'Nature Boy' Buddy Landel battled his demons, but found redemption - Charleston Post Courier
“If ever there was such a talented rascal who would always be unconventional, it was Buddy Landel. Buddy Landel, who passed away last week at the age of 53, never had a problem admitting to anyone that he — far too often — had been his own worst enemy. In a lengthy 2011 piece titled “The Redemption of Buddy Landel,” he readily acknowledged a litany of mistakes and missteps that not only derailed his promising wrestling career, but also wreaked havoc on his personal life. “Nature Boy” Buddy Landel was one of the hottest young stars in the business during a brief period in the mid-1980s. After all, Landel was making money hand over fist and headlining shows with the likes of NWA world champion Ric Flair, whom he emulated, and was rocketing to the top of his profession. But Landel had one thing that would ultimately spell his downfall, and that was an addictive personality. Undependable and unreliable, prompting many bookers to label him “No Show Budro,” his star extinguished just as it was ready to shine, and his career flamed out in a long-running battle with drug addiction. Whether it was to be great in sports or whether it was to be a great drug-taker,” said Landel. They said, 'You were on deck,'” Landel recalled. On the eve of what Landel claimed was to be the beginning of a coveted world title run with a high-profile match against Flair,. Source: www.postandcourier.com
