new japan pro wrestling Archives

Sean O’Haire Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2010s, 2014, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Suicide / Leave a comment

Sean O’Haire Death – Suicide 1971-2014 (age 43) Sean Haire was a South Carolina native, best known by his ring name Sean O’Haire. O’Haire had runs with WCW, WWE, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. After exiting the wrestling world, Haire briefly tested the waters with MMA. Sean O’Haire in WCW, WWE O’Haire first signed with WCW. He saw success with the company, wrestling as part of “The Natural Born Thrillers” faction – enforcers to figureheads Eric Bishoff and Vince Russo. When WCW was acquired by WWE in 2001, so was O’Haire’s contract. O’Haire was packaged with Chuck Palumbo, a tag partner from his WCW days. The two quickly began programs with The Hardy Boys, and the APA. Early in 2002, O’Haire had rather abruptly disappeared from WWE programming. He was sent to OVW in Louisville, one of the WWE’s developmental territories at the time. O’Haire made another WWE run in 2003. He began

Chyna Death

By Ryan on April 21, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 11 Comments

Chyna Death – Drug Overdose 1969-2016 (age 46) Joanie Laurer aka Chyna was found dead in her home on April 21, 2016. Reported by the Redondo Beach police, Joanie’s manager, Anthony Anzaldo grew concerned after not hearing from her for a few days. He entered Laurer’s apartment to find her in bed and not responding. Police were able to determine Laurer was dead 1-2 days prior to the caller entering the Redondo Beach apartment. Chyna’s official website notes: “It is with deep sadness to inform you that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world, has passed away” TMZ first reported that “prescription bottles were found in the home, but there were no illegal drugs.” @ChynaJoanLaurer May the peace you were seeking put you at rest my friend. So sorry for not seeing the pain @Mania. We’ve shared so much — Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) April 21, 2016

Bad News Brown Death

By Ryan on December 6, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Heart Attack / 5 Comments

Bad News Brown Death – Heart Attack 1943-2007 (age 63) Allen Coage only spent two years in the World Wrestling Federation. But in that short time he managed to catch the attention of fans as the pissed off bad guy, Bad News Brown. Unlike many other heels who would join up with factions, Bad News Brown marched to the beat of his own drum. A true tough guy who wasn’t concerned with making friends. Most notably, Bad News won the Battle Royale at Wrestlemania IV, beating out Ken Patera, Ron Bass, The Hart Foundation, among many others. By 1990, Coage abruptly parted ways with the WWF, wrestling on the independent scene before ultimately retiring from the ring in ’99. Why did Bad News leave the WWF? According to Coage, he was promised he would be given a run as the first African American heavyweight champion. When the storyline didn’t play out, he simply left. Others speculate that Coage may

Chris Candido Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2005, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Pneumonia / 6 Comments

Chris Candido Death – Pneumonia 1972-2005 (age 33) Before his life was cut short, Skip Candido had an impressive wrestling career spanning several promotions. He is arguably most remembered as being “Skip” from the WWF. Alongside valet (and real-life girlfriend) Sunny – the duo were known as The Bodydonnas. The Bodydonnas gimmick portrayed Skip and Sunny as arrogant work-out freaks, continuously taunting the crowd for being fat and out of shape. Aside from his run with the Bodydonnas, Candido spent a brief period in the WCW. He stayed long enough to pick up a Cruiserweight title, but ultimately would head to the independents. Prior to Candido’s WCW run, he spent 1996-1999 with ECW. He had a successful run with the promotion and was given the moniker “No Gimmicks Needed” – appropriate considering the WWE had given him a pretty ridiculous gimmick with the Bodydonnas. In 1995, Wrestling Observer named Chris Candido the Most Underrated Wrestler of the Year,

Hercules Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2004, Dead Before 50, Heart Disease / 4 Comments

Hercules Death – Heart Disease 1956-2004 (age 47) Many people might not recognize Raymond Fernandez’s name, but anyone who followed the WWF during the 1980s has seen him step into the ring under the name Hercules Hernandez – and later shortened to just Hercules. Also a competitive bodybuilder, Hercules was known for his powerful physique, which suited his ring name. Despite looking like a million bucks, Herc’ never broke into super stardom in the wrestling world, though he did take part in a few memorable programs that 80s wrestling fans will remember. Struggling to Move Up the Card Hercules Hernandez joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1985. While he was involved in a few story lines and took on some top billed talent (notably Hogan, and Warrior) he was never able to build a large fan base. Many speculate that the WWF never gave Hercules a real opportunity to shine – his matches

Road Warrior Hawk Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 3 Comments

Road Warrior Hawk Death – Heart Attack 1957-2003 (age 46) For 20 years, Hawk was a fierce competitor in the squared circle. While most wrestling fans during the 80s and 90s knew him as one half of the Road Warriors, to friends and family he was known as Michael Hegstrand. The Road Warriors (or “Legion of Doom” during their WWF run) were one of, if not the most successful tag team in wrestling history. Sadly, Road Warrior Hawk’s death would abruptly cut their career short – ending a very successful partnership. 12 years before Hawk’s death: The Legion of Doom take on The Rockers (1992) Wrestling Imitates Life In 1997, The Road Warriors found themselves in the midst of controversy when one of the story lines of the WWF’s Attitude Era hit too close to home. The storyline showed Road Warrior Hawk was out of control and recklessly using drugs and alcohol

Giant Gonzalez Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50 / 3 Comments

Giant Gonzales Death – Diabetes and Heart Issues 1966-2010 (age 44) While the majority of wrestlers who take to the ring are larger than life, Giant Gonzalez took that term to a whole new level. Standing at a height of 8 feet and weighing 460 pounds, he was one of the tallest men to ever enter the professional wrestling ring. Although he never achieved massive success in either the WCW or the WWF, fans continue to remember him to this day. Health Issues Begin the Giant Gonzalez Death Story Like many men who are well above the average height and weight, Giant Gonzalez developed health issues at a young age. While he was able to try his skills as a professional basketball player and did wrestle from 1990 to 1995, Giant Gonzalez could not maintain the grueling pace of training and performing in the ring. His wrestling career was a fairly short

Owen Hart Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 1990s, 1999, Accident, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 14 Comments

Owen Hart Death – Blunt force trauma from accidental fall 1965-1999 (age 34) Owen James Hart was a professional wrestler who reached the pinnacle of success before suffering a tragic and public death in the ring. The Owen Hart death remains an infamous black mark on professional wrestling. Owen was Canadian; born on May 7, 1965 in Calgary, Alberta. Hart came from a large family of twelve children. His family was a wrestling family. Hart’s father, Stu, was a Stampede Wrestling promoter and WWE Hall of Famer. His brother Bret also gained fame as a professional wrestler. Owen went on to have a storied career in wrestling that included being the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, twice winning the WWF Intercontinental championship, becoming the victor in 1994’s King of the Ring, and four times winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. The Owen Hart death cut his promising career short. 6 years before his death:

Eddie Guerrero Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2000s, 2005, Dead Before 50, Heart Failure, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Eddie Guerrero Death – Heart Failure / Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease 1967-2005 (age 38) The Eddie Guerrero death story was a tragic one that happened on the morning of Sunday, November 13th, 2005. In his early life, Guerrero graduated from El Paso’s Jefferson High School in 1985. He was quick to follow in the footsteps of his family by entering the world of wrestling. His father, Gory Guerrero, had been a well-known wrestler in Mexico, and his three older brothers, Chavo, Hector, and Mando, were all wrestlers as well. Eduardo “Eddie” Guerrero first gained momentum in the early 90s while wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Prior to this he had some brief stints with WCW – initially debuting as a jobber in 1989. His move back to WCW in 1995 would prove more successful, with Guerrero taking part in memorable storylines with DDP, Chris Jericho, and Chavo. 10 years before his death: Eddie Guerrero takes on

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