The pro wrestling world lost one of its legends this week, saddening fans around the world. 

According to Slam Wrestling, Brett Sawyer, former NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champ, died at age 63.

A cause of death was not revealed, and further details surrounding his death were not available at the time of this writing.

He was best known in the ring for teaming up with his brother "Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer, who was described by the outlet as "notoriously wild."

Tributes pour in

Bobby Fulton of the Fantastics posted a touching tribute to his late friend.

"I’m truly saddened to hear of the passing of Brett Wayne Sawyer! He was the brother of Mad Dog Buzz Sawyer, although both are gone the stories will forever live on. My thoughts and prayers go out for his family, friends and fans during this difficult time!"

"Ah man, super bummed to hear that Brett Wayne Sawyer passed away this morning. Just saw him at The Gathering too, he wasn’t in the best health but he sure lit up and smiled when I mentioned I lived in Sacramento and got friends that went to his brother Buzz Sawyers wrestling school here like @desperatevision. He’ll truly be missed," wrote a fan.

Ah man, super bummed to hear that Brett Wayne Sawyer passed away this morning. Just saw him at The Gathering too, he wasn’t in the best health but he sure lit up and smiled when I mentioned I lived in Sacramento and got friends that went to his brother Buzz Sawyers wrestling… pic.twitter.com/UsK5f3Wehw

— Roy Lucier (@roylucier) September 9, 2023

Other fans posted some of Sawyer's iconic images from his time in the ring.

So sad to hear about the passing of Brett Sawyer today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/qG37EsNOOH

— Wrestling with Heart with Stanley Karr (@wwhwsk) September 10, 2023

Quick history

Sawyer was trained in the sport of professional wrestling by one of the sport's legends, Ricky Steamboat. He would go on to make his professional wrestling debut in 1976.

Slam Wrestling noted:

From that 1976 start, Brett worked for roughly a dozen years full-time, as “Hacksaw” Brett Sawyer, “Hack” Sawyer, and Brett Wayne Sawyer. After that, his career was a lot more hit and miss, often wrestling on South America tours, while running a wrestling school in Georgia and then Florida.

He would ultimately retire from the sport in 1998, and according to Taste of Country, he eventually opened "a wrestling school in his hometown called Mad Dog's Palace School of Professional Wrestling."

Clearly, he left a positive mark on the sport and he will be remembered and missed by family, friends, and fans around the world.