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Big Van Vader Passes Away

We start with some sad news.

It was announced last night that one wrestling’s greatest big men Big Van Vader has passed away at 63 years of age.

The news broke on the former WCW Heavyweight Champion’s Twitter with a post from his son.

“It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm. Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time.”

Vader had been diagnosed with congestive heart failure back in 2016 and told that he may have as little as two years to live, but a second opinion had walked back that diagnosis and Vader decided to continue wrestling.

As you can imagine the wrestling world took to Twitter to pay their condolences with Triple H tweeting:

Leon White entertained (and intimidated) audiences all over the world with his size, strength, and agility. Saddened to hear of his passing and our thoughts are with his family at this time. #RIPVader pic.twitter.com/5jtryoSvpI

— Triple H (@TripleH) June 20, 2018

Mick Foley added:

My heart is heavy with the news of Leon White’s passing. He was an amazing performer who brought out the very best in so many. Best big man ever, the most effective monster heel of his generation. My heartfelt prayers to his loved ones, and my gratitude for having known him. pic.twitter.com/uy3yBfwZOs

— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) June 20, 2018

Will Ospreay, who Vader famously criticised and later feuded with also paid his respects to the first ever non-Japanese IWGP champion:

“May you finally be in peace. RIP Vader.”

And if anyone ever deserves some peace it’s Vader, the guy popped his eye back in during a match and just carried on, what a legitimate badass.

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