Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer Passes Away at Age 88

Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer passed away earlier today at the age of 88, according to his son, Kurt Beyer.

Kurt Beyer posted on Facebook that his father passed away peacefully shortly after noon today, surrounded by his wife and all of his children.

“It is with a very heavy heart to let you know that Dad — aka The Destroyer, aka Doctor X, aka Dick Beyer, aka Coach — passed away shortly past Noon today. He was in bed at home, and was surrounded by all of his children and wife as he slipped peacefully away. I will have more to share later, but wanted you to hear this sad news from me first. Thoughts and prayers are most welcome at this time. Peace.”

Beyer’s legendary career in wrestling spanned from the 1954 to 1993 resulting in numerous championships, achievements, and inductions into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum, and George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Beyer’s career is also notable in wrestling history for featuring one of the most watched wrestling matches of all-time. A bout against Japanese legend Rikidozan in 1963 reportedly drew over 70 million viewers in Japan, making it one of the most watched matches of all-time and the biggest ever in Japanese wrestling history.