Mirror|Former WWE star Rick Bognar, AKA ‘Fake’ Razor Ramon has died aged 49.
The cause of his death is currently unknown, with his family saying it was ‘sudden’ and ‘unexpected’ as fellow wrestlers began sharing emotional tributes.
According to family members, the star died on 20 September.
His brother Ken wrote on Facebook: ‘It is with great sadness that I share some news with Rick’s Facebook friends.
‘On September 20th Rick passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the young age of 49.
‘It is tough to comprehend and will likely never sink in fully.
‘Rick left behind a great legacy and I know he will be remembered and missed by all of us.’
Bognar was perhaps best known to wrestling fans of the 90s, after he played the ‘fake’ version of Scott Hall’s Razor Ramon.
He joined the wrestling family of WWE/WWF after Hall and Kevin Nash, who performed as Diesel, joined rival network WCW.
Not wanting to lose fans of the popular characters, Vince McMahon brought on Bognar who took over Hall’s Razor, alongside Glenn Jacobs (who would become legendary character Kane) as ‘Fake Diesel’.
Only fans quickly noticed it wasn’t the OG performer, with Bognar soon dubbed the ‘fake’ version.
In turn, he only remained with WWE for the length of his one-year contract, before going on to work for numerous independent promotions, including ECW appearing as Big Titan.
He also worked for New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Canadian wrestling icon Chris Jericho was one of the first to pay respects, sharing a shot to Instagram alongside Bognar.
‘Sorry to hear about the passing of my old friend @titan.rick today. Rick was a constant opponent and friend from the first month I moved to Calgary in 1990, all the way until we (and @stormwrestlingacademy) worked for #WAR in in Japan in 1995,’ he wrote.
‘He ended up in @WWE as the “fake” #RazorRamon and then become a motivational speaker. He was a funny guy who did great impressions and a literal giant in the ring!
‘I last saw him before a @fozzyrock gig in Calgary a few years ago and it was great to reconnect and catch up. 49 is way too young to pass away, but I’ll always remember his big smile and drinking #chuhi with he and @dr.luther whilst singing Karaoke in Japan!
‘God bless you Rick! #ricktitan.’