WWE mourns the loss of Massachusetts wrestling legend

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts – World Wrestling Entertainment announced Friday the death of a Massachusetts wrestling legend.

Kevin Sullivan, born in Cambridge in 1949, has died at the age of 74, according to WWE.

“Sullivan is a unique and influential figure in the history of sports entertainment. With his penchant for out-of-the-box ideas that pushed creative boundaries, he was successful both in the ring and behind the scenes,” WWE wrote in an online post.

Sullivan was known as a great rival of the ring's most legendary heroes, including Dusty Rhodes, Hulk Hogan and The Road Warriors. He also led factions such as the Army of Darkness, The Varsity Club and the Dungeon of Doom.

WWE also noted that Sullivan helped put Big Show on the map in the wrestling world.

As Inside the Ropes reported, Sullivan held the World Championship Wrestling Tag Team titles with WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley at one point in his career.

Sullivan, known as “Tankmaster,” also worked for a time as lead booker for WCW.

In his early days, Sullivan was successful at the high school level, representing the Cambridge YMCA in the New England Championship tournaments, Pro Wrestling Stories reported.

Sullivan suffered a “devastating accident” during a book signing in Florida in May and had to undergo emergency surgery to save his leg, but suffered complications including sepsis and encephalitis, his family noted in a GoFundMe post.

Sullivan's long stay in intensive care depleted his family's finances and prompted the fundraiser, which raised more than $50,000.

“Even with an excellent insurance plan, the length of stay means the coverage is almost exhausted,” his family wrote in the post.

WWE extended its condolences to Sullivan's family, friends and fans.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News App for breaking news.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Þjórsárden. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW