Former NWA Star Rink Link Passes Away At 66

Rick Link, the NWA star and former AWA Southern Heavyweight Champion who memorably feuded with Jerry Lawler in Memphis, has passed away. PWInsider reports that Link, who worked as M.E.B. in NWA Central States and Man Mountain Link in the CWA, passed away on Wednesday. He was 66 years old.

Link’s sister announced on December that Link was entering hospice care. At that time, a GoFundMe was launched to seek aid in paying for his eventual funeral. The link to the GoFundMe is here.

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 condolences to the family, friends and fans of Rick Link.