WWE icon and legendary wrestler 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes has passed away this week aged 69.
A statement on the WWE's official website confirms that the former NWA Champion passed away on June 11, but no specifics on the cause of the death of the Hall of Famer have yet been announced.
"WWE is deeply saddened that Virgil Runnels, aka 'The American Dream' Dusty Rhodes - WWE Hall of Famer, three-time NWA Champion and one of the most captivating and charismatic figures in sports entertainment history - passed away today at the age of 69." reads the statement.
It continues: "Runnels became a hero to fans around the world thanks to his work ethic, his impassioned interviews and his indomitable spirit. Moreover, Runnels was a dedicated father to WWE Superstars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels), a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended.
"WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Runnels' family, friends and colleagues."
Rhodes was one of the biggest draws for wrestling fans from the 1970s through to the early 1990s, with his first World Heavyweight Championship title win coming in the summer of 1979 when he beat Harley Race.
Recent years have seen Dusty appear in certain WWE storylines, most recently trying to fix the relationship between his two sons Goldust and Stardust.
Tagged in WWE