Bob Miller, best known as Bushwhacker Butch in the WWE, passed away at the age of 78. On April 3, Brian Wickens (also known as Bushwhacker Luke), his old wrestling partner, posted the news to his Instagram account. “Bob, a great friend, has died. We never truly lose those we love. Certain things are immune to death “Jackie, Luke’s daughter, wrote on his behalf. Until we cross paths again, Uncle Bob Miller will always have our love.
Luke reportedly disclosed that Butch had arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend in preparation for Wrestlemania. Yet soon after, he was given a hospital stay due to a “problem with medication.” The precise cause of death is unknown as of the time of this reporting.
The New Zealander’s passing is being lamented by the wrestling community because he had a distinguished wrestling career. Butch started his wrestling career in 1964 and quickly established himself as a formidable opponent. Before eventually relocating to the U.S., he and Luke teamed up while still in New Zealand, and the two were unstoppable.
The Bushwhackers, who joined the WWE in 1988 and have won numerous championships, are widely regarded as one of the best tag teams in wrestling history. Because of the team’s contribution to the sport in 2015, Butch and Luke were even given induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. The wrestling community will always remember him despite his tragic passing.
Bushwhacker From the year 2000, Butch has been in retirement. Butch and Bushwhacker Luke got back together in 2021 for meet-and-greets and other special fan events. They continued to operate right up to Butch’s passing. In fact, Luke just warned his followers that time might be running out to get joint autographs of them in an unsettling promotional post for Wrestle Con. According to the Instagram post, “Due to Butch residing in NEW ZEALAND and BOTH OF OUR AGES, this could be the One and Only time receiving DUEL AUTOGRAPHS & PICTURES with Both of Us.” Regrettably, it turned out to be the case.
Wrestling professionals and fans have been tweeting their eulogies as they process Butch’s tragic passing. Frankie Kazarian, a wrestler, tweeted, “Farewell, Bushwhacker Butch. Good luck, gentleman. I appreciate everything, even the one game we played together. It’s really sad.” The Iron Sheik, a wrestler, wrote, “BUSHWHACKER BUTCH, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. RIP, MY FRIEND, YOU MADE ME SMILE EVERY DAY.” In the meantime, Adam Pearce of WWE tweeted: “Bushwhacker Butch Miller, good luck. Good night, sir.”
My sympathies go out to Butch’s family and friends.
