24 Wrestlers Who Died In 2020

'Bullet' Bob Armstrong, scion of the famed Armstrong family and an NWA star for nearly three decades, died on 27 August following a battle with cancer. He was 80.

Born Joseph James on 3 October 1939 in Marietta, GA, Armstrong completed a tour of duty with the US Marine Corps before spending seven years braving danger as part of the Cobb County Fire Department.

That degree of brawn made him an ideal fit for the world of pro-wrestling, one he effortlessly slipped into whilst still fighting fires in 1960. Proving a popular babyface in the Georgian territories, soon Armstrong's prestige was enough to encourage him to go full time.

For the next 28 years, Armstrong was a mainstay of the southeast scene. He hung up his boots in 1988, though continued to make sporadic appearances thereafter.

As popular as Armstrong was, arguably his biggest contribution to the business was the four sons he sired - all of whom posted lengthy, reputable wrestling careers. Eldest Scott turned out across North America before settling into a WWE referee role; Brad was a bonafide star of the NWA who sadly passed away before his time in 2012; Steve enjoyed spells in New Japan, WWE and most prominently WCW; youngest Brian rose to mainstream fame during the Attitude Era as The Road Dogg, and today is a producer for WWE.

After his cancer spread, Bob refused treatment. He was preceded in death by wife Vida Gail, who passed away in June.