Former WWF Champion Pedro Morales has passed away at age 76.
Hugo Savinovich, a personal friend of Morales, posted the following video on his Facebook account revealing the unfortunate news:
Lamentamos informarle que el miembro del Salón de la Fama de la WWE y el primer Campeón Triple Corona en la historia de la WWE, Don Pedro Morales, falleció hoy a sus 76 años. Nuestros más sentido pésame a su familia y que descanse en paz. ¡Gracias por tanto Don Pedro!
We regret to inform you that the member of the WWE Hall of fame and the first triple crown champion in WWE History, Don Pedro Morales, passed away today at his 76 years. Our deepest condolences to your family and rest in peace. Thank you so much don Pedro!
Morales was a very decorated wrestler and had a number of accolades to his name, including his reigns as WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, WWF Champion, WWF Intercontinental Champion, and he was recognized as WWF’s first-ever Triple Crown Champion.
In addition, Morales was the first Latino to hold a major world championship, and he’s the longest reigning (combined days) WWWF Champion and Intercontinental Champion. Morales was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 1995, and the Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame in 2015.
Savinovich offered the following remarks in the video (translation credit Angel Garcia for Wrestlezone.com) and also shared memories of his departed friend:
“Hugo Savinovich, arriving in San Juan Puerto Rico. Since the morning, the news of Pedro Morales’ death has been reported to us. We wanted to be completely sure and accurate, because of the magnitude of the news. Pedro Morales, Triple Crown Champion, he had two major runs in the WWF with both Vince McMahon Sr. and Vince McMahon Jr, one of the major stars of lucha libre, a man who represents us, latinos and his home, the beautiful Puerto Rico, died today at the age of 76.
Today, Lucha Libre a true star, we here at Lucha Libre Online, send our condolences to the family of Pedro and his fans. Pedro Morales, the pride of Culebra, Puerto Rico, established the drawing power that of a latino star. He achieved The Triple Crown in WWF. He was sick in his later years and lost his last lucha.”
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