7. Gino Hernandez – Age 28
With alleged connections to crime figures and a bizarre death, many questions remain about the death of Gino Hernandez. With his good looks and arrogant attitude, Gino Hernandez seemed destined to play a cocky heel. Hernandez teamed with Tully Blanchard in Southwest Championship Wrestling, “The Dynamic Duo,” aggravating fans with their winning ways. Hernandez’ move to World Class Championship Wrestling led to continued success as he teamed with Chris Adams in a new version of “The Dynamic Duo,” feuding with the Von Erichs. After Hernandez missed several wrestling shows and did not return phone calls, his friends and law enforcement went to his apartment where they discovered his dead body on February 2, 1986. An autopsy indicated the 28-year-old star died from a cocaine overdose, but speculation persists he was murdered. According to manager Gary Hart, the cocaine was found in Hernandez’ stomach, an unlikely place given cocaine’s typical delivery system. Gino’s drug use was well-known in the wrestling community and wrestlers such as Freebird Michael Hayes and Jake “The Snake” Roberts have commented on Hernandez running with the wrong crowd, speculating he associated with drug dealers. Factor in heavy gambling and murder cannot be ruled out.
