Kevin Sullivan, WWE legend and WCW booker who ‘pushed boundaries’ in wrestling, dies at 74

TAMFORD, CONNECTICUT: WWE legend Kevin Sullivan has died at the age of 74.

The wrestling body released an official statement on his death on Friday, August 9.

“WWE is saddened to learn Kevin Sullivan has passed away at age 74. A unique and influential figure in sports-entertainment history, Sullivan found success both in the ring and behind the scenes with his penchant for far out ideas that pushed creative boundaries,” read the statement on their website.

The statement continued, “As a villain, Sullivan was a major rival for the ring’s most legendary heroes, including Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan, and The Road Warriors. He specialized in leading dangerous factions, which included his wicked Army of Darkness, collegiate bullies.”

What did Kevin Sullivan's co-host John Poz say on his death?

Kevin Sullivan’s death was also confirmed on the Instagram page of his podcast ‘Taskmaster Talks.’

“Rest in peace, Kevin Sullivan. Your legacy will never fade and I'll see you on the other side, my friend,” his co-host John Poz wrote in a post.

He continued, “His career is one of passion, creativity, and dedication. He gave his heart and soul to professional wrestling, and in doing so, he became an integral part of its history.”

Poz praised Sullivan’s creative skills and storytelling abilities. “He was a master at crafting stories that resonated with fans, pushing the boundaries of what wrestling could be with his feud against Chris Benoit. He understood that wrestling was more than just a sport—it was a spectacle, a theater where larger-than-life characters played out epic battles of good versus evil,” he said.

The co-host also shared that the iconic wrestler needed 24-hour care and financial support from his friends and family. Poz also shared a link to GoFundMe page to  “help him through this difficult time.”

Kevin Sullivan's health struggle in recent months

Kevin Sullivan went under the knife in May, according to the GoFund Me page. “On May 12th, 2024, while in Florida for autograph signings, Kevin suffered a devastating accident,” it read.

“He underwent emergency surgery that saved his leg and life but faced severe complications, including sepsis and encephalitis. This unforeseen catastrophe has placed an immense financial burden on his family, as Kevin has been in and out of consciousness in the ICU, far from home,” it continued.

Sullivan was a fan favorite for his rivalries with Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan, Barry Windham, and The Road Warriors, according to New York Post.

The popular wrestler briefly worked as a booker for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) after ending his career inside the ring.

Former WWE icons pay tribute to Kevin Sullivan

WWE legend Ric Flair paid tribute to Kevin Sullivan over X. "An All Time Great Athlete & Friend. I Am So Saddened To Hear About Kevin Sullivan’s Passing,” he wrote. “Rest In Peace Kevin!” he added.

Triple H, chief content officer for WWE, admired the wrestler's creativity and passion for the sport.

“Kevin Sullivan had one of the most unique minds in the history of our industry, pushing creative boundaries and developing some of the most intriguing characters to step into the ring,” Triple H, whose real name is Paul Levesque, wrote on X. 

“He had an unwavering passion for what we do. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans,” he wrote.