The wrestling world lost a true legend this morning: Lou Thesz died at 86 after heart surgery.

Some will remember him as a crabby man who railed against modern pro-wrestling every chance he could - but he had more than a right to. This 6-time World champion performed in the ring in 7 different decades . WCW inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1993. Again, he more than deserved it.

He was the recent author of Hooker: An Authentic Wrestler's Adventures Inside the Bizarre World of Professional Wrestling, a biography that earned much praise by insiders in the business.

In the days before microphone skills and camera presence became the most important thing, Lou got over by just being a talented, knowledgable worker. Losing him is another thing wrestling historians (like me) will feel for a long time.