Doug Somers Death – Undisclosed Causes
Doug Somers – Dead at 65
1951-2017 (Age 65)
Doug Somers wrestled primarily during the 1970s and 1980s, but it wouldn’t be until the mid-80s that he found national success, playing a key role in the Midnight Rockers’ big break.
The Long Road Success
Born on September 22, 1951, Somers worked his way into the business, beginning by setting up the ring and taking tickets, then refereeing matches.
According to the May 22, 2017 issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Somers first found success in the 70s when he worked in West Texas and promoter Leroy McGuirk’s Oklahoma territory. However, national fame didn’t come until 1986 when Somers (working as “Pretty Boy” Doug Somers) teamed with veteran heel “Playboy” Buddy Rose in the American Wrestling Association (AWA).
A Bloody Feud Makes a Career
Somers and Rose began feuding with the young team of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty (aka the Midnight Rockers) in 1986. While the AWA was declining in business, the feud between the two teams was red-hot and featured some of the bloodiest matches at the time. The feud put the Midnight Rockers on the map and helped their eventual move to the WWE.
As Dave Meltzer noted in his obituary of Somers:
The Rose & Somers vs. Rockers feud put Michaels & Jannetty on the map, as the AWA aired on ESPN at the time.
The feud also helped Somers and Rose’s manager Sherri Martel, who would go on to fame in the WWF and WCW. The two teams went to war over the AWA World Tag Team Championship until Somers and Rose eventually split.
Somers later worked as an enhancement talent in the WWF and WCW before retiring in 1992.
Somers continued to appear on the indie scene well into the 21st century.
Suing the WWE
Somers later sued the WWE claiming they had invaded his privacy by using his likeness in DVDs and the company’s Classics on Demand service.
The suit was subsequently thrown out of court.
Doug Somers Death
On May 16, 2017, Somers died at age 65. His cause of death was not made public.
Other pro wrestlers who died in 2017 include Bobby Heenan, Chavo Guerrero Sr., George “The Animal” Steele, Ivan Koloff, Jimmy Snuka, King Cheesy, Lance Russell, Matt “Rosey” Anoa’i, Nicole Bass, Outlaw Ron Bass, Timothy Well, and Tom Zenk.
What are your favorite memories of Doug Somers? Let us know in the comments below.
