While it isn’t often mentioned today, during the ’80s there was more than one “Nature Boy” styling and profiling his way through the American mid-south in sparkly robes and bleached-blonde hair. One was, of course, Ric Flair. The other was Buddy Landel. Sadly, word has emerged that Landel passed away yesterday at the age of 53.
A young Buddy Landel picked up the Nature Boy gimmick in the early ’80s while wrestling in Memphis for Jerry Lawler. He would later move to Jim Crockett’s Mid-Atlantic territory, where he was teamed with J.J. Dillon and entered into a “Nature Boy vs. Nature Boy” feud with Ric Flair. The feud was briefly the hottest thing in the wrestling business, and Landel was in consideration for an NWA World Championship run, but the feud and title plans were dropped due to Landel’s excessive drug use and partying. Landel’s personal issues would keep him from truly living up to his potential for the rest of his career. Landel’s last significant run was during the mid-90s with WWF. Using a very Nature Boy-esque gimmick, Landel wrestled Bret Hart for the title and defeated mid-carders like Hardcore Holly and Matt Hardy, but unfortunately had his push cut short when he slipped on ice and injured his right quad.
Since retiring from wrestling, Landel managed to kick his addictions — a turnaround he attributed to his faith and the support of his family.
“It’s something that I still have to work on, because I’m wild as a buck, even today.”
According to reports, Landel was in a serious car accident this weekend. He checked himself out of the hospital Sunday, and after complaining about “feeling bad,” went to sleep. When his wife went to check on him later, he was found dead.
Landel leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Donna, two daughters and a grandson they raised. We here at With Spandex extend our sincere condolences to the family of Buddy Landel.
(Via Wrestling Observer and Slam! Wrestling)
