Former WWE Star 'Outlaw' Ron Bass Dies at Age 68

WWE announced Wednesday that former star "Outlaw" Ron Bass passed away at the age of 68.

A legend of the company, Bass—who became associated with the sound of a bullwhip when he entered the ring—participated in the inaugural Survivor Series and Royal Rumble events, according to WWE.com's Brett Hoffman.

WWE's official release noted that Bass became a prominent figure in the sport in 1987, which was around the time when the company started to take off.

"I came from the time of regional territories and small-time promotions," Bass said in 2007, per Hoffman. "I had heard of so many of these Superstars before, but I had never shared a ring with them before. I looked around and saw all these huge stars working for one company. It was just a magical feeling. That was the start of the WWE's rise."

On Wednesday, WWE legend Hulk Hogan expressed his condolences on Twitter: 

Once Bass' wrestling career came to an end, he earned his bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University and started to work as a sales representative for a construction supply company in Florida, per Hoffman.