Wrestler Hercules Dies: WWF Powerhouse Gone at 47

Hercules Hernandez, born Ray Fernandez in Tampa, Florida, entered professional wrestling in 1978 and became one of the World Wrestling Federation's most recognizable powerhouses during the industry's golden era of the late 1980s. Standing six feet one and weighing over 275 pounds, Hernandez was built like a Greek statue and played the part, entering the ring swinging a massive chain. He feuded with top-tier talent including Ted DiBiase, Billy Jack Haynes, and the Ultimate Warrior. His most memorable storyline involved being 'sold' by Bobby Heenan to DiBiase, the Million Dollar Man. Hernandez also had runs in the National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling. His in-ring career wound down in the early 1990s. He died on March 6, 2004, at age 47. While he never held a major championship, Hernandez's physical presence and reliability made him a valued performer during wrestling's most commercially successful period, and he remains a cult favorite among fans of that era.