logo
Getty Images  YouTube/WWE
Getty Images YouTube/WWE

See Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Emotional Tribute to His Late Friend 'Road Warrior Animal'

Busayo Ogunjimi
Sep 26, 2020
03:30 P.M.
Retired professional wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson took to Instagram with a heartfelt tribute to his late wrestler friend, Road Warrior Animal, who recently passed away.
Advertisement

As the world continues to mourn the death of the legendary WWE wrestler, Road Warrior Animal, former wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson recently joined in the mourning with a tribute posted on Instagram. He wrote:

"RIP brother. Really saddened to wake up to this news yesterday. the passing of my friend, Joe Laurinaitis (on the left) aka ROAD WARRIOR ANIMAL."

Wrestler, Road Warrior Animal during a WWE event on July 23, 2012. | Photo: Xander Hieken, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Wrestler, Road Warrior Animal during a WWE event on July 23, 2012. | Photo: Xander Hieken, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

The Rock's tribute continued, saying that Animal and his tag team partner, Hawk, made the most intense and the toughest tag team in the history of professional wrestling.

Johnson recalled when he was still a novice in the game and remembered how Animal and Hawk took good care of him. He wrestled them many times, but they always made sure that he learned from them.

Advertisement

The Rock added that his old friend and his partner were good men who were also as tough as nails. He loved them very much and would remain grateful to them both.

The actor paid tribute to WWE star Shad Gaspard, whose body washed up in Venice Beach after he was declared missing ten days prior.

The lengthy touching caption accompanied an iconic photo of both Road Warriors, Animal and Hawk, standing side by side in their signature "war paint and spikes" regalia. Johnson's fans and followers joined him in mourning his friend.

Advertisement

Road Warrior Animal, whose real name was Joseph Laurinaitis, passed away on September 22, according to a post released on his Twitter account.

Road Warrior Animal was 60 years old and had lived an incredible life filled with adventures. Together with his tag team partner, Hawk, the wrestler left an inspiring legacy behind.

Advertisement

Also popularly known as the legion of doom, The Road Warriors brought premium entertainment, talent, and quality to the world of professional wrestling.

Through the 80s and 90s, they dominated the scene with their raw intensity, energy, and showmanship, all the while, sticking to each other's side.

Advertisement

Animal's passing came almost two decades after his partner, Hawk (real name: Michael Hegstrand), passed away at the age of 46 in 2003.

Animal was not the only WWE champion that The Rock and the rest of the world had to mourn this year. In May, the actor paid tribute to WWE star Shad Gaspard, whose body washed up in Venice Beach after he was declared missing ten days prior.

While Johnson and the world at large continue to mourn the loss of these great men, the unbeatable legacies that they left behind them would continue to live on.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

How Did Country Singer Mickey Gilley, Who Helped Inspire ‘Urban Cowboy,’ Pass Away at 86?

May 09, 2022

John Travolta's Late Wife Kelly Got Pregnant at 47 & Risked Her Life to Carry Her 'Miracle' Baby

April 14, 2022

Tony Curtis 46-Years-Younger 6th Wife Inherited 'Everything' after His Death - Inside Her Life Now

April 03, 2022

Rock Hudson & Jim Nabors Never Spoke Again after They Were Reportedly Seen Getting Married

March 13, 2022

Taxi Driver Notices Lonely Woman in the Fog, ‘Help, My Child Is in the Forest,’ She Cried – Story of the Day

February 25, 2022

Jane ‘Nightbirde’ Marczewski Said Faith Helped Her Foresee Fatal Diagnosis and Get Through Her Divorce

February 23, 2022

William Regularly Talks to Charlotte about 'Grandma' before Bed – She Looks So Much like Diana & Inherits Her Tiara

September 20, 2022

Mournful Dog Waits Every Day for His Friend Who Passed Away

February 16, 2022

Wanting to Be a Lifeguard Like Late Dad, Boy Saves Drowning Girl & Gets a Box from Her Mom Later — Story of the Day

March 29, 2022

George Strait 'Eloped' with His 'Really Hot' Wife — 51 Years Later They 'Still Like Each Other'

December 05, 2022

Doris Day 'Felt Married' to James Garner Although He Cracked Two of Her Ribs

April 05, 2022

Joan Rivers Spoke With Her Husband the Day Before He Was Found Lifeless With Tapes for Wife & Daughter

February 11, 2022

Inside Patrick Swayze & Widow Lisa Niemi’s 7,261-Acre 'Dream Ranch' They Owned for 23 Years

January 31, 2022

Charlotte Rae's Husband Cheated on Her with Other Men – He Could Not Marry His Love after Their Divorce

March 30, 2022