One of the most recognised figures in Memphis wrestling, Bill Dundee has died at 82. His son Jamie confirmed that the veteran wrestler passed away at about 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Dundee had been living with late-stage dem
entia since 2023 and was hospitalised in his final weeks after developing double pneumonia. Despite his declining health, he made public appearances in late August to help raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
His final televised appearance aired just a day before his passing, when Memphis Wrestling stars formed a guard of honour to pay tribute to him.
Born William Cruickshanks in Scotland and raised in Australia, Dundee built his career in the American South and became closely associated with Memphis wrestling. His rivalry and tag-team partnership with Jerry “The King” Lawler became one of the territory’s most recognised storylines.
Across a career spanning more than five decades, Dundee won the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship nine times and multiple AWA World Tag Team titles. He was inducted into the Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2017.
Dundee wrestled his final match in December 2019, ending a career that had made him a major influence on generations of wrestlers.
