Cool Wrestling News
Ox Baker passes away at 80 years old…
Jerry “The King” Lawler noted this morning on Twitter that wrestling legend Ox Baker (Douglas A. Baker) has passed away. The news of his passing was later reported by TMZ.
During his career, Baker captured numerous titles and was involved in notable feuds with the likes of Harley Race, Bruiser Brody and Big John Studd. Terry Funk once called Baker “the toughest man I ever shared a four corner ring with.” Outside wrestling, Baker is perhaps best known for battling Kurt Russell in the 1981 film “Escape from New York.”
WWE released a statement on the passing of Baker this morning:
“WWE is saddened to learn that Ox Baker, a feared villain of the ring for more than three decades, passed away Monday morning at age 80. A 6-foot-5 behemoth from Waterloo, Iowa, Baker originally competed in WWWF in the late 1960s and became one of the most intimidating forces known inside the squared circle — both due to his unique look and devastating heart punch. Over the span of an impressive career, the big man traded blows with the likes of WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race.
Outside the ring, Baker also put the hurt on actor Kurt Russell as the brute played an appropriately savage warrior in the post-apocalyptic world of John Carpenter’s 1981 sci-fi classic,“Escape from New York.”
WWE extends its condolences to Baker’s colleagues, friends and family.”
Ox Baker was 80-years-old.
From everyone here at Cool Wrestling News, we would like to send out our deepest condolences to the Baker’s family and friends.
Source: TMZ.com
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