Butch Reed Passes Away at Age 66

Former professional football player and wrestler Butch Reed, real name Bruce Franklin Reed, passed away on Friday at the age of 66.

The announcement of his passing was made on his official Instagram account that stated Reed had been dealing with heart issues prior to his death. The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that Reed had suffered two heart attacks in recent weeks.

To everyone who reached out god bless you. Today we lost a great man. Due to heart complications Bruce ‘Butch’ Reed passed away. Butch is in heaven now with the wrestling god’s. I am sure he is already booked for a Heavyweight Championship match. Once again thank you for all the prayers. We will keep this page going in his memory. For funeral arrangements send me a dm for information if you would like to attend. God bless everyone and god bless in heaven “Hacksaw Butch Reed.

WWE issued an official statement on Reed’s passing:

WWE is saddened to learn that Butch Reed passed away today at the age of 66.

A native of Kansas City, Mo., Reed embraced the sport of wrestling after a professional football career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Reed quickly proved himself to be a force in the Mid-South Wrestling promotion in battles against legendary competitors such as Ric Flair, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Jim Neidhart and more.

“The Natural” Butch Reed crashed onto the WWE scene with brash blonde hair, and a statement win over Koko B. Ware at WrestleMania III. Reed found himself at the crossroads of history competing in the first-ever Survivor Series and Royal Rumble matches in WWE history.

After a match against “Macho Man” Randy Savage at WrestleMania IV, Reed departed WWE and would go on to partner with Ron Simmons in WCW as the tag team Doom. Doom would defeat The Steiner Brothers at Capital Combat to claim the NWA Tag Team Titles. Following a highly successful run as WCW World Tag Team Champions, Reed & Simmons would eventually share the ring for a one-on-one Steel Cage Match showdown at SuperBrawl I.

WWE extends its condolences to Reed’s family and friends.

Prior to wrestling, Reed had a brief career in the NFL as a player for the Kansas City Chiefs. Reed’s career in wrestling spanned from 1978 to 2013, first as a full-time wrestler from 1978 to 1992 and afterwards as a part-timer until his retirement in 2013.

Reed’s career was notable for his time spent in Mid-South Wrestling during the mid-1980s as “Hacksaw” Butch Reed and had memorable feuds against “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and the Junkyard Dog. Reed’s career in Mid-South also resulted in him winning the Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship on three occasions.

Reed also worked for WWF under the ring name of “The Natural” Butch Reed and was notable for being the first person ever eliminated in a Royal Rumble match. Reed later worked for Jim Crockett Promotions and WCW under his old ring name name of “Hacksaw” Butch Reed and as one half of the masked tag team “Doom” with Ron Simmons and manager/valet Woman.