Ex-wrestler Robertson, 'The Missing Link,' dies

Bryon John "Dewey" Robertson, better known in pro wrestling circles as The Missing Link, passed away Thursday in a Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, hospital following a bout with cancer. He was 68.

Robertson broke into the wrestling business during the 1960s and was a journeyman in a number of territories before shifting his career into high gear years later and morphing into one of the sport's more bizarre characters. Transforming from a clean-cut crowd favorite to a villainous monster heel with green face paint, shaved head and a small patch of hair at the top, Robertson fooled even close friends with his new ring identity.

Robertson enjoyed a number of successful runs as The Missing Link, including one in the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment), where he was managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. The company's Web site would later name Robertson the eighth "wildest superstar" in WWE history.

Robertson's career, though, was derailed by drug addiction and manic-depressive behavior. He lost a kidney to cancer in 1993, most likely due to his long use of drugs, including anabolic steroids, marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines. He attempted to turn his life around in recent years, serving on the board of directors of the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, and frequently lectured to schools and businesses on drug and alcohol dependency.

Robertson spoke candidly about his drug use, homelessness, suicide attempts and troubled relationships in his 2006 autobiography "Bang Your Head! The Real Story of the Missing Link."

Robertson performed as The Missing Link as recently as last year.

Reach Mike Mooneyham at mooneyham@postandcourier.com or 937-5517.