Jim Herd has sadly passed away at the age of 87. He was best known for his time with World Championship Wrestling (WCW). During his tenure with WCW, he held the role of Executive Vice President. Herd reportedly passed away in October; however, news of his death has only recently begun to hit the news cycle.

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Herd worked for WCW during its formative years, holding his role as EVP between 1989 and 1992.

"Jim Herd ran the promotion from 1989 until January 1992 after Turner Broadcasting bought Jim Crockett Promotions," Conrad Thompson reported for Yahoo Sports. "A top executive for Ted Turner, Herd was tasked by 'Billionaire Ted' with turning WCW into a profitable business."

Herd is famously remembered for firing Ric Flair. The decision was made after the superstar talent couldn't agree on terms for a new contract. Flair parted with the company in 1991. It was then that Flair teamed up with Vince McMahon as the latest star for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). Flair shockingly showed up to WWF wearing the WCW/NWA heavyweight championship belt, a moment that is etched into wrestling history.

Unfortunately for Herd, he wasn't the most popular person within the wrestling industry. In fact, because he worked as an executive for a company that owned over 60 Pizza Hut restaurants, he earned the nickname "The pizza guy."

Jim Herd Had Some Success When Working for WCW

For some reason, Herd's missteps are spoken about far more than his success. However, during his tenure as EVP of WCW, he oversaw some huge additions for the company. Terry Funk, Scott Steiner and Big Van Vader were just some of the big names he signed to the promotion during his tenure.

"Jim Herd was hired to stop WCW losing money. As much as we don't love the way it reads, it's the truth that WCW never turned a profit with Ric Flair as their top star," Thompson wrote. "Crockett lost so much money he had to sell and then WCW lost money every single year, no matter who was in charge, until another "non-wrestling guy" — Eric Bischoff — took over."

Herd's death will undoubtedly hurt the wrestling community. Even though he wasn't the most popular figure, he still played a role in the history of the sport.

There are no details regarding Herd's cause of death, nor the funeral that followed.