Rest in peace Dick Slater.
Former Georgia Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling competitor Dick Slater passed away today (Oct. 18) at the age of 67. Real name Richard Van Slater, Dick Slater began his pro wrestling career in the late 1960s where he was trained down in Florida by the likes of Bill Watts, Jack Brisco and others.
Nicknamed ‘Dirty’, Slater’s best run of his career came with the GCW promotion from 1972-1983. Slater captured the NWA Georgia Heavyweight Championship on four separate occasions and also won the GCW tag team titles with “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
Slater’s run in the WWF was brief. Working in the WWF from the summer of 1986 to the spring of 1987, Slater was best known for his matches versus Don Muraco and Butch Reed on Saturday Night’s Main Event and Prime Time Wrestling respectively.
In WCW, Slater made various appearances with the promotion beginning in 1989 and stretching all the way out until 1996. While in WCW Slater was a member of Gary Hart’s J-Tex Corporation as well as Col. Robert Parker’s Stud Stable group. In 1995, Slater briefly held the WCW tag team titles while teaming with Bunkhouse Bunk.
The National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dick Slater.
— NWA (@nwa) October 18, 2018
As tough as they come. A decorated champion of the @NWA across every territory he wrestled including being United States, Mid-Atlantic and TV champion. pic.twitter.com/dqHlLqnOJx
Cagesideseats extends its condolences to Dick Slater’s family.