Road Warrior Animal sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 60. Animal was part of the legendary Road Warriors alongside Hawk, one of the most influential tag teams of all-time.
Following news of his passing, wrestlers took to social media to send their condolences and memories.
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
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
Shocked to hear of the passing of @RWAnimal.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) September 23, 2020
An iconic figure in our business who I was looking forward to seeing this Saturday night in Jackson, Tennessee at the @JerryLawler celebration.
Condolences to Joe’s family and friends. ----
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 ---- pic.twitter.com/eiZ2udqGNm
— Ric Flair (@RicFlairNatrBoy) September 23, 2020
A crushing blow for the pro wrestling community with the sad news that Joe Laurinaitis (Road Warrior Animal) has passed away. Along with the late Mike Hegstrand (Road Warrior Hawk), they helped revolutionize the business. A slew of imitators, but they were the originators. pic.twitter.com/pF8korb1oF
— Mike Mooneyham (@ByMikeMooneyham) September 23, 2020
Saddened to hear of Road Warrior Animal's passing. An iconic force as the sport emerged in its popularity on a worldwide level. Growing up, LOD hooked me on pro wrestling for life. I feel fortunate to have had the privilege of working with Joe at WWE. A good brother. #RIPAnimal
— Court Bauer (@courtbauer) 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 such a nice dude, would always let me mess around with his shoulder pads which weighed half of me.... https://t.co/OVcC4zP4MB
— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) September 23, 2020
RIP Joe Laurinaitis aka @RWAnimal Very saddened to hear this awful news. A true icon of tag team wrestling, and a gentleman. We did this tribute to him and Hawk on a few occasions, and he was nothing but complimentary of it and very gracious. I will miss you my friend. Godspeed pic.twitter.com/IxRxCErQJ5
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) September 23, 2020
Just found out that Road Warrior Animal has left us. Very sad to hear this, always such a nice guy whenever I would see him. So, I have a Tasmanian Devil tattoo on my right arm, he was my inspiration to get that before I started wrestling training. #RIP pic.twitter.com/iynxmE8pkb
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) September 23, 2020
Sad to hear this news. My prayers to his family and friends #rip https://t.co/urdu9ryku8
— Thunder Rosa (@thunderrosa22) September 23, 2020
When James was drafted to The Rams, I remember seeing this pic. What a cool moment for a father and son. pic.twitter.com/PaiXdtMlCJ
— Ariya Daivari (@AriyaDaivariWWE) September 23, 2020
The NWA sends its deepest condolences to the family & friends of Animal.
— NWA (@nwa) September 23, 2020
Animal was a pioneer in tag team wrestling winning the inaugural Crockett Cup w/his partner Hawk.He truly embodied the tradition of the sport.
He was a dominant force in the ring & a gentleman outside it. pic.twitter.com/1dns0jZOa6
The Afterlife needed their Survivor Series team. #RestInPower -- pic.twitter.com/lEsBUv2VOV
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) September 23, 2020
-- What awful news to wake up to. RIP @RWAnimal pic.twitter.com/lqYChQLLCE
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) September 23, 2020
Today we lost the engine of the train
— Paul Ellering (@PaulElleringWWE) September 23, 2020
LOD. Animal was a partner, warrior, and friend. He will be welcomed home by a waiting Hawk. pic.twitter.com/pJ3BSYRSnQ
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
Godspeed, Animal. -- pic.twitter.com/ndYq3msXAD
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) September 23, 2020
My thoughts on the sudden passing of family friend @RWAnimal pic.twitter.com/TNZxXOcB9n
— Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) September 23, 2020
Damn...
— Santana / Proud & Powerful---- (@Santana_Proud) September 23, 2020
Rest in POWER, @RWAnimal ---- https://t.co/GIfNEVKzQl
Hawk and Animal are giving the Doomsday Device to the Angels now. RIP Brother. pic.twitter.com/qu1plbseCH
— KEN SHAMROCK (@ShamrockKen) September 23, 2020
It’s very sad to hear about the passing of Joe @RWAnimal Laurinaitis today. Animal & Hawk took tag team wrestling by storm & made it cool as hell. Thank you for paving the way. We’re gonna miss you, Joe. My thoughts are with the Laurinaitis family today. #RIPAnimal pic.twitter.com/jBP9q4goKw
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) September 23, 2020
RIP Animal.
