Ronald Heard, better known to wrestling fans as “Outlaw” Ron Bass, passed away yesterday at age 68 due to complications from recent surgery according to News Channel 8 in Tampa, Florida. Bass died while he was admitted to Tampa General Hospital.
Making his debut in 1971, he started wrestling for different NWA territories and then moved to Florida Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions in the early 80s. In 1987, Bass joined the then WWF and his most memorable feud came against Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake when he cut his head open on an episode of Superstars of Wrestling. The climax of the feud arrived in January 1989 when the two wrestled in a hair vs hair match on an episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Bass retired in 1991 due to several injuries and in 2016 he was named in the list of more than 50 former wrestlers who sued WWE for brain injuries, a lawsuit spearheaded by attorney Konstantine Kyros.
