Joe Laurinaitis Biography – Joe Laurinaitis Wiki
Joe Laurinaitis (born Joseph Michael Laurinaitis) better known by his ring name, Road Warrior Animal, was an American professional wrestler. Animal spent most of his career alongside his tag team partner, Hawk. Together, they formed The Road Warriors. Both born and raised in Chicago, Animal and Hawk trained for the ring in Minneapolis under Eddie Sharkey. Joining forces with legendary manager “Precious” Paul Ellering, their team formed in Georgia Championship Wrestling in 1983. Before the decade was out, The Road Warriors had run roughshod over competition in both the National Wrestling Alliance and the American Wrestling Association, achieving the rare feat of claiming both organization’s tag team titles.
The Road Warriors gained prominence as top rivals to The Four Horsemen in NWA member territory Jim Crockett Promotions, teaming with Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff to face the Horsemen in the first WarGames Match on Independence Day 1987.
The Road Warriors also thrived in multiple stints with WWE, where they were known as The Legion of Doom. The team won the World Tag Team Titles on two occasions, defeating The Nasty Boys in 1991 and The Godwinns in 1997.
After Hawk’s passing in 2003, Animal captured the WWE Tag Team Title for a third and final time in 2005, teaming with Heidenreich to defeat MNM, a victory that Animal dedicated to his late partner. The Road Warriors collective of Animal, Hawk and Ellering were enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.
Animal wasn’t the only member of his family to earn fame in athletics. His brothers John and Marcus both enjoyed careers in the ring, competing as Johnny Ace and The Terminator, respectively, with John eventually becoming a WWE producer. Animal’s son James Laurinaitis played eight seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2017.
Joe Laurinaitis Age
Road Warrior Animal was born on September 12, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He died on September 22, 2020, in Osage Beach, Missouri, United States. He was 60 years old.
Joe Laurinaitis Wife
Joe Laurinaitis had married twice. He was married to his first wife Kim Laurinaitis and then to his second wife Julie Laurinaitis.
Joe Laurinaitis Children
Joe Laurinaitis and his former wife Julie Laurinaitis, have two children, son James and daughter Jessica. Laurinaitis also has a son named Joseph from a previous marriage.
Joe Laurinaitis Family
Road Warrior Animal had two brothers, John Laurinaitis and Marcus Laurinaitis. He also had two step-nieces, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella.
Road Warrior Animal Death – Joe Laurinaitis Death
Road Warrior Animal died on September 22, 2020, at age 60 at the Margaritaville Resort, formerly known as the Tan-Tar-A Resort, in Osage Beach, Missouri. WWE released the following statement regarding his death: “WWE is saddened to learn that Joe Laurinaitis, known to WWE fans as Road Warrior Animal, has passed away at the age of 60. WWE extends its condolences to Laurinaitis’ family, friends and fans.”
Joe Laurinaitis Cause of Death – Road Warrior Animal Cause of Death
Road Warrior Animal’s cause of death was not revealed.
Road Warrior Animal Net Worth – Joe Laurinaitis Net Worth
Joe Laurinaitis net worth was estimated to be $1 million.
