An iconic wrestling legend has passed away. Johnny “Mr. Wrestling II” Walker has died. He was 85 years old. No cause of death is immediately available.
Long-time wrestling journalist Bill Apter broke the news this morning.
Mr. Wrestling II
Walker adopted the Mr. Wrestling II persona in 1972. He originally partnered with Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) in Florida, Georgia and a few other areas. He had previously wrestled as “The Grappler” and under his real name.
During the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter said that Mr. Wrestling II was his favorite wrestler. Carter invited Walker to his inauguration but he was forced to decline due to the Secret Service’s insistence that he attend unmasked.
In the twilight of his career, Walker spent 2 years working with Vince McMahon in the then-WWF. He rarely appeared on television and was not involved in any major storylines during his time with the company.
Mr. Wrestling’s II’s numerous championships include:
- 10x NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion.
- 2x NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
- 1975 PWI Wrestler of the Year
- WCW Hall of Fame Class of 1993
- 1980 PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year
- 2014 Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee
- NWA Hall of Fame Class of 2012