The Missing Link (wrestler)

George Stipich (December 25, 1952 – January 10, 2019) was a Croatian-Canadian professional wrestler best known under the ring name The Missing Link. He also wrestled as Crusher Yurkoff and briefly as The Canadian Cannonball.

Characterized by his wild, untamed persona, The Missing Link was portrayed as a feral savage, often entering the ring with face and body paint, a shaved head (excluding a patch on top), and wild, uncontrolled movements. He typically wrestled barefoot. He did not speak during interviews, communicating primarily through growls, snorts, and physical actions.

His most prominent run was in World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) and later the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the mid-1980s. In WCCW, he was managed by Percy Pringle III (later known as Paul Bearer) and feuded with the Von Erich family. In the WWF, he was managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, who struggled to control him.

While The Missing Link never held major championships, his memorable character and unusual in-ring style made him a popular and recognizable figure in professional wrestling during his active years. He was known for his stiff wrestling style and unpredictable behavior.

After leaving the WWF, Stipich continued wrestling on the independent circuit. After his wrestling career ended, he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. He spoke openly about his struggles and efforts to achieve sobriety in later years.