Former NWA Star Rink Link In Hospice Care

Rick Link, best known for his feud with Jerry Lawler and his time in the NWA, is going into hospice care. Link’s sister announced the sad news on Friday that the two-time AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion was approaching the end of his life and entering hospice.

The announcement was made via a GoFundMe seeking aid in paying for his funeral to come. The campaign reads:

I am Rick Links sister. We are raising money for his funeral. He is going to hospice tomorrow and life saving measures will be discontinued including his dialysis. Please pray for him that his transition will be peaceful. and he will not be in pain anymore. Thank you guys a lot. He has many fans and friends who know and love him from all his many years of being a professional wrestler. He loves his friends and fans fiercely. He loves the Lord with his whole heart and is already saying he is ready to go home to Jesus.

Link grew up as a fan of professional wrestling and began training at the age of 15 under Johnny Hunter. He made his pro wrestling debut in 1975 and worked for Hunter’s Eastern Wrestling Association, the IWA and more.

Link began working for the NWA in 1979. He feuded with Lawler in Memphis and ended up involved in Lawler’s feud with Andy Kaufman. He went into semi-retirement in 2010, with his most recent match on record being at Revolution Wrestling Authority’s Unfinished Business in May of 2023.

On behalf of 411, our best wishes to Link and his family & friends.