“Superstar” Bill Dundee passed in the early hours of Sunday (September 6) at the age of 82, his family announced.
Dundee, who was born in Scotland and raised in Australia, was a legend in wrestling. His career will forever be associated with Jerry “The King” Lawler, who was at times a partner and other times a nemesis of Dundee for years.
Though no cause of death has been announced, TMZ noted that his son previously disclosed “Superstar” had been battling dementia.
Soon after news broke of Dundee’s
passing, fellow wrestling stars paid tribute to the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame member.
William Regal, who was managed by Dundee early in his career, posted on X (Twitter): “I’m sorry to hear of the passing of Bill Dundee. A lad born in Scotland who moved to Australia then came to the US and became a big star in the wrestling. We worked together when I first came here and he helped make my act work. My deepest condolences to his family. Rest well.”
“Saddened to hear about the passing of ‘Superstar’ Bill Dundee,” Marc Mero posted on X. “I was fortunate to share a lot of great memories with Bill during my years in WCW. More importantly, he was instrumental in helping me during those early years when I was still learning the wrestling business and trying to find my way.
“Bill had an incredible mind for professional wrestling and a career that earned him the respect of so many people in our industry. I’ll always be grateful for the time we spent together, the laughs we shared, and the things he taught me along the way.
“Rest in peace, Superstar. Thank you for being part of my journey. You will be missed.”
Bobby Fulton, who is perhaps best known for teaming with Tommy Rogers in The Fantastics, wrote on X: “Today I was woken up to the heartbreaking news that a man I looked at as a second father, ‘Superstar’ Bill Dundee passed away. He was a man I loved and admired, he was an inspiration. My prayers for his entire family and friends! I’ll miss you Superstar!”
“Rest in Peace Bill Dundee. He really helped me out in Watts territory,” WWE Hall of Famer Smash of Demolition posted. “He was a really good guy. I only saw him a few times after that but thinking of his family today!”
Legendary wrestling manager Missy Hyatt said in a social media post that his passing made for a “very sad morning in the wrestling biz. I last saw Bill Dundee a year ago. Super nice to me. Even gave me 8×10 photo of him doing a Burt Reynolds style pose.”
“Rest In Peace to the legendary ‘Superstar’ Bill Dundee,” Blue Meanie posted. “Go on YouTube and search his matches with Jerry Lawler. Pure magic.”
In his tribute to Dundee, Ric Flair also remembered Andy “The Butcher” Williams, who also passed away over the weekend.
“We Lost Two More Soldiers Today! I Am So Sorry To Hear About The Passing Of Andy Williams And Bill Dundee! They Deserve All The Respect In The World For Being A Part Of The Brotherhood Of Wrestling. That’s Why I Tell Everybody To Live Each Day Of Their Life Like It Could Be Their Last. My Condolences To The Families And God Bless. Rest In Peace!” Flair wrote.
Ricky Morton also posted a tribute to both Williams and Dundee on Sunday.
“Rest easy, Butcher and Bill Dundee,” Morton wrote on X. “Lost two great artist in our business of professional wrestling. Rest easy, gentlemen. Thank you for everything you gave to professional wrestling.”
“Saddened to hear of the loss of two people in professional wrestling. Andy Williams and Bill Dundee,” Tully Blanchard said in an X post. “Tu While I might not have crossed many paths with Andy my prayers are with his family. Bill was a wonderful guy who did his job very well! May God Rest them in Peace.”
In a post on WWE.com, the company remembered Dundee as a “fixture on WCW programming,” as well as Dundee was “a signature rival of Jimmy Valiant and WWE Hall of Famer Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler as they elevated the Memphis wrestling territory to greater and greater heights.”
We at Cageside Seats send our condolences to the family and friends of Bill Dundee.
Please share your memories of Dundee in the comments.
