News | Entertainment
15 Jul 2025 9:10
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Road Warrior Animal has died aged 60

    It has been confirmed that the professional wrestler - whose real name was Joseph Laurinaitis - passed away recently. A cause of death is not yet known at the time of writing


    A statement posted on Twitter read: "At this time, we would like to confirm the passing of Joseph Laurinaitis aka Road Warrior Animal at the age of 60. The family is planning to release a statement later today. At this time we ask for you to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. #OhWhatARush (sic)"

    Road Warrior Animal was best known as one half of the WWE tag-team, the Legion of Doom, and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside his wrestling partner.

    Hawk, whose real name Michael Hegstrand, sadly died at the young age of 46 in 2003 after suffering a heart attack.

    Known for their wrestling chemistry, the duo joined Vince McMahon's WWE in 1990, before taking a break for a few years and starring in other wrestling shows. It was in 1997 when they returned, before leaving shortly after again and making a third and final comeback as a duo in 2003.

    Tributes have flooded in for the late Road Warrior Animal from fans and WWE alumni alike.

    Fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan wrote on Twitter: "RIP Animal, love you my brother, I know you and Hawk have a lot of unfinished business to take care of! God speed and blessings to your beautiful family, one love4Life. HH. (sic)"

    Whilst one fan penned: "Thank you for the memories and thank you for being good to the fans. And thank you for providing me with one of my favourite meet and greet photos of all time. (sic)"

    A second fan added on social media: "Ahh Man The RoadWarriors were awesome, I am so sorry for Animals family, what a great childhood I had watching him perform, my thoughts to Animals family. Love to you all (sic)"

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     15 Jul: Conner Smith's "heart is broken" after he was involved in a fatal accident
     15 Jul: Kelly Osbourne has insisted Ozzy Osbourne is "not dying"
     15 Jul: Bella Thorne claims Charlie Puth "lied to the entire world" about her after she refused to sleep with him
     15 Jul: Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell are engaged!
     15 Jul: Kid Cudi and Lola Abecassis Sartore have tied the knot
     15 Jul: John Goodman hasn't spoken to Roseanne Barr in "seven or eight years"
     14 Jul: Becca Tilley was shocked by Hayley Kiyoko's proposal at a nudist beach
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Coach Scott Robertson's laying down a challenge to the All Blacks squad with their series against France already in the bag ahead of the third and final test More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Commerce Commission is taking legal action against Foodstuffs North Island and Gilmours Wholesale, over alleged cartel behaviour More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix men have signed a successor to departed striker Kosta Barbarouses for the A-League football season 9:07

    Cricket:
    A case of Calypso collapse-oh at Sabina Park in Jamaica on the third day of the third pink-ball test between Australia and the West Indies 9:07

    Entertainment:
    Conner Smith's "heart is broken" after he was involved in a fatal accident 8:40

    Law and Order:
    Why Trump is sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine and how they help Kyiv's war effort 8:17

    Law and Order:
    A 22-year-old man is due in North Shore District Court today on charges involving a stash of ammunition, drugs and a gun 8:17

    Entertainment:
    Kelly Osbourne has insisted Ozzy Osbourne is "not dying" 8:10

    Rugby League:
    The waffle has continued between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams ahead of their boxing bout in Sydney tomorrow night 7:57

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person has died in a crash south of Palmerston North 7:47

    Entertainment:
    Bella Thorne claims Charlie Puth "lied to the entire world" about her after she refused to sleep with him 7:40

    Politics:
    Anthony Albanese to meet China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing 7:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd