wwe Archives

Brodie Lee Death

By Mike Rickard on December 28, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / Leave a comment

Brodie Lee Death – Lung Complications 1979-2020 (Age 41) In a world where big wrestlers are no longer rare, Brodie Lee (real name Jonathon Huber) stood out as one of wrestling’s most intimidating and powerful competitors. Despite his portrayal as a brutal and calculating villain, his real-life persona was anything but, with family, friends and colleagues speaking highly of him. After a long run in the independent circuit as Brodie Lee, Huber found success in the WWE as Luke Harper, a member of the sinister group the Wyatt Family and later, as Mr. Brodie Lee in All Elite Wrestling. From Backyard Wrestling to Professional Wrestling Born in Rochester, New York on December 16, 1979, Jonathon Huber played lacrosse in high school as well as youth hockey. However, it was in backyard wrestling where he found his calling. Huber worked alongside his brother in backyard wrestling before training for the pros.

Tommy “Zeus” Lister Death

By Mike Rickard on December 12, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Heart Disease, Most Popular / Leave a comment

Tommy Lister Death – Heart Disease 1958-2020 (Age 62) Standing 6’5,” Thomas Lister, Jr. was a natural for playing menacing monsters in film and TV, and his size and presence made it inevitable that he step into the squared circle as well. The story of Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. (aka WWF Superstar Zeus) is a reminder of the fine line between sports entertainment and Hollywood as some people are naturals for both worlds. Turning a Blessing into a Curse Lister was born blind in his right eye due to a detached and deformed retina. However, the birth defect turned into a blessing when he interviewed with a talent agent, who recognized Lister’s potential as a character actor. After a number of small roles, the ironically nicknamed “Tiny” was cast in the film that would change his life. No Holds Barred “Tiny” was cast in the film No Holds Barred as

Pat Patterson Death

By Mike Rickard on December 2, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Most Popular / Leave a comment

Pat Patterson Death – Liver Failure 1941-2020 (Age 79) Many prominent figures in wrestling have contributed much to the sport either in the ring or out of it, but few did so much in both spheres as Pat Patterson. Patterson’s various runs in the territories and his later success behind the scenes in the WWE established him as more than wrestling’s first openly gay man, it established him as one of the industry’s greatest workers and wrestling minds. French-Canadian Fighter The man who became famous as Pat Patterson was born Pierre Clermont on January 19, 1941. In his memoir, Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE, Pat recalls having four brothers and four sisters and living in a two bedroom apartment. Patterson tried his hand at various endeavors including figure skating, the circus, and even had aspirations of becoming a priest someday after his years as an altar boy.

Road Warrior Animal Death

By Mike Rickard on September 23, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Heart Attack, Most Popular / Leave a comment

Road Warrior Animal Death – Heart Attack 1960-2020 (Age 60) Joseph Laurinaitis’ career proved not only the power of being in the right place at the right time, but that success isn’t just opportunity, it’s what you do with it. When fate brought Laurinaitis and Michael Hegstrand together as the hastily assembled team of Animal and Hawk (aka the Road Warriors), they parlayed the opportunity into one of the biggest careers in professional wrestling, breaking records and breaking the bank. Forming a Fierce Friendship Joseph Laurinaitis was born on September 12, 1960. One of three children (his brothers John and Marcus would later become professional wrestlers), Joseph befriended Michael Hegstrand, but the two went their separate ways when a move prevented them from attending the same school. Thankfully, the two reunited when they ran into each other at a local gym and their fondness for bodybuilding (as well as their

Shad Gaspard Death

By Ryan on May 20, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Accident, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 1 Comment

Shad Gaspard Death – Drowning 1981-2020 (Age 39) Former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard has died. He was 39. Gaspard, known for his WWE run in the mid to late 2000s with tag partner, JTG, collectively formed the tag team Cryme Tyme. Details on the Death of Shad Gaspard On Sunday, May 17th, Gaspard was enjoying an afternoon at Marina del Ray beach with his family – wife Siliana, and 10-year-old son, Aryeh. A strong rip current pulled many swimmers away from the shore, including Shad and his son. Lifeguards were on the scene, and reportedly Shad instructed them to go after his son first. According to ESPN, the lifeguard, who also has a middle school-aged son, was presented with an excruciating dilemma as he recognized how big Shad was – 6 foot 6 inches, around 270 pounds… “Based on the gentlemen’s size and the conditions in the water… these are

Howard Finkel Death

By Ryan on April 20, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Most Popular, Undisclosed Causes / 2 Comments

Howard Finkel Death – Undisclosed Causes 1950-2020 (Age 69) WWE has confirmed the passing of legendary ring announcer, Howard Finkel. He was 69. Finkel (or “The Fink” as many fans from the 80s and 90s will fondly remember him by) was the first employee hired by the WWE. He was hired by Vince McMahon Sr. in 1975. At the time, the company was known as the “WWWF” – World Wide Wrestling Federation. Howard Finkel’s booming voice to introduce 80s stars like Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior will not soon be forgotten. Many regard Finkel as the greatest pro wrestling ring announcer of all time. A Long and Storied Career Not only the voice of a wrestling generation, Finkel found himself in the middle of WWE storylines on a number of occasions. Whether it was accepting a bribe from “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, feuding with manager Harvey Whippleman,

Rocky Johnson Death

By Ryan on January 16, 2020 / 2020, 2020s, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 3 Comments

Rocky Johnson Death – Heart Attack 1944-2020 (Age 75) WWE has confirmed the passing of “Soul Man”, Rocky Johnson. He was 75. Johnson was the father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Rocky Johnson Wrestling Career Rocky Johnson was born in Nova Scotia in 1944, and by age 20 was already wrestling throughout Ontario. Throughout the 70s, Johnson wrestled for the NWA territories, notably feuding with other legends of the squared circle including Harley Race and Jerry Lawler. Perhaps most notable was Johnson’s early 1980s run. Wrestling under Vince McMahon’s booming World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), Johnson could be seen squaring off against the likes of Don Muraco, Adrian Adonis, “Iron” Mike Sharpe, Greg Valentine, and Buddy Rose. Rocky Johnson also had success in tag team action. Together, Johnson and Tony Atlas became the first ever Africa American tag team champions for the WWF. They formed the team “Soul Patrol”, capturing

Rene Goulet Death

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

Rene Goulet Death – Undisclosed Causes 1932-2019 (Age 86) French-Canadian wrestler Rene Goulet worked in the territories, but arguably gained just as much TV exposure for his post-wrestling career as a WWF agent. Goulet would often appear during brawls and other memorable angles along other wrestlers-turned-agents such as Tony Garea and Blackjack Lanza. Like many of his contemporaries, Goulet worked the various wrestling territories of North America, but also made extensive tours of Australia, Europe, and Japan. “The Number One Frenchman” Robert Bedard was born on July 12, 1932 in historic Quebec City and enjoyed sports, playing hockey as a defenseman (and nearly dying after an opponent’s skate cut into his throat). In addition to hockey, Bedard trained as a bodybuilder and a boxer, but decided to try wrestling after another boxer warned him he’d be punch-drunk by the time he was 25. Bedard worked his first match in 1957,

Ashley Massaro Death

By Mike Rickard on July 24, 2019 / 2010s, 2019, Dead Before 50, Undisclosed Causes, Women / Leave a comment

Ashley Massaro Death – Undisclosed Causes 1979-2019 (Age 39) While Ashley Massaro only worked in the WWE from 2005-2008, she left her mark on the promotion, its fans, and her fellow workers. As short as her WWE career was, she accomplished much in 3 years including guest appearances on television and in music videos, along with a well-received Playboy pictorial. Breaking into Wrestling Born on May 26, 1979 Ashley Massaro grew up in Long Island, New York where she trained as a gymnast and later succeeded as a model, including wins in the 2002 Miss Hawaiian Tropic and 2005 Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada pageants. Massaro graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a minor in Business from the State University of New York. In 2005, Massaro entered the WWE’s Diva Search competition, defeating 7 other finalists to earn a one-year WWE contract. On August 15, 2005, she

King Kong Bundy Death

By Ryan on March 5, 2019 / 2010s, 2019, Most Popular, Unknown Causes / 2 Comments

King Kong Bundy Death – Unknown Causes 1957-2019 (Age 61) WWE has confirmed the death of King Kong Bundy. He was 61. Born November 7, 1957 as Christopher Alan Pallies, the New Jersey native made quite the mark on the wrestling world, despite fairly limited appearances. Bundy spent 1985-1988 with the WWE (then, WWF) including a main event match against Hogan at WrestleMania 2 in 1986. King Kong Bundy returned to the WWE in 1994, joining Ted DiBiase’s “Million Dollar Corporation”. He feuded with the Undertaker, culminating with a match at WrestleMania XI. By the end of 1995, Bundy was released and hit the independent circuit. Outside the wrestling world, King Kong Bundy earned several acting credits, including memorable appearances on Married with Children. Several other notable wrestling stars have died in 2019 including Pedro Morales and Mean Gene Okerlund. Our condolences to the friends and family of Bundy.

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

Jose Lothario Death

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

Jose Lothario Death – Unknown Causes 1934-2018 (Age 83) The beauty of professional wrestling is that a performer can play many roles during their career, even after retiring from active competition. Jose Lothario had a well-deserved reputation as a in-ring grappler long before he became known as Shawn Michaels’ mentor during the mid-1990s. Borderland Sensation Born December 12, 1934, Guadalupe Robledo slowly rose to fame as Jose Lothario, one of hundreds of grapplers seeking fame during the days when territories dotted the wrestling landscape. Over time, Lothario earned a reputation as a solid worker, particularly in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) where he combined his legitimate boxing skills with wrestling ability to develop a captivating style. His star rose as he teamed with fellow Mexican Mil Mascaras as well as many other stars in promotions in Mexico, Texas, Puerto Rico, and Florida. Jose Lothario became a frequent challenger for the

Pedro Morales Death

By Ryan on February 12, 2019 / 2010s, 2019 / 2 Comments

Pedro Morales Death – Parkinson’s Disease 1942-2019 (Age 76) WWE has confirmed the death of Pedro Morales. He was 76. Pedro Morales had a storied career in the wrestling world, dating all the way back to 1959. Morales most notably spent time with the WWE (then, WWWF) from 1970-1975, before returning again in the early 80s. Morales was the first “triple crown” winner with the company – successfully capturing heavyweight, intercontinental, and tag team gold. In between his WWE runs, Pedro Morales bounced around the territories, including runs with the AWA and Championship Wrestling from Florida. Morales was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1995. According to The New York Times, Pedro Morales had been battling Parkinson’s disease. Several other notable wrestling stars have passed in 2019 including King Kong Bundy and on-screen personality Mean Gene Okerlund. Our condolences to the friends and family of Pedro Morales.

Mean Gene Okerlund Death

By Mike Rickard on January 2, 2019 / 2010s, 2019, Accident, Most Popular / 1 Comment

Mean Gene Okerlund Death – Accidental Fall 1942-2019 (Age 76) He was so good at his job that he made it look so easy. After all, how difficult can it be to hold a microphone while a wrestler or manager cuts a promo? Yet as anyone who’s watched other interviewers can see, it’s far more difficult than it looks. Gene Okerlund worked in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association (AWA) for many years, interviewing wrestlers and also commentating during matches. However, it was his work as an interviewer where he excelled. The man nicknamed “Mean” Gene raised interviews to an art form, becoming wrestling’s greatest stick man including his time in the AWA, WWF, and WCW. Born Eugene Okerlund, the man who would become synonymous with wrestling promos began his broadcast career working for Omaha radio station KOIL before jumping to a local Minneapolis TV station. However, in 1970, Okerlund changed

Jim The Anvil Neidhart Death

By Ryan on August 13, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Accident, Most Popular / Leave a comment

Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart Death – Fall 1955-2018 (Age 63) August 13, 2018: WWE has confirmed the death of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart. He was 63. The Pasco, Florida Sheriff’s Office stated “preliminary information indicates that [Neidhart] fell at home, hit his head, and succumbed to his injury. No foul play suspected. No additional information to release at this time.” Neidhart was living in Wesley Chapel, Florida – part of the Tampa Bay Area metro. WWE issued a statement, noting “Neidhart last competed in WWE in 1997 but his legacy lives on today through his daughter, Natalya, who displays her father’s signature charisma and toughness every time she steps in the ring. WWE extends its condolences to Neidhart’s family, friends and fans.” Anvil’s former tag partner Bret Hart Tweeted the following: A Wrestling Family The Hart family. If you are fan of professional wrestling, you are very familiar with this

Brian Christopher Lawler Death

By Ryan on July 29, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Suicide / Leave a comment

Brian Christopher Lawler Death – Suicide 1972-2018 (Age 46) Brian Christopher Lawler died on July 29, 2018. He was 46. The news was first broken in a Dave Meltzer tweet. Brian Christopher Lawler spent many years with the WWE, his most notable gimmick was working as “Grandmaster Sexay” in the stable “Too Cool” (alongside Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi). The group was hugely over during the height of the Attitude era in 1999. On July 7, 2018, Brian Lawler was arrested after police spotted his vehicle speeding and swerving. When police attempted to pull him over, Lawler refused to stop. When he finally did come to a stop, police said Lawler reeked of booze and had an open container of alcohol in the vehicle. He was arrested and booked into a Memphis-area jail, his bond was set at $40,000. On July 28, 2018, Brian Christopher Lawler tried to hang himself

Nikolai Volkoff Death

By Ryan on July 29, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Most Popular, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

Nikolai Volkoff Death – Undisclosed Causes 1947-2018 (Age 70) Days after being treated and released from a Maryland hospital from dehydration, wrestling legend Nikolai Volkoff has died at age 70. A cause of death has not yet been made public. Real name Josip Nikolai Peruzović, the Croatian turned villainous Russian worked nearly three decades, making his debut back in 1967. Nikolai Volkoff was quickly signed by Vince McMahon Sr.’s WWWF, and by 1974 he was battling company golden boy Bruno Sammartino. Late in ’74, Volkoff moved over to Verne Gagne‘s AWA, wrestling under the moniker “Boris Breznikoff” (though he carried with him the same evil Russian gimmick). He was managed by the late Bobby Heenan during his AWA run. A decade later and Nikolai Volkoff would find himself back with the WWWF for a memorable run – by this time the company was under the control of Vince McMahon Jr.

Espectrito Death

By Ryan on May 24, 2018 / 2010s, 2016, Dead Before 50, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

Espectrito Death – Undisclosed Causes 1966-2016 (Age 49) Mini luchador, Mario Pérez Jiménez, died on January 23, 2016. He was 49. A cause of death has not been disclosed. Prior to landing in the WWF in the late 90s, Jiménez wrestled as Espectrito, spanish for “Little Ghost”. Espectrito saw success in Mexico, working the mini division (referred to as “Mini-Estrella”). He had a run in the EMLL promotion, before moving over to the newly formed AAA (Asistencia Asesoría y Administración). AAA was run by Antonio Peña, a former CMLL booker, and the same man responsible for creating the mini division in CMLL. Espectrito would become the first ever Mexican National Mini-Estrella Champion for AAA, defeating Mascarita Sagrada in 1995. WWF Run as Mini Vader / El Torito Similar to how the WWF brought in Smoky Mountain talent in ’93 for cross promotion, the WWF struck a similar deal with AAA

Big Bully Busick Death

By Ryan on May 10, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Cancer / Leave a comment

Big Bully Busick Death – Cancer 1954-2018 (Age 63) WWE has announced the passing of Nick “Big Bully” Busick. He was 63. Busick grew up in Pittsburgh, looking up to local wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino who passed last month. Busick started out as enhancement talent for the WWWF in the late 70s. He bounced back and forth between wrestling and his job as a police officer throughout the 80s. In 1989 Busick received TV time in the WWF, wrestling as “Big Bully” Busick. His gimmick was modeled after a stereotypical 1920s bully, complete with a cigar, derby hat and trademark mustache. If the bully gimmick wasn’t enough, Busick was managed by Harvey Wippleman during his WWF run, making him an easy recipient of heel heat. Though he may not have been a household name because of his short TV run, Busick locked up with many notable stars including The Texas

Bruno Sammartino Death

By Ryan on April 18, 2018 / 2010s, 2018, Heart Failure, Most Popular / Leave a comment

Bruno Sammartino Death – Heart Complications 1935-2018 (Age 82) Wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino has died at age 82. Sammartino was a huge star throughout the 60s and 70s. In 1963 he defeated Buddy Rogers to become the second ever WWE (then, WWWF) champion. Bruno would go on to hold the title for over 7 years, a record that still stands today. The length of Bruno’s title run speaks loudly for his drawing power. WWE gave Madison Square Garden the moniker “the house that Bruno built” – they credit Sammartino for selling out the arena 187 times throughout the 60s and 70s (though some wrestling historians dispute this). Bruno eventually lost the title to Canadian turned Russian heel Ivan Koloff. According to wrestling lore, grown men in the sold out Madison Square Garden were seen weeping when a baby faced Sammartino gave up the strap to Koloff. Life After Wrestling A

Mike Bell Death

By Mike Rickard on October 21, 2017 / 2000s, 2008, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / Leave a comment

Mike Bell Death – Drug Overdose 1971-2008 (Age 37) The number of wrestlers to succumb to personal demons such as drug and alcohol abuse are many, affecting everyone from main event stars to enhancement talent. Such was the case with enhancement talent wrestler “Mad Dog” Mike Bell, who worked in the WWF and told of his struggles with steroid and recreational drug use in the documentary, Bigger, Stronger, Faster. Bell also had a brief run in the original ECW. Football Player Turned Wrestler Mike Bell struggled with weight issues as a child, and was mockingly called “Pugsley,” inspiring him to take to weight lifting and football. According to his brother Chris, Mike earned the nickname “Mad Dog” after beating up the bully’s who teased him in school. Eventually, Bell became captain of his high school football team, and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati on a football scholarship. Bell played Division

S.D. Jones Death

By Mike Rickard on October 17, 2017 / 2000s, 2008, Stroke / Leave a comment

S.D. Jones Death – Stroke 1945-2008 (Age 63) “Special Delivery” Jones may have counted the lights much of his career, but no one did it with such style or gave fans the hope that tonight might be his night to win. Although he wrestled most of his career as enhancement talent, S.D. Jones is fondly remembered by fans who watched him in the WWF, and saw “Special Delivery” share the spotlight in some of the WWF’s biggest moments. A Dream Comes True Antigua native Conrad Efraim, the man who would become known as “Special Delivery” trained under WWF Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz. According to Jones’ widow Kathlyn, “He never thought in his wildest dreams that he would have become a wrestler – when he was in Antigua, his friends told me that he used to box and lift weights and then when he went to the Virgin Islands he

Moondog Spot Death

By Mike Rickard on October 17, 2017 / 2000s, 2003, Heart Attack / Leave a comment

Moondog Spot Death – Heart Attack 1952-2003 (Age 51) Larry Booker was one of wrestling’s legendary brawlers, including his early career as Larry Latham and later work as Spot, one of the wild tag team known as the Moondogs. Latham is considered one of the pioneers of hardcore wrestling for his brutal and bloody work. Sadly, Latham’s life would be cut short during a match when he died from a heart attack on November 29, 2003 at a Memphis, Tennessee card billed as “Jerry Lawler’s Birthday Bash.” The Blond Bomber Larry Booker began wrestling in the mid-1970’s, catching his first break as Larry Latham. The 6’2” 298-pound scrapper teamed with Wayne Ferris (later known as the Honky Tonk Man) to form the Blond Bombers, a heel tag team that captured the AWA Southern Tag Team Championship in Memphis Wrestling. The Bombers entered wrestling lore when they worked a wild tag team

Joey Marella Death

By Mike Rickard on October 11, 2017 / 1990s, 1994, Accident, Dead Before 50 / Leave a comment

Joey Marella Death – Car Accident 1963-1994 (Age 31) Joey Marella was a familiar background figure to anyone who watched WWF programming in the 80’s and early 90’s. The adopted son of WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon (aka Gino Marella), Marella followed in his father’s footsteps by working in the ring, but as a referee instead of a wrestler. A Famous Father Opens the Door Although his father was an important figure in the WWF, Joey started from the ground up, setting up rings and learning the ins and outs of the business from a layman’s perspective. Marella began his WWF career in 1983 and over time, worked his way into the ring as a referee, first at local matches, working his way up to television. Eventually, Marella became one of the WWF’s most successful referees. He officiated historic matches such as the Andre the Giant vs. Hulk Hogan main

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan Death

By Ryan on September 18, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Cancer, Most Popular / 3 Comments

Bobby “The Brain” Heenan Death – Throat Cancer 1944-2017 (Age 72) Bobby “The Brain” Heenan has died at age 72, losing his battle with throat cancer. WWE confirmed the news this evening. In 2002 Heenan announced his cancer diagnosis, though in subsequent years he still made appearances, communicating to fans through his wife. WWE commentator Jim Ross first broke the news about Bobby Heenan’s death via Twitter, noting “The news of Bobby “The Brain” Heenan’s passing today gutted me. I loved our time together. No one ever did it better than the Wease.” Bobby Heenan – The Wrestler, Manager A legendary manager and color commentator, Bobby Heenan wrestled throughout the 60s and 70s, but his most recognized roles came from outside the ring. Heenan managed a long list of talent throughout the 80s and early 90s including King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd, Rick Rude, Paul Orndoff, Andre the Giant, Mr.

Outlaw Ron Bass Death

By Ryan on June 23, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Surgery Complications / 2 Comments

Outlaw Ron Bass Death – Burst Appendix, Surgery Complications 1948-2017 (Age 68) “Outlaw” Ron Bass, real name Ronald Heard, died on March 7, 2017 at age 68. In the days prior to his death, Heard suffered from a burst appendix, leaving him hospitalized. Sadly, he did not make it out of Tampa General, passing away from surgery complications. Remembering the Outlaw With a burly physique, menacing handlebar moustache, cowboy hat, and signature bull whip, aptly named Miss Betsy, Bass was equipped with everything necessary to get him over as a heel in the 70s and 80s. Contrary to his heel gimmick, friends of Heard spoke highly of his character outside the ring. Lanny Poffo, brother of the late Macho Man Randy Savage told the Tampa Bay Times “he wasn’t really a bad guy, he was one of the good guys. He will be missed.” Gerald Brisco added “he had a heart

Pink the Clown Death

By Ryan on June 3, 2017 / 2010s, 2012, Dead Before 50, Surgery Complications / Leave a comment

Pink the Clown Death – Surgery Complications 1973-2012 (Age 39) Richard Trogdon may not be a household name in wrestling circles, but Ric, as he was known to friends and family, played a part in a well known storyline during the WWF’s New Generation era. Trogdon wrestled as “Pink”. Pink, along with Dink and Wink, was one of three dwarf wrestlers who accompanied Doink the Clown to the ring in 1994. The group took part in a comedy-driven feud with Jerry “The King” Lawler and his “Royal Family” which consisted of three dwarf sidekicks – Queasy, Sleazy, and Cheesy, respectively. 1994 Survivor Series Richard Trogdon’s portrayal of one of Doink’s sidekicks, Pink, culminated at the 1994 Survivor Series. Dubbed Clowns R’ Us, the quartet consisting of Doink the Clown and his sidekicks Pink, Dink, and Wink, took on The Royal Family. The Royal Family got the win at Survivor Series,

Matt Anoa’i Death

By Ryan on April 18, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Dead Before 50, Heart Failure / 4 Comments

Matt Anoa’i Death – Heart Failure 1970-2017 (age 47) Matt Anoa’i, better known to WWE fans as Rosey, has passed away at age 47. He suffered from heart failure related to obesity. Matt was the older brother of current WWE star, Roman Reigns. Anoa’i suffered from heart complications as early back as 2014. A Wrestling Family The surname Anoa’i is nearly as synonymous with professional wrestling as Von Erich. Matt Anoa’i was part of the legendary Samoan wrestling dynasty, which includes the likes of Yokozuna and Umaga, both of whom also passed away before age 50. Rosey’s WWE Career Matt Anoa’i spent several years on the independent circuit throughout the mid to late 90s, including tours in Japan and a brief run with ECW. Most of his indie career was spent alongside his cousin, Eddie Fatu. In mid 2002, the pair were called up by WWE. They debuted as enforcers

King Cheesy Death

By Ryan on March 17, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Undisclosed Causes / 3 Comments

King Cheesy Death – Undisclosed Causes King Cheesy, the ring name of one of Jerry “The King” Lawler’s dwarf teammates at the ’94 Survivor Series, has passed away. Outside the ring, King Cheesy was known to family and friends as Larry Gibson. No official cause of death has been revealed and little information in general is publicly known about Larry Gibson’s wrestling career. Unless our sources are incorrect, it appears Jim Ross incorrectly refers to Cheesy as “Sleazy” in this video from 1995 We did receive a note from indie wrestler Jock Samson. Samson notes: “[Larry] lived in West Virginia around Charleston the last time I spoke to him. Really nice guy!! Didn’t know much about him other than in passing at shows down there.” Word of Larry Gibson’s passing first came from Kenny Casanova’s Facebook page: Casanova spent time in the WWF, working as “Kim Chee” – Kamala’s manager. More

Ivan Koloff Death

By Ryan on February 18, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Cancer, Most Popular / 2 Comments

Ivan Koloff Death – Liver Cancer 1942-2017 (age 74) Wrestling legend Ivan Koloff has died at age 74. The wrestling world has been dealt a number of blows over the last week, including the passing of George “The Animal” Steele on February 16th, and Nicole Bass just yesterday. Chavo Guerrero Sr. died a week ago, February 11th, suffering from liver cancer – the same fate that would take Ivan Koloff. The Russian Bear In the midst of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, Koloff, nicknamed “The Russian Bear” garnered legitimate fear from audiences. Before the days of social media, it was a lot easier for a guy from Canada to play a villainous heel from Russia. French Canadian tough guy Ivan Koloff played the role to the letter. Koloff spent time in WWWF and NWA throughout the 70s and 80s. Most notably, early in his career,

George “The Animal” Steele Death

By Ryan on February 17, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Kidney Failure, Most Popular / 2 Comments

George “The Animal” Steele Death – Kidney Failure 1937-2017 (age 79) Jim Myers, better known to wrestling fans as George “The Animal” Steele, has died at age 79. George was a WWE Hall of Famer with a storied career – not only in the wrestling ring, but also as a coach, teacher, and even an appearance alongside Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s 1994 classic, Ed Wood. But Myers’ accomplishments never came easy. He battled health issues his entire life. A Wrestling Legend Best known as a charismatic figure in the 80s, George “The Animal” Steele will forever be remembered for his wild antics in the ring – and that signature green tongue, which Steele admitted was a simple matter of eating green breath mints prior to entering the ring. In a 2008 interview, he joked “I had the best breath in wrestling.” 1983: Heel 101. George “The Animal” Steele makes short

Nicole Bass Death

By Ryan on February 17, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Most Popular, Stroke, Women / 1 Comment

Nicole Bass Death – Stroke 1964-2017 (age 52) Nicole Bass died on Friday, February 17th, 2017. She was 52. Earlier this week, Meltzer reported that she had suffered from a stroke. Apparently she was unable to recover. Bass was a professional bodybuilder before transitioning to wrestling. Nicole Bass Wrestling Career First getting her feet wet in ECW, Nicole would eventually make her way to the WWE by 1999. Even with limited wrestling ability, Bass came along at the right time and right place in the WWE’s booming Attitude era. Debra was expecting to take on Sable in an Evening Gown match on the 3/5/99 episode of Raw… instead, she got Nicole Bass Armed with a unique look, the WWE was hoping to strike gold twice, essentially booking Bass as a carbon copy of Chyna – a dominant female who could hang with the boys. Chyna was of course a rousing success for the WWE.

Chavo Guerrero Sr. Death

By Ryan on February 11, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Cancer / 2 Comments

Chavo Guerrero Sr. Death – Liver Cancer 1949-2017 (age 68) WWE has confirmed the death of Chavo Guerrero Sr. He was 68 years old. Slam is reporting that his cause of death was due to liver cancer. The Guerrero Legacy The last name Guerrero is synonymous with professional wrestling. Chavo Sr. was the son of Gory Gurrero, and older brother to Eddie Guerrero. Chavo Sr’s son, Chavo Jr., spent time with WWE, WCW, TNA, and most recently, a run in Lucha Underground. Chavo Sr. was a well known worker throughout the 70s and 80s, having spent time in Japan as well as the AWA. Chavo Sr. makes short work of Arn Anderson, December 1982. Family Feud Younger fans will likely recognize Chavo as “Chavo Classic” from his WWE run in 2004. Chavo was part of a memorable program with his son, Chavo Jr., where the pair feuded with Eddie Guerrero. WWE Cruiserweight

Jimmy Snuka Death

By Ryan on January 15, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Cancer, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Despite all of his achievements, it’s unlikely Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka will be remembered for his storied career inside the squared circle. These days, the headlines that are following him are far more controversial than the storylines that take place inside the scripted world of wrestling. We’re referring to the death of his girlfriend more than 30 years ago – a woman named Nancy Argentino. Snuka is being charged with Nancy’s murder after changing his original story of the events that took place on the evening of her death – details that only came to light after Snuka himself released them in his autobiography.

Timothy Well Death

By Ryan on January 11, 2017 / 2010s, 2017, Kidney Failure / Leave a comment

Timothy Well Death – Kidney Failure 1961-2017 (age 55) Timothy Smith died on January 9th, 2017 after suffering from kidney failure. Smith is perhaps best known as Timothy Well, one half of the early 90s WWF tag team “Well Dunn”, where he partnered with Steven Dunn (Steve Doll). Doll died in 2009. Although their WWF run was brief, the duo would end up spending the majority of their careers as a tag team across various promotions. Smith also spent time as a singles competitor where he worked under the ring name of Rex King. Rex King takes on a young Raven in 1989 Early Career Timothy Smith grew up in Florida and like many aspiring wrestlers before him, he was bit by the wrestling bug as a youngster. He would go on to work locally in the Sarasota area, trained by Dean Malenko, before ultimately forming a tag team with Steve Doll.

Lou Thesz Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2000s, 2002, Surgery Complications / 1 Comment

Lou Thesz Death – Complications from Heart Surgery 1916-2002 (age 86) Debuting all the way back in 1932, the legendary Lou Thesz enjoyed a five-decade career in professional wrestling. Fans and wrestling historians alike often credit Lou Thesz as one of the best wrestlers of all time. A Wrestling Innovator Thesz spent time with the AWA, NWA, Stampede, among other promotions. He is credited with the creation of many moves which are still used in modern wrestling today, including the German suplex and powerbomb. Surgery Complications Lou Thesz underwent triple bypass surgery on April 9, 2002. Sadly, he wouldn’t make it to the end of April. On April 28, 2002, Thesz died as a result of complications from heart surgery. He was 86. Thesz was cremated, his ashes spread in the Meramec River in St. Louis.

Wahoo McDaniel Death

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

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.

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

Blackjack Mulligan Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Undisclosed Causes / 4 Comments

Blackjack Mulligan Death – Undisclosed Causes 1942-2016 (age 73) Blackjack Mulligan, real name Robert “Bob” Windham, enjoyed a storied life and career, and not just in the wrestling ring. Mulligan played football in college, and had tryouts for several NFL teams in the mid 60s. After football, Mulligan moved to wrestling, debuting in the AWA, and eventually moving over to the WWWF (now WWE) where he was managed by the late Grand Wizard. Mulligan is most remembered for his run with tag partner Blackjack Lanza, where they formed The Blackjacks. The Blackjacks take on Tony Parisi and Louis Cerdan. Madison Square Garden, Nov. 17, 1975 The Blackjacks had an impressive run throughout the 70s with the WWWF, winning tag team gold in 1975. Mulligan’s profile would continue to shine in the upper card, feuding with Andre the Giant. In the mid 80s, Mulligan moved over to Jim Crockett Promotions, notably teaming up with

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

Sir Oliver Humperdink Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2010s, 2011, Cancer, Pneumonia / 1 Comment

Sir Oliver Humperdink – Complications from Pneumonia and Bladder Cancer 1949-2011 (age 62) John Sutton, known to wrestling fans as Sir Oliver Humperdink, was a manager with a career spanning three decades. Perhaps best known as the manager for the original Hollywood Blonds, Sir Oliver also managed several other notable talent including Greg Valentine, and One Man Gang early in their careers. 1980: Sir Oliver with the late Lord Alfred Hayes Sir Oliver and Bam Bam After spending considerable time with FCW (Florida), Sir Oliver transitioned to the WWF (now WWE) in 1987. He managed Bam Bam Bigelow, notably making an appearance at WrestleMania IV. The duo would move to NWA in 1988. By the early 90s, Humperdink was with WCW under the unfortunate moniker of “Big Daddy Dink”. Notably during his WCW Run, Humperdink managed one of the last incarnations of the Freebirds. Sir Oliver Humperdink Death Slam reports that Humperdink

The Grand Wizard Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 1980s, 1983, Heart Attack / 1 Comment

The Grand Wizard Death – Heart Attack 1926-1983 (age 57) Irwin “Ernie” Roth, best known to wrestling fans as The Grand Wizard, died on October 12, 1983 from a heart attack. Roth worked Detroit territories in the 60s, managing under the moniker of “Abdullah Farouk”. He played a middle eastern who loved to taunt the U.S. crowds – essentially creating the blueprint for “evil foreign” heel managers. Wizard was a heat magnet, and wrestling historians often cite him as one of the best managers of all time. The Grand Wizard joins WWWF Roth joined the WWWF in the 70s when it was under ownership of Vince Sr. He took on clientele including the late Mr. Fuji, who would go on to become a legendary heel manager in his own right. Throughout his career, Wizard managed a long list of talent, including Killer Kowalski, The Sheik, Sgt. Slaughter, Kamala, Ox Baker, Cowboy Bob

Buddy Rose Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2000s, 2009 / 3 Comments

Buddy Rose Death – Natural Causes 1952-2009 (age 56) Paul Perschmann, best known to wrestling fans as “Playboy” Buddy Rose, started his wrestling career in the early 70s, working all the way into the early 90s. Buddy Rose wrestled for Pacific Northwest Wrestling, the AWA, as well as two brief runs with the WWF in both 1982-1983 and 1990-1991. Rose primarily worked as a heel, although in June of 1983 he made one of the biggest face turns in Portland wrestling history: Buddy Rose and the WWF Buddy’s first run with the WWF was the most successful of the two stints – he was managed by the Grand Wizard and was an upper carder. Rose also holds the distinction of wrestling in the very first match of the very first WrestleMania – working under the moniker of “The Executioner” against Tito Santana. Buddy’s second WWF run in the early 90s would prove

Buzz Sawyer Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 1990s, 1992, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / 3 Comments

Buzz Sawyer Death – Drug Overdose 1959-1992 (age 32) Bruce Woyan, best known to wrestling fans as “Mad Dog” Buzz Sawyer, was a fixture in 1980s professional wrestling. Buzz Sawyer spent time with various territories, including NWA, UWF, Mid-South, WCCW, WCW, among others. He spent a short stint with the WWF in 1984, managed by the late Captain Lou Albano. Last Battle of Atlanta In the early 80s, Buzz had a bloody feud with “Wildfire” Tommy Rich, including the legendary 1983 match inside an enclosed cage – the first match of its kind, dubbed the “Last Battle of Atlanta”. Shawn Michaels notes the “Last Battle of Atlanta” as the inspiration for the WWE’s “Hell in a Cell” – a PPV that’s still prevalent today. Arguably, Buzz Sawyer saw the most success while working for Fritz Von Erich‘s Texas-based WCCW. In 1986, he won WCCW tag team gold alongside the late Matt Osborne

Brawl For All – When Wrestling Gets Real

By Ryan on October 24, 2016 / Blog / 1 Comment

It was the summer of 1998 and the WCW and WWF were entrenched in a ratings war. Both companies were throwing anything and absolutely everything against the wall, hoping it would stick.

There are tales of scripts being changed throughout live shows. Gimmicks and storylines thrown away at the drop of a hat if their particular segment didn’t do well.

Among all of the crazy things that were pitched at that time, one that stands out (for better or worse) was the WWE’s shoot tournament, called Brawl for All.

What happens when professional wrestling doesn’t go according to a script? Injuries ran rampant and careers were ended.

Sean O’Haire Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2010s, 2014, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Suicide / Leave a comment

Sean O’Haire Death – Suicide 1971-2014 (age 43) Sean Haire was a South Carolina native, best known by his ring name Sean O’Haire. O’Haire had runs with WCW, WWE, and New Japan Pro Wrestling. After exiting the wrestling world, Haire briefly tested the waters with MMA. Sean O’Haire in WCW, WWE O’Haire first signed with WCW. He saw success with the company, wrestling as part of “The Natural Born Thrillers” faction – enforcers to figureheads Eric Bishoff and Vince Russo. When WCW was acquired by WWE in 2001, so was O’Haire’s contract. O’Haire was packaged with Chuck Palumbo, a tag partner from his WCW days. The two quickly began programs with The Hardy Boys, and the APA. Early in 2002, O’Haire had rather abruptly disappeared from WWE programming. He was sent to OVW in Louisville, one of the WWE’s developmental territories at the time. O’Haire made another WWE run in 2003. He began

Marianna Komlos Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2000s, 2004, Cancer, Dead Before 50, Women / 1 Comment

Marianna Komlos Death – Breast Cancer 1969-2004 (age 35) Marianna Komlos, known to wrestling fans as “Mrs. Clevage”, spent a short period of time with the WWE in 1999. Komlos worked as a valet for “Beaver Cleavage”, who was a repackaged version of Mosh from the Headbangers tag team. The Beaver and Mrs. Cleavage characters were created after Mosh’ tag team partner, Thrasher, needed time off to recuperate from a knee injury. The gimmick, a bizarre incestual take on the 50s/60s TV show Leave it to Beaver, did not last long. When the storyline was scrapped, Komlos was briefly transitioned into Mosh’ girlfriend while Mosh was repackaged as “Chaz”. Like the Beaver Cleavage gimmick, this gimmick was also quickly dropped – feuds with “Meat” and Prince Albert did not help get anyone over, and the storyline of Komlos making up lies about being beaten by Chaz didn’t bode well either. Komlos’ run in

Axl Rotten Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / 5 Comments

Axl Rotten Death – Drug Overdose 1971-2016 (age 44) Brian Knighton, known to wrestling fans as Axl Rotten, is best known for his run with ECW throughout the 90s. Axl Rotten died from an accidental drug overdose on February 4th, 2016. He was found dead in a McDonalds bathroom in Linthicum, Maryland from a heroin overdose. Please check back soon as we’ll be expanding on the career and death of Axl Rotten. What are your favorite memories of Axl Rotten? Let us know in the comments below. Other wrestlers who died in 2016 include Balls Mahoney, Blackjack Mulligan, Chyna, “Iron” Mike Sharpe, and Mr. Fuji.

Anthony Durante Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / Leave a comment

Anthony Durante Death – Drug Overdose 1967-2003 (age 36) Anthony (Tony) Durante, best known to ECW fans as one half of the Pitbulls tag team, died on September 25, 2003. Durante briefly wrestled for the WWF in 1989 as enhancement talent. He wrestled under his real name, Tony Durante. Durante would go on to see the most successful period of his career while working for ECW throughout the mid 90s. He partnered with Gary Wolfe (“Pitbull #1”) to form the Pitbulls. Anthony Durante and his girlfriend overdose Durante died alongside his 29 year old girlfriend – both from apparent heart attacks induced from a drug overdose. Needle marks were found on their bodies, and the prescription OxyContin was found in their Westerly, Rhode Island home. Family The couple’s two infant children were in the home at the time of their deaths. Bob Magee from PWBTS.com, offers a heartbreaking glimpse into what transpired with

Balls Mahoney Death

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

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

Stu Hart Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2000s, 2003, Stroke / 1 Comment

Stu Hart Death – Stroke 1915-2003 (age 88) If there was ever a name to be synonymous with Canadian wrestling, it’s Stu Hart. Father to WWE superstars Bret and Owen Hart, Stu was born in Saskatoon in 1915. In 1948, Stu Hart created the Stampede Wrestling promotion out of Calgary. Stu Hart is not only credited with training his sons, but also other well known Canadian names including Chris Jericho, Edge, Christian, and Chris Benoit. Stu Hart died on October 16, 2003. He had suffered a stroke in the weeks prior, and was also battling diabetes and arthritis. For 2010’s ceremony, Stu Hart was posthumously inducted into his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. He was inducted by son, Bret Hart. Stu Hart Grave Stu Hart’s memorial is located at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens in Calgary. The plot is located at the Garden of Angels, Structure 88, Niche 1059.

Iron Mike Sharpe Death

By Ryan on October 22, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Undisclosed Causes / Leave a comment

Iron Mike Sharpe Death – Undisclosed Causes 1949-2016 (age 67) “Iron” Mike Sharpe was a Canadian wrestler who had a long career that lasted from the 1970s to the mid-90s. Sharpe’s unique style endeared him to WWF fans, even though he worked as a heel. Mike Sharpe was born on October 28, 1951 in Hamilton, Ontario. The Canadian eventually grew to 6’5″ and 275 pounds. He looked like a pro wrestler and pro wrestling was in his genes. A Famous Father…and Uncle The second-generation wrestler followed in the footsteps of both his father (Mike) and uncle (Ben). Mike and Ben Sharpe were one of several real-life brothers who wrestled. The Sharpe Brothers held many tag team championships in the United States. They also enjoyed considerable success in Japan in the mid-1950s. Pro wrestling was becoming popular in Japan and the Sharpe Brothers helped Rikidozan become a household name in Japan.

Lord Alfred Hayes Death

By Mike Rickard on October 22, 2016 / 2000s, 2005, Stroke / 6 Comments

Lord Alfred Hayes Death – Stroke 1928-2005 (age 76) Born on August 8, 1928 in London, England, Alfred Hayes would rely on his English accent and dignified attitude to present himself as an arrogant heel or friendly Englishman. Hayes competed as a wrestler before managing wrestlers and later, serving as an announcer and Vince McMahon’s sidekick on the WWF’s Tuesday Night Titans show. A Distinguished Athlete Hayes was a distinguished athlete, becoming the youngest British 7th dan black belt in judo and the youngest British heavyweight champion, just two years into his wrestling career. After years as a babyface (or “blue-eyes” as babyfaces were called in England), Hayes toured in North America, returning as a heel. Hayes began to manage wrestlers during the 1970’s, with his persona of an arrogant Englishman serving him well. However, Hayes occasionally found himself in the ring as well, as seen when he feuded with Bobby “The Brain”

Frenchy Martin Death

By Ryan on October 21, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Cancer / 2 Comments

Frenchy Martin Death – Bladder Cancer 1947-2016 (age 69) Jean Gagné, best known to WWE wrestling fans as “Frenchy Martin” has passed away. Rick Martel, close friend of Jean Gagné, broke the news this morning, October 21st, 2016. It was learned back in September that the Quebec-native was on hospice care after being diagnosed with bladder cancer a year prior. According to Slam, Gagné, who was quickly approaching his 70s, chose not to aggressively fight his bout with cancer. Frenchy Martin Wrestling Career Frenchy Martin was a fixture in WWE programming throughout the late 80s, most notably managing Canadian strongman, Dino Bravo. Frenchy Martin would occasionally carry a sign to the ring that said “USA is Not Ok” – effectively getting over his heel status as the villainous foreigner. Prior to his run as a manager with the WWE, Jean Gagné spent time in Puerto Rico, and also saw success as a

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

Sapphire Death

By Ryan on October 20, 2016 / 1990s, 1996, Heart Attack, Women / 2 Comments

Juanita “Sapphire” Wright Death – Heart Attack 1934-1996 (age 61) Best known as the valet for Dusty Rhodes, Sapphire worked WWF programming throughout the late 80s and early 90s. She was commonly referred to as “Sweet Sapphire” and wore yellow polka-dotted attire to match that of Dusty’s. Sapphire’s fun loving attitude and dance moves helped compliment Dusty’s gimmick, and helped get her over with the crowd. Despite a relatively short run with the WWF, she appeared at all of the “big 4” pay per views, including WrestleMania VI, and 1990’s SummerSlam where she sold out to the Million Dollar Man. Before becoming Dusty’s valet, Sapphire worked as a Dusty fan planted in the audience. This video is 6 years before her death. Wrestling Challenge, Nov. 19, 1989. Training According to a 2004 interview with Sherri, Vince McMahon called upon Sherri to help train Sapphire. Sherri recalled one instance in training where Sapphire accidentally

WWE Concussion Lawsuit – Do Wrestlers Stand a Chance?

By Ryan on August 31, 2016 / Blog / 6 Comments

The suit involves over 50 former wrestlers who are suing the WWE over CTE-related brain injuries. Former wrestlers involved in the suit include Road Warrior Animal, King Kong Bundy, Shane Douglas, Kamala, Jimmy Snuka, Demolition, Ahmed Johnson, Sabu, The Warlord, The Barbarian, and One Man Gang.

Mr. Fuji Death

By Ryan on August 29, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Most Popular, Undisclosed Causes / 3 Comments

Mr. Fuji Death – Undisclosed Causes 1934-2016 (age 82) The WWE has officially announced the passing of Mr. Fuji – real name, Harry Fujiwara. It’s reported that he died early in the morning on August 28th, 2016. Update: 8/29/16 We’ve spoken with Harry’s granddaughter, Chelsea. She speaks of her late grandfather: “He was a loving father and grandpa and he was as sweet as he was “devious”. His dry humor and smile was contagious and we will miss him dearly. I’ll keep the memories but would love to hear everyone else’s memories of him.” * * * * * A cause of death has not been made public, although Fuji did not appear in the best of health in recent years. At his 2007 WWE Hall of Fame induction he was confined to a wheelchair. After leaving the wrestling business in the late 90s, Fuji owned and operated a training dojo in

Scott Hall – Drugs, Homicide, and Redemption

By Ryan on July 31, 2016 / Blog / Leave a comment

Scott Hall was working as a bartender at ‘Thee DollHouse’ – a strip club that still stands today on Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando.

“I remember what he was wearing, what I was wearing, what it smelled like… it’s burnt in my brain.”

What is Scott Hall referring to? Hall is recounting the incident where he killed another man.

Chyna Dead – The Wrestling World Reacts

By Ryan on May 2, 2016 / Blog / 4 Comments

The death of Chyna on April 20, 2016 may not have been a shock given her past struggles with substance abuse – but it certainly left the wrestling world mourning.

On a touching episode of his podcast, close friend of Chyna, Vince Russo, states that Chyna was never truly aware of just how loved she really was.

An emotional Russo states “There was one thing Joanie wanted – and it was to be loved. If only she could be sitting behind a computer and reading what these people thought about her… she had no idea.”

Whether Joanie was aware of it or not, the below tweets from around the professional wrestling world should speak to the impact Chyna left on sports entertainment.

Triple H on Chyna in WWE Hall of Fame: “It’s not my decision”

By Ryan on April 21, 2016 / Blog / 1 Comment

One looming question on many fans minds is about Chyna’s possible induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In wrestling circles, it’s practically considered a crime that Chyna hasn’t already been inducted. Many speculate that her previous relationship with Triple H (who is now married to “the boss’s daughter”) is the primary reason that she’s been snubbed.

Last year, Triple H mentioned on the Stone Cold Podcast that while he felt Chyna deserved the spot from a wrestling career standpoint, it was not that simple.

Chyna Death

By Ryan on April 21, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 11 Comments

Chyna Death – Drug Overdose 1969-2016 (age 46) Joanie Laurer aka Chyna was found dead in her home on April 21, 2016. Reported by the Redondo Beach police, Joanie’s manager, Anthony Anzaldo grew concerned after not hearing from her for a few days. He entered Laurer’s apartment to find her in bed and not responding. Police were able to determine Laurer was dead 1-2 days prior to the caller entering the Redondo Beach apartment. Chyna’s official website notes: “It is with deep sadness to inform you that we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world, has passed away” TMZ first reported that “prescription bottles were found in the home, but there were no illegal drugs.” @ChynaJoanLaurer May the peace you were seeking put you at rest my friend. So sorry for not seeing the pain @Mania. We’ve shared so much — Kevin Nash (@RealKevinNash) April 21, 2016

Kamala Death

By Ryan on February 21, 2016 / 2020, 2020s, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Kamala had a difficult time in the later part of his wrestling career. He never made the kind of money that other big name wrestlers like Hogan and ‘Taker were making. This became apparent when his health declined and he retired.

Sadly, Harris’ health has declined as much as his finances. Always a big guy, he gained weight. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1992 and the effects of the disease have rapidly progressed since his retirement. On November 7, 2011, diabetes and high blood pressure forced the amputation of the former wrestler’s left leg. In April 2012 his right leg was amputated.

Sunny Days Turn Dark: The Tammy Lynn Sytch Story

By Ryan on January 23, 2016 / Blog / 4 Comments

There was a time in the 90s when Sunny was on top of the world. Often regarded as “The First Diva” – Tammy Lynn Sytch broke into the WWF in 1994. But after the death of her partner, wrestler Chris “Skip” Candido, a downward spiral seemed to take place. Despite a triumphant return for her WWE Hall of Fame induction, Tammy Lynn Sytch has since been soliciting risqué Skype sessions with fans and is currently in discussion with adult film company Vivid Entertainment.

In May of 2015, Sytch was arrested for Driving Under the Influence in Lehighton, PA. The next day, June 1, 2015, Sytch was arrested for another DUI, followed by a third DUI arrest on June 20th – three DUIs within a three week period.

Lance Cade Death

By Ryan on January 3, 2016 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular / 2 Comments

Lance Cade Death – Drug Overdose 1981-2010 (age 29) If there’s one WWE death that has largely been overlooked, it’s the passing of Lance Cade. Known to family and friends as Lance McNaught, the young superstar was trained by Shawn Michaels in San Antonio, TX. Unlike many before him, Lance managed to reach the big stage of wrestling in very short time. He seemed to have a promising career ahead of him. The Lance Cade death story would break within a few years of him reaching the WWE. Prior to reaching the WWE, Lance Cade briefly spent in Japan in 1999-2000. He was quickly moved to the WWE’s developmental territories – Heartland Wrestling Association in Memphis, followed by Ohio Valley Wrestling. By 2003, just four short years after training, Cade was debuting on Sunday Night Heat. Cade was primarily a tag team wrestler with the WWE, first teaming up with Mark Jindrak under

Andre the Giant Death

By Ryan on January 2, 2016 / 1990s, 1993, Dead Before 50, Heart Failure, Most Popular / 8 Comments

Andre the Giant Death – Heart Failure 1946-1993 (age 46) Many athletes are larger than life, but one 80s wrestler put new meaning to the term. Sadly, Andre the Giant passed away much too young. He was 46. This is the Andre the Giant death story. A Giant Is Born Andre Rene Roussinoff, better known by his ring name of Andre the Giant, was born in Grenoble France on May 19, 1946. Andre quickly rose in the wrestling ranks to become a household name around the globe, as well as an actor. In wrestling he was often called “The 8th Wonder of the World.” Andre was born to parents who were an ordinary size, as were his siblings. Meanwhile, Andre measured a very tall 7’4” and weighed between 380-520 pounds throughout the course of his career. By the age of 12, he was already 6’3”. The North American debut for this wrestler was in Montreal, Canada in 1971,

Umaga Death

By Ryan on January 2, 2016 / 2000s, 2009, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular / 7 Comments

Umaga Death – Drug Overdose 1973-2009 (age 36) To die at the young age of 36 is tragic. Such was the case for professional wrestler Umaga. Here is the Umaga death story. About the Wrestler Umaga was born in San Francisco, CA, on March 28, 1973, as Edward “Eddie” Fatu. He was also known to some as Ecki. He started his wrestling career in the WWE with a brief stint from 2002-2003 under the ring name Jamal. He was partnered with Matt Anoa’i, his real life cousin, who went by Rosey. Sadly, Rosey passed in 2017. The duo formed the tag team 3-Minute Warning. Unfortunately by mid 2003, Fatu was dismissed from the WWE after rumors surfaced about his involvement in a bar fight. Then Eddie Fatu reemerged on the wrestling scene, this time under the name of Ekmo. He wrestled for TNA and went overseas to partake in All-Japan Pro Wrestling. The time

Roddy Piper Death

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

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

Dusty Rhodes Death

By Ryan on December 30, 2015 / 2010s, 2015, Cancer, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Dusty Rhodes Death – Stomach Cancer 1945-2015 (age 69) One of wrestling’s greats passed away in June of 2015. He was “The American Dream.” Below is the Dusty Rhodes death story. The Son of a Plumber Virgil Runnels or “Dusty Rhodes,” as he was better known, was born in Austin, TX. The son of a plumber, his story was an amazing one as he rose to the wrestling limelight with jiggles and jabs. Rhodes had charisma for miles in the squared circle. Outside of the ring, he was a powerful mind that encouraged and created as a trainer, booker, and commentator. He was also a producer for WWE’s NXT. He died on the morning of June 11, 2015 at the age of 69. Rhodes was captivating. In the 1980s, he was a top draw for the NWA. He was popular for his charm and stood out from other wrestlers because of his “common man” physique

Chief Jay Strongbow Death

By Ryan on December 21, 2015 / 2010s, 2012, Accident / 2 Comments

Chief Jay Strongbow – Accidental Fall 1928-2012 (age 83) When Luke Scarpa stepped into the wrestling ring, everyone noticed. It was impossible not to, as the feathered war bonnet that he donned to play the role of Chief Jay Strongbow was easy to spot. His larger than life persona as a Native American wrestler ran from 1947 to 1985. Strongbow enjoyed a successful career and even after his retirement, remained connected to professional wrestling. Health Problems End Chief Jay Strongbow’s Career In 1985, Chief Jay Strongbow’s career was still going well, but Luke Scarpa’s health was on the decline. He spoke later in life about the stress of his role as a supervisor backstage at WWF events. It’s likely that the stress contributed to the health problems that would start to set the Chief Jay Strongbow death story into motion more than 20 years before he died. Chief Jay Strongbow suffered from a

Mae Young Death

By Ryan on December 21, 2015 / 2010s, 2014, Women / 1 Comment

Mae Young Death – Natural Causes 1923-2014 (age 90) Mae Young will forever be remembered in the world of professional wrestling for being a fierce competitor and pioneer in the women’s division. Even after her death, she remains one of the most well known female wrestlers of all time. Many professional wrestlers have died before age 50, but not Mae Young. Born in 1923 as Johnnie Mae Young, she was the youngest of eight siblings. Mae lived through the great depression with a wrestling career that began in 1939. Who would’ve thought that 60 years later she would be taking bumps through tables? Never afraid to take a bump: 77 year old Mae Young takes a powerbomb off the entrance through a table, courtesy of Bubba Ray Dudley. Over the course of her career, Mae Young won the NWA United States Women’s Championship and the NWA Women’s World Tag Team Championship with Ella Waldeck. Fans who weren’t watching

Rocco Rock Death

By Ryan on December 21, 2015 / 2000s, 2002, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack / 3 Comments

Rocco Rock Death – Heart Attack 1953-2002 (age 49) Public Enemy, made up of Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge, was one of the most celebrated and feared tag teams of the 1990s. Together, they won the ECW World Tag Team Championship four times, and also had a brief run as WCW Tag Team Champions. Loved by fans, former welder Teddy Petty (known to wrestling fans as “Rocco Rock”) was in the midst of a successful career in the independent circuit when the Rocco Rock death story occurred. Rocco Rock flips off the top rope, sending Bagwell through two tables. The Events of the Rocco Rock Death On September 21, 2002, Rocco Rock began to have chest pains in his car. At the time, Rocco was on his way to a Pro-Pain show. He was scheduled to face off against Gary Wolfe. Tragically, he died on the New Jersey turnpike while his father and his girlfriend

Chris Kanyon Death

By Ryan on December 20, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50, Suicide / 5 Comments

Chris Kanyon Death – Suicide 1970-2010 (age 40) Most professional wrestlers gain fame for their antics in the ring, but every so often, someone in professional wrestling ends up making a name for himself or herself due to what they do out of the ring. Chris Kanyon is one such wrestler. Although Kanyon won the WCW World Tag Team Championship twice and both the WCW United States Championship and WWF Tag Team Championship once, Chris Kanyon will forever be known for his legal battles and criticisms of professional wrestling. This is the Chris Kanyon death story. Drama and Stress Surround the Retirement of Chris Kanyon In 2001, Chris Kanyon suffered a leg injury that greatly impacted his career. Over the next few years, his relationship with the WWE would become rocky. First, he sued World Wrestling Entertainment, accusing the organization of trying to deny him health care benefits. After he was released

Mike Shaw Death

By Ryan on December 20, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Heart Attack / 7 Comments

Mike Shaw Death – Heart Attack 1957-2010 (age 53) While some wrestlers are able to easily find their niche and an in-the-ring persona that attracts fans and enthralls audiences, others struggle to find that ideal way to present themselves. Sometimes it’s due to the product’s bad writing. For these wrestlers, fame remains elusive despite skill and charisma. Such was the case with Mike Shaw, a professional wrestler who went by a number of names during his career including, most notably, Norman the Lunatic in WCW, and Bastion Booger with the WWF. Sadly, Mike Shaw never achieved the notoriety he desired, and even more tragically, the Bastion Booger death story arrived much too early in his life. His undercard status can partly be blamed for bad writing. Shaw was well known as an agile big guy and was trained by Killer Kowalski. Yet, his comic-relief gimmick as a donut eating slob didn’t exactly give him a

Andrew “Test” Martin Death

By Ryan on December 20, 2015 / 2000s, 2009, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular / 10 Comments

Andrew “Test” Martin Death – Drug Overdose 1975-2009 (age 33) Andrew Martin has a story that has become all too familiar in the world of professional wrestling. His career showed early promise, but sadly, his demons would get the best of him. Martin debuted in the WWF as “Test” in 1998. His scripted storyline was that he was a former bodyguard for Motley Crue. The gimmick was a good fit as the WWF was transitioned into the Attitude era. Test took part in several memorable storylines, including one involving an engagement to Stephanie McMahon. He would go on to win several belts in the WWE, including the hardcore championship, as well as a tag-team championship run with Booker T. Test was ranked among the top 50 wrestlers by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 2001. Still, Test never seemed to break out of the midcard. Drug Abuse Begins the Andrew Martin Death Story Martin struggled with substance abuse. In late 2007 into 2008, he was arrested on multiple

Nancy Benoit Death

By Ryan on December 20, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Murder, Women / 4 Comments

Nancy Benoit Death – Murdered by husband, Chris Benoit 1964-2007 (age 43) Professional model Nancy Benoit had all eyes on her when she would appear at ECW and WCW events. During her time in the world of professional wrestling, she was most well known for her role as “Woman” in the WCW. She managed a number of notable wrestlers; however, since the shocking details of the Nancy Benoit death story were released to the public, she has become most well known for the tragic way in which she died. A Gruesome Discovery Begins the Nancy Benoit Death Story On June 25, 2007, John Laurinaitis, the then Senior Vice President of Talent Relations for the WWE contacted the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department in Fayetteville, Georgia. Laurinaitis was concerned because no one had heard from Nancy Benoit or her husband, fellow professional wrestler Chris Benoit. Law enforcement officers visited the Benoit family home.

Sherri Martel Death

By Ryan on December 8, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 5 Comments

Sherri Martel Death – Drug Overdose 1958-2007 (age 49) As a professional wrestler and manager, Sherri Martel was no stranger to controversy. Known to family and friends as Sherri Schrull, she was involved with many dramatic story lines during her time the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, and even a brief stint in ECW. Most notably, Sherri managed Randy “Macho Man” Savage, Ted DiBase, and Shawn Michaels. A Reported History of Drug Abuse Sherri Martel’s career hit a number of bumps despite the fact that she won several women’s wrestling championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Most notably, she was released from the WWF in 1993 and was fired from the WCW. There are some reports that to cope with her difficulties in life, Sherri abused drugs and that at one point she was admitted to a 21-day in-patient rehab program to overcome her addiction. Details of

Mike Awesome Death

By Ryan on December 8, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Suicide / 3 Comments

Mike Awesome Death – Suicide 1965-2007 (age 42) You have to be a confident person to choose “Awesome” to be part of your wrestling name, and in the ring, Mike Awesome, or Michael Alfonso, definitely carried himself with confidence. During the course of his 17-year career, the heavyweight won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice and the WWF Hardcore Championship twice. He also won several titles with Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling and was ranked in the top 10 of the annual ranking of top singles wrestlers published in Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 2000. Sadly, the events surrounding the Mike Awesome death have largely overshadowed his career in the squared circle. 7 years before his death: Mike Awesome manhandles Kevin Nash in his WCW Nitro debut on April 10, 2000 An Early Retirement After a brief stint with TNA in 2003, Mike Awesome began to compete as a singles wrestler on the independent circuit. He wrestled in

Johnny Grunge Death

By Ryan on December 8, 2015 / 2000s, 2006, Dead Before 50 / 3 Comments

Johnny Grunge Death – Sleep Apnea Complications 1966-2006 (age 39) As one half of the tag team Public Enemy, Mike Durham (known to wrestling fans as “Johnny Grunge”) was most known for his work in ECW with Rocco Rock. The duo were ECW World Tag Team Champions four times, i-Generation Tag Team Champions twice, and also held the NWA World Tag Team Championships, the UCW Tag Team Championships, and even a brief run with the WCW Tag Team belts. After a few years on the independent circuit, their partnership came to a halt and within a short time, the Johnny Grunge death story would shake the wrestling world. Another wrestler, dead before 50. 10 years before Johnny’s death: Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk take on Public Enemy in a mid-90s ECW barbed wire match A Tragic Loss Before the Johnny Grunge Death Story Wrestling together for many years, Rocco Rock and Johnny Grunge were

Earthquake Death

By Ryan on December 7, 2015 / 2000s, 2006, Cancer, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 3 Comments

Earthquake Death – Bladder Cancer 1963-2006 (age 42) Some wrestlers love being adored by fans; others seem to thrive on their hate. Such was the case with Earthquake, a former sumo wrestler who earned the distinction of being awarded the title of “Most Hated Wrestler of the Year” by Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1990. During his career, Earthquake, known to family and friends as John Tenta, also won the Rookie of the Year Award from Tokyo Sports and the World Wrestling Federation’s Tag Team Championship with Typhoon. Easily spotted by his blue, yellow and black singlet and his massive 6-foot, 7-inch, 468-pound frame, Earthquake never failed to bring action to the ring. Sadly, the Earthquake death story started in his prime and took his life much too soon. A Cancer Diagnosis Begins the Earthquake Death Story In 2004, the Canadian professional wrestler shared with fans that he was suffering from bladder cancer. This form

Fabulous Moolah Death

By Ryan on December 6, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Unknown Causes, Women / 1 Comment

Fabulous Moolah Death – Unknown Causes 1923-2007 (age 84) Holding a championship title in professional wrestling is never easy, but one professional wrestler managed to do so for more than 30 years. Her name was Fabulous Moolah, and she had the distinction of being the longest championship title holder in the history of wrestling. Moolah also stands out as one of the wrestlers to lead a long life. The Fabulous Moolah death story didn’t reach its final chapter until 2007 when she was 84 years old. Moolah takes on a young Sherri Martel in 1982. Both women are no longer with us Stepping Back into the Ring If fate had taken a different twist, the Fabulous Moolah death story might have taken place in 1999. In 1999, Fabulous Moolah decided to try her hand at professional wrestling again and stepped back into the ring. She began to experience dizziness when she was training. She was

Bad News Brown Death

By Ryan on December 6, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Heart Attack / 5 Comments

Bad News Brown Death – Heart Attack 1943-2007 (age 63) Allen Coage only spent two years in the World Wrestling Federation. But in that short time he managed to catch the attention of fans as the pissed off bad guy, Bad News Brown. Unlike many other heels who would join up with factions, Bad News Brown marched to the beat of his own drum. A true tough guy who wasn’t concerned with making friends. Most notably, Bad News won the Battle Royale at Wrestlemania IV, beating out Ken Patera, Ron Bass, The Hart Foundation, among many others. By 1990, Coage abruptly parted ways with the WWF, wrestling on the independent scene before ultimately retiring from the ring in ’99. Why did Bad News leave the WWF? According to Coage, he was promised he would be given a run as the first African American heavyweight champion. When the storyline didn’t play out, he simply left. Others speculate that Coage may

Chris Candido Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2005, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Pneumonia / 6 Comments

Chris Candido Death – Pneumonia 1972-2005 (age 33) Before his life was cut short, Skip Candido had an impressive wrestling career spanning several promotions. He is arguably most remembered as being “Skip” from the WWF. Alongside valet (and real-life girlfriend) Sunny – the duo were known as The Bodydonnas. The Bodydonnas gimmick portrayed Skip and Sunny as arrogant work-out freaks, continuously taunting the crowd for being fat and out of shape. Aside from his run with the Bodydonnas, Candido spent a brief period in the WCW. He stayed long enough to pick up a Cruiserweight title, but ultimately would head to the independents. Prior to Candido’s WCW run, he spent 1996-1999 with ECW. He had a successful run with the promotion and was given the moniker “No Gimmicks Needed” – appropriate considering the WWE had given him a pretty ridiculous gimmick with the Bodydonnas. In 1995, Wrestling Observer named Chris Candido the Most Underrated Wrestler of the Year,

Jack Tunney Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2004, Heart Disease / 2 Comments

Jack Tunney Death – Heart Disease 1935-2004 (age 68) Jack Tunney was a well-known wrestling personality of the 1980s, playing the role of the President of the World Wrestling Federation in the days before Vince McMahon came onto the scene. Behind the scenes and before his time with the WWF, Jack Tunney was a wrestling promoter who carried on the family business of his uncle Frank Tunney along with his cousin Eddie. Unfortunately, a messy end to his time with the WWF brought an end to his involvement with wrestling, and Jack would remain estranged from the wrestling world until his death. On Piper’s Pit, Jack Tunney introduces a new WWF Championship for Andre the Giant (March 21, 1987) A Messy Separation from the WWF No one is quite sure what led the WWF to fire Jack Tunney back in 1995, but there are many theories. Some people believe that Jack drank heavily and became unreliable, leading

Hercules Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2004, Dead Before 50, Heart Disease / 4 Comments

Hercules Death – Heart Disease 1956-2004 (age 47) Many people might not recognize Raymond Fernandez’s name, but anyone who followed the WWF during the 1980s has seen him step into the ring under the name Hercules Hernandez – and later shortened to just Hercules. Also a competitive bodybuilder, Hercules was known for his powerful physique, which suited his ring name. Despite looking like a million bucks, Herc’ never broke into super stardom in the wrestling world, though he did take part in a few memorable programs that 80s wrestling fans will remember. Struggling to Move Up the Card Hercules Hernandez joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1985. While he was involved in a few story lines and took on some top billed talent (notably Hogan, and Warrior) he was never able to build a large fan base. Many speculate that the WWF never gave Hercules a real opportunity to shine – his matches

Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Curt Hennig Death – Drug Overdose 1958-2003 (age 44) Curt Hennig was undoubtedly one of the most beloved wrestling personalities in and out of the ring during his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling. The son of Larry “The Axe” Hennig, Curt came from Minnesota – a wrestling territory that also gave us greats like the late Rick Rude. Over the course of his more than 20-year career, Curt won numerous titles, including the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. But it was the WWF where he would hit the national stage. Curt would go on to win the Intercontinental Championship with the WWF, working under the gimmick that wrestling fans still fondly remember today as “Mr. Perfect”. Many people believed Hennig would wrestle long into his 50s, but ultimately, the Mr. Perfect death story would cut his career and his life tragically short. The Events of the Mr. Perfect Death

Freddie Blassie Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2003, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure / 6 Comments

Freddie Blassie Death – Heart and Kidney Failure 1918-2003 (age 85) Few wrestling personalities can boast so long of a career as Frederick Blassman who was known to the world as “Classy” Freddie Blassie. An active wrestler from 1935 to 1986, Freddie Blassie had the distinction of working under the McMahon family through four generations and remaining on the WWE’s roster up until the Freddie Blassie death news was released to the world. Today, the former NWA Florida Heavyweight Champion and NWA Georgia Heavyweight Champion is still well remembered by fans and beloved by the wrestling community. Failed Attempts on Freddie Blassie’s Life In a time when it was not publicly known that professional wrestling was scripted, Blassie took a lot of heat from fans. In fact, if some fans had their way, Freddie Blassie’s death may have occurred decades earlier. The wrestler’s outspoken words and antics in the ring made him a perfect

Davey Boy Smith Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2002, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 7 Comments

Davey Boy Smith – Heart Attack 1962-2002 (age 39) Known as The British Bulldog and Davey Boy Smith in the ring, British wrestler David Smith made a name for himself as both an individual and tag team wrestler. He won the NWA Stampede International Tag Team Championship twice with Bruce Hart, the WWF European Championship twice, the WWF Hardcore Championship twice and many other titles over the course of his career. After his personal life spiraled out of control, the wrestler was forced into retirement. Although he had hoped to stage a comeback, the Davey Boy Smith death would occur before he’d ever get the chance. Drug Abuse Starts the Davey Boy Smith Death Story Long before the actual events of the Davey Boy Smith death took place, David was already on the path to die at an early age. In order to add bulk to his 256-pound, 5-foot, 11-inch frame, the

Bertha Faye Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2001, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Women / 3 Comments

Bertha Faye – Heart Attack 1961-2001 (age 40) Rhonda Ann Sing grew up around professional wrestling. As a child, she attended Stampede Wrestling events with her mother. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Sing would change the world of the All Japan Women wrestling circuit, competing under the name Monster Ripper. She would later become known as Bertha Faye in the ring of the World Wrestling Federation. Sadly, her career ended quickly, and fans and fellow wrestlers would receive word of the Bertha Faye death news much too soon. 6 years before death: Bertha Faye calls out WWF Women’s Champion, Alundra Blayze (1995) Disappointing Runs in the WWF and WCW Weighing 260 pounds and standing at 5 foot 8 inches tall, Bertha Faye was very different from the other women who competed in the WWF. She stood out immediately when she first appeared on the scene in 1995. Due to her

Junkyard Dog Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1998, Accident, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 10 Comments

Junkyard Dog Death – Car Accident 1952-1998 (age 45) Sylvester Ritter, known to wrestling fans as the Junkyard Dog, was tragically killed in 1998. Known for wearing a dog collar complete with a heavy silver chain and for his massive 300-pound frame, Junkyard Dog was a beloved wrestler. He first made a name for himself during the 1970s and 80s. Ritter’s athletic career began not with wrestling, but with football. After graduating from Fayetteville State University with a political science degree he ended up attending the Hart family’s wrestling school. Ritter then completely shifted his focus to professional wrestling. Junkyard Dog’s Achievements Over the course of his career, Sylvester Ritter won the Mid-South Wrestling Association Championship 15 times. Later he would become involved with numerous story lines with the WWF and the WCW up until his retirement in 1993. After retirement, the Junkyard Dog continued to contribute to wrestling by appearing at events and serving as

Brian Pillman Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1997, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 11 Comments

Brian Pillman Death – Heart Attack 1962-1997 (age 35) Brian Pillman was an underrated wrestler. Taken much too young, Pillman had runs with virtually every popular wrestling promotion in the late 80s through the mid 90s. In WCW he teamed with a young “Stunning” Steve Austin to form the Hollywood Blonds. By ’96, Pillman hit the WWF. Although his run was cut short due to his death, he was involved in some very memorable storylines, including the infamous “gun incident” in which Pillman is yielding a handgun at his home while waiting for the uninvited arrival of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. At just 35 years old, the Brian Pillman death happened much too soon, leaving the world of wrestling wondering why. This is the Brian Pillman death story. 5 years before his death: “Flyin’” Brian Pillman takes on Shane Douglas on an episode of WCW Saturday Night (October 17, 1992) The Cost

Big John Studd Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1995, Cancer, Dead Before 50 / 6 Comments

Big John Studd death – Liver cancer and Hodgkin’s disease 1948-1995 (age 47) The Big John Studd death story shows another well respected star, gone before age 50. From 1982 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1989, John Minton was one of the most well known wrestlers in the WWF. Although he wrestled under the names Captain USA, Chuck O’Connor, the Executioner #2 and The Giant Stud, he is most popularly known as Big John Studd. During Studd’s heyday, he was one of the biggest rivals of both Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan. Unfortunately, Big John Studd’s death occurred much too soon at the age of 47, leaving fans and the wrestling community deeply saddened. Big John Studd and Human Growth Hormones The Big John Studd death story began long before the star’s date of death in 1995. Determined to be one of the biggest wrestlers in the WWF, Big John

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

Dino Bravo Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1993, Dead Before 50, Murder / 9 Comments

Dino Bravo Death – Murder 1948-1993 (age 44) An Unsolved Crime The Dino Bravo death story is one of the more bizarre stories to involve the death of a wrestler. Adolfo Bresciano or Dino Bravo as he was commonly known by fans was a well-known WWF personality in the 1970s and 1980s. Nicknamed the Italian Strong Man and Canada’s Strongest Man, Bravo won the WWF World Tag Team Championship with Dominic DeNucci, but in 1991, he was forced to part ways with the federation. Not even 2 years later, Dino would be dead at the hands of a still unknown gunman. Involvement in the World of Smuggling After retiring from the WWF, Dino reportedly struggled to make ends meet. Related by marriage to Montreal mobster Vic Cotroni, Dino became involved with crime. Using his status as a wrestling celebrity, he smuggled and sold illegal cigarettes in Canada, mainly to Aboriginals. After a deal

Darren Drozdov – Crippled from Wrestling

By Ryan on November 14, 2015 / Blog / 2 Comments

In 1999, Darren Drozdov was 30 years old. A multi-sport athlete, Drozdov had a promising career ahead of him. He was a former defensive tackle for the University of Maryland, and his career was on track to making him one of the biggest and brightest athletes in the WWE.

At the Nassau Coliseum on the 5th of October 1999, Darren’s career took a terrifying turn.

At a SmackDown taping, the match was supposed to end with Drozdov getting hit with D’Lo Brown’s signature running powerbomb. The move was botched and Drozdov’s active wrestling career was ended in an instant. In a costly accident, Darren Drozdov went from a professional athlete to a quadriplegic.

Rick Rude Death

By Ryan on October 20, 2015 / 1990s, 1999, Dead Before 50, Heart Failure, Most Popular / 21 Comments

Rick Rude Death – Heart Failure 1958-1999 (age 40) Cut the music! What I’d like to have right now… is for all you fat, out of shape, no good internet trolls, to keep the noise down, while I take my robe off and show the ladies what a real sexy man looks like. *cue saxophones* *Crowd boos profusely* Rick Rude was a special character. Arguably, no heel since him has been able to truly piss off the crowd quite like the Ravishing One. Rick Rude’s WWE character was of course well known for his arrogance and womanizing ways. A master of the mic, Rude was one of the most believable heels of his time. What separated Rude from his counterparts was that his in-ring ability matched his charisma. While guys like Hogan and Warrior were as over as ever in the late 80s, they didn’t exactly have the in-ring skills of some

Crash Holly Death

By Ryan on October 20, 2015 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Suicide / 2 Comments

Crash Holly Death – Suicide 1971-2003 (age 32) During his time in the WWF, Crash Holly both enraged and engaged fans. Primarily used as comic relief, Crash Holly became somewhat of a legend during his relatively short career in the WWF. While many hoped that he would have a comeback, the eventual Crash Holly death came not long after his final WWF appearance. As the wrestler was only 32 years old, Crash Holly’s death shocked and saddened fans around the world and fellow wrestlers alike. 4 years prior to his death: Crash Holly makes his WWF debut (Raw, August 16, 1999) Early Career Michael Lockwood or Crash Holly as he would later become known was born on August 25, 1971 in Anaheim, California. By 1989, he was involved in wrestling, competing under a variety of aliases. Some of them included Johnny Pearson and Erin O’Grady “The Leprechaun.” After nearly 9 years in small organizations,

Big Daddy V Death

By Ryan on October 20, 2015 / 2010s, 2014, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 2 Comments

Big Daddy V Death – Heart Attack 1971-2014 (age 43) Big Daddy V was a true heavyweight in the world of professional wrestling. Standing at 6 feet, 9 inches and weighing roughly 500 pounds, the wrestler from Harlem had a big personality in and out of the ring. Known as Nelson Frazier, Jr., to friends and family, he achieved modest success in the WWE during the 1990s and in the late 2000s. Sadly, his career was cut short, as he passed away at the age of 43. The Many Faces of Big Daddy V Nelson Frazier first entered the pro wrestling scene at the age of 21 as Mabel in 1993. By 1994, he and partner Mo secured the Tag Team Championship under the moniker Men on a Mission. Although fairly cringe-worthy today, the goofy, colorful gimmick worked well with the WWF’s family-friendly image at the time. By 1995, Mabel was competing on

Giant Gonzalez Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50 / 3 Comments

Giant Gonzales Death – Diabetes and Heart Issues 1966-2010 (age 44) While the majority of wrestlers who take to the ring are larger than life, Giant Gonzalez took that term to a whole new level. Standing at a height of 8 feet and weighing 460 pounds, he was one of the tallest men to ever enter the professional wrestling ring. Although he never achieved massive success in either the WCW or the WWF, fans continue to remember him to this day. Health Issues Begin the Giant Gonzalez Death Story Like many men who are well above the average height and weight, Giant Gonzalez developed health issues at a young age. While he was able to try his skills as a professional basketball player and did wrestle from 1990 to 1995, Giant Gonzalez could not maintain the grueling pace of training and performing in the ring. His wrestling career was a fairly short

Paul Bearer Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2010s, 2013, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 5 Comments

Paul Bearer Death – Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) 1954-2013 (age 58) Best known as the charismatic manager of the Undertaker with an unforgettable high pitched voice, Paul Bearer was one of the most recognized wrestling managers in the WWE throughout the 90s and 2000s. For Paul Bearer, real name William Moody, death was a part of life, as he was also a licensed mortician and worked for many years in the funeral industry before his employment in the wrestling world. Sadly, the beloved wrestling personality’s death came much too soon at the age of 58. Although TMZ reported Moody’s death as a heart attack, William Moody’s son, Daniel Moody offered us the following: “He died of A-fib. He had a booking in Chicago, forgot to bring a jacket, got sick and was put into the hospital three days after returning home.” Breaking Into the World of Wrestling William Moody AKA Paul Bearer had wrestled as

Miss Elizabeth Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2003, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular, Women / 16 Comments

Miss Elizabeth Death – Drug Overdose 1960-2003 (age 42) Wrestling fans around the world were shocked on May 1, 2003. Miss Elizabeth, valet to the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage was dead at just 42 years old. The once-dubbed “First Lady of Wrestling” suffered from an apparent drug overdose. Minutes prior to her falling into unconsciousness, everything appeared normal. Well, everything except the fact that she was in Lex Luger’s home at the time. Lex and Liz, both married at the time, were involved in a secret affair. Lex frantically called 911 when he discovered Liz wasn’t breathing. Although she is gone, Miss Elizabeth’s career in wrestling is still well remembered by fans of the WWF’s golden era… and perhaps even a few who were watching Monday Nitro in the late 90s. It’s hard to believe that someone who appeared so gentle and soft spoken on screen would end up dead from

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

Yokozuna Death

By Ryan on September 5, 2015 / 2000, 2000s, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Yokozuna Death – Pulmonary Edema 1966-2000 (age 34) Rodney Agatupu Anoa’i was a professional wrestler, best known by his ring name of Yokozuna. Born on October 2, 1966, Yoko was one of the most recognized figures in the early 90s era of the WWF. He was only 34 years old when he passed. Yoko’s extremely large size helped catapult him to the top of the card. He weighed in at over five hundred pounds. He was a two time World Wrestling Federation champion. He was a winner of the 1993 Royal Rumble. Yokozuna was the first wrestler of Samoan descent to become a WWF champion and to hold a Royal Rumble victory. Despite success with the WWF, one couldn’t help but think that the Yokozuna death was always looming. There’s simply no way any human being can remain in good health while being several hundred pounds over weight. Sadly, the large size that

Owen Hart Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 1990s, 1999, Accident, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 14 Comments

Owen Hart Death – Blunt force trauma from accidental fall 1965-1999 (age 34) Owen James Hart was a professional wrestler who reached the pinnacle of success before suffering a tragic and public death in the ring. The Owen Hart death remains an infamous black mark on professional wrestling. Owen was Canadian; born on May 7, 1965 in Calgary, Alberta. Hart came from a large family of twelve children. His family was a wrestling family. Hart’s father, Stu, was a Stampede Wrestling promoter and WWE Hall of Famer. His brother Bret also gained fame as a professional wrestler. Owen went on to have a storied career in wrestling that included being the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, twice winning the WWF Intercontinental championship, becoming the victor in 1994’s King of the Ring, and four times winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. The Owen Hart death cut his promising career short. 6 years before his death:

Luna Vachon Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Women / 5 Comments

Luna Vachon Death – Drug Overdose 1962-2010 (age 48) Throughout the 90s, most women in the world of professional wrestling were little more than eye candy – designed by the wrestling industry to look good while valeting their male counterpart to the ring. But Luna Vachon was different than her female contemporaries. The adopted daughter of wrestling legend Butcher Vachon, Luna could actually wrestle. Skilled in the ring, Luna was a force to be reckoned with. In 1995, she would be named among the top 500 singles wrestlers by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. And her talents didn’t end in the ring. She was a gifted entertainer on the mic and cut many memorable promos. Although Luna was always over with fans and well-respected from men and women in the wrestling industry, her life was marked by tragedy. Ultimately, the Luna Vachon death story would result in the end of her life at an early age. Luna Vachon cut some terrifying promos

Eddie Guerrero Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2000s, 2005, Dead Before 50, Heart Failure, Most Popular / 6 Comments

Eddie Guerrero Death – Heart Failure / Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease 1967-2005 (age 38) The Eddie Guerrero death story was a tragic one that happened on the morning of Sunday, November 13th, 2005. In his early life, Guerrero graduated from El Paso’s Jefferson High School in 1985. He was quick to follow in the footsteps of his family by entering the world of wrestling. His father, Gory Guerrero, had been a well-known wrestler in Mexico, and his three older brothers, Chavo, Hector, and Mando, were all wrestlers as well. Eduardo “Eddie” Guerrero first gained momentum in the early 90s while wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling. Prior to this he had some brief stints with WCW – initially debuting as a jobber in 1989. His move back to WCW in 1995 would prove more successful, with Guerrero taking part in memorable storylines with DDP, Chris Jericho, and Chavo. 10 years before his death: Eddie Guerrero takes on

Crush Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose / 5 Comments

Crush Death – Drug Overdose 1964-2007 (age 43) It’s not uncommon for wrestlers to reinvent themselves during the course of their careers, and Hawaiian born Brian Adams was no exception. With the WWF he was part of Demolition, the Disciples of Apocalypse stable, and possibly most remembered for his “Kona Crush” gimmick – the laid back surfer dude who feuded with Doink the Clown in the early 90s. Adams also spent time with WCW. Although he never saw huge success, Crush was a tag team championship winner with both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation. He had plans of retiring and leading a quiet life, but sadly he passed away at the young age of 43. A Shocking Prelude to the Crush Death Story The news of Brian “Crush” Adam’s death would end up becoming a major news story in the world of sports but not because of Brian Adams’ level of fame. Less than

Chris Benoit Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Most Popular, Suicide / 23 Comments

Chris Benoit Death – Suicide 1967-2007 (age 40) Chris Benoit was a professional wrestler with a storied career. He was born on May 21, 1967 in Montreal, Quebec. His parents were Michael and Margaret Benoit. Chris grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. Benoit was fluent in both English and French. His career in wrestling spanned twenty-two years and he wrestled for a number of different promotions – most notably in the WCW and WWF. Over the course of his career, Benoit held a staggering twenty-two titles. It is a legacy that still stands, but it was mostly tarnished by the shocking news about his death. The Chris Benoit death story turned the wrestling world upside down. Yet again, mainstream media coverage heavily scrutinized sports entertainment. In his personal life; Chris was married twice. He and his first wife Martina had two children. He had a rocky relationship with his second wife Nancy that was marked by

Big Boss Man Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2000s, 2004, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 12 Comments

Big Boss Man Death – Heart Attack 1963-2004 (age 41) Big Boss Man was born in Marietta, Georgia, on May 2, 1963. The wrestler’s real name was Raymond “Ray” W. Traylor, Jr., and he died young at the age of 41. First WWF tenure In the mid 80s, Traylor began his wrestling career as the bodyguard to Jim Cornette and was known as “Big Bubba Rogers”. He carried his nightstick and wore his signature blue police shirt. He went on to wrestling fame when he joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1988; remaining with the company (for his first run) until 1993. Big Boss Man makes his WWF debut on Superstars. He makes short work of a jobber and proceeds to handcuff him to the ropes while beating him mercilessly… not a bad way to start your heel gimmick (June 18, 1988) Traylor was first introduced as “Big Boss Man” from the WWF. His

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

Randy Savage Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2010s, 2011, Heart Disease, Most Popular / 20 Comments

Randy Savage Death – Heart Disease 1952-2011 (age 58) On May 20, 2011, fans around the world mourned the loss of the charismatic “Macho Man”. Known to friends and family as simply Randy Poffo, Randy was recognized worldwide by his famous wrestling alias “Macho Man” Randy Savage. His long time valet in the ring, Miss Elizabeth passed away in 2007. Randy Savage’s death seemed surreal. The legendary wrestler was unstoppable in his career. A career which spanned 30 years with over 20 title runs. Savage passed away from heart failure. At the time, he was driving, his wife Lynn Payne beside him. They were traveling in his Jeep Wrangler in Seminole, FL, a community close to Tampa. Major news outlets including ABC, CBS and Fox cover the death of “Macho Man” Randy Savage When Savage became unresponsive while behind the wheel that morning, his foot laid on the gas pedal, and the Jeep went

Bam Bam Bigelow Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Dead Before 50, Drug Overdose, Most Popular / 7 Comments

Bam Bam Bigelow Death – Drug Overdose 1961-2007 (age 45) In the 90s, Scott Charles “Bam Bam” Bigelow was a star in the wrestling world. Born on September 1, 1961 in Asbury Park New Jersey, Bigelow grew into a big guy who stood 6’4 and weighed in at three hundred and ninety pounds. Known for his size and the bold flame tattoo that covered his bald head, he had a long career in the wrestling world that spanned twenty-one years. Bam Bam was noted for being an unusually agile wrestler for his size. He went by a variety of ring names during his career including Bam Bam Bigelow, Bruce Bigelow, Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow, and Crusher Yurkof. Bam Bam lived up to his nickname “The Beast from the East”. He held multiple championships in ECW and WCW. With the WWF he headlined WrestleMania XI, squaring off against NFL star Lawrence

Ludvig Borga Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Dead Before 50, Suicide / 1 Comment

Ludvig Borga Death – Suicide 1963-2010 (age 47) Tony Christian Halme was a professional wrestler best known by the ring name of Ludvig Borga with the WWF. He was also an author, actor, singer and even a politician – Halme was a member of the Finnish Parliament from 2003-2007. Tony was born on January 6, 1963 in Helsinki, Finland. He was a troubled kid who cultivated a tough persona and was known to be a bully on behalf of other kids. One has to wonder if this was an early indicator of the Ludvig Borga death. By his teens, Halme began power training and weight lifting. With help from Mr. Fuji, Ludvig Borga ends Tatanka’s winning streak on an episode of Superstars, pinning him with one finger (October 30, 1993) The troubled kid went on to have a varied career, inside and outside the ring. He began by joining the Finnish military and training

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