Paul Perschmann, better known as “Playboy” Buddy Rose was found dead by his wife earlier today at his home in Portland, OR — where he was one of Don Owen’s Portland Wrestling’s greatest stars ever. While no official cause of death is known at this time, several sources are reporting that Buddy had told people close to him his diabetes was really affecting his blood sugar levels as of late.
Rose had a lengthy career, and while he was most popular in Portland, also wrestled for the AWA and WWF. He helped groom a lot of pro wrestlers after his retirement through his school in Portland. In his ring days, many remember the help and his partner Doug Somers provided to a starting young team in Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty.
Perhaps one of Rose’s biggest honors was being in the first-ever WrestleMania match on 3/31/1985, as the masked Executioner, losing to Tito Santana. For more on Buddy Rose, you may check out his personal website: http://www.playboybuddyrose.com/.
We’d like to extend our condolences to Buddy’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.
