40 Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 40

Considered the best all-around performer of the Von Erich brothers, David was poised for a run with the NWA World Heavyweight Championship until he died in his sleep while working in Japan in February of 1984. Although the official cause of death was listed as enteritis, several sources allege it was a drug overdose. According to Ric Flair, wrestler Bruiser Brody took drugs found in Von Erich’s hotel room and flushed them down the toilet before they could be found by authorities. Rumor also has it Japanese wrestling officials may have sanitized Von Erich’s autopsy report as well to rule out a drug overdose.