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WWE HALL OF FAMER JIM MYERS AKA GEORGE 'THE ANIMAL' STEELE PASSES AWAY

By Mike Johnson on 2017-02-17 10:46:00

One of the most unique and fun characters of his era, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Myers aka George "The Animal" Steele has passed away, PWInsider.com is sad to report.  Steele had been dealing with a number of health issues in recent years and entered hospice recently.  He was 79 years old.

On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to Steele's friends, family and fans.

WWE issued the following regarding Steele's passing:

George "The Animal" Steele passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer William James Myers, known to fans as George “The Animal” Steele, has passed away at the age of 79.

Steele was one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history. Yet, despite his green tongue, hairy torso and insatiable appetite for turnbuckle pads, "The Animal" was a very well-educated man. Prior to breaking into sports-entertainment, Steele received his Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University and became a high school teacher and wrestling coach in the Detroit area.

It was during his teaching stint that he began moonlighting in sports-entertainment, working in the Detroit-area promotions. Steele’s first WWE appearances took place in 1967, when he began a heated rivalry with WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino. For nearly 20 years, Steele was a reviled villain, managed by the likes of fellow WWE Hall of Famers The Grand Wizard, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Capt. Lou Albano and Mr. Fuji. His classic main events against Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund saw him come close to winning the WWE Championship on many occasions.

In 1985, however, Steele was embraced by the WWE Universe and changed the course of his career. After The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff abandoned him during a match, Steele fell back under the tutelage of the then-beloved Albano. His transformation was remarkable, as one of the most hated men in the sport became one of its most loveable figures. Long after his in-ring retirement and WWE Hall of Fame induction, George “The Animal” Steele’s name still evoked terror for one generation of WWE fans and warm smiles for another.

WWE extends its condolences to Steele’s family, friends and fans.

 

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