September 28, 2020 Observer Newsletter: Death of Road Warrior Animal

Joe Laurinaitis, better known as Road Warrior Animal, half of the most internationally successful tag team in pro wrestling history passed away on 9/22 at the age of 60.

He passed away, only said to be from natural causes, while at the Margaritaville Resort in Osage Beach, MN. He had just celebrated his wedding anniversary the day before and his 60th birthday the previous week.

Laurinaitis & Mike Hegstrand, Road Warrior Hawk, started teaming in 1983 and immediately became one of the hottest acts in pro wrestling history. They were key figures in the popularity of the steroid era of pro wrestling, one that led to strong mainstream popularity, but also had a flip side of an unbelievable body count.

Laurinaitis, Hegstrand, Barry Darsow and Rick Rood were all bouncers at Gramma B’s in the Twin Cities, where former pro wrestler Eddie Sharkey worked as a bartender.

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