AEW star sends heartfelt message to Brian Pillman on his 61st birthday

An AEW star has sent a heartfelt message to WWE legend Brian Pillman on his birthday.

Brian Pillman would have turned 61 years old today. The wrestling icon tragically passed away in 1997 at the age of 35, but his legacy still lives on. Pillman and Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin were known as the Hollywood Blonds in WCW before they both ultimately arrived in WWE. Brian and Stone Cold had a memorable rivalry in the company, which saw Austin showing up at Pillman's home in Kentucky.

His son, Brian Pillman Jr. is a professional wrestler signed with All Elite Wrestling. He is a part of the Varsity Blonds tag team with Griff Garrison, but the duo haven't been seen on television lately. Garrison recently suffered an injury, and Pillman Jr. has been teaming with Arn Anderson's son, Brock Anderson, at recent AEW events.

Brian Pillman Jr. took to Twitter today to send a heartfelt message to his father on his birthday.

"Happy Birthday father! You are a legend of this sport and your shoes are not easy to fill, but I hope I continue to make you proud with each passing year!!! ❤️❤️❤️," tweeted Pillman Jr.

Brian Pillman Jr. details the message he received from WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin

Brian Pillman Jr. recently discussed a message he received from Stone Cold Steve Austin that helped motivate him to become a professional wrestler.

Pillman and Austin formed a bond as a tag team and it continued while they were rivals in WWE. Speaking on a recent edition of Busted Open Radio, Pillman Jr. discussed a message that Stone Cold sent him that motivated him to pursue wrestling.

"I get a DM from ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. He’s like, ‘Hey bud, you know, I’ve got this weightlifting belt that was your dad’s. I want to give it to you. … Me and your pops were best buds. I want to tell you some stories. You got a minute?’ I’m like, ‘Do I have a minute? … I’ll skip class’," said Pillman Jr.

Brian added that Austin told him that his father would want him to do whatever makes him happy and the wrestling business isn't going anywhere.

"I thought, ‘You know what Steve, I’ve been thinking, I’m here, I’m about to graduate school and start a bulls*** job.’ I was like, ‘You think I could ever get into the pro wrestling business?’ He’s like, ‘I want to let you know your dad would want you to do whatever would make you happy, you know what I mean?’ He’s like, ‘This business ain’t going anywhere.’ He’s like, ‘Don’t do it just to do it.’” [H/T: Wrestling Inc.]

The wrestling world has unfortunately lost too many legends at a young age. Brian Pillman's career may have been cut short but the impact he had on the business is still being felt today.

What are some of your favorite moments from Pillman's wrestling career? Sound off in the comments section below.