Hulk Hogan, Kevin Owens Among WWE Stars Paying Tribute to Announcer Howard Finkel—'The Voice of Wrestling'

The world of wrestling paid tribute to Howard Finkel on Thursday morning, after one of the most recognizable voices in the sport passed away at the age of 69.

Known as "The Fink," Finkel made his debut as ring announcer in 1977 for WWE's predecessor WWWF and by the time WWE launched in 1980, he became the company's first employee and then went on to become its most iconic and longest-serving announcer.

"WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel has passed away at age 69," the professional wrestling company tweeted.

WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon recognized the contribution Finkel had made to professional wrestling, adding the news was even harder to take as it came less than 24 hours after WWE announced it was furloughing members of its workforce and releasing on-screen talent.

"In what has already been a tough week for our@WWE family, today we lost our 1st ever employee and WWE Hall of Famer,@howardfinkel," she tweeted.

"Howard's voice is iconic & recognized by generations of fans. He will be missed. #RIPHowardFinkel Thank you for everything."

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan and WWE Superstar Kevin Owens also paid tribute to the late Finkle.

"Howard Finkle was on Team Hogan through the good and bad times, even when I was on the outs Howard would call on a consistent basis to tell me to always keep my head up," Hogan tweeted.

Owens added: "Howard was the best. It's that simple. I'll never forget the last few times I saw him...the excitement he still had for the industry, the genuine concern he showed when asking about how my family was doing despite his own declining health... I'm so grateful I got to know him."

Tommy Dreamer, the owner and promoter of the House of Hardcore promotion, said he was "crushed" by the news of the death of the New Jersey native.

"I lost my friend today," he tweeted. "I saw him once a month. The Voice of Wrestling. I loved him so much."

"Fink was not only an indelible part of my childhood but he couldn't have been sweeter to me any time I saw him backstage," added WWE star Big E. "I'm grateful to have known him."

Fellow WWE wrestler Hurricane Helmes added: " [Fink was] One of the greatest and most recognizable voices in history. Loved this dude. Everyone did.

WWE star Matt Cardona described the man they called "The Fink" as the "voice of my childhood," a sentiment echoed by wrestling presenter Adam Pacitti.