Rick Link, a former professional wrestler who largely competed in the American South, has passed away at the age of 66.
Link had been on dialysis over issues with his kidney, but made the decision to stop his treatments weeks ago.
In late December, his sister announced that the wrestler had entered hospice care and promoted a donation link to help cover funeral expenses.
His family has raised over $3,000 so far in this effort thanks to the generosity of wrestling fans around the world.
At the height of his career in the 1970s and 80s, Link competed in the NWA as well as the ICW, AWA, Georgia Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions and the IWA among other companies.
Most notably, Link defeated wrestler and future WWE legend and commentator Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler for the Southern Championship.
Former professional wrestler Rick Link died at the age of 66 after health issues with his kidney
Link began preparing for a wrestling career at age 15 under trainer Johnny Hunter before making his pro debut in 1975 when he was still a teenager.
Early on in his career, he wrestled under the moniker M.E.B (Man Eating Beast) before finding work in the GCW.
By 1983, he had won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship under the ring name ‘Man Mountain Rick’. A week later, Lawler had won the belt back.
He continued to compete through the 1990s before settling back down in his home territory in the Carolinas.
Among his most notable opponents, Link fought The Iron Sheik, Abdullah The Butcher and Ricky Morton.
In his final years, Link continued to wrestle in smaller circuits – with his last recorded match taking place in 2023 at the age of 63.
