Jody Hamilton, the legendary wrestler who went by The Assassin, Assassin #1 and The Masked Assassin, has passed away at the age of 82.
Hamilton had been moved into hospice care earlier in the day, but he would tragically pass away in the afternoon. Hamilton’s son Nick Patrick, who was a member of the WCW referee team confirmed the news. Posting on Facebook, he said,
“It is with a heavy heart that I make this post. At 2:16 today my father took his last breath on this earth. He passed comfortably, surrounded by the people that love him. Now our attention has to shift over to taking care of my mom. I want to thank everyone that sent out prayers and support for my family. I will put more information about pop out, but right now I’m kinda numb.”
Hamilton first debuted in 1955, and would have an over thirty-year in-ring career before a broken back forced him to retire in 1988. However, even after his retirement, he would remain a part of the wrestling industry as a trainer, manager and more. Including a stint in WCW, whom he would remain with training wrestlers at the Power Plant till it was bought out by WWE in 2001. Hamilton would also run a modern version of Deep South Wrestling between 2005-2007, which was used as a WWE training ground.
Since news of Jody Hamilton’s passing broke, various figures from inside the wrestling industry have paid their respects. These include names such as Doc Gallows, Tommy Dreamer, Dustin Rhodes and more.
You can check out some of the reactions to this tragic passing, as well as one of Hamilton’s many brilliant promos, below:
RIP Jody Hamilton https://t.co/7GMXhPjRFS
— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) August 3, 2021
R.I.P “The Assassin” Jody Hamilton. Thanks for the lessons, the memories, & the stories many of us will never forget. I hope you’re lighting a big cuban in the sky! 🥃 pic.twitter.com/0ZTzrFHkXN
— “The Big LG” Doc Gallows (@The_BigLG) August 3, 2021
The Assassin Jody Hamilton had an amazing career
Great real promos
He helped alot of wrestlers become stars in WCW & WWE
RIP pic.twitter.com/jkta64f4az— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) August 3, 2021
In my opinion The Masked Assassin is 1 of the 2 greatest masked villains ever.(Masked Superstar is the other one) Jody Hamilton was also a wonderful human being, that I'm honored to have known. Sending my love to his son Nick & their family. #RIPMaskedAssassin pic.twitter.com/Pk6aQGP5uM
— Sean Waltman (@TheRealXPac) August 3, 2021
RIP JODY HAMILTON! I smell collusion…and I smell it real bad!!! https://t.co/okUGJhLnVu
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) August 3, 2021
Rest In Peace to wrestling legend "The Assassin" Jody Hamilton. https://t.co/X94Rw1TIgN
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) August 3, 2021
RIP #JodyHamilton pic.twitter.com/JSmCnyhyX2
— Dustin Rhodes (@dustinrhodes) August 3, 2021
Jody Hamilton, the Assassin, was in charge of WCW’s Power Plant while I was there. His wrestling career speaks for itself. GOD bless his family and friends during this difficult time. #RIPJody pic.twitter.com/EGx6b2ks37
— Brad Cain aka Lodi (@Lodi1Brad) August 3, 2021
All of here at eWn send our condolences to the family, friends, fans and loved ones of Jody Hamilton.
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