THE PROFESSIONAL wrestling community and its fans began mourning when they learned of a WWE legend's death.
Robert 'Bushwhacker Butch' Miller was pronounced dead after he was hospitalized for an illness.
Who was WWE legend Bushwhacker Butch?
Born on October 21, 1944, Robert Miller was known to WWE fans as Bushwhacker Butch.
Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, Miller first achieved local recognition for wrestling with NWA New Zealand.
Now known as All-Star Pro Wrestling, he began wrestling with the organization in 1964.
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While wrestling for NWA New Zealand, he met his long-term tag team partner Luke Williams aka Bushwhacker Luke.
Around this time, Butch and Luke gained a following as The Kiwis.
The two rebranded several times; their subsequent ring names included the New Zealand Sheepherders and the New Sheepherders.
They eventually rebranded to their most popular aliases, The Bushwhackers.
In 2015, the retired duo was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
In 2020, the pair were also initiated into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum.
When did Bushwhacker Butch retire?
In September 2001, Butch retired after 30-plus years in the ring.
His retirement was brought on by a neck injury he suffered that same month.
While he was hospitalized for his neck injury, Butch also came down with sepsis.
However, he recovered from both ordeals and moved back to his home country.
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When did Bushwhacker Butch die?
On April 2, 2023, Bushwhacker Butch succumbed to health complications from an unspecified illness.
On Monday, April 3, his former wrestling partner Bushwhacker Luke revealed the news of Butch's death via Facebook.
"Late last night, I lost my friend, brother, and tag team partner of over 50 years with the passing of Bob 'Butch' Miller," Luke announced.
"This past weekend in Los Angeles, Bob flew in from New Zealand to join me for Wrestlemania weekend and the related festivities, neither of us knowing it would be our last days together and his last days of life.
"If you were to read the story of my life it would say that I am an only child, but it would be wrong.
"In life, I had a brother and his name was Bob Miller. I love you, Bob. Until I see you again, WOOOOAHH YEEEEAAHH."
