Mae Young
WWE legend Mae Young is "gravely ill, but still alive," despite an initial report that claimed she was dead. Wikipedia Commons

World Wrestling Entertainment legend Mae Young is “gravely ill,” but has not died, despite reports to the contrary.

On Wednesday evening, the Charleston Post & Courier reported that Young was dead at the age of 90. “Sad news to report. Received word tonight that #MaeYoung has been taken off life support. Prayers for this grand lady of wrestling,” Mike Mooneyham, pro wrestling columnist for the Post & Courier, wrote on Twitter.

However, the newspaper has since removed the initial report from its website. Young is “gravely ill, but still alive,” according to an updated article.

“Mae Young has not passed away. The source who reported her passing received incorrect information. Mae is gravely ill, but still alive,” Mooneyham tweeted on Thursday afternoon. Young placed on life support in December, TMZ reports.

A 2008 inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, Young is the only professional wrestler to compete in nine different decades, TMZ notes. She made her pro wrestling debut in 1939, and last appeared on a WWE broadcast in 2010.

In 1999, Young returned to the WWE after a decades-long hiatus, and immediately became one of the organization’s most popular performers. She was best known for appearing in memorable storylines alongside The Dudley Boyz and current WWE wrestler Mark Henry.