March 18, 2019 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2018 Observer Newsletter Awards

They say never meet your idols, because you’ll end up being disappointed. Whoever said that never met Dick Beyer.”

Mike Tenay, who became a wrestling fan in 1962 when he was with seven-years-old and his grandfather came over to watch matches, and he was captivated when The Destroyer came on television, later saw Destroyer in the main event of the first wrestling show he ever attended and later in life the two became best friends.

Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, one of the real legends of pro wrestling, both in and out of the ring, passed away on 3/7 at the age of 88.

Beyer was a cultural icon in Japan during the 60s and 70s, both from wrestling and from being a member of a prime time comedy ensemble television show that was the most popular television show in Japan at the time.

With all due respect to Jushin Liger, he would have to be considered the biggest non-Mexican masked wrestling star in pro wrestling history. He was a complete worker, one of the most versatile and elite of his era, was incredibly well respected in his community in the Buffalo area as “Coach,” a swimming and wrestling coach who every summer would take some of the area’s best athletes in those sports on trips to Japan, and spent countless hours raising money for charity. He was a wonderful storyteller who for years was one of our go-to guys when it came to wrestlers from his era.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.