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RIP "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel

http://wate.com/2015/06/22/knoxville-wrestler-buddy-landel-dies-at-53/

Sadly, one of my favorite mid card guys from through the years, and a man I had the privilege to know for a while has passed away at 53.   RIP "Nature Boy".

The words of Buddy when JYD passed away, ring true for him today:

 I just got a call and heard you were gone, and I stand here so cold.And the booker says you're off to your biggest angle ever, walking on streets of gold.We first met when I was a kid, and I remember being in such awe!You were the first superstar I ever met, the first I ever saw.You drew more money than most people know, but how they soon forget!But in my eyes, I saw it first hand and man, you were legit!Just like you did when we first met, you took me under your wing.And it comforts me now that you, Dick, Frank and Eddie are listening to the angels sing.I'll see you again in that special place, and I can give you a ring.So once again save me a place under your great big wing!I'll miss you and always love you... Good-bye dear friend...

Comments

  1. Buddy Landel was only 53? I thought he was like 70 or 80, since he hadn't been in wrestling since the early-mid 90s as far as I know.

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  2. Who's Mickey Yarber?

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  3. Extant1979 - Extreme SuperstarJune 22, 2015 at 5:46 PM

    That was my question.

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  4. Never knew we had a Mickey Yarber writing here.

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  5. Adam "Colorado" CurryJune 22, 2015 at 5:56 PM

    Same here, figured he was at least in his mid-60s.

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  6. MaffewOfBotchamaniaJune 22, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    He was also the recipient of one of the best insults I've heard, courtesy of Flair.

    ''Buddy, I'd lend you one of my robes but you'd get lost in the sleeves''

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  7. Virgil's Gimmick TableJune 22, 2015 at 6:14 PM

    I never knew he was so damn young. Wow. He wasn't much older than my dad.

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  8. "I never heard of half these guys... Mitchell Freedman?"

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  9. Glad to see you back Yarber!


    Just kidding, I've never heard of him either. Nice bit though with the poem and that.

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  10. I very rarely post (as you can tell), but Scott had given me posting privileges a couple of years ago. But anywho, it's a sad day around here. Buddy lived locally and was around all the time. Volunteered with the local police and life saving crews in his spare time. Was a great guy outside of the ring.

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  11. And anyone not too familiar with Buddy's work, just do a youtube search of some of the following....The Bill and Buddy show, where he and Bill Dundee took over Memphis Wrestling one saturday morning....or his match vs. Shawn Michaels at Smoky Mountain Wrestling's Superbowl of Wrestling in '95. Buddy considered it his second best match ever, just behind his matches with Flair. And if you can find any of his promo work from SMW in 91 and 92, it's mostly gold as well.

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  12. I enjoy that some rando poster breaks this news but Zanatude got fired

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  13. He was on Colt's podcast not too long ago. Some great stories.

    Drop a corkscrew elbow somewhere up there, Nature Boy. RIP.

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  14. Stranger In The AlpsJune 22, 2015 at 7:08 PM

    Yarber? I never even heard of her!


    *rimshot*

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  15. Dick Murdoch, Frank Goodish, Eddie Graham?

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  16. Yeah, me too guy looked pretty old even then-i figured him for 40ish in the mid-90s.

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  17. He debuted super young - 17 or 18 years old.

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  18. He's the guy who bigfooted Buddy Landell's death his own glory.

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  19. Mmmm...yard bird! #Slickster

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  20. AverageJoeEverymanJune 22, 2015 at 8:26 PM

    This has already led to many many "Nature Boy died!" messages between friends to be a smartass.

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