Wrestling legend, Rick Link, has died at the age of 66.
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"If you've been around wrestling a long time ... you already know what kind of loss this is,"
Steve Stasiak of Book Pro Wrestlers shared on Facebook. "Rick wasn't just a name, Rick wasn't just a big man from another era. Rick was one of the boys. A true locker room guy. A tough, old-school worker who gave a lifetime to this business and earned respect everywhere he went."Link rose to prominence during the 70s and 80s, when professional wrestling in North America was still divided by territories. He primarily worked in the NWA region, along with matches and stints overseas.
"Many fans remember him as 'Beastmaster' Rick Link," the post continued. "Others knew him as Man Mountain Link ... but no matter what name you first saw him under, the same thing always came through — Rick had a presence. Rick had grit. Rick had that real, no-nonsense energy you don't fake in professional wrestling. He was part of the era where the miles mattered, the rings were smaller, and the work was harder. He fought for everything he got, and he belonged in the business because he lived it."
A GoFundMe Has Been Set up To Help Cover Rick Link's Funeral Costs
Despite being a wrestling legend, Link spent most of his career on the independent scene, where the income is a far cry from what you see in both WWE and AEW. Even during his heyday, he was around at a time when wrestling didn't turn people into superstars.
As such, Link's sister has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of his funeral.
"I am Rick Links sister," the GoFundMe message reads. "We are raising money for his funeral. He is going to hospice tomorrow and life saving measures will be discontinued including his dialysis. Please pray for him that his transition will be peaceful. and he will not be in pain anymore. Thank you guys a lot. He has many fans and friends who know and love him from all his many years of being a professional wrestler."
Link passed away after opting to stop his kidney dialysis, which led him to enter hospice care in December.
