Brian Christopher Lawler dead: Former WWE champion Grandmaster Sexay dies, aged 46

Wrestler taken to hospital after reportedly trying to hang himself

(WWE)

Former wrestling superstar Brian Christopher Lawler has died aged 46 after reportedly attempting to kill himself in jail.

Lawler, who competed in the WWE under the name of Grandmaster Sexay in the former tag team champions Too Cool with Scotty 2 Hotty, passed away after his life support was turned off on Sunday evening.

His father, wrestling legend Jerry 'The King' Lawler, his mother Kay and his brother Kevin were among family and friends at his bedside.

"WWE is saddened to learn that Brian Christopher Lawler, who is best known in WWE as Too Cool’s Grandmaster Sexay, has passed away," the company said in a statement.

"Lawler, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, competed during the height of the Attitude Era.

"WWE extends its condolences to Lawler’s family, friends and fans."

Lawler had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to stop for police officers who attempted to pull him over.

Brian Lawler, AKA Grandmaster Sexay, performing in 2013 (Screengrab)

It was reported that he was rushed to hospital after trying to hang himself in his cell outside Memphis on Saturday night.

​His brother Kevin said there had been "lots of different stories and rumours" in a post on his personal Facebook page.

He added: "But as of 30 minutes ago he has officially passed. I love U and will miss U my brother! A very sad day today. Words can't describe."

Lawler began his professional wrestling career in 1988 and made his last WWE appearance in February 2014 as part of Too Cool.

The WWE also issued a statement on Sunday to announce the death of former wrestler Josip Nikolai Peruzovic, who performed under the ring name Nikolai Volkoff.

Nikolai Volkoff (left) died at the age of 70 (WWE)

The statement read: “Best known for his dastardly, WWE Tag Team Championship–winning union with The Iron Sheik, Volkoff’s in-ring career spanned the better part of 40 years, which featured battles against the likes of Sgt. Slaughter, Hulk Hogan and Bruno Sammartino.

"As one of the greatest villains sports-entertainment had ever seen, Volkoff’s infamous rendition of the Soviet National Anthem before his matches made him an instant icon in the eyes of the WWE Universe as a Superstar they truly loved to hate. Jim Ross inducted Volkoff into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2005.

“WWE extends its condolences to Peruzović’s family, friends and fans.”

Peruzovic died at the age of 70.