Sid Eudy, six-time wrestling champion and icon of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), died on Monday at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer, his family announced.

Eudy – known to fans as Sid Justice, Sid Vicious and Sycho Sid – rose to fame in the 1990s as one of the “most imposing and fearsome competitors of his generation,” according to WWE.

His son Gunnar Eudy remembered him as “a strong, kind and loving man” who “will be greatly missed.”

Gunnar thanked everyone for their support on Facebook and said the family “appreciates your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this loss,” adding that funeral details would be announced shortly.

Born on December 16, 1960 in the US state of Arkansas, the 6-foot-1 fighter entered the world of wrestling in 1989 when he joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and competed against the likes of the Four Horsemen and the Steiner Brothers.

In a statement, WWE said: “Sid’s reputation as one of the toughest and most exciting Superstars cemented his legacy in WWE and his influence is still visible in wrestling rings around the world.

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

Eudy made his WWE debut as Sid Justice, the organization said, serving as a special guest referee at SummerSlam 1991, which also featured WWE legend Hulk Hogan.

During his wrestling career, the two-time WWE Champion (then WWF) headlined WrestleMania twice and won two WCW heavyweight championships.

WWE said the wrestler would have continued to receive recognition if he had not suffered “a catastrophic leg injury in the ring” in 2001.

After his death, numerous fans and other experts showered him with their condolences.

Booker T. Huffman, a two-time WWE Hall of Fame member, said Eudy’s influence on wrestling was “undeniable,” adding that he “paved the way for so many of us.”

“Without Sid Vicious, I don’t think my brother and I would have made it to WCW… My deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time,” he wrote on X.

Eudy leaves behind his wife Sabrina Paige and his two children.