Animal's passing.
Hulk Hogan was the first to pay tribute to Animal, commenting on his death before the official Road Warrior Animal Twitter account made the announcement.
Hogan 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. HH"
Triple H remembered Animal on behalf of Stephanie McMahon and the rest of WWE.
"The Road Warriors were a team who personified excitement, physicality, and the undeniable ability to energize the crowd. @StephMcMahon and I join the Superstars, legends, and our @WWE fans in offering our condolences to the Joe Laurinaitis' family at this difficult time," he wrote.
JBL paid tribute to The Road Warriors and named them the greatest tag team of all time.
He wrote, "The greatest tag team of all time was the Road Warriors. Often imitated, never duplicated. Loved both of them as friends and idolized both as the GOATs. RIP Animal-love you my brother, my condolences to everyone affected by this tragic loss."
Tag team legend Bubba Ray Dudley also called Animal and his late partner Hawk the greatest. He wrote, "I've often been asked ... 'Who is the greatest Tag Team of All Time?' The answer has always been the same. Rest in Power brother. My sincere condolences to family, friends and fans of Animal all around the world. #RIPAnimal"
Ric Flair commented on the history between the Four Horsemen and the Road Warriors, writing, "I Am More Than Saddened To Hear Of The Loss Of My Good Friend And GREAT Opponent Joe Laurinaitis Of The Legendary Road Warriors. They Were Iconic! The Road Warriors And The Four Horsemen Drew More Money And Had More Fun And Entertained Fans Worldwide At The Highest Level. RIP"
AEW also paid tribute to Animal, writing, "AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Road Warrior Animal, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans."
Stay tuned for more on Animal's passing. You can see several tributes from Twitter below:
AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of the legendary Road Warrior Animal, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/xAzwv8gngw
? All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) September 23, 2020
The Road Warriors were a team who personified excitement, physicality, and the undeniable ability to energize the crowd. @StephMcMahon and I join the Superstars, legends, and our @WWE fans in offering our condolences to the Joe Laurinaitis' family at this difficult time. https://t.co/pDu4BH77uY
? Triple H (@TripleH) September 23, 2020
? Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) September 23, 2020
The greatest tag team of all time was the Road Warriors. Often imitated, never duplicated. Loved both of them as friends and idolized both as the GOATs. RIP Animal-love you my brother, my condolences to everyone affected by this tragic loss. pic.twitter.com/pf2DshCSnB
? John Layfield (@JCLayfield) September 23, 2020
I'm thinking of Road Warrior Animal Joe Laurinaitis and his entire family right now- very sad to hear this news today. https://t.co/Gz7lzLBr2M
? NattieByNature (@NatbyNature) September 23, 2020
Terrible news to wake up to this morning. Praying for Joe's wife and family. https://t.co/8dxBpEmQqL
? Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) September 23, 2020
I feel so lucky to have gotten the chance to hear @RWAnimal's great stories and to get to know a guy I idolized as a kid. He was strong, funny, brilliant, and a true brother. Thank you Animal! Sending all my love to his family and friends worldwide.
? Matt Sydal (@findevan) September 23, 2020
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
? Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) September 23, 2020
RIP ANIMAL!
? Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) September 23, 2020
Both the business and the city of Chicago lost another wrestling legend #RIPAnimal
? Matt Rehwoldt (@DramaKingMatt) September 23, 2020
My condolences to @RWAnimal's family. Joe will be missed! So sorry. #RIPAnimal
? Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) September 23, 2020
My heart goes out to the family and friends of 1 1/2 of the greatest tagteam in the history of this business, Joseph Laurinaitis/animal from LOD. Thank you for showing the world how tag team wrestling is done. You will be missed and never forgotten.R.I.P my friend. #RoadWarriors pic.twitter.com/5VWd9o4O3f
? D-von Dudley HOF (@TestifyDVon) September 23, 2020
The Road Warriors were one of my favorite tag-teams, destroying theirs opponents with overwhelming strength and power. RIP, Animal. https://t.co/Se4ZVDo6rt
? Kane (@KaneWWE) September 23, 2020
The Afterlife needed their Survivor Series team. #RestInPower ?? pic.twitter.com/lEsBUv2VOV
? Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) September 23, 2020
My heart goes out to his family ???? #RIPAnimal https://t.co/LoUp3DkaSs
? KALISTO (manny) (@KalistoWWE) September 23, 2020
I hope that Roadwarrior puppet heavens gates didn't wake the devil #RIPAnimal pic.twitter.com/7ANPwwBmqP
? #nZo (FKA Enzo Amore) (@real1) September 23, 2020
Can't believe the news today of the passing of @RWAnimal Just over a month ago we finally met and what a pleasure it was. Thank you #ohwhatarush #RIPANIMAL pic.twitter.com/1se9SeRPdE
? Vik_The_Spacelord (@VikTheSpacelord) September 23, 2020
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
? RoadWarriorAnimal (@RWAnimal) September 23, 2020
Happy Anniversary baby, love you! pic.twitter.com/ZYqpBgH9lY
? RoadWarriorAnimal (@RWAnimal) September 22, 2020