Former WWE champion Sid Eudy, also known as 'Sycho Sid,' dies at 63, son says

Former WWE champion Sid Eudy, also known as "Sycho Sid," died at the age of 63 after battling cancer, his son announced on Monday.

"I am deeply saddened to share that my father, Sid Eudy, has passed away after battling cancer for several years. He was a man of strength, kindness, and love, and his presence will be greatly missed," Gunnar Eudy said in a Facebook post . "We appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we grieve this loss."

A wrestling career that began in the late 1980s, Eudy was briefly a member of Ric Flair's legendary stable "The Four Hourseman" before he joined WWE, then known as WWF, in 1991. With a bold, intense and unpredictable persona to match his staggering physique, Eudy quickly rose into the spotlight in the company, including a memorable appearance in the 1992 Royal Rumble which started a feud with Hulk Hogan. Eudy and Hogan would be one of the main event matches at WrestleMania 8 that same year at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis.

After leaving the company shortly after, Eudy returned in 1995 and introduced his iconic "Sycho Sid" gimmick a year later. He would win the WWE Championship for the first time at Survivor Series 1996 after defeating Shawn Michaels. Eudy would win the title again in 1997 and defended it against The Undertaker in the main event match of WrestleMania 13, which The Undertaker won during his unprecedented WrestleMania streak. Eudy left WWE later that year. Eudy also had stints with WCW, and in 2001, suffered a devastating leg injury that nearly ended his wrestling career. He made his last appearance with WWE in 2012.

In his wrestling career, he was a two-time WWE champion, two-time WCW champion and United States champion.

"Sid was one of the most imposing and terrifying competitors of his generation with a natural charisma that immediately connected with the WWE Universe," WWE said in a statement . "Known as 'The Master and Ruler of the World', Sid’s reputation as one of the toughest and most thrilling Superstars cemented his legacy in WWE, and his influence can still be seen in wrestling rings around the world.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Former WWE champion Sid Eudy, also known as 'Sycho Sid,' dies at 63, son says