Ernie Ladd Death

By Mike Rickard on November 1, 2017   /   2000s, 2007, Cancer   /   Leave a comment
ernie ladd dead

Ernie Ladd Death – Colon Cancer 1938-2007 (Age 68) Believe it or not, Ernie Ladd could nearly stand toe to toe with Andre the Giant. At 6’9” and 300-plus pounds, Ladd cast a fearsome path wherever he walked. A gifted football player, Ladd easily transitioned into becoming a wrestler. Ladd portrayed a heel at a time when African-Americans faced prejudices for the color of their skin, let alone for whether they played a hero or villain. Outside the ring, Ladd served the community by reaching out to disadvantaged kids, warning them of the dangers of the streets, but also sharing them the possibility of success through perseverance and hard work. From Gridiron to Grappling Born in Louisiana and raised in Texas, Ernie Ladd attended Grambling State University on a basketball scholarship after excelling in high school at both football and basketball. Ernie Ladd enjoyed spectacular success in the American Football League

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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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Big Dick Dudley Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016   /   2000s, 2002, Dead Before 50, Kidney Failure   /   Leave a comment
big dick dudley death

Big Dick Dudley Death – Kidney Failure 1968-2002 (age 34) Alex Rizzo, known to wrestling fans as Big Dick Dudley, will best be remembered for his run with ECW throughout the 90s. Big Dick was the original Dudley, which eventually transitioned into a faction. D-Von and Bubby Ray may be the most well known Dudley’s after successfully moving over and enjoying long careers with the WWE; but Big Dick will always remain the original Dudley. Big Dick Dudley died on May 16, 2002 from kidney failure. According to Irv Munchnick’s book Wrestling Babylon: Piledriving Tales of Drugs, Sex, Death, and Scandal – Big Dick’s kidney failure was brought on from the use of painkillers. He was 34 years old at the time of his death.

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Balls Mahoney Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016   /   2010s, 2016, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack   /   Leave a comment
balls mahoney death

Balls Mahoney Death – Heart Attack 1972-2016 (age 44) Jonathan Rechner, known to ECW fans as Balls Mahoney, died on April 12th, 2016. Rechner died from a heart attack. He was 44 years old. Just two months prior to his death, Balls Mahoney’s former ECW tag partner, Axl Rotten passed away after suffering from a heroin overdose. Several other wrestlers passed in 2016 including Blackjack Mulligan, Mr. Fuji, Iron Mike Sharpe, and Frenchy Martin. On October 21st, 2016, the Boston Globe reported that CTE was discovered in Rechner’s brain. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, given the hardcore nature of Balls Mahoney’ wrestling style. Earlier this year, we wrote a piece about CTE and the ongoing concussion lawsuit against the WWE. The WWE, along with Mahoney’s former colleagues, have taken to Twitter to pay respects: WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of ECW Superstar Balls Mahoney. pic.twitter.com/Ox8dnQih6R — WWE

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