Wrestlers Who Died in 2018

With 2018 coming to a close and 2019 now upon us I'd like to take some time to recognize and remember those that we lost this past year who entertained us in the ring.  This list is as complete as I could make it, if there is someone that I missed please let me know so I can pay tribute to them as well. 

Emily Dole, 60 September 28, 1957 - January 2, 2018

Trained by Mando Guerrero she was part of the original cast of G.L.O.W. competing as Mt. Fiji.  She is one of the few wrestlers of Samoan heritage not part of the famous Anoa'i Family.  She appeared in all four seasons of the show's original run and was undefeated.  She never competed in any other wrestling promotions however made few appearances on televisions shows like Mama's Family and Family Feud.

Sahori 32, March 2, 1976 - January 25, 2018

Debuting in 1995 she wrestled initially for AAA before switching to CMLL in 2005 leaving in 2009.  She toured Japan in 2011 & 2012 and have a few matches in 2013 and two in 2015 her last match being in June of that year.  Sadly she passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Johnny Valiant 71, November 25, 1946 - April 4, 2018

One of the Valiant "brothers" he is a two time WWWF Tag Team Champion first with Jimmy Valiant May 8, 1974 - May 13, 1975 and then with his other brother Jerry Valiant March 6, 1979 - October 22, 1979.  He and Jimmy would hold tag team championships in Big Time Wrestling, Championshop Wrestling from Florida, Georgia Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Association.  I'm most familiar with his as the manager of The Dream Team: Brutus Beefcake & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, later Valentine and Dino Bravo.  Sadly he was killed after being struck a pick up truck.

Bruno Sammartino 82, October 6, 1935 - April 18, 2018

There is nothing I can say about The Living Legend that a fan of wrestling doesn't know.  Famously he was a two time WWE Champion holding the title for just over 11 years combined.  He sold out Madison Square Garden more than anyone else and ruled the Northeast wrestling world in the 1960's and early 1970's.  He wrestled his final match August 29, 1987 at a WWF house show in Baltimore, Maryland teaming with then Champion Hulk Hogan defeating King Kong Bundy & The One Man Gang.  I'm thankful that after many years at odds Sammartino was able to mends ways with the WWE and be inducted into the Hall of Fame and get the recognition that he deserves. 

Paul Jones 75, June 16, 1942 - April 18, 2018

Mr. Number 1 debuted in 1961 after being trained by Paul Boesch.  After traveling the territories he set up in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling where he remained for the majority of his career winning all the titles the territory had to offer including being a three time Mid-Atlantic Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.  After his in ring career be would become a prolific manger having a stable of wrestlers under the moniker Paul Jones' Army including: The Barbarian, Warlord, Abdullah the Butcher Rick Rude, Ivan Koloff, The Assassins, and others.  He wrestled his last match for North Carolina based South Atlantic Pro Wrestling on June 26, 1991 defeating the Storm Trooper.

Erika Watanabe 39, April 28, 1978 - April 20, 2018

Based in the JWP promotion she debuted September 23, 1998. She is a former JWP Junior Champion finishing her career in 2006.  She passed away from stomach cancer that she has been battling since September 2013.

Universo 2000 55, April 18, 1963 - May 1, 2018

Andres Reyes Gonzalez debuted in 1985 for CMLL eventually teaming with his brothers at Los Hermanos Dinamita.  He and his brothers defected to AAA when former CMLL booker Antonio Pena launched the promotion in 1992.  He would return to CMLL in 1996 wrestling on and off for the promotion until the end of his career becoming a three time CMLL World Heavyweight Champion and current longest combined reign of 2,555 days as champion.  He also has the longest single reign has champion at 1,125 consecutive days.  He lost his mask to El' Canek at the CMLL 71st Anniversary show on September 17, 2004.

Big Bully Busick 63, June 1, 1954 - May 8, 2018

Debuting in the WWWF in May 1978 in a losing effort to Billy Red Lyons.  He continued to wrestle as a job guy in the Pittsburgh area while being police officer when he wasn't in the ring.  He wrestled in Georgia and Florida returning to the WWF in 1991 as Big Bully Busick, the turtleneck wearing, cigar chomper with a bowler hat was managed by Harvey Wippleman.  His run only lasted a few months and once he left the promotion he only wrestled a handful of matches his last being on April 19, 2013 defeating Josef Von Schmidt in Weirton, West Virginia.

Rockin' Rebel 52, January 13, 1966 - June 1, 2018

Charles Williams debuted in 1988 after being trained by the Rock n' Roll Express.  After a few jobber matches in the WWF he toured around the indies starting with Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, the precursor to Eastern Championship Wrestling later Extreme Championship Wrestling.  He wrestled regularly for the promotion until 1995.  He essentially stayed in the Pennsylvania are wrestling his last match on May 19, 2018.  He took his own life after murdering his wife.

Johnny Attitude 53,  June 9, 1965 - June 12, 2018

John  Greene trained at the WCW Power Plant before becoming enhancement talent on WCW Saturday Night.  His one Nitro appearance was a United States Championship match loss to Bill Goldberg.  After leaving WCW in 1999 he continued on the independents.  In 1999 he founded Micro Championship Wrestling which aired on TruTv as a television series in 2011 as Hulk Hogan's Micro Championship Wrestling.

Arkangel de la Muerte 51, July 16, 1966 - June 13, 2018

Alfredo Pasillas debuted in 1985 as Mister Cid feuding with Pantera II losing his hair to him twice.  In 1991 he became the masked Arkangel de la Muerte also becoming a rudo and eventually joining CMLL where he stayed for the rest of his career.  He became the trainer at CMLL's wrestling school in 2006 a position he held until his death.  He maintained a full time wrestling schedule having his last match just four days before his death on June 9th in Arena Mexico, Mexico City teaming with Kawato San & Sangre Azteca defeated Bengala, Electrico, & Oro Jr in a two out of three falls match.

Big Van Vader 63, May 14, 1955 - June 18, 2018

When I started my write up for Vader it became long enough to be a post on it's own.  You can follow the link to it here: http://www.thewrestlinginsomniac.com/2018/12/big-van-vader.html 

Matt Cappotelli 38, November 12, 1979 - June 29, 2018

The winner of WWF Tough Enough season 3 with John Hennigan, he famously was roughed up by Bob "Hardcore" Holly during training.   He wrestled occasionally at WWF house shows but was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling for additional training.  There he won the OVW Heavyweight Championship and formed a tag team with Johnny Jeter winning the OVW Southern Tag Team Championships.  Cappotelli was diagnosed with brain cancer and had successful surgery in 2007.  The cancer returned in 2017 and he passed in June 2018.

Piratita Morgan 49, March 15, 1969 - July 8, 2018

Debuting in 1989 after CMLL launched their Mini-Estrella division.  He later went to AAA and under their working agreement with WWF he competed sporadically from 1997 - 1999 under the name Battalion.  He had one appearance in TNA at the 2004 Victory Road PPV losing to Mascarita Sagrada.  He was the WWA World Minis Champion from May 4, 2000 to December 11, 2009.  From what I can tell though he only defended the title a few times.

Masa Saito 76, February 1, 1942 - July 14, 2018

Saito competed in freestyle wrestling at the 1964 Summer Olympics then debuted as a pro in 1965.  Always playing the heel he wrestled primarily in the United States traveling the territories winning multiple tag team championships along the way.  Most famously winning the WWF Tag Team Championships twice with Mr. Fuji.  On February 10, 1990 in Japan at the Tokyo Dome Saito pinned Larry Zbyszko to win the AWA World Heavyweight Championship.  He stayed with New Japan until his retirement in 1999.

Rayo de Jalisco Sr. 85, November 22, 1932 - July 19, 2018

Following his older brothers into wrestling, Jalisco debuted in 1950 as Mr. Misterio.  It wasn't until 1962 that he became Rayo de Jalisco.  In the 1970's he appeared in a handful of movies with other luchadors.  He is a former three time NWA World Middleweight Champion holding the title for 898 days combined.  He lost his mask to Blue Demon in Monterrey on June 30, 1989.  He wrestled his last match on September 7, 1993 for AAA teaming with his son Rayo de Jalisco Jr. & Perro Aguayo defeated Los Hermanos Dinamita: Cien Caras, Mascara Ano 2000 & Universo 2000.  He passed away from natural causes.

Nikolai Volkoff 70, October 14, 1947 - July 29, 2018

Debuting in 1967 in Stampede Wrestling, he was trained by Newton Tattrie becoming tag team partners.  The team traveled to the states wrestling in various NWA promotions and when they entered the WWWF in 1970's they became Bepo & Geeto Mongol managed by "Captain" Lou Albano and captured tag team gold.  He returned to the territory in 1974 as a singles using the name Nikolai Volkoff main eventing Madison Square Garden against champion Bruno Sammartino.

However, Volkoff is best known by me and my generation for his tag team with the Iron Shiek, being managed by "Classy" Freddie Blassie and singing the Soviet National Anthem before his matches.  I meet Nikolai in 1998 at an EWA show in Vermont at a military college, he teamed with the Iron Shiek in the main event.  During intermission Nikolai was in the ring taking polariods when one of the schools top wrestlers got in the ring and challenged Nikolai.  Nikolai waved him off declining his challenge, but the guy went for a double leg and Volkoff caught him in a front facelock and humbled him.  His last match was on June 9, 2017 at H20 Wrestling in New Jersey where he defeated DJ Hyde.

Brian Christopher 46, January 10, 1972 - July 29, 2018

The son of Jerry "The King" Lawler, Brian made his debut in 1988 for the USWA.  He made his debut in the WWE in 1997 during the Light Heavyweight Championship tournament losing in the finals to Taka Michinoku.  He started teaming with Scott Taylor as the team Too Much as cocky and arrogant heels.  They later became fan favorites as Too Cool and with Rikishi became a huge act known for their electric entrances and post match dancing.  The duo won the tag team championships in May 2000 for a 217 day run.  After leaving the promotion Christopher he bounced around the indies spending two years in TNA from 2002 - 2004.  Christopher had a few run ins with the law over the years and sadly he took his own life in jail after being pick up for driving under the influence and evading police.

I saw him wrestle live three times; at WrestleMania XIV in Boston in the tag team battle royal, and twice with Maine Event Wrestling in Maine.  Defeating Reckless Youth and X-Pac in February and March 2003.

Brickhouse Brown 57, August 11, 1960 - July 29, 2018

Frederick Seawright debuted in 1982 for Joe Blanchard's Southwest Championship Wrestling and spend the next few years traveling the Southeast territories.  In 1987 he arrived in Memphis defeating Jerry Lawler for the AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship for a week long reign.  For the rest of his career he stayed primarily in the Memphis area but did wrestle in World Class and as enhancement talent for the WWF.  He finished up full time in 2005 wrestling a handful of matches in the next 11 years.  He passed away from prostate cancer.

El Picudo 51, August 3, 1967 - August 3, 2018

Also know as Devil Rocker he was part of the original AAA roster when the promotion opened.  Left in 2009 working the independents before returning in 2012 as part of the team Infierno Rockers.  On December 3, 1995 he lost his Picudo mask to Perro Aguayo Jr.  He passed away from complications with diabetes.

Steve Travis 67, December 13, 1950 - August 10, 2018

After playing college football at Guilford College Steve Musulin turned to professional wrestling in 1977.  He wrestled primarily for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation until the end of his career in 1984.  He also toured New Japan in 1980 & 1981, in 1981 teaming with Abdullah the Butcher they defeated Antonio Inoki & Tatsumi Fujinami 2 falls to 1 in Fukuoka.  On April 30, 1979 he challenged NWA World Champion Harley Race at Madison Square Garden.  He had short championship reigns with regional NWA titles.  A car crash in 1984 ended his career and after being charged with vehicular homicide he spent tens months in prison.  After wrestling he worked as a personal trainer and was inducted into the Guildford College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003.  He passed away from complications following a stroke.

Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart 63, February 8, 1955 - August 13, 2018

After playing in the NFL he trained for wrestling under Stu Hart in Calgary debuting for Stampede Wrestling in 1979.  Best know for teaming with brother-in-law Bret "Hitman" Hart as the Hart Foundation in the WWF from 1985 - 1991 the duo were two time WWF Tag Team Champions.  Leaving the WWF after the Montreal Screw Job he spent a year in WCW then toured the indies, his schedule decreasing each year until his final match in 2016.  His daughter Natalya followed in his footsteps and currently competes in the WWE. 

I saw him wrestle live twice, the first in 1989 at the first ever wrestling show I attended live, a WWF House Show in Portland, Maine, he lost to The Warlord in a singles match.  The second was in 1998 at a WCW Saturday Night television taping also in Portland, Maine, he defeated Kendall Windham with a powerslam.

Doc Dean 48, July 3, 1970 - August 13, 2018

Debuting at the age of 14 for Brian Dixon's All Star Wrestling he would later team with Robbie Brookside as The Liverpool Lads winning tag team gold on three occasions.  Aside from wrestling in England he toured Germany and Japan before debuting in 1996 for WCW.  In 1997 he competed in the New Japan Best of the Super Juniors tournament, he only earned two points, however, he scored a victory over Jushin Thunder Liger.  His final matches he was jobbed out on WCW B-Television programming, not a fitting ending to his 14 year career.  He passed away from a heart attack at his home in Florida.

Walt Harris 97, August 18, 2018

Harris was a long time wrestling and Roller Derby television announcer in Northern California.  He announced the action on for National All Star Wrestling and Big Time Wrestling on local channels in San Francisco and Sacramento and the famous Cow Palace.  His style was similar to that of Gordon Solie in the Florida territory.  In his home market he anchored the morning news and hosted local music shows for many years.  He also produced the San Francisco Giants baseball games from 1972 to 1986 when he retired.

Villano III 66, March 23, 1952 - August 21, 2018

Arturo Diaz Mendoza was a second generation luchador and one of five brothers that all wrestled all using the Villano name.  Arturo debuted in 1970 and had a career that spanned 45 years retiring in 2015 due to injuries.  He wrestled for several Mexican wrestling companies winning numerous championships.  He lost his mask in Mexico City to Atlantis on March 17, 2000.

Chris Champion 57, February 16, 1961 - August 22, 2018

Debuting in 1984 after training with the Malenko's, Champion made his way to Florida Championship Wrestling teaming with Sean Royal as The New Breed winning the NWA Florida Tag Team Championships.  He wrestled on the indies and for FMW in Japan.  In 1993 he joined WCW as Yoshi Kwan and initial got a small push before feuding with Cactus Jack.  The highlight of that run was a match with Ric Flair on WCW Saturday Night.  He returned t FMW as Yoshi Kwan in 1996 and stay wrestling on the southern indy circuit for several more years.

Aya Koyama 45, March 8, 1973 - August 27, 2018

A former wrestler and mixed martial artist Aya debuted in 1996 in the JDStar promotion and also wrestled in All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling and Big Japan Pro Wrestling.  She left wrestling in 2001 to compete in MMA, then returned in 2005 wrestling until 2017.  Her final MMA fight was in 2010 finishing with a record of 4-10-1. As a freelancer she wrestled for LLPW, FMW, JWP, Zero1-Max, and Reina.  Her last match was on her retirement show, April 7, 2017 and she won a battle royal.  She died from cancer.

Ray 36, February 14, 1982 - August 30, 2018

Trained by Emi Sakura she debuted on September 15, 2003 against her trainer at Korakuen Hall in a losing effort.  She wrestled for several different Japanese promotions under masked and unmasked under different names, including the relaunched FMW.  She wrestled for Shimmer in 2012 and 2014, she also competed for CMLL in Mexico.   In December 2015 a brain tumor was discovered while undergoing and MRI for a concussion, testing later determined that it was inoperable.

Nate Hatred 43, 1975 - September 1, 2018

Trained by Glen Osbourne he debuted in 1999, joining CZW in 2000 where he built a following competing death matches and winning the CZW Tag Team Championships with Nick Gage as part of the H8 Club.  He finished out his career wrestling matches for Game Changer Wrestling.  He died in an automobile crash.

Lola Laray 79,  October 29, 1939 - September 2, 2018

I wasn't able to find much on the internet but this I what I could find.  She is the ex-wife of wrestler Billy White Wolfe she debuted in 1954 or 1957 after being trained by Buddy Rogers and Al Haft.  She wrestled mostly in the Ohio area where she lived. This is from her Facebook page:

"i was a professional wrestler in the mid 1950s to the mid 1960s. i worked for mr Billy Wolfe who many people considerd to be the person who popularised womens professional wrestling and brought it to the television screen.
i retired from Schottensteins enterprises, having worked in their accounting department and later as a distributions supervisor."

Lee Wang-pyo 64, June 11, 1954 - September 4, 2018

He debuted in 1975 for the Korean Wrestling Association becoming the top Korean professional wrestler until his retirement in 1975.  Over the years he wrestled for several Japanese promotions under different monikers including All Japan, New Japan, FMW, Tokyo Pro and others.  In 2008 he successfully defeated Kurt Angle in Bob Sapp in bouts in Korea.  From my research he seems like he was the Power Uti of South Korea just with talent and ability.  He passed away from gallbladder cancer.

Frank Andersson 62, May 9, 1956 - September 9, 2018

An amateur wrestler from Sweden, he was trained by Bran Rheingans he debuted during the dying days of the AWA before going to New Japan Pro Wrestling. In 1993 he signed with WCW and wrestled primarily on WCW Worldwide and WCW Saturday Night with no significant matches in the two years he was in the promotion.  Most recently he wrestled in his native Sweden.  I never saw him wrestle in WCW but I had his trading card and I thought it was odd that his last name has two S's in it.  He passed away from cardiac issues.

Hiroshi Wajima 70, Janaury 11, 1948 - October 8, 2018

A former sumo wrestler who reached the rank of Yokozuna before retiring in 1981.  In 1986 he joined All Japan Pro Wrestling using his rank as yokozuna to catapult him into a headlining position on the card.  He retired from the ring after a short two year career in 1988.

Don Leo Jonathan 87, April 29, 1931 - October 13, 2018

The Mormon Giant was a second generation wrestling who debuted in 1949 after being trained by his father wrestler Brother Jonathan.  He wrestled around the world settling in Canada in 1963 where he lived the rest of his life.  He won many titles including the AWA Omaha version of the World Championship three times, a two time IWA Montreal World Champion, CWA World Champion, and several other regional titles.  He was an 18 time NWA Canadian Tag Team Champion.  He wrestled his final match in July 1980 challenging Otto Wanz for the CWA World Heavyweight Championship.

Dick Slater 67, May 19, 1951 - October 19, 2018

He debuted in 1969 in Championship Wrestling from Florida after training with Hiro Matsuda, Jack Brisco, and others.  He spent nine years in Georgia Championship Wrestling, which was a long time for the territory days.  He made stops in Mid Atlantic and Mid South before spending a year in the WWF, eventually landing in WCW 1989 where he stayed for the most part until he retired in 1996.  In between the territories he spent 3 years in ALl Japan Pro Wrestling.  Slater held numerous championships through the years including capturing the top titles in Florida, Mid Atlantic, and St. Louis.

Jose Lothario 83,  December 12, 1934 - November 6, 2018

My generation is most familiar with Lothario from 1996 when he joined Shawn Michaels in the WWF during the lead up to his WrestleMania XII match with Bret Hart.  He debuted in 1956 wrestling regularly until the mid 1980's before retiring.  He won several regional championships in San Francisco, Florida, & Texas.  He was a huge star in Houston Wrestling.  He wrestled a few more matches in 1996 teaming with Michaels and having singles matches against Jim Cornette.

Dynamite Kid 60,  December 5, 1958 - December 5, 2018

As a kid I was captivated by the Dynamite Kid who, at that time, was one half of the British Bulldogs.  I hadn't even seen his stuff with Tiger Mask at this point.  As I got older and got my hands on those matches I was blown away by his talent.  Dynamite has his first pro match just a couple weeks after turning 17 years old on Christmas Eve 1975.  In 1978 he moved to Canada debuting for Stampede Wrestling and a year later had his first tour in Japan.  On April 23, 1981 in Tokyo for New Japan Tiger Mask and Dynamite Kid has their first match in a legendary feud that would see them trade championships and ended fifteen years later when Dynamite had his final match on October 10, 1996 in Tokyo as Kid teamed with Dos Caras & Kuniaki Kobayashi defeated Mil Mascaras, The Great Sasuke & Tiger Mask in a six man tag.

Larry "The Axe" Hennig 82, June 18, 1936 - December 6, 2018

The Axe debuted in 1956 after being trained by Verne Gagne.  Although he toured around the territories he is mostly known for his time in the AWA.  On November 12, 1973 he main evented Madison Square Garden challenging WWWF Champion Pedro Morales and then in 1974 lost a series of matches to Bruno Sammartino also for the title.  In the early to mid 1980's he formed a tag team with his son Curt capturing the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championships.  He passed away from  kidney failure.

Peter William on the left

Peter William 83, September 13, 1935 - December 11, 2018

I can't find a lot on William other than he was a professional wrestling for the CWA in Germany.  Later he did German Commentary team for World Championship Wrestling in the 1990's.  He was a wrestling promoter as well.

Rene Lasartesse 90, Janaury 21, 1928 - December 12, 2018

Again I wasn't able to find much on this wrestler.  He was a famed Swiss wrestler who began wrestling in 1956 traveling the world until his retirement in the 1980's.  In 1957 he wrestled several months for NWA Capital Wrestling today known as the WWE.  He toured Japan in 1970 and finished his career in Germany and the CWA.  It is rumored he had a had in training Cesaro.

Bill Fralic 56, October 31, 1962 - December 14, 2018

Better known for his time in the National Football League from 1985 - 1993 with all but one season with the Atlanta Falcons.  Fralic is recognized on this list because he competed in the 1986 WrestleMania 2 battle royal.  Also he participated in the July 4, 1993 Yokozuna bodyslam challenge on the USS Intrepid.

Raul Mata 71, January 26, 1947 - December 19, 2018

Mata began wrestling in the 1960's for EMLL/CMLL where he captured the Mexican National Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Championships, the later he held for 1,164 days (April 11, 1969 - June 18, 1972).  He was also a 9 time NWA Hollywood Americas Tag Team Champion.  He toured the southern wrestling territories traveling to Japan for the UWF in 1985.  The  last match I can find on him is from 1993 in Tampa, Florida.

Thanks for reading, please leave a comment, read my other posts, and like my blogs Facebook page and while you're at it check out my weekly podcast Podcast of 1,000 Holds on the Nerdy Legion Podcast Network. 

Later Readers!

Wrestlers Who Died in 2017

In February 2017 in just a few days time we lost Chavo Sr, George "The Animal" Steele, and Ivan Koloff.  Just a month prior Superfly Snuka died.  It was then that I started the post that would be dedicated to wrestlers that we lost in 2017.  This year we have lost some legends in Mexico, Japan, and the United States.  There will be names you've grown up watching and names you've never heard of but they all entertained us in one way or another inside the squared circle.

Timothy Well 55, September 8, 1961 - January 9, 2017

Born Timothy Smith and also known as Rex King, he debuted in 1987 in the Pacific Northwest Wrestling as Rex King teaming with Steve Doll as the Southern Rockers.  In 1993 he and Doll entered the WWE under the names Timothy Well and Steven Dunn as the team Well Dunn.  The duo won several tag team championships in Music City Wrestling, PNW, USWA, & World Wrestling Council.  Well passed away from kidney failure.

Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka 73, May 18, 1943 - January 15, 2017

Snuka debuted in 1968 in Hawaii and toured the territories headlining wherever he went.  He's known for famously leaping off the top of the cage in Madison Square Garden on October 17, 1983 onto Don Muraco after losing the match to the Intercontinental Champion.  However that was not the first time he'd soared off the cage.  That was June 28, 1982 against Bob Backlund.

Snuka died in hospice care from undisclosed illness just two weeks after a judge ruled him unable to stand trial for in the May 1983 murder of Nancy Argentino.

Jun Izumida 51, October 28, 1965 - January 25, 2017

Izumida was a sumo wrestler from 1986 to 1991 before debuting in All Japan Pro Wrestling in May 1992.  He left AJPW following Misawa when he formed Pro Wrestling Noah.  He retired October 3, 2012 wrestling his final match in at the AJPW 40th Anniversary show teaming with Takao Omori & Manabu Soya defeating Dark Cuervo, Dark Ozz, & RONIN.  He was found dead on January 31st, it was determined that he had passed away days earlier from a heart attack.

Tom Drake 86, 1931 - February 2, 2017

Drake attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he wrestled and played football.  He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but he didn't last long in the NFL before he was drafted by the US Army in 1954 during the Korean War.  After leaving the Army he became the head wrestling coach for the University of Alabama.  He later enrolled in law school at the same University earning his degree.  He was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives holding the Cullman County seat for 32 years even holding consecutive terms as Speaker of the House.

He wrestled for 24 years from 1954 to 1978 while doing everything I mentioned above.  He had matches with some of the greatest legends of wrestling including Lou Thesz, "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Gorgeous George, and "Classy" Freddie Blassie.

"Bruiser" Bob Sweetan 76, July 4, 1940 - February 10, 2017

A native of British Columbia, Sweetan debuted in 1966 and wrestled 21 years primarily for Central States Wrestling but also in the territories in Mid-South, Texas, San Francisco, Puerto Rico, and Stampede Wrestling in Calgary.

Outside the ring Sweetan's personnel life wasn't the best.  He was a convicted sex offender and in 2000 he was deported back to Canada.  He died from complications with diabetes and other ailments.

Chavo Guerrero Sr. 68, January 7, 1949 - February 11, 2017

A second generation superstar from the famous Guerrero family, Chavo Sr. wrestled for 46 years from 1970 until 2016.  He wrestled all over the world as a singles star and with his brothers in various tag teams.  He had an unexpected run in the WWE in 2004 as Chavo Classic including a month long Cruiserweight Championship reign.  He passed away from liver cancer.

George "The Animal" Steele 79, April 16, 1937 - February 16, 2017

The Animal debuted in 1967 as The Student in the Detroit area under a mask.  Later he went to the WWWF feuding with Bruno Sammartino over the WWWF Championship.  He is best known by my generation for his run in mid 80's and his infatuation over Randy "Macho Man" Savage's valet/wife Miss Elizabeth.  He stopped wrestling in 1988, returning in 1997 wrestling on and off for three years.  He passed away from kidney failure

Nicole Bass 52, August 10, 1964 - February 17, 2017

Bass got into the world of wrestling after a spending over a decade as a female bodybuilder.  She debuted in ECW joining Justin Credible's stable alongside Chastity and Jason in 1998.  At WrestleMania XV she debuted as Sables bodyguard lasting in the WWE for only a few months.  She made some independent appearances before leaving wrestling in 2000.  Bass passed away from a stroke she suffered the day before.

Ivan Koloff 74, August 25, 1942 - February 18, 2017

The Russian Bear wrestled for over thirty years and is quite possibly best known for defeating Bruno Sammartino on January 18, 1971 for the WWWF Championship ending Bruno's near 8 year reign.  I first recall seeing him in Jim Crockett Promotions teaming with his nephew Nikita and Krusher Kruschev.  He passed away from liver cancer.

Johnny K-9 53, December 7, 1963 - February 21, 2017

Born Ion Croitoru, Johnny K-9 began wrestling in 1984 for Stampede Wrestling before going to the AWA.  He also wrestled as a jobber in the WWF, and toured Japan with NJPW, FMW, & WAR.  He wrestled under other names such as Bruiser Bedlam, The Terrible Turk, and more.

Outside wrestling he was in various motorcycle gangs and accused of murder, assault, trafficking cocaine, and bombing a police station.

Tom Jones 77, October 22, 1939 - March 4, 2017

Jones wrestled for 30 years across North America but primarily out of Texas.  He held championships in California, Georgia, and the Pacific Northwest to name a few.  Jones promoted shows in Oklahoma and helped his son "Human Highlight Reel" Cody Jones get his start in wrestling.

"Outlaw" Ron Bass 68, December 21, 1948 - March 7, 2017

Bass debuted in 1971 for the NWA Gulf Coast Territory.  He would go on to compete in Championship Wrestling from Florida and Jim Crockett Promotions before entering the WWE in 1987.  He is probably best known for attacking Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake and cutting him up with spurs causing him to miss his match with the Honky Tonk Man at SummerSlam 1988.

He died after complications from surgery following a burst appendix.

Dennis Stamp 70, December 6, 1946 - March 13, 2017

Stamp debuted in wrestling in 1971 for the AWA becoming their rookie of the year.  In 1976 he joined the Funk's NWA Western States promotion making his home in Amarillo, Texas.  He is probably best known by my generation from his appearance in the 1999 documentary Beyond the Mat.  He died from lymphoma.

Fishman 66, January 6, 1951 - April 8, 2017

Fishman was a thirty-one year Lucha Libre veteran who won championships in the EMLL, UWA, and WWA.  He also was victorious in ten of eleven mask vs mask matches losing his own on August 28, 2000 to Mascara Sagrada.  His three sons also wrestle in Mexico.  He died from a heart Attack.

Joaquin Roldan 63, April 8, 2017

The General Manager for AAA worked for the company for many years before taking it over in 2006 with his son Dorian Roldan.  Roldan was married to Marisela Pena the sister of Antonio Pena who founded AAA in 1992.

Larry Sharpe 65, June 26, 1951 - April 10, 2017

Sharpe debuted for the WWWF in 1974 but is probably best known for his wrestling school The Monster Factory.  Sharpe opened The Monster Factory in 1983 with "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers and his wrestling school has turned out some amazing graduates including Bam Bam Bigelow, Chris Candido, Raven, The Pitbulls, and many many more.  Larry wrestled his last match Japan in 1987 teaming with his prized pupil Bigelow in a losing effort to Dick Murdoch and Tatsumi Fujinami.  He died from liver disease.

Matthew Anoa'i 47, April 7, 1970 - April 17, 2017

A member of the famous Anoa'i family, the son of Sika, Matt debuted in 1995 for his uncle's WXW promotion.  He's perhaps best known from his time in the WWE as one half of 3 Minute Warning and later as Rosey, the Super Hero In Training with The Hurricane. He passed away from congestive heart failure.

Brazo de Oro 57, October 7, 1959 - April 28, 2017

Brazo de Oro was a second generation Luchador wrestler for 40 years from 1975 - 2015.  Part of the famous Alvarado wrestling family which consists of his father, five brothers, and ten nieces and nephews many who still wrestle today in CMLL and AAA like Maximo, La Mascara, Goya Kong, and Psycho Clown.  Brazo was a former booker for CMLL and held numerous tag team and trios championships in Mexico and California promotions. He passed away from a heart attack.

Gran Apache 58, April 16, 1959 - May 7, 2017

Apache debuted in 1975 wrestling for 41 years and was technically still active at the time of his death.  He is the father of Faby and Mari Apache and worked for the AAA promotion since 1996.  He held the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships one time each with both of his daughters.  He was the head trainer for AAA for over a decade and is known for being one of the best trainers of female wrestlers.  He passed away from intestinal cancer.

Wayne Van Dyke 29, May 13, 2017

Van Dyke debuted in 2010 in Florida as Insane Wayne, and later competed as Richard Delicious.  He wrestled regularly on the independent scene in Florida including American Combat Wrestling.  On April 29, 2017 either during or after a match he suffered and apparent heart attack and was taken the a medical facility where he was placed in a medically induced coma until his death.

"Pretty Boy" Doug Somers 65, September 22, 1951 - May 16, 2017

Somers debuted in 1971 wrestling around the territories primarily for Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling and Championship Wrestling from Florida.  He is probably best known for his tag team with "Playboy" Buddy Rose managed by Sensational Sherri, and their feud with The Midnight Rockers over the AWA World Tag Team Championships.

"Rotten" Ron Starr 67, April 3, 1950 - June 8, 2017

Starr wrestled for 25 years from 1972 to 1997 starting in the Jim Crockett Promotions and other NWA Territories.  He wrestled around the territories including Japan, Canada, and Puerto Rico holding numerous regional championships.  In the forward to Starr's book "Bad to the Bone: 25 Yeras of Riots and Wrestling" Mick Foley credits Starr for teaching him the brawling style of wrestling.  Starr passed away in his sleep from an apparent collapsed lung.

Buddy Wayne 50, May 28, 1967 - June 17, 2017

Debuting in 1985 in Vancouver, Wayne wrestled for 32 years competing in his final match just three weeks before his death.  He wrestled extensively in the Pacific Northwest United States and Canada and was also a jobber for the WWE and WCW.  He passed away from a heart attack.

Mr. Pogo 66, February 5, 1951 - June 23, 2017

Mr. Pogo debuted in March 30, 1972 for New Japan Pro Wrestling on the eleventh show ever promoted by the company, and had his last match 44 years later.  I'm most familiar with Mr. Pogo from his death match days in FMW with Atsushi Onita.  Prior to that though he spent 10 years touring Canada and the United States (1975 -1985) before returning to Japan.  He first entered FMW in 1990 and adopted the Death Match style that would become his signature until the end of his career.  He died from complication from surgery that resulted in a cerebral infarction.

Smith Hart 68, November 28, 1948 - July 2, 2017

The eldest Hart sibling he wrestled from 1973 -1991 primarily for Stampede Wrestling but also toured Puerto Rico, Japan, England, Germany, and the United States.  He finished his career in Puerto Rico after Stampede was sold to the WWE.  He came back for a final match in 2013 defeating Mad Braddock at a Pure Wrestling Association show in Lefroy, Ontario.  He died from prostate cancer. 

Diane Von Hoffman 55, April 13, 1962 - July 6, 2017

Phyllis Burch began training while still in high school by Dale Mann, later she joined The Fabulous Moolah's training school eventually teaming with Moolah.  Under various names Hoffman toured the world wrestling in Japan, Canada, the Philippines and more.  In 1990 under the name Moondog Fifi she was part of the Moondogs feud with Jerry "The King" Lawler & Jeff Jarrett that resulted in her having her head shaved.  She died from complications from knee surgery.

Buddy Wolff 76, April 11, 1941 - July 11, 2017

Wolff was trained by the Verne Gagne and wrestled in Mid Atlantic region before moving to the WWWF wrestling Gagne at Madison Square Garden.  He toured the territories before winding down with the AWA having his Last Match on May 3, 1987 teaming with Doug Somers & Kevin Kelly in a losing effort to Ray Stevens and The Midnight Rockers.

"Beautiful" Bobby Dean Tovey 40, September 2, 2017

This second generation wrestler, the son of Lord Little Brook, debuted in 1995 and wrestled around the United States most of the time against his brother Little Kato.  Sadly I cannot find much detail about Bobby's career.  He appeared to have wrestled his last match June 10, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri in a losing effort to NWL KC Champion: Dak Draper.

Otto Wanz 74, June 13, 1943 - September 14, 2017

Wanz debuted in Austria in 1968 and later wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling as Bulldog Otto.  In 1973 he founded Catch Wrestling Association based in Austria and Germany.  He is a former AWA World Champion and four time CWA World Champion.  He retired from full time in 1990 wrestling his last match August 23, 1996 defeating Terry Funk at CWA Catch Cup 1996.  He folded the CWA promoting their last show on December 4, 1999.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan 72, November 1, 1944 - September 17, 2017

The greatest wrestling manager of all time, and one of the greatest commentators of all time.  There really isn't anything I can say about The Brain that hasn't been said already.  I always enjoyed Bobby no matter what role he was in and I'm glad that I had the chance to meet him.  Sadly though it was after cancer had taken away his ability to speak. 

Lance Russell 91, March 18, 1926 - October 3, 2017

The Voice of Memphis Wrestling for nearly 40 years Lance started calling the action in 1959 for Nick Gulas and Roy Welch.  His long term partnership with Dave Brown began in 1967.  He worked for WCW from 1989 - 1993ish before returning to Memphis Wrestling.  He also worked for Smoky Mountain Wrestling as the company was winding down.

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Russell in 2009 at the NWA Legneds Fanfest.  He was very approachable and genuine and a pleasure to chat with.  On Saturday morning of the Fanfest Lance, Dave Brown, and Jerry Jarrett did a 90 minute Memphis Wrestling Roundtable that was outstanding.

Eric Denis 40, October 8, 2017

I wasn't able to find a lot about Denis but this is what I did find.  He was a 21 year veteran of the ring competing primarily in the Montreal based ICW. The weekend of his death ICW was promoting two benefit shows on Saturday and Sunday.  Denis had wrestled five times on Saturday and was in his second bout Sunday when he collapsed in the ring.  Paramedics attempted to revive Denis but were unsuccessful.

Stan Kowalski 91, May 13, 1926 - October 20, 2017

A World War II veteran Kowalski began wrestling in 1948 for the NWA.  He formed a tag team called Murder Incorporated with Tiny Mills.  The duo wrestled around the world together in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and United States.  They captured the Minneapolis Version of the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice and when the AWA withdrew from the NWA Murder Inc was announced as the first ever AWA Tag Team Champions.

In 1970 he changed his name to Krippler Karl Kovac and entered the WWWF where on March 9, 1970 he headlined Madison Square Garden challenging Champion Bruno Sammartino.

Tokyo Joe 75, 1942 - November 4, 2017

Joe Daigo began his wrestling career in Japan but is best know for his time in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling.  After a car accident in 1974 ended his in ring career he became a prolific trainer in the Hart Dungeon including the last graduates Nattie Neidhart, Harry Smith, and TJ Wilson.  He came the gaijin booker for New Japan helping many wrestlers get their first trip to the land of the rising sun.

Dick "Tugboat" Taylor 71, December 9, 1945 - November 8, 2017

Debuting in 1980, Taylor stayed primarily in Texas Territories wrestling for Mid-South, Global Wrestling Federation, and others.  Eventually he opened his own wrestling school and promoted under the banner Texas All Pro Wrestling.  His son Chaz Taylor also became a wrestler and promoted NWA Houston.

"Blackheart" Dave Johnson 50, May 22, 1967 - November 26, 2017

Trained by The Great Malenko, Blackheart debuted in 1989 primarily competing in the Florida region.  In 1991 he worked as a jobber in WCW before donning a mask as Blackheart Devastation with Tom Nash who was Blackheart Apocalypse.  The duo would wrestle in the USWA, and toured All Japan in 1993.

Johnson was still and active wrestler at the time of his death mostly for Coastal Championship Wrestling in Florida.  He also had a hand in training several wrestlers including MVP.  Slam Sports has an excellent write up on him here.

Devon Fielding 42, September 14, 1975 - December 4, 2017

Debuting in 1994 after training with Leo Burke and Biff Wellington he wrestled primarily in Western Canada.  Slam sports has a great write up on Mr. Fielding here.

Tom Zenk 59, November 30, 1958 - December 9, 2017

An avid bodybuilder and former Mr. Minnesota he began his wrestling career in the AWA in 1984.  He formed a tag team with Rick Martel in 1986 in Montreal's Lutte Internationle.  Calling themselves the Can-Am Connection they debuted in the WWE in 1986.  The team defeated Don Muraco and Bob Orton in the opening match for WrestleMania III.  The team seemed to be in line to win the tag team championships when Zenk abruptly left the promotion.

After stints in All Japan and the AWA he debuted for WCW as The Z-Man.  There he captured the World Television Championship and the United States Tag Team Championships with Brian Pillman.  In 1994 he left WCW and returned to All Japan before taking a hiatus in 1995.  He returned in late 1996 finishing his career in the Washington State based American Wrestling Federation.

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