An iconic wrestling legend has passed away. Johnny “Mr. Wrestling II” Walker has died. He was 85 years old. No cause of death is immediately available.

Long-time wrestling journalist Bill Apter broke the news this morning.

Horrible way to start any day
Johnny "Mr. Wrestling II" Walker has died.

— Bill Apter (@apter1wrestling) June 10, 2020

Walker adopted the Mr. Wrestling II persona in 1972. He originally partnered with Mr. Wrestling (Tim Woods) in Florida, Georgia and a few other areas. He had previously wrestled as “The Grappler” and under his real name.

One of the greatest "masked men" in Wrestling history, Mr Wrestling 2, Johnny Walker has passed away today.. R.I.P. Johnny

— Jerry Lawler (@JerryLawler) June 10, 2020

During the 1970s, President Jimmy Carter said that Mr. Wrestling II was his favorite wrestler. Carter invited Walker to his inauguration but he was forced to decline due to the Secret Service’s insistence that he attend unmasked.

The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies on the passing of "Mr. Wrestling II" Johnny Walker.

A huge star in the 1970s and 1980s in Georgia Championship Wrestling, Mid-South and all over the NWA. He was also the favorite wrestler of President Jimmy Carter.

— NWA (@nwa) June 10, 2020

In the twilight of his career, Walker spent 2 years working with Vince McMahon in the then-WWF. He rarely appeared on television and was not involved in any major storylines during his time with the company.

Mr. Wrestling’s II’s numerous championships include:

  • 10x NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion.
  • 2x NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion
  • 1975 PWI Wrestler of the Year
  • WCW Hall of Fame Class of 1993
  • 1980 PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year
  • 2014 Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee
  • NWA Hall of Fame Class of 2012