wccw Archives

Brickhouse Brown Death

By Ryan on August 5, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Cancer / Leave a comment

Brickhouse Brown Death – Cancer 1960-2018 (Age 57) Brickhouse Brown died on July 29th, 2018. He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April of 2017. The territory worker was mostly known for his work in the 80s. Brickhouse Brown False Death Report It appeared to be a false finish for Frederick Seawright, better known as territory worker, Brickhouse Brown. The 57 year old flatlined while in hospice care in Mississippi on July 20th, 2018. Brian Blair, President of the Cauliflower Alley Club first reported Brown’s death, and as expected, the social media tributes poured in. Blair had grown close to Brickhouse Brown, the Cauliflower Alley Club had been helping Brown pay his rent after his cancer diagnosis in 2017. That’s when Brickhouse decided it wasn’t quite time to go. Victoria Timmins, Seawright’s mother, said that she slept next to her deceased son awaiting the coroner, when she miraculously heard her

Skandor Akbar Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2010, 2010s, Cancer / 2 Comments

Skandor Akbar Death – Prostate Cancer 1934-2010 (age 75) Jim Wehba, known to wrestling fans as the cigar-smoking Skandor Akbar, was a heel manager for WCCW throughout the 80s. Akbar’s stable, “Devestation, Inc” helped draw huge money for Fritz Von Erich‘s Texas-based WCCW – taking part in memorable programs with the baby faced Von Erich brothers. Prior to managing, Akbar briefly wrestled throughout the 70s, including a run with the WWWF (now WWE) where he was managed by the late Classy Freddie Blassie. Here’s Akbar in a short WWWF bout against Ivan Putski: Skandor Akbar Death The late Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) confirmed the death of Skandor Akbar in a heart felt post in his blog. Skandor Akbar died from prostate cancer on August 19, 2010. He was 75 years old. Skandor Akbar Legacy, Influence Just 11 days prior to Wehba’s death, Jim Ross speaks fondly of him in a blog post, noting that Wehba

The Missing Link Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2000s, 2007, Cancer / 2 Comments

The Missing Link Death – Lung Cancer 1939-2007 (age 68) From parts unknown, The Missing Link! Link, born Byron Robertson, spent the early 80s with the NWA, and by the mid 80s had shifted over to a small role in the WWF where he was managed by Bobby Heenan. His run with the WWF would prove short, never breaking out of the lower card. The Missing Link makes his WWF debut in 1985 Robertson would see the most successful period of his career when he joined Frtiz Von Erich‘s Texas-based promotion, WCCW. He first entered the company in November of ’85, managed by Percy Pringle (who would go on to become Paul Bearer with the WWF). He was later managed by Skandor Akbar. The Missing Link Death It was well known that Robertson struggled with substance abuse throughout his entire wrestling career. In 2006, Robertson published an autobiography, Bang Your Head: The Real

Gino Hernandez Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 1980s, 1986, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / 2 Comments

Gino Hernandez Death – Drug Overdose 1957-1986 (age 28) Charles Wolfe, best known to wrestling fans as “The Handsome Half Breed” Gino Hernandez, wrestled in the Southern territories throughout the late 70s and early 80s. Considered one of the best heels in the business, Gino is well remembered for his run with WCCW in Dallas, a promotion operated by the late Fritz Von Erich. Dubbed the “Dynamic Duo”, Hernandez teamed with “Gentleman” Chris Adams for a very memorable program with the baby faced Von Erich brothers. The Sportatorium crowds ate up the feud, drawing huge money for WCCW in the mid 80s. Gino Hernandez Death, Murder Rumors Friends became concerned for Gino’s well being when he was missing shows and not returning phone calls. Ultimately law enforcement and a group of Gino’s friends broke into his apartment on February 2, 1986. Sadly, they would find Gino’s lifeless body. He was only 28

Gary Hart Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2000s, 2008, Heart Disease / 2 Comments

Gary Hart Death – Heart Disease 1942-2008 (age 66) Gary Williams, best known to wrestling fans as Gary Hart, was a notable heel wrestling manager throughout the 80s. Gary Hart’s managing run with WCCW included main event clientele such as Gino Hernandez, “Gentleman” Chris Adams, Abdullah the Butcher among many more. Gary Hart died on March 16, 2008 from heart disease. He was 66 years old. Hart was cremated, his ashes scattered in a pond at Chisholm Park in Hurst, Texas.

Bruiser Brody Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 1980s, 1988, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Murder / 3 Comments

Bruiser Brody Death – Murdered 1946-1988 (age 42) Frank Goodish, best known to wrestling fans as Bruiser Brody, enjoyed a successful run in the professional wrestling world throughout the 80s… before his untimely murder. Brody was in innovator with hardcore-style matches, often leading to blood from him or his opponent, and occasionally moving the action from the ring to the middle of the audience. This was of course during a time that was well before the existence of ECW, so the crowds were fascinated by Brody’s rough style. Trained by the legendary Fritz Von Erich, Bruiser Brody spent time with dozens of organizations, including the NWA, WWWF, and of course Fritz’ Texas-based, WCCW. Bruiser Brody’s chaotic feud with Abdullah the Butcher is the stuff of wrestling legend. Here they are in the video below in an outdoor brawl for NWF. There can’t be more than a couple hundred people in attendance, but Bruiser

Fritz Von Erich Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 1990s, 1997, Cancer / 7 Comments

Fritz Von Erich Death – Brain and Lung Cancer 1929-1997 (age 68) Jack Adkisson, best known under his ring name of Fritz Von Erich, was a pioneer in the Texas territory of professional wrestling. Fritz was trained by the late Stu Hart in the 1950s. Throughout the 80s, Fritz was president of WCCW – a promotion in which his wrestling sons were the faces of the company. Crowds would pack the Dallas Sportatorium to see the Von Erichs square off against the rival Freebirds. Wrestling’s Cursed Family In one of the most talked about series of events in wrestling history, Fritz Von Erich would end up seeing five of his six sons buried. Fritz’ first son, Jack, died in 1959 from an accidental electrocution. Jack was only 7 years old. In 1984, David Von Erich, the star of WCCW died under speculated circumstances during a trip to Japan. He was 25. Three years

Chris Adams Death

By Ryan on October 22, 2016 / 2000s, 2001, Dead Before 50, Murder / 12 Comments

Chris Adams Death – Homicide 1955-2001 (age 46) Chris Adams, best known to wrestling fans as “Gentleman” Chris Adams, was fatally shot on October 7, 2001, during an altercation in his friends Waxahachie, Texas home. Reported as a “drunken brawl”, the shooter was Brent “Booray” Parnell, a fellow wrestler and friend of Adams. Parnell was ultimately acquitted of the charges on self defense. Chris Adams Early Career Chris Adams was a three-time national judo champion in England. Many with Adams’ background in combat sports stick their nose up at professional wrestling. Chris Adams embraced it. A few months prior to his death, Adams told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that “it [professional wrestling] appealed to me — the theatrics mixed with athletic ability.” Adams wrestled briefly in England before immigrating to the States in the early 80s. By 1983, Adams was wrestling for Frtiz Von Erich‘s Texas-based territory, WCCW. WCCW, The Dynamic Duo Chris Adams had a

Chris Von Erich Death

By Ryan on October 22, 2016 / 1990s, 1991, Dead Before 50, Suicide / 4 Comments

Chris Von Erich Death – Suicide 1969-1991 (age 21) Chris Von Erich, part of the infamous Von Erich wrestling family, committed suicide on September 12th, 1991 from a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Growing up smaller than his wrestling brothers, it’s often discussed that Chris was envious of his family’s wrestling roots. Chris Von Erich had a strong desire to be a professional wrestler, yet primarily found himself working behind the scenes. His health issues also played a role in his limited in-ring work. Wrestling Career, Depression Still, by the late 80 Chris managed to see some time in the ring, notably feuding with Percy Pringle (Paul Bearer) in the USWA promotion. Both an underdog, and a Von Erich, Chris was able to successfully get the crowds behind him despite his limitations. Teaming up with white-hot Chris Adams certainly didn’t hurt his cause. Sadly though, it wasn’t enough. Chris Von Erich

Buddy Roberts Death

By Ryan on October 20, 2016 / 2010s, 2012, Pneumonia / 3 Comments

Buddy Roberts Death – Pneumonia 1947-2012 (age 65) Dale Hey, or “Buddy Roberts”, as he was known to wrestling fans, rose to fame in the 80s with the Fabulous Freebirds. Prior to his run with the ‘Birds, Buddy was part of the original Hollywood Blondes, alongside Jerry Brown. Though the Hollywood Blondes name is more commonly linked to Steve Austin and the late Brian Pillman, the original incarnation is not to be overlooked. In 2012, Jim Ross noted “the original Hollywood Blondes of Roberts and Brown were one of the most underrated tag teams ever in the business.” The Fabulous Freebirds Alongside his Freebird cohorts, Michael “PS” Hayes and Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, Buddy Roberts and the Freebirds were a fixture of 1980s professional wrestling. Perhaps their most notable feud taking place against the Von Erichs in WCCW. The Von Erich’s were the baby faces of WCCW, a promotion which was owned by

Kerry Von Erich Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1993, Dead Before 50, Suicide / 8 Comments

Kerry Von Erich “The Texas Tornado” Death – Suicide 1960-1993 (age 33) Kerry Von Erich made his debut as a professional wrestler in 1979. First known as The Modern Day Warrior with World Class Championship Wrestling, Kerry won the American Heavyweight Championship five times. By the early 90s, Kerry won the WWF Intercontinental Championship title as The Texas Tornado and was thought to have a bright career ahead of him. Instead, he cut his life short at the young age of 33. A Family Plagued by Tragedy It’s always a shock when a wrestling star is killed in his prime, but Kerry Von Erich’s death was particularly tragic given that he was preceded in death by four of his five brothers. One brother was killed when he was just 7 years old in a tragic electrocution accident. The other three deaths, David, Mike, and Chris, also wrestlers, died from a variety of causes. His brother David’s cause

Ultimate Warrior Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2010s, 2014, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 10 Comments

Ultimate Warrior Death – Heart Attack 1959-2014 (age 54) Alongside Hogan and Savage, The Ultimate Warrior was one of the most recognizable and biggest fan favorites from the 80’s and early 90’s era of the WWF. He was born James Brian Hellwig on June 16, 1959. Born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, Hellwig was the eldest of five children. His father left the family when he was twelve. Hellwig was raised by his mother and, later, his stepfather. He wrestled under a variety of ring names but is by far most recognized for his run as The Ultimate Warrior. Sadly, Warrior would not live to see 55 years old. His death came one day after he gave a bone chilling speech on Raw. Early Career (1984-1987) Brian Hellwig did not begin his career as a professional wrestler. He started as an amateur bodybuilder. He began lifting weights at the age of eleven in order to

Matt Osborne Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2010s, 2013, Drug Overdose, Most Popular / 2 Comments

Matt Osborne Death – Drug Overdose 1957-2013 (age 55) The early 90s was a transitional period for the WWE. Lots of silly gimmicks came and went. Although the gimmick of Doink the Clown gets a lot of flack by todays standards, there’s no denying that the man under the costume had a lot of talent. I’m of course referring to Matt Borne. Born Matthew Wade Osborne, he was only 55 years old when he died. Early Days in Wrestling Osborne received notriety in the mid 80s as “Maniac” Matt Borne, wrestling with WCCW in Texas. Osborne made his WWF debut in March 1985. He participated in a number of low card matches, including one against Ricky Steamboat at the very first WrestleMania. After a brief break from professional wrestling, he returned to the ring with WCW. He wrestled under the name “Big Josh” from 1991 to 1992. A Villainous Clown Matt Osborne didn’t hit

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