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According to a report from PWInsider, a former WWE wrestler has passed away at the age of 68.

Our sources tell us that, the actual cause of Ronald Heard best known as “Outlaw” Ron Bass’ death may be been related to a burst appendix, which he was hospitalized for immediately prior to his passing. The report somewhat suggests that Bass wasn’t aware of his condition at first, and had waited a week before seeking medical assistance, thus making a successful recovery impossible.

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Our sources further say that, Bass suffered a burst appendix over a week ago, but didn’t realize the severity of the situation. He waited several days to get himself checked out and unfortunately, as a direct result of waiting so long, his body was overcome by the poisoning and he passed away.

Ronald Heard competed in WWE in the 1980s under the ring name “Outlaw” Ron Bass after wrestling in other promotion for no less than 15 years.

Hence, as at the time Bass joined WWE, he was already 38-years-old,

While there are quite a number of things to be said about Bass, one major thing than cannot be swept under the carpet is that he was a major player in the Florida territory throughout the ’70s and ’80s after Bass joining WWE in 1987 and stayed with the company for two years, though he mostly worked as a midcarder.

His biggest success came on the territorial scene. In Florida, he was initially introduced as Dusty Rhodes’ childhood best friend before eventually turning on him, resulting in a long-term feud with Rhodes and Barry Windham. Additionally, Bass held dozens of regional championships throughout his career, and even became NWA International Tag Team Champion with Stan Hansen in 1983.

Bass’ WWE run was less decorated, though he was able to rub shoulders with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Brutus Beefcake, and Junkyard Dog. He competed in the first ever Royal Rumble in 1988, but eventually retired from the business in 1991, after which he worked in the construction industry.

That said, last November, “Outlaw” Ron Bass appeared on the Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast and looked back on the Beefcake rivalry, specifically how he used a spur to cut Brutus’ forehead open. At that time, Bass said that the feud had the potential to last longer than it did, but was still a fulfilling one because outside of the ring, he and Beefcake (a.k.a. Ed Leslie in real life) were getting along quite well.

“We could have worked that thing for a year up there because you’re in a different town and different state every night. We could have got a lot more mileage out of that one but it worked out well. With Beefcake, I had known him and Hulk Hogan since they were Terry and Eddie Boulder just getting started in the Tennessee territory. It was a good run for us and he is a good guy.”

WWE have issued the following statement on his passing:-

WWE is saddened to learn that Ronald Heard, known to sports-entertainment fans as “Outlaw” Ron Bass, has passed away at the age of 68. Debuting in 1975, the tough Texan performed in several NWA territories, including Jim Crockett Promotions and Florida Championship Wrestling.It was in 1987 that Bass rose to national fame in WWE. With his ruthless attitude and dreaded bullwhip, Bass battled against classic fan favorites like Junkyard Dog and Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. He even claimed a pinfall victory over a young Shawn Michaels in the 1988 King of the Ring tournament.Following his retirement from the ring in 1991, Bass earned a bachelor’s degree from Arkansas State University and became a successful construction equipment salesman.WWE extends its condolences to Heard’s family, friends and fans.

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