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The life of a WWE Hall of Famer is in jeopardy. Steve Stasiak, the booking agent, has reported that Abdullah the Butcher (real name: Lawrence Shreeve) is in the hospital.
"At 84 years old, the Wild Man from the Sudan is battling serious health issues and is currently in the hospital," Steve wrote in a statement under the wrestler's nickname on Facebook on October 23. "He needs us all right now. As supporters, friends, and family of this company, let's unite to offer him our prayers, good vibes, and support."
He additionally pointed out that Abdullah is "one of the most iconic and feared figures to ever step inside a wrestling ring—a man who helped shape the sport with his unforgettable presence from Japan to Puerto Rico to Georgia and beyond."
Abdullah's condition was not disclosed to the public. More than a year has passed since several reports claimed that he had been admitted to a hospital in Georgia due to intestinal problems. A 2024 GoFundMe page also stated that he was "in need of a hip replacement."
Despite never having been a formal member of the WWE, Abdullah was inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame in 2011. He started wrestling in his home country of Canada as a teenager in the 1950s. In the 1970s and 1980s, he continued to compete in Japan Pro Wrestling.
He competed against some of the most well-known wrestlers in history during his career.
"If the money was right, Abdullah would be there," his WWE biography states. "He battled Andre the Giant in front of 25,000 fans in Puerto Rico and clashed with Hulk Hogan in Japan."
It continued, "The list of The Butcher’s rivals reads like a Hall of Fame itself—The Sheik, Harley Race, Bobo Brazil, Jack Brisco, Stan Hansen, and Giant Baba. All these men can attest to the same fact—a champion wasn’t a champion until he came face-to-face with Abdullah the Butcher."