Sid Eudy has been hailed as "a sweetheart of a guy"

WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash wrote on Instagram: "I made my first road trip with Sid and laughed the entire trip.

"He ran off my first tag team partner in 5 days. One of the greatest physical looks the wrestling world has ever seen.

"The longer you knew him the easier it was to see he was just a sweetheart of a guy and someone who never missed a workout.

"I'll miss you big man, especially that laugh and smile. RIP my friend."

Sting, who faced Sid in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), added on X, formerly Twitter: "One of the most believable big men EVER. I loved working with Sid and will miss him."

WWE icon Shawn Michaels paid tribute to the part Sid played in helping his own career.

He tweeted: "Saddened to learn of the passing of Sid Eudy.

"An unforgettable presence, and it can't be overstated how big of a role he played in creating 'The Heartbreak Kid'.

"His work, legacy, and influence will inspire our business for generations to come."

While WWE boss Triple H, real name Paul Levesque, added: "A two-time WWE Champion. The Master and Ruler of the World.

"Few performers in the history of our business have had the look, intensity and ability to connect with the audience quite like Sid. My thoughts are with Sid's family, friends and fans."

Sid sustained an injury in 2001 that forced him to mostly retire from the ring, but he managed to wrestle sporadically over the years with his final match coming in 2017.

In what became one of his final interviews, Sid looked back on his life and career and described himself as the "hardest" worker he had ever met.

Speaking on the 'Prime Time With Sean Mooney' podcast, he said: "This is the deal. I don't have to pat myself on the back to you or anybody.

"I'm the hardest worker that I've ever met in my life, and anybody that's ever traveled with me like Bob Holly, Billy Gunn, or any of these guys that worked out with me or traveled the road, no one ever worked harder than me.

"I was through with my first workout and back to my second breakfast when everybody else was just getting up, and I was going to my second workout, and that's how I was as a kid too. I thrived to be the best, and I did everything it took to do that."