ajpw Archives

The Destroyer Death

By Mike Rickard on January 11, 2020 / 2010s, 2019, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

The Destroyer Death – Undisclosed Causes 1930-2019 (Age 88) Perhaps wrestling’s greatest masked villain, “The Intelligent, Sensational” Destroyer worked in various promotions in North America, but achieved his greatest fame in Japan where he was not only a wrestling star, but an all-around celebrity. When he wasn’t wearing the mask, Dick Beyer was well-known and admired in Western New York for his work coaching youth sports as well as his various charitable works. From Buffalo, NY to Around the Globe Born in Buffalo, NY on July 11, 1930, Dick Beyer was a talented athlete and competed in college football for Syracuse University where he played as an offensive lineman and played in Syracuse’s first trip to the Orange Bowl. While the team lost to Alabama, Beyer was a stand-out and served as co-captain in 1952. College football wasn’t the only sport he excelled at as he wrestled an undefeated season

Dick Slater Death

By Mike Rickard on March 4, 2019 / 2010s, 2018 / Leave a comment

Dick Slater Death – Heart Complications 1951-2018 (Age 67) Long before there was “The Lunatic Fringe,” there was “Dirty” Dick Slater, a roughhouse redneck who brawled in and out of the ring; proving he didn’t live his gimmick – he was his gimmick. Slater established himself as one of the baddest men in wrestling during his heyday in the territories in the 1970s and 1980s, eventually retiring due to a back injury in 1996. However, Slater’s wild ways continued long after he left the ring, with some surprised he made it to the age of 67. A Common Beginning for an Uncommon Man Florida native Richard Van Slater showed his toughness wrestling and playing football at the University of Tampa, playing alongside future grappling great Paul “Mr. Wonderful” Orndorff. Recruited by wrestler Mike Graham, Slater (like many athletes) heard the siren call of quick cash and entered the squared circle.

Dynamite Kid Death

By Mike Rickard on March 4, 2019 / 2010s, 2018, Most Popular, Unknown Causes / Leave a comment

Dynamite Kid Death – Unknown Causes 1958-2018 (Age 60) Born in Golborne, Lancashire (United Kingdom) on December 5, 1958, Thomas Billington would defy the odds, becoming an innovator in professional wrestling despite his height of 5’8”. Working as the Dynamite Kid, Billington became the toast of Japan where he worked legendary bouts in singles competition. However, Dynamite’s greatest fame came when he teamed with real-life cousin Davey Boy Smith to form the British Bulldogs, the hottest tag team in the WWF in the 1980s. Unfortunately, as bright as Billington’s legacy was in the ring, his out-of-ring reputation was as dark. Sadly, Billington’s high-impact style shortened his career and he spent years confined to a wheelchair. Escaping the Coal Mines Tom Billington’s father Bill worked as a coal miner, with Tom looking to escape the same path via wrestling. Billington trained in England with Ted Betley, beginning his wrestling career in

Mitsuharu Misawa Death

By Mike Rickard on June 2, 2018 / 2000s, 2009, Accident, Dead Before 50 / Leave a comment

Mitsuharu Misawa Death – Cervical Spinal Cord Injury 1962-2009 (Age 46) Mitsuharu Misawa inspired people from around the world, thrilling them with his heroics as Tiger Mask II and inspiring others to emulate his style in the ring. Misawa’s hard work led to him becoming one of the most decorated wrestlers in Japanese wrestling history, and one of the most respected workers in the world. Misawa founded the promotion Pro Wrestling NOAH; creating another exciting Japanese wrestling promotion. Sadly, Misawa joined the ranks of wrestlers who died in the ring, when a move gone wrong took his life at age 46. Misawa’s Wrestling Origins Born on June 18, 1962 in Yūbari, Hokkaidō in Japan, Mitsuharu Misawa’s lifelong ambition was to become a professional wrestler. Misawa wrestled at the amateur level, placing fifth in 1980’s FILA (Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associée) World Championship. After distinguishing himself in the amateurs, Misawa was

Giant Baba Death

By Mike Rickard on March 11, 2018 / 1990s, 1999, Cancer / Leave a comment

Giant Baba Death – Cancer 1938-1999 (Age 61) Japanese wrestling has had its share of icons, with names like Rikidozan, Antonio Inoki, Jumbo Tsuruta, and Mitsuharu Misawa immediately coming to mind. However, no list of Japanese greats is complete without mentioning Shohei “Giant” Baba. Baba would find acclaim in Japan as both a wrestler, and the co-founder of All-Japan Pro Wrestling. Baba’s accomplishments were many, up until his death from cancer at age 61. From Pro Baseball to Pro Wrestling Shohei Baba was born on January 23, 1938 in Japan’s Sanjo City. Baba was a stand-out baseball pitcher in high school, earning a spot on the much-revered Tokyo Giants pro team after dropping out of high school in his junior year. However, Baba’s pitching record led to him being sent to the minors, then traded to another team. Whatever Baba’s future might have held in baseball ended when he slipped

Jerry Tuite Death

By Mike Rickard on January 7, 2018 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack / Leave a comment

Jerry Tuite Death – Heart Attack 1966-2003 (Age 36) Jerry Tuite’s 6’10” 320-pound frame made him a natural for the squared circle, wrestling during the Monday Night War. The big man performed in WCW under a few variations of “The Wall” (including “Sergeant AWOL” and “Sergeant A-Wall”). When WCW was absorbed by the WWF in 2001, Tuite signed a developmental deal, but never made it to TV. He later wrestled for TNA under the moniker “Malice.” Jerry Tuite was described by announcer Mike Tenay as “a gentle giant” and someone who constantly worked to improve himself in the ring. Tuite toured All-Japan Wrestling, the last place he would wrestle before his shocking death at the age of 36, just weeks shy of his 37th birthday. A Jersey Big Boy Michael Jerome Tuite was born on December 27, 1966 in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Tuite trained with wrestler “Iron” Mike Sharpe at

Tom Zenk Death

By Ryan on December 17, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Heart Disease / 2 Comments

Tom Zenk Death – Heart Disease 1949-2017 (Age 59) Z-Man, Tom Zenk has passed away at age 59. Zenk suffered from heart disease and an enlarged heart. WWF fans may remember him as one half of the Can-Am Connection, opposite Rick Martel. The duo had a brief run in 1987, including an appearance at WrestleMania III. After departing the WWF, Zenk spent most of the late 80s touring Japan with All Japan Pro Wrestling. Zenk’s most memorable run came in the early 90s when he joined WCW. Dubbed “The Z-Man”, Zenk won tag team gold with the late Brian Pillman. Battling injuries, Zenk disappeared from the spotlight in the mid 90s. According to the Observer “Zenk testified against Vince McMahon in his 1994 trial, and later, pretty much disappeared after legal threats were made regarding comments he made.” Tom Zenk was the last surviving pro wrestler from Robbinsdale High School’s class

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