Dick Slater Death

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

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.

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Gordon Solie Death

By Mike Rickard on October 21, 2017   /   2000, 2000s, Cancer   /   Leave a comment
gordon solie death

Gordon Solie Death – Throat Cancer 1929-2000 (Age 71) Still considered by many as the greatest wrestling announcer of all time, Gordon Solie became a legendary figure wherever he worked, including notable tenures in Championship Wrestling from Florida and Georgia Championship Wrestling. Nicknamed “The Walter Cronkite of Professional Wrestling” because of his world class talent and demeanor, Solie added sophistication and prestige to any match he called. From Snow to the Sunshine State Minnesota native Gordon Solie’s career in wrestling dates back to the fabulous 50’s when he worked as a ring announcer in Tampa, Florida for five dollars a night. By 1960, he was calling the action in the ring, working for Championship Wrestling from Florida. Solie took his job seriously, projecting an air of professionalism as he called the matches like any other sport. Wrestling lore has it Solie had wrestlers place him in holds so he could understand

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Wahoo McDaniel Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016   /   2000s, 2002, Kidney Failure   /   3 Comments
wahoo mcdaniel death

Wahoo McDaniel Death – Kidney Failure 1938-2002 (age 63) Edward McDaniel, best known by his nickname, “Wahoo” McDaniel, enjoyed a long career in both professional wrestling, as well as professional football. Most notably, Wahoo played for the Jets in the 60s. Wahoo began splitting his time between football and wrestling, eventually transitioning to wrestling full time by the late 60s. Wahoo’s Wrestling Career McDaniel spent time with various territories including the WWWF, NWA, Mid-Atlantic, AWA, WWC, and CWF. Throughout his career, Wahoo had notable feuds with Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, Sgt. Slaughter, Gino Hernandez, and Greg Valentine, to name a few. Wahoo McDaniel Death By 1996, McDaniel was retired. Sadly, he wouldn’t live much longer. Wahoo McDaniel died on April 18, 2002 at the age of 63. According to the NY times, he had suffered from kidney failure. McDaniels was on a waiting list to receive a kidney transplant. Edward McDaniel was cremated.

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Roddy Piper Death

By Ryan on January 1, 2016   /   2010s, 2015, Heart Attack, Most Popular   /   5 Comments
roddy piper death

Roddy Piper Death – Blood Clot / Heart Attack 1954-2015 (age 61) Wrestling fans everywhere mourned when the Roddy Piper death story made news headlines around the world in the summer of 2015. The wrestling superstar was one of a kind in many ways. He is right up there with Randy Savage, Warrior, Andre the Giant, and Hulk Hogan for the most iconic wrestlers of all time. About “Rowdy” Roddy Roderick George Toombs was his real name, but he was much better known as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. He was born April 17, 1954, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Piper first got his first taste of wrestling at the young age of 15 at a weight of 167 pounds. A legendary personality in professional wrestling, Rowdy Roddy may be best remembered for his work on the mic, but he also had success in the ring. He won his first championship title, the NWA Americas, in 1976

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