Former pro wrestler ‘Dirty’ Dick Slater has passed away, the WWE has announced. Slater was popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
According to Fox News:
Former professional wrestler and National Wrestling Alliance champion, “Dirty” Dick Slater has died. He was 67.
The WWE confirmed his death on Thursday with a statement which read, “Slater was a prolific competitor during the 1970s and 1980s in Georgia Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, where he teamed with WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton and had a memorable rivalry with WWE Hall of Famer Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts,” it read. “Slater competed in WWE from 1986 to 1987 before moving to Japan and finishing his in-ring career in WCW.”
The NWA posted a tribute to the famed wrestler on Twitter.
“The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dick Slater,” the organization wrote in a tweet with a mélange of Slater images. “As tough as they come. A decorated champion of the @NWA across every territory he wrestled including being United States, Mid-Atlantic and TV champion.”
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dick Slater.
As tough as they come. A decorated champion of the @NWA across every territory he wrestled including being United States, Mid-Atlantic and TV champion. pic.twitter.com/dqHlLqnOJx
— NWA (@nwa) October 18, 2018
Slater’s career ended in 1996 after he suffered a back injury while wrestling for the WCW.