Robert Miller, better known to wrestling fans as WWE Hall of Famer Bushwhacker Butch, has died at age 78.
The WWE shared the news on Twitter on Monday night, stating that the organization was saddened to learn that Miller had passed and that it “extends its condolences to Miller’s family, friends and fans.”
Luke Williams — a.k.a. Bushwhacker Luke, Miller’s longtime wrestling partner — told Sportskeeda on Sunday that Miller had “a situation with medication” and had to be hospitalized in a Los Angeles-area ICU shortly after traveling from New Zealand for WrestleMania on Wednesday.
And on Monday, Williams paid tribute to his late friend on Instagram. “Late last night, I lost my friend, brother and tag team partner of over 50 years with the passing of Bob ‘Butch’ Miller,” the 76-year-old wrote. “My heart goes out to his wife Helen, his lovely daughters Sharon and Kirsten and all of his grandchildren.”
Williams said that his fellow New Zealander was an “all-around good guy and a great friend” with whom he started wrestling in the early 1970s. The duo toured the world together before arriving in North America as the tag team The Sheepherders, Williams wrote. When they were in their 40s, the World Wrestling Federation came calling, and “the Bushwackers were born.” The team made the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020.
“We did it all, we saw it all, and we accomplished it all together,” Williams added. “If you were to read the story of my life it would say that I am [an] only child, but it would be wrong. In life I had a brother and his name was Bob Miller. I love you, Bob. Until I see you again, WOOOOAHH YEEEEAAHH!”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up in Miller’s name to help pay for his medical expenses.