WWE has announced via their official website that legendary competitor and Hall of Famer “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes has died at the age of 69.

Below is WWE’s official statement:

“WWE is deeply saddened that Virgil Runnels, aka ‘The American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes — WWE Hall of Famer, three-time NWA Champion and one of the most captivating and charismatic figures in sports entertainment history — passed away today at the age of 69.

Runnels became a hero to fans around the world thanks to his work ethic, his impassioned interviews and his indomitable spirit. Moreover, Runnels was a dedicated father to WWE Superstars Goldust (Dustin Runnels) and Stardust (Cody Runnels), a caring husband and a creative visionary who helped shape the landscape of WWE long after his in-ring career had ended.

WWE extends its sincerest condolences to Runnels’ family, friends and colleagues.”

In an update, celebrity gossip website TMZ.com is reporting that emergency personnel responded to Rhodes’s home in Orlando, Florida at approximately 5:56 Wednesday morning after reports that a 69-year-old male had suffered a fall. Rhodes was then taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead earlier today by doctors, who cited “numerous complications”, which was found out to be kidney problems, that Rhodes endured throughout the night.

It was also reported that members of Rhodes’s immediate family rushed to the hospital once they received word that he was there.

Here are some reactions from Twitter:

The final piece that I wanted to share was a special post from Kevin Owens:

Kevin Owen talks about what Dusty Rhodes meant to WWE developmental and NXT:

“These past few weeks, I kept telling myself that I had to find time to stop by the Performance Center and talk to Dusty. I wanted to thank him for all of his help in the last year and make sure he knew how grateful I was for the chance I got to work with him. But I’ve been very busy and just couldn’t find the time.

Well, today, I learned that Dusty Rhodes has passed away.

There are no words to express the sadness I feel, not only because I won’t get to see him or talk to him or laugh with him again, but because I didn’t get to tell him how special he was to me.

So today, I invite you all to make time to tell the people in your lives how much they mean to you…You never know what tomorrow will bring.

I can only hope that even though I didn’t get to tell him directly, Dusty knew how much I appreciated and valued his help, wisdom, support and friendship. He was unlike anybody I’ve ever met in this industry and to say that I will always remember him and be thankful for the honor of having known him is an understatement.

In the meantime, the entire NXT crew is on its way to Pittsburgh where we will do what we do best. And you can bet every single second of tonight and every other NXT show this week are dedicated to the memory of the legendary, one-and-only Dusty Rhodes.

My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time…especially his children. Your father was an incredible coach and an even better man. He will be greatly missed.

Dusty used to call us “his NXT kids”… Well, I think I speak for all of us at when I say that tonight and every other night from here on out, we will give it our all for you, Dusty.

We’ll make you proud, Dream.

Thank you for the memories…thank you for everything.

Much love,

Kevin”

We here at Cool Wrestling News are deeply saddened by this news and wish the Rhodes family our condolences.

Thank you, Dusty.
Rest Well, Dream.

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