Pete Rose, the legendary Major League Baseball hit king and WWE Hall of Famer, passed away on September 30 at 83. Known as “Charlie Hustle” for his high energy and competitive spirit, Rose’s legacy extends far beyond the baseball diamond.
Born on April 14, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Pete Rose’s career in Major League Baseball was defined by his record-breaking performances. Over a 24-year career, Rose became MLB’s all-time leader in hits with 4,256, a record that still stands today and will likely never be broken. His time with the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Montreal Expos earned him three World Series titles, a Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, and 17 All-Star selections.
While Rose’s athletic achievements are undeniable, his career was also marred by controversy. In 1989, he was permanently banned from MLB due to betting on baseball games while managing the Reds. Despite numerous appeals and attempts at reinstatement, Rose was never allowed back into the sport and was ineligible to be inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame.
In 1998, Pete Rose made an appearance at WrestleMania XIV as the special guest ring announcer for The Undertaker vs. Kane. Rose would begin to disparage the Boston crowd, leading to Kane making his entrance and delivering a Tombstone Piledriver to the MLB legend. At WrestleMania XV, Rose disguised himself as the San Diego Chicken to exact revenge on Kane but was subdued by another Tombstone Piledriver. Finally, at WrestleMania 2000, Kane would thwart another attack with a Chokeslam, followed by Rose receiving a Stink Face from Rikishi.
Rose would also guest host WWE Raw in 2010.
On behalf of the staff of Wrestleview, we extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of “Charlie Hustle” Pete Rose.