WWE legend Road Warrior Animal has died aged 60

Joseph Laurinaitis - who is best known by his professional wrestling ring name Road Warrior Animal - has passed away at the age of 60.

Laurinaitis is perhaps best known for his time in wrestling promotions WWE and WCW, where he teamed with his tag-team partner Hawk (real name Michael Hegstrand) between the years of 1983 and 2003.

Together they formed the Road Warriors/Legion of Doom, and won multiple tag team championships all over the world for a multitude of promotions.

The news was broken by Joseph's brother, Marcus Laurinaitis, in a Facebook post, and later confirmed on Animal's official Twitter page.

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The announcement read:

"At this time, we would like to confirm the passing of Joseph Laurinaitis aka Road Warrior Animal at the age of 60. The family is planning to release a statement later today.

"At this time we ask for you to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. #OhWhatARush"

WWE has also confirmed the news on its website, writing: "WWE is saddened to learn that Joe Laurinaitis, known to WWE fans as Road Warrior Animal, has passed away at the age of 60."

The sport-entertainment giants added: "With their intimidating face paint, outfits covered in metal spikes and impressive array of power moves, the duo captured titles and destroyed opponents wherever they roamed.

"Their dominance made them so popular that the phrase 'Road Warrior pop' has been used in locker rooms to describe particularly deafening reactions from the crowd ever since."

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Per TMZ, law enforcement has reported that Laurinaitis passed away at the Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach, MO.

In response to Animal's passing, former multi-time WWE Champion Hulk Hogan - real name Terry Bollea - wrote on Twitter:

"RIP Animal,love you my brother, I know you and Hawk have a lot of unfinished business to take care of! God speed and blessings to your beautiful family,one love4Life. HH"

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Animal was inducted with Hawk and their manager Paul Ellering into the WWE Hall of Fame in back 2011.

Our thoughts are with Joseph's family, friends, and fans at this time.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow...