Kevin Sullivan’s innovative mind was his greatest resource as he was decades ahead of his time in and out of the ring.
Kevin Sullivan Death – Undisclosed Causes
1949-2024 (Age 74)
Kevin Sullivan was a dynamic force in the ring and behind the curtain, creating some of wrestling’s hottest angles and wildest matches. Although he only stood 5’9,” he made up for it with his charisma, bumping ability, and a ring psychology second to none.
The man who would terrorize wrestling fans as a heel was born on October 26, 1949, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. According to SLAM! Wrestling, Kevin Sullivan never received formal training to become a professional wrestler:
His wrestling school was really the television, and each Saturday, he’d take over the family’s TV in their Cambridge tenement.
Sullivan began competing in the 1970s, making his way throughout the territory system. He competed in Montreal, NWA Gulf Coast, Eddie Graham’s Championship Wrestling from Florida and the World-Wide Wrestling Federation, enjoying mid-card success.
A run in Georgia Championship Wrestling saw Sullivan turn heel on his friend Steve Keirn, leading to a successful feud. Sullivan would excel as a heel. Indeed, he would find new ways to get over as a villain.
The Prince of Darkness
Kevin’s return to Championship Wrestling from Florida led to one of the area’s most successful storylines and one of wrestling’s most controversial programs. There, Sullivan initially played a babyface. Over time, fans would learn he was the mastermind behind a program to hurt babyface Barry Windham.
Sullivan began working a character as a cult leader who recruited various heels to his side. Sullivan would utilize occult elements in his new persona. However, at no time did he mention Satan. Nonetheless, wrestling magazines would label him as a Satanist and/or devil worshipper, adding to his heat.
Kevin’s heel work led to feuds with Blackjack Mulligan and Dusty Rhodes. Ironically, Sullivan’s heel antics often led to allies growing disgusted with his villainy. Consequently, allies such as “Superstar” Billy Graham and Angelo “King King” Mosca would turn babyface, battling him.
Prince of Darkness Lite
Always in demand, Kevin Sullivan would come to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1987. Sullivan gathered heels Mike Rotunda and Rick Steiner. It was unlikely that JCP would let Kevin play a gimmick similar to his Florida persona so he toned things down. Nonetheless, he would prove his effectiveness including an angle where he would break babyface wrestler Jimmy Garvin’s leg.
Later, Sullivan formed The Dungeon of Doom, a collection of various misfits and monsters with one goal—ridding WCW of Hulk Hogan. The group feuded with Hogan with Sullivan sending wrestler after wrestler against the Hulkster.
The Dungeon of Doom would face criticism for being cartoonish but Sullivan (who was also booking in WCW) crafted the storyline to cater to WCW’s focus on a family friendly product.
Booking His Own Divorce
No mention of Kevin Sullivan’s booking career would be complete without mentioning the unfortunate circumstances that led to Sullivan’s wife Nancy leaving him for Chris Benoit. Kevin booked an angle where Nancy was kayfabe cheating on his character with Four Horsemen member Chris Benoit.
Sullivan encouraged the two to act romantic outside of wrestling. His intent was undoubtedly to blur the line between kayfabe and reality. Sadly, it led to Nancy and Chris becoming romantically involved. Nancy eventually left Kevin and married Chris.
The Death of Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan was injured in May 2024. A GoFundMe was set up to pay for his medical bills. According to the GoFundMe page:
Kevin suffered a devastating accident. He underwent emergency surgery that saved his leg and life but faced severe complications, including sepsis and encephalitis. This unforeseen catastrophe has placed an immense financial burden on his family, as Kevin has been in and out of consciousness in the ICU, far from home. Despite these challenges, Kevin has shown incredible resilience. Months later, he is still fighting to regain his independence.
Sullivan’s friend Barry Rose confirmed Kevin Sullivan’s death on August 9, 2024. Kevin Kevin Sullivan was 74 years old.
Ten-Bell Salute will have a more detailed profile on the incredible life of Kevin Sullivan in the near future.
What are your favorite memories of Kevin Sullivan? Let us know in the comments below.
Other pro wrestlers who died in 2024 include include Ole Anderson, Ice Train, Chris Markoff, Sika, Paul “Butcher” Vachon, and Virgil.
