Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, “Ravishing” Rick Rude, died Tuesday. The cause of death is not immediately available, but early word is that it may have been related to a heart stoppage or heart attack.
Rude won the NWA title on September 19, 1993 when he defeated Ric Flair in Houston, TX. WCW renamed the title the WCW International World Heavyweight Title after they withdrew from the NWA.

Rude broke into the national spotlight in the WWF and holding the Intercontinental Title after a victory over the Ultimate Warrior.
 

Rude’s wrestling career was ended by a serious neck injury, and he had recently returned to WCW as an announcer for Backstage Blast programs on DirecTV.
Personal words from me, Gery Roif
That`s the post from 1wrestling that I saw and realized what has happened.
To me personaly it`s a serious shock, he was only 39 years old. After his surgery(testicular)
we thought he`ll be fine, and indeed he was, as he scheduled to return and did some backstage stuff for 2 weeks, he caught some eye infection and was unable to do the Nitro 5th scheduled broadcast on the internet and Ted DiBiase replaced him. I saw Rick from his WWF days, and got many of his Memphis bouts, he`s been a great performer and for me to talk about him in past it`s something I still can`t figure out. I`ve always enjoyed his matches, either with Warrior or Lawler, he always gave a great performence. He played his gimmick better than Vince would ever imagine, Ravishing was over than over itself! His creativity opened the door for HBK and Venis` like gimmicks, and interviews to the likes of Scott Steiner. Rick Rude should`ve been with us, god
took him before his time, he was only 39 years old and had a heart atack.

I send my condolences to the Rood family and wish Rick the best in heaven, may god take care
of him and rest his soul.
Thank you Rick for the memories.
       'Ravishing' Rick Rude`s title history

 
Rick Rude`s NWA/AWA Southern Heavyweight title history
Time Won from Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st,only time Jerry Lawler 84/06/11 Memphis, TN Tommy Rich 84/07/22 Louisville, KY

 
Rick Ride`s Southern Tag Team title history
Time With whom Won from Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st,only time King Kong Bundy Fabulous Ones in tournament finals 84/10/08 Memphis, TN Fabulous Ones (Steve Keirn & Stan Lane)  84/10/22 Memphis, TN

 
Rick Ride`s NWA Florida Southern Heavyweight title history
Time Won from Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st time Pez Whatley 01/16/85 Tampa, FL Brian Blair 04/10/85 Tampa, FL
2nd time Mike Graham in tournament finals 07/21/85 Orlando, FL Wahoo McDaniel 10/02/85 Tampa, FL
Rick Ride`s NWA American Heavyweight  <---> WCWA Unified World title history
Time Won from Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st,only time Iceman King Parsons 11/04/85 Ft. Worth, TX Chris Adams 86/07/04 Dallas, TX
* Named the first WCWA World heavyweight champion on 02/20/86 after
   World Class separates from NWA.
Rick Ride`s NWA World Tag Team title history
Time Won from With whom Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st,only time Rock'n'Roll Express Manny Fernandez 12/06/86 Atlanta, GA Rock'n'Roll Express 05/26/87 Spokane, WA
Rick Ride`s WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight title history
Time Won from Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st,only time Ultimate Warrior 89/04/02 Atlantic City, NJ Ultimate Warrior 89/08/28 East Rutherford, NJ
Rick Ride`s WCW Unites States Heavyweight title history
Time Won from Date Place Lost to Date
1st,only time Sting 11/19/91 Savannah, GA stripped due to 30 days defence rule 08/93
Rick Ride`s WCW World Heavyweight/'International' Heavyweight title history
Time Won from Date Place Lost to Date Place
1st Ric Flair 09/19/93 Houston, TX Hiroshi Hase 03/16/94 Tokyo, JAPAN
2nd Hiroshi Hase 03/24/94 Kyoto, JAPAN Sting 04/17/94 Rosemont, IL
3rd Sting 05/01/94 Fukuoka, JAPAN stripped right away-vacant

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