Scott Hall, who rose to fame in the 1990s by being “The Bad Guy” of professional wrestling, died Monday, . He was 63.
One of the key figures in pro wrestling’s Monday night wars in the ’90s between World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation, Hall saw plenty of success in the ring where he held multiple titles through the course of his career. Amid that rise, he battled addictions to drugs and alcohol, a struggle that proved detrimental to his career and was well documented in a number of features over the years.
Hall suffered three heart attacks following a hip surgery on Saturday, .
WWE is saddened to learn that two-time WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall has passed away.
WWE extends its condolences to Hall’s family, friends and fans.
— WWE (@WWE)
Hall began wrestling in the 1980s but made his mark on the industry with his portrayal of Razor Ramon — a character he modeled after Tony Montana and Manny Ribera from the movie “Scarface” — in the then-World Wrestling Federation during the early ’90s. During this stint, he was the intercontinental champion on four separate occasions.
After his contract ended with the WWF, he — along with friend and tag-team partner Kevin Nash — joined WCW in 1996. The two teamed up with Hulk Hogan at the Bash at the Beach pay-per-view and formed the New World Order, an antagonistic group whose goal was to overrun WCW and take control of the company. The storyline made WCW’s “Monday Nitro” one of the hottest shows on cable television and helped propel pro wrestling’s rise into the mainstream.
“We were the ‘Outsiders’ but we had each other,” Nash wrote on Instagram. “Scott always felt he wasn’t worthy of the afterlife. Well God please have some gold plated toothpicks for my brother.”
During his 2014 WWE Hall of Fame induction, he concluded his speech by saying, “In my lifetime I’ve learned hard work pays off, dreams come true, bad times don’t last, but bad guys do.”
Members of the pro wrestling community to social media to remember Hall:
So many prayers for Scott Hall and his family right now. The wrestling community is a very strong family and near or far, we have each others backs. Times like these are never easy but I do know there are so many incredible people waiting for you on the other side, ‘Bad Guy.’ 💜
— Nattie (@NatbyNature)
Hard work pays off
Dreams come true
Bad times don’t last
But bad guys doRIP SCOTT HALL
— Indi Wrestling (@indi_hartwell)
https://twitter.com/JoeHennig/status/1503526206410473479
IMPACT Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Scott Hall. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA)
Always enjoyed being around the Bad Guy. One of best minds, and workers, in the business, he and Kevin changed the business-for the better. Rest easy friend.
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield)
— Kevinn (@FightOwensFight)
