WWE star Mae Young dead at 90
Hall of Fame professional wrestler Mae Young has died, WWE confirmed Tuesday. She was 90.
Young was reportedly hospitalized on December 31, then moved to hospice care. Her death had been erroneously reported in the days after, and WWE did not give a cause of death.
Born Johnnie Mae Young in Oklahoma in 1923, Young began her professional wrestling career in the 1940′s and remained active into late last year, making her the only wrestler to believed to have competed in eight different decades. In a statement, WWE called Young the “oldest living squared circle personality.”
Mae Young.
WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young, who will long be remembered as one of the most successful and enduring female wrestlers of all time, has passed away at the age of 90, according to a press release from WWE.com:
“WWE is greatly saddened by the news that WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young, beloved member of the WWE family and oldest living squared circle personality, has passed at the age of 90.
Johnnie Mae Young was truly one of the greatest female competitors to
ever lace up a pair of boots. A proud competitor for three quarters of a century and valued part of WWE to her last day, Young truly blazed a path for future female grapplers beginning in the 1940s.
From the moment she first stepped through the ropes, Young established herself as one of the most active and successful female Superstars – including becoming the first U.S. Women’s Champion, carrying out one of
the most storied rivalries of the time with the legendary Mildred Burke in 1954 and being among the first female competitors to tour post-war Japan.
(…)
The entire WWE Universe offers a standing ovation to a true queen of the canvas and bids Mae Young a heartfelt farewell.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRrUPF1uGvM
The following Tweets have been posted commenting on the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young. WWE has also posted a Mae Young tribute video which you can check out below:
Jim Ross – “The legendary Johnnie Mae Young has passed. The Oklahoman lead an amazing life. Her mental/physical toughness is an inspiration to all. RIP”
Natalya – “I’ll always remember Mae Young. We shared wonderful memories of my grandfather. She made me want to fight. There was no one like her.”
MVP – “Every time I saw Mae Young, EVERY TIME, she would greet me with a BIG smile & hug & then say “Now what was your name again?” & laugh! RIP”
Mickie James – “A fighter until the very end! Forever in our hearts,memories, & fighting spirit! A true HOF legend! #RIPMaeYoung”
Todd Grisham – “Rest in Peace Mae Young. One of the greatest female wrestlers ever. She was
always very nice to me and was forever smiling.”
Triple H – “#RIPTheOneandOnlyGreatMaeYoung Thank you for your example to my girls on how to get all you want out of life! #pioneer #legend #whatarun”
The Rock – “She’s a wrestling pioneer. I truly had deep affection & respect for “Aunty Mae” Young. RIP. #IMissUMae”