Pro wreslter Buddy "Nature Boy" Landel passed away at his home Monday night, reported Knoxville ABC affilliate WATE.
Landel was allegedly involved in a car accident over the weekend, reported SportAct. He reportedly checked himself out of a hospital Sunday and was later found to be unresponsive at his home in Chilhowie, Va. He was 53 years old.
A Knoxville native, Landel was involved in the local Smoky Mountain Wrestling promotion company before working his way up to national acts like the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Landel was hired by the WWE in 1995, but was forced to end the contract days later after suffering a knee injury, according to WBIR 10.
"He was the Nature Boy, Buddy Landel. He didn't care what you thought of him. He was tough enough to knock you out if he had to," said Dr. Tom Prichard, a former WWE tag team champion who wrestled in the ring with Landel, to WBIR 10. "He could back it up, that's a fact!"
"WWE extends its condolences to Landel's family, friends and fans," said the wrestling organization via an official statement on its website.
