Pro Wrestling Deaths from 1985-1989
Pro Wrestling Deaths from 1990-1999
Pro Wrestling Deaths from 2000-2010
Pro Wrestling Deaths from 2011-2021
1885
Name: Clarence Whistler
Date of Death: November 6, 1885
Age: 29
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Shortly after the boxing fiasco, "all round athlete" and longtime claimant to the Greco-Roman wrestling championship"Professor" William Miller invited Whistler to tour Australia as an athlete and wrestler, and meet Miller at the end of the tour to settle the championship question between them. Whistler accepted. After a string of victories Down Under, Whistler defeated Miller in September of 1885 at the Theatre Royal on Bourke Street in Melbourne, for the graeco-roman championship.At this time, Whistler's strength and courage made him a sensation and he became an idol to the local Australian population, starved for heroes. In celebration of his championship victory, he engaged in a reckless, month-long celebration and contracted pneumonia. By November 6, he was dea. Sources referring to the nature of his early death are conflicting. Some suggest that the illness was caused by excess alcohol consumption during celebration Other sources purport that Whistler's condition was complicated by him either biting the tops off champagne bottles for sidebets or eating a champagne glass whole.
Known For: Catch-as-catch-can Heavyweight Champion
1891
Name: Sorakichi Matsuda
Date of Death: August 16, 1891
Age: 32
Cause of Death: Illness
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Remains the lone pioneer as a Japanese wrestler who became a feature attraction in America
1895
Name:Karl Abs
Date of Death: February 18, 1895
Age: 44
Cause of Death:Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known For: Won the European Greco-Roman Heavyweight Championship in 1894, a year before his death at the age of 44
1898
Name: Yousouff the Terrible Turk
Date of Death: July 4, 1898
Age: 41
Cause of Death: Drowned
Story of Death: He was heading to Turkey on the French transatlantic liner SS La Bourgogne when on July 4, 1898 the ship collided with an Irish cargo liner near Sable Island and he drowned in the disaster. His body was lost in the Atlantic Ocean. There are several urban legends surrounding his death, including people not allowing him access to a lifeboat for fear that his weight would overturn it, to the theory that he refused to remove his gold championship belt which weighed him down enough where he could not swim back to the surface of the ocean. Another story asserts that he attempted to rescue a child trapped under a bulk of irons; supposedly he saved the child but not himself.
Known For: American Heavyweight Champion
1900
Name: Emil Naucke
Date of Death: January 24, 1900
Age: 44
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: His partial gigantism was always the No. 1 attraction in pro wrestling
1901
Name: Dr. Vladislav Von Krajewski
Date of Death: March 14, 1901
Age: Unknown
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: the trainer of wrestler George Hackenschmidt
1917
Name: Frank Gotch
Date of Death: December 16, 1917
Age: 40
Cause of Death: Uremic Poisoning
Story of Death: After a year of health problems, what was rumored to be syphilis that he died from was false, the official cause of death was uremic poisoning
Known for: Consider to be the First World Champion in America
1918
Name: Jaacob Kotch
Date of Death: 1918
Age: 47
Cause of Death:Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Famous Wrestler
1920
Name: Georg Lurich
Date of Death: January 22, 1920
Age: 43
Cause of Death: Typhoid Feaver,
Story of Death:Things took a dramatic turn in Armavir at the beginning of 1920. The front reached them, the town passed from hand to hand in battles several times, many civilians perished, and there were masses of funerals. A warm winter brought about an epidemic of typhoid fever. Due to the continuing war, medical aid was difficult to obtain. Lurich fell ill first and could not be rescued, dying on January 22, 1920. Aberg had also become infected with typhus, but managed to defeat the illness. Aberg rushed his recovery, caught pneumonia, and died on February 15, 1920. The wrestlers were buried in one grave in Armavir German cemetery.
Known for: Famous Wrestler
Name: Aleksander Richard "Leks" Aberg
Date of Death: February 15, 1920
Age: 38
Cause of Death: Pneumonia,
Story of Death: Warm winter brought on typhoid. Due to the war, medical aid was difficult to get. Aberg become infected but he managed to defeat the illness. Unfortunately he rushed his recovery, caught pneumonia, and died.
Known for: Estonian professional Greco-Roman and free-style wrestling World Champion of the early 20th century
1933
Name: Dr. B.F. Roller
Date of Death: April 20, 1933
Age: 57
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: unknown
Known For: The World's first wrestler to use a gimmick in the ring
Name: Fred Beell
Date of Death: August 5, 1933
Age: 57
Cause of Death: Gun Shot
Story of Death: On August 5, 1933, at around 3am, Beell and his partner George Fyksen investigated a break-in at the Marshfield Brewing Company. Suspects were still on the scene. Beell, according to the later report published in the Marshfield News-Herald, and a more in-depth report in a 1933 edition of True Detective Mysteries, waited near the patrol vehicle to watch the exits, while Fyksen entered the building. As he entered, the suspects began firing on Fyksen, who dropped to the ground and avoided injury, while returning fire. Beell, hearing the shots, left the vehicle to go to Fyksen's aid. As he rounded the front of the car, the suspects exited the building, firing as they ran. Four buckshot from a shotgun blast hit Beell in the head, without his being able to return fire, killing him instantly. The suspects then stole the police vehicle, but abandoned it less than a mile away. They had stolen $1,550.00 in a safe burglary.
Marshfield police chief William Paape organized a posse with Wood County, Wisconsin sheriff Martin Bey. One of the suspects, Edward "Speed" Gabriel, was hit by shots fired from Fyksen in the initial gun battle, his body being located in a shallow grave alongside a roadway in Minnesota the next day. Two other suspects, Joe "Sleepy Joe" Hogan and Elmer Digman were captured. Hogan received 25 years in prison for his part in the murder, while Digman received a life sentence.
Known For: American Heavyweight Wrestling Champion
1937
Name: Martin "Farmer" Burns
Date of Death: January 8, 1937
Age: 76
Cause of Death: Unknown Reason
Story of Death: Unknown Reasons
Known For: Feuding with Frank Gotch
Name: Jack Curley
Date of Death: July 12, 1937
Age: 64
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Story of Death: Unknown Reasons
Known For: Jack Curley promoted his first major wrestling bout between Frank Gotch and Fred Beell
1939
Name: The Mask Marvel
Date of Death: Auguest 4, 1939
Age: 60
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known For: Is believed to be the very first Mask Marvel
1940
Name: John Tunney
Date of Death: January 14, 1940
Age: 32
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known For: Father of WWF President Jack Tunney
Name: Dan Koloff
Date of Death: March 27, 1940
Age: 42
Cause of Death: tuberculosis
Story of Death: Unknown
Known For: between 1918 and 1927 during which he was undefeated and won all 1,500 matches
1945
Name: Steve Brody
Date of Death: February 22, 1945
Age: 28
Cause of Death: Gun Shot
Story of Death: He was at the front on February 22, 1945 in the Iwo Jima War; while directing fire against Japanese positions, Brody position was discovered by enemy gunners. Quickly, the lieutenant ordered his men to take cover - a delay that would cost him his life.
Known for: known to Midwest newspapers as "the fast-moving Boston grappler"
1949
Name: Ivan Poddubny
Date of Death: August 8, 1949
Age: 78
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: unknown
Known For: lifelong professional rivalry with wrestler Stanislaus Zbyszko. He died undefeated
Name: Ray Steele
Date of Death: September 11, 1949
Age: 49
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: unknown
Known For: NWA World Heavyweight Champion
1950
Name: Earl Caddock
Date of Death: August 25, 1950
Age: 62
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Earl Caddock died in 1950 after major surgery for a heart attack.
Known for: Defeated Joe Stecher for the World Heavyweight Championship in Omaha, Nebraska..
1951
Name: Jenette Wolfe
Date of Death: July, 1951
Age: 18
Cause of Death: Head Injuries
Story of Death: Dies on her 18th Birthday in her very first Pro Wrestling match of head injuries due to a body slam she had received from Ella Waldek during a tag team match, though she was not injured by the move. Wolfe rolled out of the ring and collapsed at ringside. Waldek called for the timekeeper to assist her and get her away from the ring. Though Wolfe's death was eventually ruled to be an accident, police initially arrested Waldek and the other participants in the match—Mae Young and Eva Lee. The police reportedly considered charging the three with manslaughter, but all three women were eventually released. Ironically, as a result of the incident, people attended wrestling events to see Waldek, who had to endure crowd chants of "murderer" directed at her.
Known for: The daughter of famous Wrestling Promoter Billy Wolfe.
1952
Name: Max Brenton
Date of Death: May 29, 1953
Age: 68
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Featured in Ripley's believe it or not for his strong man act..
1953
Name: Man Mountain Dean
Date of Death: May 29, 1953
Age: 63
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Participating altogether in 6,783 professional bouts and commanding fees upwards of $1,500 for each match..
1954
Name: The French Angel
Date of Death: August 4, 1954
Age: 51
Cause of Death: Heart Disease
Story of Death: Wrestler Bobby Managoff asked French Angel on his death bed if he could make a plaster cast of his face. The Angel agreed, and Managoff made three masks of his face. One of which was given to Milo Steinborn, while two ended up with Patrick Kelly. Steinborn donated this mask to the USA Weightlifting Hall of Fame inside the York Barbell Building in York, Pennsylvania. One of the masks sat on Kelly's office desk for years, the other he donated to the International Wrestling Museum in Iowa.
Known for: The most unusal Looking Wrestler in history and worked for the famous Jack Pfefer..
Name: Jess McMahon
Date of Death: November 21, 1954
Age: 72
Cause of Death: cerebral hemorrhage
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The patriarch of the McMahon wrestling family.. Founder of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation than changed to World Wide Wrestling Federation, than to the World Wrestling Federation now known as World Wrestling Entertainment that we see on TV
1957
Name: Cora Livingston
Date of Death: 1957
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown.
Known for: One of the first ladies to wrestle in the 1900's and the mentor of Mildred Burke..
Name: Gina "Bronco" Bouza
Date of Death: Auguest 17, 1957
Age: 25
Cause of Death: Broken Neck
Story of Death: agreed to a charity wrestling match with a baboon from a local zoo which resulted in the baboon breaking her neck in seconds.
Known for: Famous Female Wrestler..
Name: Mars Bennett
Date of Death: 1957
Age: 35
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Unknown.
Known for: Famous Female Wrestler..
1960
Name: Médico Asesino
Date of Death: June 16, 1960
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Cancer
Story of Death: Being in Houston in 1958, he started feeling ill, and returned home. Back in Torreón he got examined, and during surgery in 1959 in Monterrey he got diagnosed with a very advanced cancer that his family always kept a secret from him. The strongman's looks quickly deteriorated, and Tonina Jackson (who was one of his best friends) and Jesús Garza convinced him to get a life insurance just in case something happened to him. Médico, not knowing how little time he had left, always refused, saying that he'd gain the weight back up and return to Houston where he would earn top money again.
On June 16, 1960, less than a year after the diagnosis, Medico died in his hometown, weighing less than 50 kilograms
Known for: Mexico National Heavyweight Title,
1961
Name: Chick Garibaldi
Date of Death: February 18, 1961
Age: 46
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Chick Garabaldi (46) died after a match against Bruno Sammartino upon suffering a heart attack
Known for: Wrestling Bruno Sammartino..
Name: The Blimp Martin Levy
Date of Death: November 8, 1961
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: unknown
Known for: The heavist Wrestler in history
1963
Name: Billy Wolfe
Date of Death: March 3, 1963
Age: 67
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The ex husband of Milred Burke that ended in disaster as Him and Mildred Burk feuded over the control of the Ladies Bookings in the US
Name: Charro Aguayo
Date of Death: September 22, 1963
Age: 67
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: First National Heavyweight champion
Name: Rikidozan
Date of Death: December 15, 1963
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Murder
Story of Death: On December 8, 1963, while partying in a Tokyo nightclub, Rikidōzan was stabbed with a urine-soaked blade by yakuza Katsuji Murata who belonged to Bōryokudan Sumiyoshi-ikka. Reportedly, Rikidōzan threw Murata out of the club and continued to party, refusing to seek medical help.[3] Another report states that Rikidōzan did indeed see his physician shortly after the incident, and was told the wound was not serious. He died a week later of peritonitis on December 15. It is rumored by Kimura that his murder was in retaliation for when Rikidozan attacked Kimura during a wrestling match (ignoring a pre-match arrangement and attacking Kimura for real).
Known for: He established himself as Japan's biggest wrestling star by defeating one American wrestler after another
Name: Gorgeous George
Date of Death: December 26, 1963
Age: 48
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: In 1962, Wagner was diagnosed with a serious liver condition. On advice of his doctors, he retired. This, combined with failed finances (due to bad investments) worsened his health. He suffered a heart attack on December 24, 1963 and died two days later, at age 48.
Known for: Gorgeous George Wagner from what my Grandfather told me that his own mother my great Grand Mother was his Biggest Fan and he was very famous for his golden locks and his Valet's & Butlers who he had and was the first Person to come up with the gimmick of the golden boy in the USA and was the first wrestler to become a TV Star
1964
Name: "Leaping" Larry Chene
Date of Death: October 2, 1964
Age: 40
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Larry Chene died, age 40, in an automobile accident Friday morning, October 2, 1964, near Ottawa IL ... Investigating police reported they had found a speeding ticket in his car charging him with traveling 92 mph on a highway near Atkinson IL, issued only five hours before his body was discovered ... Chene was returning from a show in Moline IL in what would be his finial match with Larry "The Ax" Hennig
Known for: "Leaping" Larry Shain was the master of the flying head scissors in the 1960's..
1965
Name: Yukon Eric
Date of Death: January 16, 1965
Age: 65
Cause of Death: Sucide
Story of Death: Following his divorce, Eric drove into a church parking lot in Georgia and committed suicide with a gun.
Known For: Former WWWF Tag Team Champion..
Name: Abe "King Kong" Kashey
Date of Death: September 25, 1965
Age: 65
Cause of Death: Heart Failure
Story of Death: Unknown
Known For: Abe Kashey wrestled Verne Gagne in Gagne's professional wrestling debut refereed by boxer Jack Dempsey..
Name: El Gladidor
Date of Death: December 3, 1965
Age: Unknown
Cause of Death: Murrdered
Story of Death: El Gladidor died on December 3, 1965 during a big brawl at a nightclub of doubtful reputation in Guadalajara, Jal. Apparently both he and his assassin were drunk, a fight started and the man stabbed Luis who died there due to the blood loss.
Known for: Defeated El Santo
1966
Name: Lady Angel
Date of Death: February 25, 1966
Age: Unknown
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown.
Known for: Ledgendary Female wrestler trained by The Fabulous Moolah
Name: Don Eagal
Date of Death: March 17, 1966
Age: 41
Cause of Death: Sucide
Story of Death: He was still suffering from his previous back injuries and that he struggled with retirement. However, those closest to him doubted that he took his own life to this day.
Known for: Don Eagle will be known as one of the most popular Native American wrestlers of all time
Name: Ed "Strangler" Lewis
Date of Death: August 8, 1966
Age: 75
Cause of Death: Natural Causes
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: involved in the longest running match in history against Joe Stretcher to 5 and half hour draw in the year 1916
Name: Sandor Szabo
Date of Death: October 16, 1966
Age: 60
Cause of Death:Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Hungarian professional wrestler of the mid-twentieth century. At first, due to his large size, he was promoted by Jack Pfefer and Jack Curley of New York City as a "freak talent
Name: Ad Santel
Date of Death: November, 1966
Age: 79
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Santel claimed he was paid by Frank Gotch to purposely injure the knee of Georg Hackenschmidt during a training session, in order to ensure that Hackenschmidt wasn't 100% for his rematch against Gotch for the World Heavyweight Championship
1967
Name: "The Ambling Alp" Primo Carnera
Date of Death: June 29, 1967
Age: 60
Cause of Death: liver disease & diabetes complications
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: In 1946 Primo Carnera became a wrestler and wrestled for 15 years until retiring in 1961.
He compiled a record of 152 wins, 14 losses, 19 draws and 2 no contests in 187 wrestling matches..
Name: Stainless Zbyszko
Date of Death: September 23, 1967
Age: 88
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: noble feud with Frank Gotch
1968
Name: "Major Little" Lacy Myrle Bateman
Date of Death: January 11, 1968
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Pneumonia brought on by a viral infection
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: the world's smallest midget wrestler
Name: George Hackenschmidt
Date of Death: February 19, 1968
Age: 90
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The first widely recognized World Heavyweight Champion in wrestling history, Hackenschmidt is believed to be the creator of the professional wrestling version of the bear hug
Name: Wladek Zbyszko
Date of Death: June 10, 1968
Age: 76
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The Brother of Stainless Zbysko
Name: Oklahoma Kid
Date of Death: August 11, 1968
Age: 29
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The Oklahoma Kid defeated Killer Kowalski in an upset victory in roughly a minute and a half the day before he died
1969
Name: "Gentleman: Jim Hady
Date of Death: January 12, 1969
Age: 38
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown.
Known For: Hawaiian Tag Team titles w/Peter Maivia
Name: Iron Mike Dibiase
Date of Death: July 2, 1969
Age: 45
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Lubbock, Texas, DiBiase suffered a fatal heart attack in the ring during a match with Man Mountain Mike. Harley Race, realizing that he was suffering a heart attack, attempted to perform CPR on DiBiase and then rode in the ambulance to the hospital with him. DiBiase was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Known for: Father of WWF Star "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase & The Grandfather of WWE Star Ted Dibase
1970
Name: Emile Czaja
Date of Death: 1970
Age: 69
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: He died in Singapore in a car crash in 1970 on his way to a wrestling match
Known for: Wrestled Lou Thesz for the world title in Singapore
Name: Skull Murphy
Date of Death: March 23, 1970
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Over-dose of Sleeping Pills
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Former WWWF United States Tag Team champion
1971
Name: Tor Johnson
Date of Death: May 12, 1971
Age: 67
Cause of Death: Heart Failure
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Although he started off as a wrestler in the early 30's, he is more known as an Actor in B Horror Movies, Until this very day, he is still consider a Horror Icon
Name: Hercules Cortez
Date of Death: July 24, 1971
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Hercules Cortez died of injuries suffered in a one-car accident near St. Cloud, Minnesota early in the morning.. Hercules and partner Red Bastien were returning to Minneapolis-St. Paul after a tag team match in Winnipeg just hours earlier.. Hercules, who was reported to have been the driver of the car, had been scheduled to wrestle Nick Bockwinkel later that day. .
Known for: AWA (American Wrestling Association) World Heavyweight Tag Team titles w/Red Bastien
1972
Name: Luther Lindsay
Date of Death:February 21, 1972
Age: 47
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Lindsay was facing local wrestler Bobby Paul at Park Center in Charlotte. After only ten minutes into the match, Linsey pinned his opponent with a diving belly-flop. He apparently suffered a fatal heart attack when he made the pin and died on top of his opponent.
When Lindsay did not respond to the referee after scoring the pinfall, the police were called.Lindsay was taken back to the dressing room where he was declared dead shortly thereafter.
Known for: One of the first African American wrestlers to become a major star
Name: Ray Gunkel
Date of Death: August 1, 1972
Age: 48
Cause of Death:Heart trauma
Story of Death: Gunkel wrestled Ox Baker in Savannah, Georgia. During the match, Baker punched Gunkel in the chest. Gunkel won the match, but he died later that day of heart problems. An autopsy showed that Gunkel suffered from undiagnosed arteriosclerosis, but that his death was a result of heart trauma. It was determined that Baker's punch created a hematoma, which led to a blood clot that caused his death when it reached his heart
Known for: Promoter of the Georgia wrestling territory
1973
Name: Jim Crockette
Date of Death: April 1, 1973
Age: 54
Cause of Death: Unknown Reasons
Story of Death: Unknown Reasons
Known for: The Founder of the Jim Crockette Wrestling Promotions
Name: Dory Funk Sr.
Date of Death: June 13, 1973
Age: 54
Cause of Death: Natural Causes
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Ledgendary Wrestler and the Father of the now ledgendary wrestlers Dory Funk Jr. & Terry Funk
Name:Wild Red Berry
Date of Death: July 23, 1973
Age: 66
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: A year and a half before he died, Berry suffered a stroke which inhibited his ability to speak. In 1973 he died of a heart attack
Known for: Berry began managing wrestlers in 1958, including The Fabulous Kangaroos (Al Costello and Roy Heffernan). He also managed Gorilla Monsoon and Hans "The Great" Mortier.He was often seen at ringside wearing a warm up jacket with the phrase, "I am Right" emblazoned on the back.
Berry Was mentioned at WWF's Wrestlemania 4 telecast When discussing Berry as a former manager of Monsson
1974
Name: The Swedish Angel
Date of Death: February 10, 1974
Age: 66
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: unknown
Known for: The Swedish Angel was one of Jack Pfefer's ripoff versions of the popular "French Angel" Maurice Tillet
Name: Freddie Sweetan
Date of Death: July 26, 1974
Age: 36
Cause of Death: Cabin Fire
Story of Death: After wrestling his last match in Saint John, New Brunswick, he held a party to celebrate his 36th birthday at his summer cabin at MacFarlane Bridge, 15 miles southeast of Moncton. Although it is unknown what happened during the hours after his friends had left the party, sometime during the night a fire broke out in the cabin resulting in Prosser's death. An investigation by the RCMP concluded that that Prosser, whose body had been found near the front door, had been trapped in the cabin during the fire and died of smoke inhalation. The official cause of the fire was stated to been accidental, and was most likely caused by Prosser having fallen asleep with a lit cigar in his hand.
However, wrestlers such as Emile Dupree have stated they believe the fire may have been started by a charcoal barbecue. Having been known to remain hot after being shut off, the grill may have either caused the fire or might have exploded. This theory was supported by news reportsand, according to one news account, officials had "declined to reveal circumstances surrounding the blaze" although an autopsy was performed at a local Moncton hospital
Known for: NWA International Tag Team Championship (Calgary version).
.
Name: Jack Pfefer
Date of Death: September 13, 1974
Age: 79
Cause of Death: Natural Causes
Story of Death: unknown
Known for: Pioneered an earlier form of sports entertainment, as he was one of the first promoters to visualize the pro wrestling business in the mold of theater. However, he developed an infamous reputation when he exposed the sport’s inner secrets to the mainstream press in a spiteful attack that nearly destroyed the entire industry.
1975
Name: Bobby Shane
Date of Death: February 20, 1975
Age: 27
Cause of Death: Plane Crash
Story of Death: Bobby Shane died in the crash of a private airplane near Tampa, FL.. ~~~Wrestlers Buddy Colt, Austin Idol and Gary Hart were also injured in the crash..
Known for: The King of Wrestling
Name: Miss Sherri
Date of Death: Unknown
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: Sucide
Story of Death: Miss Sherri was never the same after the divorce with Bobby Shane and even got worse after his death that she ultimally took her own life..
Known for: Bobby Shane's Valet
Name: Jim Londos
Date of Death: August 19, 1975
Age: 78
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Considered to be a national hero in Greece, Londos once drew a crowd estimated to be made of nearly 100,000 fans to see one of his matches when he traveled there
..
1976
Name: Sir Dudley Clements
Date of Death: April 21, 1976
Age: 28
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Dudley Clements (Steven Beresford) was killed in an auto accident on April 21, 1976 in Mercer County, Ohio. According to reports, he was the passenger in a vehicle driven by Jim Bernard, who was wrestling under the name of "The Brute" and who Clements was managing. The two of them had been on a card in nearby St. Marys, Ohio earlier that night. Authorities reported the vehicle left the roadway and struck a concrete abutment. Bernard suffered a broken arm, cracked ribs and lacerations in the accident. Clements was 28 years old
Known for: Sir Dudley Clements was the manager of the original Heavenly Bodies
Name: Toots Mondt
Date of Death: June 11, 1976
Age: 82
Cause of Death: Illness
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Ledendary Wrestler & Booker... Was the CO Founder of the Capital Wrestling Corporation w/ Jess Mcmahon than later with Vince McMahon Sr. known as the World Wide Wrestling Federation and than the World Wrestling Federation and now the World Wrestling Entertainment that we see on TV now
Name: Pepe Lopez
Date of Death: July 27, 1976
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Died near Dickson, Tennessee on 7/27/1976 in the crash with Sam Bass & Frank Hester
Known for: Popular Tag Team Wrestler.
.
Name: King Kong Cox
Date of Death: September 11, 1976
Age: 74
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: NWA Texas Heavyweight title defeating Buddy Rogers
Name: Fuzzy Cupid
Date of Death: 1976
Age: 48
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: WWWF Midget Wrestler
1977
Name: Zebra Kid
Date of Death: January 1977
Age: 53
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The Zebra Kid defeated Buddy Rogers for the Ohio version of the World Heavyweight title
Name: Pancho The Bull
Date of Death: 1977
Age: 62
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: famous midget wrestler
Name: Sam Bass
Date of Death: July, 27, 1977
Age: 41
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Died in a car crash along with Frank Hester & Pepe Lopez near Dickson, Tennessee
Known for: Sam Bass was the man who dubbed Jerry Lawler "King Of Wrestling" while working a program in Memphis
1978
Name: Antonio Rocca
Date of Death: March 15, 1978
Age: 55
Cause of Death: Urinary Infection
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: WWF Hall Of Fame 1995
Name: Michel "Mad Dog" Martel
Date of Death: June 30, 1978
Age: 33
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: On the night of June 30, 1978, Martel was wrestling at a WWC event in Ponce, Puerto Rico appearing on the undercard in a 6-man tag team match Pierre Martin and Jack Lafarb facing Carlos Colon and "The Invaders" (Invader I and Invader II). Although showing no signs during the match, he complained of suffering discomfort during the match to his tag team partner while backstage preparing to leave for the night. Although Martin had offered to take him to a hospital, Martel claimed he felt better and instead wanted to go back to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Within minutes of leaving the arena, however, Martel began suffering some sort of heart attack and asked Martin to pull over to the side of the road. Martel attempted to vomit, but was apparently unable to and his lips began turning blue. Although Martin drove Martel to a nearby hospital only five minutes away, Martel was pronounced dead on arrival and attempts to resuscitate him failed.
Rick Martel, then 21 years old, would eventually be flown in to Puerto Rico to identify his brother and eventually charged with bringing his body back to Quebec. His death was not only announced by Bob Leonard in Stampede Wrestling but also the World Wrestling Council where promoter Carlos Colon and Jose Gonzalez would use Martel's death to promote a long running feud between The Invaders and Pierre Martin and Rick Martel with the promotion claiming that Martel's attack had been caused by Gonzales using the then banned "heart punch" during their last match.
Known for: Working for WWC in Puerto Rico and the brother of WWF & WCW Star Rick Martel
Name: Lonnie Mayne
Date of Death: August 13, 1978
Age: 33
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: unknown
Known for: As a Moondog in WWWF
Name: Michael Farhart
Date of Death: December 12, 1978
Age: 27
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: the nephew of "The Sheik" Ed Farhat
1979
Name: Chris Taylor
Date of Death: June 30, 1979
Age: 29
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: AWA Wrestling Star
Name: "Two Ton" Tony Galento
Date of Death: July 22, 1979
Age: 69
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: was a boxing champion who dabbled in professional wrestling
1981
Name: "Killer" Buddy Austin
Date of Death: August 12, 1981
Age: 51
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Buddy Austin was a long-time partner with Fred Blassie before they turned on each other in California..
Name: Mike Marino
Date of Death: August 24, 1981
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: Leukemia
Story of Death: Marino died in August 1981 whilst returning to his South London home from a tournament in Folkestone.He had been booked to wrestle Big Jim Harris at the town's Leas Cliff Hall but after being adjudged unable to perofrm was taken to Ashford Hospital where he was treated for a swollen tongue. Marino discharged himself the same night and left with fellow wrestler Mal Sanders but suffered from a convulsive attack as they travelled on the M20 motorway. He died by the roadside and was afterwards revealed to have been suffering from leukemia.A Mike Marino Memorial Shield was later contested, with Sanders winning the inaugural tournamen
Known for: Marino won the World Mid-Heavyweight Championship in 1957 and went on to hold the title four times
Name: Billy Red Cloud
Date of Death: October, 1981
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: leaky heart valve
Story of Death: unknown
Known For: AWA Star
Name: "Major" Tom Thumb
Date of Death: October 25, 1981
Age: 65
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: unknown
Known For: midget wrestler
Name: Ali Baba
Date of Death:November 16, 1981
Age: 80
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: 1930's era wrestler who gained his greatest fame under the Arabic gimmick of "Ali Baba"..
1982
Name: Sterling "Dizzy" Davis
Date of Death: 1982
Age: 70
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The Wrestling World's first admitted Bisexual, also wrestling in Mexico was consider the first wrestler in history to use the flamboyent Gimmick... Gave Gorgouse George permission to use the same gimmick in the USA only because he didn't think it would get over with the fans..
Name: George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski
Date of Death: June 12, 1982
Age: 52
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Wrestling Ric Flair in Flair's debut match (went to a time limit draw)..
Name: Peter Myvia
Date of Death: June 13, 1982
Age: 47
Cause of Death: Cancer
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Peter Myvia is the Father in Law of former WWWF Star Rocky Johnson and the grandfather of WWE & Hollywood star The Rock.
itory for promoter Don Owen
Name: Bearcat Wright
Date of Death: August 8, 1982
Age: 50
Cause of Death: Sickle Cell Anemia
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Capitol Wrestling Corporation Star and had a noble feud with Classy Freddie Blassie
,hr>
1983
Name: Frank Tunny
Date of Death: May 10, 1983
Age: 70
Cause of Death:Unknown
Story of Death: During a trip to Hong Kong, Tunney died in his sleep on May 10, 1983 at the age of 70
Known for: Canadian professional wrestling promoter and the Uncle of Jack Tunny, the WWF President from 1984-1995
Name: Grand Wizard
Date of Death: October 12, 1983
Age: 54
Cause of Death:Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: The WWF Grand Wizzard of Wrestling in the 70s and 80s
Name: Lana Lamar
Date of Death: October 12, 1983
Age: 54
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: famous girl wrestler
Name: Art Nelson
Date of Death: October 20, 1983
Age: unknown
Cause of Death:unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Art Nelson formed a tag team with Jerry Lawler in Georga
Name: Joe Pazandak
Date of Death: December 10, 1983
Age: 69
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: One of the trainers for Vern Gagne
1984
Name:El Santo
Date of Death: February 5, 1984
Age: 66
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Just over a year after his retirement El Santo was a guest on Contrapunto, a Mexican television program and, completely without warning, removed his mask just enough to expose his face, in effect bidding his fans goodbye. It is the only documented case of Santo ever removing his mask in public. Santo died from a heart attack on February 5, 1984, at 9:40 p.m., a week after his Contrapunto TV appearance. As per his wishes, he was buried wearing his famous silver mask. His funeral is considered one of the biggest in Mexican history as fans and friends flocked to see "el Enmascarado de Plata" (the Silver-Masked Man) one last time.
Known for: The Greatest Mexican Star of all time
Name: David Von Erich
Date of Death: February 10, 1984
Age: 25
Cause of Death: Acute Enteritis
Story of Death: David died during a tour with All Japan Pro Wrestling on February 10, 1984, with many theories about what caused his death being proposed for many years after. The most popular theory suggests that David died of a drug overdose,[1] as Ric Flair had mentioned this theory in his autobiography, claiming that Bruiser Brody (the Von Erich's long-time friend) removed the evidence. The Von Erichs however claimed that David's death was a heart attack, caused by ruptured intestines resulting from acute enteritis. In the documentary Heroes of World Class: The Story of the Von Erichs and The Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling, Kevin Von Erich and former referee David Manning both attested to the heart attack theory, as they claimed that the autopsy supported the myocardial infarction. Manning and Kevin also claimed that David had been complaining about a pain in his stomach prior to his excursion to Japan. David had been taken to the emergency room at Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas less than two weeks before his ill fated trip to Japan. He had complained of dizziness and flu like symptoms and been put on an antibiotic at that time.
Known for: From the Famous Wrestling Family The Von Erich's in World Class Championship Wrestling
Name: Hellen Hild
Date of Death: March, 1984
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: Illness
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Wife of Ledgendary Iron Mike Dibiase, The Mother of former WWF Star Million Dollar Man & The Grandmother of current WWE Star Ted Dibiase
Name: Andy Kaufman
Date of Death: May 16, 1984
Age: 35
Cause of Death: Cancer
Story of Death: At Thanksgiving dinner with his family on Long Island in November 1983, several family members grew concerned over Kaufman's persistent coughing during the dinner, and openly expressed worry about it. Kaufman claimed to them that he had the cough for nearly a month, but also claimed that an initial visit to his doctor told him that nothing was wrong. After returning to Los Angeles, Kaufman consulted a physician where he checked himself into Cedars-Sinai Hospital for a series of medical tests and a few days later, he was diagnosed with a rare type of lung cancer. Despite his doctor's prognosis that there was no hope for recovery, he was committed to fighting the disease until his death. After audiences were shocked by his gaunt appearance during his performances in January 1984, Kaufman acknowledged having an unspecified illness, which he hoped to cure with "natural medicine" including an all-fruit and vegetables diet, among other measures. Kaufman received palliative radiotherapy, but by then the cancer had rapidly spread from his lungs to his brain. His last resort was "psychic surgery", a debunked procedure that includes the use of sleight of hand, performed in Baguio, Philippines, in March 1984. Kaufman died in a hospital in Los Angeles on May 16, 1984 of kidney failure, caused by metastasized large cell carcinoma, and was interred in the Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York (Long Island). He was 35 years old. Because he kept the true nature of his illness a secret—almost until the day he died—fans have, over the years, doubted Kaufman's death, thinking that he staged it as the ultimate Andy Kaufman stunt.
Kaufman allegedly told many people—including Bob Zmuda—that he wished to fake his own death prior to his actual death. This has caused some fans to believe Kaufman is still alive. Kaufman himself purportedly claimed that if he were to fake his death, he would return 20 years later, which would have been in 2004.
Known for: Hollywood Actor & Comedian but more so known for his Memphis Wrestling feud with Jerry Lawler that gain National media Attention
Name: Vince McMahon Sr.
Date of Death: May 27, 1984
Age: 69
Cause of Death: Pancreatic cancer
Story of Death: unknown
Known for: The Owner of the World Wide Wrestling Federation than the World Wrestling Federation, now the World Wrestling Entertainment owned by his son Vince Mcmahon Jr.
Name: Brute Bernard
Date of Death: July 14, 1984
Age: 63
Cause of Death: Gun Shot
Story of Death: He died in 1984 of a self-inflicted gunshot; it was not determined if his death was a suicide or an accident. One story states that Bernard was playing Russian Roulette
Known for: WWWF United States Tag Team Championship - with Skull Murphy
Name: Argentine Apollo
Date of Death: August 2, 1984
Age: 41
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: WWWF Star, WWWF United States Tag Team titles w/Don McClarity & WWE Hall of Fame
1985
Name: Eddie Graham
Date of Death: January 20, 1985
Age: 55
Cause of Death: Suicide
Story of Death: Committed suicide by gunshot after a lifelong battle with alcoholism
Known for: NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Northeast version) (4 times) - with Jerry Graham
Name: Bull Curry
Date of Death: March 8, 1985
Age: 70
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Wrestled icons such as Gorgeous George, Ski Hi Lee, Dory Funk Sr., Yukon Eric, & Don Leo Jonathon
Name: Jay Youngblood
Date of Death: September 1, 1985
Age: 30
Cause of Death: Ruptured Spleen
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Former AWA Heavyweight champion
Name:Rick McGraw
Date of Death: November 1, 1985
Age: 30
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: McGraw was well-known in the business as having a severe drug problem, and was one of the first of many in professional wrestling to die from one. In Bret Hart's autobiography Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling, Bret wrote: "Every night he'd swallow a handful of Placidyls and wind up passed out face down in his dinner...The cause of his death was labelled a heart attack, but we all knew his heart had given out under deadly dosages of downers." McGraw died just days after wrestling Roddy Piper in a nationally televised match. McGraw took such a beating that the match had to be stopped. Though some less savvy fans felt the match led to McGraw's death, the two incidents were not related. Shortly after McGraw's death, Roddy Piper headlined a show held to benefit McGraw's family. He had left behind a wife and a baby daughter.
Known for: WWF Star
1986
Name: The Beast
Date of Death: 1986
Age: 59
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Wrestled Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title three times at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1964
Name: Gino Hernandez
Date of Death: February 4, 1986
Age: 29
Cause of Death: Drug Over-dose
Story of Death: concerned with Hernandez's well-being, two World Class officials, David Manning and Rick Hazzard, and several local law enforcement officers broke into his Highland Park apartment and found Hernandez dead (he had been dead for approximately two-three days). Initially, Hernandez's death was ruled a homicide case, but following autopsy reports, his death was ruled as a result of an overdose of cocaine.Many people believe Gino was murdered in a drug related incident. According to Manning, he said that Hernandez had three times the amount of cocaine in his system that would have resulted in a fatality, and he and Kevin Von Erich stated that Gino also had cocaine in his stomach.Manning also suspected foul play due to the fact that Hernandez's dead bolt on his door was not locked, as he made it a habit in the past to lock the dead bolt at all times.
Scotland Yard in fact contacted and questioned Chris Adams, who had returned to England three days before hearing the news of Gino's death. Adams, who was never considered a suspect, was never charged in the case, as the FBI and Scotland Yard later ruled him out as a potential suspect.
Known for: World Class Championship Wrestling Star
Name: Warren Bockwinkel
Date of Death:March 25, 1986
Age: 74
Cause of Death:Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: National Wrestling Alliance and North American regional promotions during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s and the Father of Nick Bockwinkel who became a top star in AWA
Name: El Solitario
Date of Death:April 6, 1986
Age: 39
Cause of Death:Heart Attack
Story of Death: El Solitario had suffered injuries during the latter part of his career, resulting in several infections and illnesses. During a match with Fishman, he re-injured himself and was taken to the hospital while complaining of abdominal pain. Unfortunately, his doctors initially misdiagnosed his condition, it was later discovered that he was suffering from internal bleeding that required immediate surgery. On April 6, 1986, at the age of 39, El Solitario died while on the operating table as a result of a cardiac arrest.
Known for: Consider to be one of the top 10 mexican stars of all time in Mexico
1987
Name: Tiny Mills
Date of Death: 1987
Age: 76
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Name: Ann Gunkel
Date of Death: February 16, 1987
Age: 50
Cause of Death:Cancer
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Promoter of the Georgia wrestling territory
Name: Mike Von Erich
Date of Death: April 12, 1987
Age: 23
Cause of Death: Sucide
Story of Death: A few days before his death, Mike was arrested on drunk driving and drug charges. On April 12, 1987, he left a suicide note for his family, then went to Lake Dallas, where he overdosed on the sleeping pill Placidyl and alcohol.[3] He was found dead four days later and buried at
Known for: From the Famous Texas Wrestling Family the Von Erichs from World Class Championship Wrestling
Name: Juanita Coffman
Date of Death: Auguest 3, 1987
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death:unknown
Known for: Famous girl wrestler
Name: Malcolm Kirk
Date of Death: August 24, 1987
Age: 50
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: Kirk died after a tragic turn of events during the final moments of the match at the hippodrome circus in Great Yarmouth in Norfolk against British wrestling legend Shirley "Big Daddy" Crabtree. After Big Daddy had delivered his signature belly-splash, Kirk turned an unhealthy color and was rushed to the James Paget hospital in Gorleston in Norfolk, but was pronounced dead on arrival. The inquest into Kirk's death found that he had a serious heart condition and cleared Crabtree of any responsibility
Known for: Kirk's work rose to its prominence in the 1970s and 1980s due to the popularity of televised wrestling in the United Kingdom
Name: Scott Irwin
Date of Death: September 5, 1987
Age: 35
Cause of Death: Brain Tumor
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Former WWF & AWA Star
Name: Betty Joe Hawkins
Date of Death: December 4, 1987
Age: 57
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Ledgendary tag team wrestler with Penny Banner
1988
Name: Fred Atkins
Date of Death: May 4, 1988
Age: 77
Cause of Death:Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: WWWF Refree
Name: Adrian Adonis
Date of Death: July 4, 1988
Age: 33
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: While riding in a minivan with fellow wrestlers William "Mike Kelly" Arko, Victor "Pat Kelly" Arko, and Dave "Wildman" McKigney. Adonis, McKigney, and Pat Kelly were killed when the driver, Mike Kelly, allegedly swerved in order to avoid hitting a moose and, blinded by the setting sun, inadvertedly drove into a lake. Mike Kelly survived, albeit with severe leg injuries
Known for: AWA Star 1979 to 1981 & 1987, AWA World Tag Team Champion w/Jesse Ventura, WWF Star 1981 to 1987, WWF Tag team Champion w/Dick Murdoch
Name: Dave McKigney
Date of Death: July 4, 1988
Age: 56
Cause of Death:Car Accident
Story of Death: While riding in a minivan with fellow wrestlers William "Mike Kelly" Arko, Victor "Pat Kelly" Arko, and Arian Adonis, McKigney, and Pat Kelly were killed when the driver, Mike Kelly, allegedly swerved in order to avoid hitting a moose and, blinded by the setting sun, inadvertedly drove into a lake. Mike Kelly survived, albeit with severe leg injuries
Known for: Wrestling Real Life Bears
Name: Pat Kelly
Date of Death: July 4, 1988
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: Car Accident
Story of Death: While riding in a minivan with fellow wrestlers William "Mike Kelly" Arko, Adrian Adonis, and Dave "Wildman" McKigney. Arian Adnois, Dave McKigney, and Pat Kelly were killed when the driver, Mike Kelly, allegedly swerved in order to avoid hitting a moose and, blinded by the setting sun, inadvertedly drove into a lake. Mike Kelly survived, albeit with severe leg injuries
Known for: Stampede International Tag Team titles
Name: Bruiser Brody
Date of Death: July 18, 1988
Age: 42
Cause of Death: Murder
Story of Death: On July 16, 1988, Brody was in the locker room before his match with Dan Spivey in Bayamón (a city near San Juan, Puerto Rico), when José Huertas González, a fellow wrestler and booker, asked him to go into the shower to discuss business. Brody entered the shower stall and a few minutes later a scuffle ensued, followed by two groans, loud enough for the entire locker room to hear. Tony Atlas ran to the shower and saw Brody bent over and holding his stomach. Atlas then looked up at González and saw him holding the knife. When the paramedics arrived Atlas carried Brody downstairs to the waiting ambulance. González, who always maintained his innocence, was initially charged with first-degree murder but was later reduced and tried for involuntary homicide. In January 1989, González was acquitted on all counts, citing self-defense
Known for: American Wrestling Association, and World Class Championship Wrestling
Name: Bad Leroy Brown
Date of Death: September 6, 1988
Age: 37
Cause of Death:Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Jim Crockett Promotions Star
Name: Leroy McGurik
Date of Death: September 9, 1988
Age: 77
Cause of Death: Unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Ledgendary Wrestler & Promoter and the Father of the WWF's First Female Ring Announcer Mike McGuirk and the Grandfather of former WWE Hopeful Maximus McGuirk
Name: Ricky Lawless
Date of Death: November 30, 1988
Age: 29
Cause of Death: Murder
Story of Death: Leon was shot to death in Baltimore by 22-year-old Raymond Michael Swartz, although at least one newspaper, The Toronto Star, claimed the murder had been committed by "former tag team partner" Vladimir Koloff.On January 12, 1989, Swartz was extradited to Middlesex County, New Jersey on suspicion of stealing a rental car in Saluda. While still being held in custody, Sheriff Lewis Jones III discovered via the National Criminal Information Network that he was wanted in connection with Leon's murder. Police speculated that Swartz could have used the car in the murder having rented it weeks before Leon's death. Charged with being a fugitive from justice and held without bail, the car theft charges were dropped so Swartz could be returned to Baltimore to be tried for first-degree murder. Leon's murder, specifically focusing on the aspect of his death at the hands of an irate husband over an extramarital affair, would later appear as an expose by Hustler ("Shotgun Justice: A Pro Wrestler's Final Fall") in May 1991.
Known for: Tag Team with Joey Maggs and trained ECW Legend Axl Rotten
1989
Name: Mildred Burke
Date of Death: February 18, 1989
Age: 73
Cause of Death: Stroke
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Mildred Burk is Consider next to Fabulous Moolah the most recognized woman in wrestling history
Name: Shirley Strimple
Date of Death: February 25, 1989
Age: unknown
Cause of Death: unknown
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Ledgendary Woman Wrestler
Name: Happy Humphery
Date of Death: March 14, 1989
Age: 62
Cause of Death: Heart Attack
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Notable match was a sold-out main event at Madison Square Garden, promoted by Vince McMahon Sr., against Haystacks Calhoun
Name: Villiano II
Date of Death: April 17, 1989
Age: 39
Cause of Death: Sucide
Story of Death: Alfredo Díaz died on April 17, 1989, the official cause of death at the time was that he died of injuries suffered in the ring. Later it was revealed that he had committed suicide due to a depression.The shock of his early death, he had not yet turned 40, rattled his younger brother José de Jesús (Villano I) that he was never able to show the same enthusiasm about lucha libre.
Known for: The Famous Mexican Family The Villianos
Name: Sweet Georgia Brown
Date of Death: July, 1989
Age: 56
Cause of Death: Breast Cancer
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: Pioneered Women pro wrestling as the first African American Women to ever step in the ring in the 1950's
Name: Haystacks Calhoun
Date of Death: December 7, 1989
Age: 55
Cause of Death: Diabetes
Story of Death: Unknown
Known for: WWWF World Tag Team Championship - with Tony Garea
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