R.I.P Former WWE and WCW star Black Bart passes away

[LionDen]

Black Bart (real name Richard Harris), has passed away at age 76 after losing a battle with stage 4 liver cancer.

Harris’ wife posted the news of her husbands passing on his Facebook page. Click here.

Harris began his professional wrestling career in 1975. He went through several in-ring names, including Man Mountain Harris, Hangman Harris and Hangman Ricky Harris.

During his career he wrestled for various wrestling promotions, including Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Georgia Championship Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Universal Wrestling Federation, World Wrestling Federation (Now WWE) and World Championship Wrestling.

Two months after leaving WCW, Bart appeared in the Global Wrestling Federation. During his time in the promotion, he won the Bass Knuckles title, as well as the GWF World Tag Team Championships three different times, including once with John Hawk. He also was in a tag team with Bill Irwin as the Wild Bunch and Johnny Mantell as the Rough Riders. He also held various other titles, including the NWA National Heavyweight Championship.

Harris wrestled on the independent scene up until his retirement from pro wrestling in 2002. However, he did make appearances in 2006 for independent promotions in Texas and also participated in several NWA reunion shows.

He trained WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield and ran a professional wrestling school at the Dallas Sportatorium, in which Necro Butcher was a graduate.

Harris recently went home from the hospital because his insurance ran out and thus stopped any further chemotherapy treatment.

UOW sends it’s condolences to the family, friends and fans of Black Bart (Richard Harris), during this difficult and sad time.

Black Bart vs. Nikolai Volkoff

[LionDen]

With the news of the passing of Rick Harris aka Black Bart officially announced, a number of those in the pro wrestling world took to social media to pay tribute to Harris:

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