WWE legend Bobby Duncum Sr has died at the age of 81. The television wrestling star, who was a mainstay in the sports entertainment world from the 1960s to the 1980s, passed away earlier this week. No cause of death has been revealed.
WWE announced his death with a statement on Saturday night, describing him as 'one of the most feared villains of the territories' and 'as tough as they came'. Duncum began his career as a football player, having been selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 NFL Draft and playing four professional games in 1968.
A graduate of West Texas State University, the same institution that produced Dusty Rhodes and The Funk Brothers, Duncum transitioned to wrestling and became infamous for his wild street fights and brutal battles against WWE Legends like Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund. He was also a member of the iconic Heenan Family, led by WWE Hall of Famer Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan, in the AWA.
Former wrestling manager John LaRocca led tributes, writing: 'RIP Bobby Duncum Sr, a super talent and moved like a cat in the ring. His team with Blackjack Lanza in the AWA was really damn good.' Reporter Mike Mooneyham wrote on X: 'A top heel in the '60s, '70s and into the '80s, well respected and tough as nails.'
Standing at 6ft 7 and weighing 285 pounds, Duncum was known for using catchphrases like 'You unnastan?' in the ring. He was the father of fellow wrestler Bobby Duncum Jr, who died in 2000 at age 34 from a drugs overdose.
