WWE Hall of Fame inductee Joe Laurinaitis, aka Road Warrior Animal, dies at 60

Joe Laurinaitis, known to wrestling fans as Road Warrior Animal, has died, World Wide Entertainment announced Wednesday. He was 60. 

Laurinaitis was also the father of eight-year NFL linebacker James Laurinaitis, who retired in 2017. 

Along with Road Warrior Hawk (real name Michael Hegstrand), the duo were called The Road Warriors and, inside the WWE, referred to as the Legion of Doom — widely considered one of professional wrestling's most iconic tag teams. They won two WWE Tag Team titles together, and Laurinaitis dedicated his 2005 championship with Jon Heidenreich to his late former partner, who had died two years earlier. 

Laurinaitis continued fighting until his official retirement six years ago. He was inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, alongside Hegstrand. 

The Road Warriors were known for their attire — painted faces and football shoulder pads with spikes —  in addition to their imposing figures; Laurinaitis stood at 6-foot-2 while weighing around 300 pounds.