Buddy Landel was a professional wrestler who was best known for his work in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) territories in the 1980s and 1990s. He used the nickname “Nature Boy” and had a flamboyant style that made him a fan favorite. He also had a brief stint in WWE in 1995 and 1996, where he faced off against some of the biggest names in the industry. But how did Buddy Landel die? What was the cause of his death?
A Car Accident That Led to Complications
According to WATE.com, Buddy Landel died on June 22, 2015, at the age of 53, at his home in Chilhowie, Virginia. He had been involved in a car accident the day before, where he suffered some injuries. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was examined by doctors. However, he checked himself out of the hospital against medical advice, and went back to his home
The next day, his wife found him unresponsive in his bed. She called 911, but it was too late. The paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. The exact cause of his death was not revealed, but it was speculated that he had some complications from the car accident, such as internal bleeding or a blood clot
A Troubled Life and a Legacy in Wrestling
Buddy Landel had a troubled life, as he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years. He also had several legal issues, such as arrests for DUI, assault, and domestic violence. He had been married twice, and had three children. He had also suffered several injuries during his wrestling career, such as a broken neck, a torn ACL, and a ruptured disc
Despite his personal problems, Buddy Landel was a talented and charismatic wrestler, who had a loyal fan base. He had won several championships in various promotions, such as the NWA National Heavyweight Championship, the NWA Mid-America Heavyweight Championship, and the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Championship. He had also feuded with some of the legends of the sport, such as Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and Shawn Michaels
Buddy Landel was respected and admired by many of his peers and colleagues, who paid tribute to him after his death. WWE issued a statement on its website, expressing its condolences to his family and friends. Many current and former wrestlers also shared their memories and condolences on social media, such as Iron Sheik, John Layfield, and Jim Ross
Buddy Landel was a star in the wrestling world, who left a mark on the industry with his skills and personality. He was also a human being, who had his flaws and struggles. He died too young, but his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of his fans and fellow wrestlers. He was the “Nature Boy”, and he will be missed
