“Dirty” Dick Slater, who was best known for his runs with WCW and Georgia Championship Wrestling, has passed away. Slater was 67 years old.
The news was first made public by the NWA on Twitter, noting his United States, Mid-Atlantic and TV championship reigns with the promotion.
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dick Slater.
As tough as they come. A decorated champion of the @NWA across every territory he wrestled including being United States, Mid-Atlantic and TV champion. pic.twitter.com/dqHlLqnOJx
— NWA (@nwa) October 18, 2018
Slater spent time with Georgia Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s. He had a run with WWE for a year from 1986-1987 before making the jump to wrestling in Japan. He would have a run with WCW that would later end in 1996 due to a back injury that would end his career.
According to F4WOnline, Slater was convicted of attacking his former girlfriend with a butcher knife back in 2004. As a result of the incident, Butcher was sentenced to a year of house arrest and two years probation.
WWE issued this statement on Thursday:
“WWE is saddened to learn that Dick Slater has passed away at age 67. Slater was a prolific competitor during the 1970s and 1980s in Georgia Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling and Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, where he teamed with WWE Hall of Famer Bob Orton and had a memorable rivalry with WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Slater competed in WWE from 1986 to 1987 before moving to Japan and finishing his in-ring career in WCW. WWE extends its condolences to Slater’s family, friends and fans.”