WWE: George 'The Animal' Steele passes away at the age of 79
By WWE
Last Updated: 19/02/17 12:49pm
WWE Hall of Famer William James Myers, known to fans as George "The Animal" Steele, has passed away at the age of 79.
Steele was one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history.
Yet, despite his green tongue, hairy torso and insatiable appetite for turnbuckle pads, "The Animal" was a very well-educated man.
Prior to breaking into sports-entertainment, Steele received his Master's Degree from Central Michigan University and became a high school teacher and wrestling coach in the Detroit area.
His first WWE appearances took place in 1967, when he began a heated rivalry with WWE Champion Bruno Sammartino.
For nearly 20 years, Steele was a reviled villain, managed by the likes of fellow WWE Hall of Famers The Grand Wizard, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Capt. Lou Albano and Mr. Fuji.
His classic main events against Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund saw him come close to winning the WWE Championship on many occasions.
In 1985, however, Steele was embraced by the WWE Universe and changed the course of his career.
After The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff abandoned him during a match, Steele fell back under the tutelage of the then-beloved Albano.
His transformation was remarkable, as one of the most hated men in the sport became one of its most loveable figures.
George "The Animal" Steele’s name still evoked terror for one generation of WWE fans and warm smiles for another.
