Abdullah the Butcher hospitalized; GrappleCon appearance canceled

Abdullah the Butcher, the 84-year-old WWE Hall of Famer born Lawrence Robert Shreve, was hospitalized Thursday night with unspecified serious health issues, his longtime booking agent Steve Stasiak said on social media. Stasiak asked fans and members of the wrestling community to send prayers and support while Abdullah receives care, and later said the wrestler would not be able to appear at a scheduled GrappleCon event this weekend.

Abdullah’s inner circle offered a more encouraging update on Tuesday, posting a recent hospital photo and saying the veteran was awake, recovering, smiling, and in good spirits. The message, attributed to his team via the Book Pro Wrestlers account, asked for continued well wishes as he continues his road to recovery and noted that fan messages have been read to him and his team.

Officials have not disclosed the specific medical condition that prompted the hospitalization. Industry reporting has said the veteran had been hospitalized in 2024 for an intestinal issue; one industry journalist has reported that Abdullah suffered two strokes earlier this year, a detail that has not been confirmed by his team.

Abdullah rose to prominence after beginning...