In a news that has shocked the wrestling world, the American Dream Dusty Rhodes passed away today at the age of 69. WWE.COM confirmed the news in a short statement. No cause of death was revealed.

Born on October 12, 1945, in Austin, Texas, Virgil Runnels started his wrestling career in 1968, first wrestling for the American Wrestling Association before moving to the NWA, Jim Crockett Promotions, WWF, WCW, ECW, and TNA.

Rhodes had memorable feuds throughout his career with Terry Funk, Harley Race, Ric Flair, Macho Man Randy Savage, and other notable names before officially retiring from the ring in 2007.

Apart from being a wrestler, he also worked behind the scenes both for WCW and WWE and the term Dusty Finish is named after him.

Rhodes returned to WWE in 2005, first signing a Legends Deal and then was part of the creative team before transitioning to the developmental system and working at the WWE Performance Center and NXT. He made several appearances on WWE television throughout the past few years and his legacy will live on with both his sons – Goldust and Stardust – still active in the WWE.

In 2007, Rhodes was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and throughout his wrestling career he won numerous titles including the NWA World title on three different occasions.