RIP "Playboy" Buddy Rose

“Playboy” Buddy Rose was found dead yesterday evening by his wife at their Portland home. The cause of death is not yet known.

Rose was a big star during the territory era of wrestling, gaining big fame in the AWA and Pacific Northwest; having a memorable feud with Roddy Piper.

He got a break with WWE during their national expansion from 82-83 and had a small run against Bob Backlund in the Garden. He is also famously known for wrestling as the masked Executioner in the first match of the first Wrestlemania, losing to Tito Santana.

Those growing up on the AWA product will also remember his late 80s run with tag partner Doug Somers, helping to put over Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty as the Midnight Rockers.