Verne Gagne dead: WWE Hall of Fame wrestler passes away aged 89

Vince McMahon was among the first to pay tribute

Verne Gagne, the WWE wrestling legend and Hall of Fame star, passed away on Monday aged 89.

The news was confirmed by his son, Greg Gagne, who is also a professional wrestler.

Speaking to Fox 9, Greg described his father as a “special man” who had touched many lives.

It was he who inducted his father into the acclaimed WWE Hall of Fame in April 2006.

Verne won the title of World Heavyweight Champion 16 times, and became the AWA World Heavyweight Champion 10 times.

He owned the Minneapolis-based American Wrestling Association for years, before it was eventually shut down in 1991.

WWE and chairman Vince McMahon paid tribute on Twitter: