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A WWE Hall of Famer and tag team legend has passed away after heading to Los Angeles for WrestleMania.
Bushwhacker Butch has died at the age of 78, shortly after falling ill once he arrived for the flagship wrestling PPV.
The news of the passing of one half of the legendary tag team, The Bushwhackers, was made on Facebook.
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His nephew Luke has said in a statement: “Our dear Bob has passed away.
“Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch.
'We will always love u uncle until we meet again.”
Butch, real name Bob Miller, had a GoFundMe page set up to help pay for his medical bills.
He was in Los Angeles to do a signing during WrestleMania weekend but fell ill on Friday (March 31) and was taken to ICU.
It is believed he passed away during the day as WrestleMania day two yesterday (April 2).
Butch started wrestling in New Zealand in 1964 but it was not until teaming with Luke Williams in the 80s that saw them both become iconic fan favourites.
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The Bushwhackers were inducted into WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 after many years of capturing audiences with their unique characters.
His tag team partner Luke also paid tribute to the passing of his friend and the man he called ‘brother’.
Writing on Instagram, Luke said: “Late last night, I lost my friend, brother and tag team partner of over 50 years with the passing of Bob 'Butch' Miller.
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“From the early-1970s when we were young mates wrestling for John da Silva in New Zealand, my first impression of Bob 'The Chest' Miller (as he was called in those days) was that he was a first-class redneck, and what bloody redneck he was! But he was also an all-around good guy and a great friend.
'If you were to read the story of my life it would say that I am only child, but it would be wrong. In life I had a brother and his name was Bob Miller. I love you, Bob.”
WWE Legend Jake 'The Snake' Roberts tweeted: "One of the toughest son of a guns to put on tights. And one of the most entertaining. He will be sorely missed."
Another legend, The Iron Sheik, also tweeted: "BUSHWHACKER BUTCH I LOVE YOU FOREVER. RIP MY FRIEND YOU ALWAYS MAKE ME SMILE."
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