The passing of wrestling legend Vader stunned the entire world. Even though his doctor gave him just about two years to live in 2016, nobody was prepared for the news. His son confirmed his death on Twitter:
It is still being felt exactly three years later. His son later posted another picture and message.
WWE chimed in with their own announcement a little bit later.
What sucks is that in 2016, Vader told the world his doctor said he had just two years left to live. He wasn’t kidding or messing around. The giant mastodon was being serious. In that time, Mick Foley and others campaigned very hard for WWE to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame. Why he wasn’t already in is a question mark but anyways, the idea was to induct him while he was still alive to accept. Take in all the praise, have your moment of recognition and get your flowers. He deserved it for such a legendary career.
Sadly, it was not meant to be. ESPN reported that earlier in 2018 he had open heart surgery. I can attest to that, as I have also had open heart surgery. For him to pull through that and live another few months was a miracle in itself. Fans and peers piled in with their condolences online, and Boy Meets World viewers recalled his memorable guest appearances. He was known the world over. Sadly, three years later, there has still been no WWE Hall of Fame induction.
Here was the tribute video posted for him in June 2018.
Perhaps we can get another campaign going fairly soon. Usually at the end of each year is when WWE Hall of Fame inductees are finalized for the next year. Come late 2021, hopefully he is chosen for the 2022 ceremony. It’s time. It’s Vader time!
