The Masked wrestling pioneer Di.ck Beyer has passed away at age 88.
Better known by wrestling fans as The Destroyer, Beyer rose to prominence in Los Angeles where he rivaled wrestling legends Freddie Blassie and Gorgeous George.
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) mourned the wrestling icon’s demise in a statement released on Thursday, March 7.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Dick Beyer, a masked wrestling pioneer who was better known to ring fans as The Destroyer, has passed away at age 88. WWE extends its condolences to Beyer’s family, friends and fans,” the statement read.
The Destroyer really made headlines for his iconic victory in a Hair vs Mask Match at the Olympic Auditorium in 1962, resulting in Gorgeous George shaving off his trademark golden locks.
Beyer was big name in Japan and became one of the first foreign attraction in the Asian country — instantly influencing the pop culture with pro-wrestling. “A regional sports hero in upstate New York, Beyer wrestled and played football at Syracuse University before turning to the ring. His impact on sports-entertainment was felt long after his retirement, too, as Beyer is credited with training former WWE Tag Team Champion Mike Rotundo.” WWE stated.
His 1963 match against Rikidozan, a former sumo wrestler and cultural icon in Japan, drew the eyes of more than 70 million TV viewers, making it one of the most-watched bouts in history.