(Image: WWE )

Also known as Tugboat and The Shockmaster, Fred Ottman was one of the WWE’s most recognisable faces during the early-90s.

He was one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions alongside his buddy Earthquake as the Natural Disasters.

The 61-year-old is reportedly unwell as fellow wrestlers called on fans to send the 6ft 3, near 400lb grappler their support.

Ottman retired from wrestling in 2001, but occasional appears at conventions to meet and greet his fans.

Famous for crushing opponents with his Tidal Wave splash, he last appeared in the WWE back at Wrestlemania 17 as Tugboat in the Gimmick Battle Royal.

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Lisa Marie Varon – known as Victoria in WWE and Tara in TNA – took to Instagram to ask fans for their support and prayers.

She wrote: "Keep Fred Ottman #tugboat in your prayers. Get well soon. #fredottman#getwellsoon #shockmaster.”

Meanwhile, Lanny Poffo – brother of Macho Man Randy Savage, who wrestled himself as The Genius – also asked for prayers for Ottman via Facebook.

(Image: WWE )

(Image: WWE )

NXT wrestler Donovan Dijak also tweeted: "I met Fred Ottman [and his wife] at a convention over Wrestlemania weekend in Orlando.

"They were legitimately two of the sweetest people I have ever spoken too. Please join me in praying for the health & well being of Fred.

Ottman was hospitalised last year dealing with a major fever and an infection related to his diabetes.

Typhoon won the tag belts with Earthquake – who died in 2006 – back in 1992, holding the belt for three months before losing it Money Inc.

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He then jumped to WCW were he was at the centre of the so-called Shockmaster incident, as he attempted to debut a new character.

Dressed as the Shockmaster, Ottman was tripped up by a part of stage as he made his big entrance – totally scuppering the reveal.

(Image: WWE )

It has ended up as one the most replayed wrestling gaffes of all time, and has been parodied by the WWE.

Ottman is also the uncle of Cody Rhodes and Goldust, and has two sons Berkley and Beau.

He won a total of eight wrestling titles in his career, including the AWA International Heavyweight Championship.

WWE was hit by injuries this week as Samoa Joe ruptured his foot during a match, putting his participation in the Royal Rumble in doubt.