WWE Issues Statement After Wrestling Legend Dies At 81

WWE has led the tributes after a wrestling star of yesteryear passed away aged 81.

WWE has issued a statement marking the passing of Bobby Duncum Sr. at the age of 81:

WWE is saddened to learn that Bobby Duncum Sr. has passed away.

One of the most feared villains of the territories, the rugged cowboy from Austin, Texas, was as tough as they came. A graduate of West Texas State University, the same institution that produced Dusty Rhodes, The Funk Brothers and many other icons, Duncum was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 NFL Draft and played four pro games in 1968.

Carrying on the great tradition of Texas football stars turned pro wrestlers, Duncum entered the ring 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.

Bobby Duncum Sr. Challenged For WWE Title

Dave Meltzer gave more insight into Duncum’s career on Wrestling Observer Radio, noting that he was a main event star wherever he went:

Bobby Duncum Sr. was a pretty big star in the seventies. He was a football player at West Texas State. […] He was a good promo guy, and he had a good look. He was a big, tough-looking guy, and he was a main eventer everywhere he went. Big Bad Bobby Duncum.

He would go to Texas and feud with Fritz Von Erich; he would go to Florida and feud with Dusty Rhodes. He’d feud with top guys everywhere he went. He was at that level.

Outside of WWE, Duncum Sr. shared the ring with other legends such as Antonio Inoki, Verne Gagne, The Brisco Brothers, and Ivan Koloff. Incredibly, his debut match listed on Cagematch was a 12 Man and a Bear Battle Royal that featured Rex the Bear – a real, live bear.