Kurt Beyer, son of Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, took to Facebook to report the death of his father at the age of 88. According to Kurt, The Destroyer was “in bed at home, and surrounded by all of his children and wife as he slipped away peacefully.”
Dick Beyer is best known for his time in Japan, where he wrestled the patriarch of Japanese Professional Wrestling, Rikidozan, in a match seen by 70 million people. Beyer was also known for his feuds with Giant Baba, Mil Mascaras & others.
Beyer also spent time wrestling as both Doctor X and Dick Beyer in the American Wrestling Association. There he feuded with legends such as Blackjack Lanza, Paul Diamond, Ray Stevens & his own brother-in-law Billy Red Lyons. However, it was in Japan that Beyer truly shined.
Beginning in 1973, Beyer wrestled in Japan for six years. In a deal with Giant Baba, The Destroyer helped promote All Japan Pro Wrestling in the promotion’s early days. Beyer even became a TV personality on Usawa No Channel. Beyer left AJPW in 1979, but would frequently return to the island.
Beyer went into semi-retirement in 1984, and became a Physical Education teacher in Akron, NY. Beyer wrestled his final match in 1993, teaming with his son Kurt, and Giant Baba, to defeat Masao Inoue, Haruka Eigen & Masanobu Fuchi. Beyer attended the All Together charity event presented by AJPW, NJPW & Pro Wrestling Noah, where Beyer presented the winner of The Destroyer Cup with the trophy.