Strange Death of All Star Wrestlers

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., (WWE,) refers to the professional wrestling promotion, founded in 1952 by American professional boxing and wrestler promoter, Roderick James “Jess” McMahon (May 26, 1882 – November 22, 1954) and co-founder American wrestling promoter  Joseph Raymond “Toots” Mondt (January 18, 1894 – June 11, 1976), and, known as the world’s largest wrestler’s main events promotions, holding about 320 house shows a year and broadcasting to about more than 150 countries as of 2014. The promotion’s previous name was the Capitol Wrestling Corporation (CWC), the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and now known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), then the company has officially called it solely as WWE since 2011, though the company  name was not changed. In February 2006, WWE initiated the Talent Wellness Program is a extensive screening program for drug, alcohol, and cardiac case, shortly after the sudden death of one of their highest profile talents, Eddie Romero, died of heart failure at 38. The company policy tests for recreational drug use and abuse of prescribed medication, that includes anabolic steroids and all talents of the company are tested annually which under the guidelines of the policy, for existing or developing cardiac issues. Aegis Sciences Corporation handle the drug testing while the evaluation for cardiac issues are handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C. One of WWE performer, professional wrestler Chris Benoit committed suicide after he committed double murder, with a possible link to abuse used of steroids, and  encouraged by WWE, the United States House Committee on Overnight and Government Reform requested that WWE to turn over any material about their talent wellness policy. The WWE majority owner, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Vincent Kennedy “Vince” McMahon of the company, together with his wife, Linda Marie Edwards- McMahon, children Shane Brandon McMahon (businessman, occasional wrestler and referee  and Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, professional wrestling valet or manager and son-in-law, professional wrestler Paul Michael Levesque known for his ring names Triple H.

1)   Chris Adams

Christopher Adams (born February 10, 1955 –died October 7, 2001), known in his ring name as “Gentleman” Chris Adams, was an English professional wrestler, wrestling promoter, trainer, part-time model and judoka. Adams was a weight class and three-time British National Judo Champion at age 21. Adams wrestled in Texas mostly, in particular World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), where he was one of the most popular wrestlers of the promotion. Adams was an expert in many areas of martial arts and held a black belt in Judo. In 1978,  Adams first entered professional wrestling without any formal training, but only rely on his judo background. Chris Adams is also famous for his superkick finishing move, as the first wrestler to popularize that move, which would later be used by dozens of other wrestlers (especially Shawn Michaels‘ ‘Sweet Chin Music’ or superkick). Chris Adams was married to Jeannie Clark ( a former professional wrestling manager and the former wife of three professional wrestlers, including Stone Cold Steve Austin. She was later known as Jeannie Adams and later became known as Lady Blossom during her participation in NWA from the 1970s to the mid 1984 and Jeannie Clark Williams). Together, they had a daughter, Jade and was later adopted by Clarke William’s second husband, Steve Austin (American actor, producer and retired professional wrestler known with his ring name as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin). On December 20, 1984, Chris Adams married his second wife, in Hawaii, American professional wrestling manager and valet Toni Leah Collins (born August 19, 1964 – died June 24, 2010). Together they have a son, Christopher Jr. The couple divorced on August 15, 1994. Toni Collins was hospitalized in June 2010 due to an abscess in her abdomen. Few days later in late June, Collins was hospitalized again in full cardiac arrest and died on June 24, 2010 at the age of 45 ). Chris Adams also fathered a daughter, Julia (born 1994), by Brandi Freeman, also a professional wrestler known as Miss Brandi in a handful of wrestling cards that Adams promoted before going to WCW. Adam and Brandi broke up in late 1999. In 2003, Brandi Freeman died from a drug overdose, leaving her daughter, Julia orphaned. Adams and Linda Kaphengst, his girlfriend for four months, were both found unconscious inside an apartment’s friend in 2000, and both were found victims of drug GHB overdose and alcohol. Adams was able to recover, but Linda Kaphengst died 10 hours later in a local hospital. Adams married his third wife Karen J. Burge on August 25, 2001 in Dallas, only six weeks prior to his death. Chris Adams was indicted on a manslaughter charge, over a year later, while awaiting trial, he was fatally shot in the chest during a drunken brawl with a friend, known as Booray aka Brent Parnell October 7, 2001 in Waxahachie, Texas at his home. The owner of the gun claimed self-defense and was acquitted of all charges. Before Adams death, he was considered semi-retired, planned to move permanently to Florida and compete in a wrestling organization featuring several former WCW and WWE stars, such as Hulk Hogan. 

2) ”Davey” Boy Smith

David “Davey” Boy Smith (November 27, 1962 – May 18, 2002) was a British professional wrestler, best known for his ring name as The British Bulldog, born in Wigan in North West England, UK. Davey Smith is known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF),  with Stampede Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Ted Betley trained in Winwick, England and relocated to Calgary. Alberta, Canada for further training under professional wrestler Stu Hart  (Stewart Edward “Stu” Hart (born May 3, 1915 – died from complication of stroke on October 16, 2003). Davey Smith married Diana Joyce Hart in 1984, youngest daughter of Stu and Helen Hart, while training with Hart. Davey and Diana had two children, Harry Smith, also a professional wrestler known by his ring name David Hart Smith (born on August 2, 1985) and Georgia (born on September 26, 1987). In 2000, Smith and Diana divorced with Smith being given shared custody of their children. At the same time, Davey Smith entered a drug rehabilitation clinic at the authoritative order and expense of WWE CEO Vince McMahon due to his problems with prescription painkillers and other drugs he was using, and was also using morpine since he suffered back injury in WCW, and Smith was released from the company after rehabilitation. On May 18, 2002 , Smith died at the age of 39, after suffering a heart attack while on vacation in Invermere, British Columbia with his girlfriend, Andrea,ex-wife of professional wrestler Bruce Hart, who also claimed, ‘Davey paid the price with steroid cocktails and human-growth hormones. An autopsy report revealed that past anabolic steroid use may be a caused in his death, however, no certain reason was found. Smith had been training with the intention of resuming his wrestling career, and had wrestled in three tag team matches with his son, Harry, also a Canadian professional wrestler of English descent, the previous weekend before his death.

3)  Crash Holly

Michael John “Mike” Lockwood (August 25, 1971 – November 6, 2003) Lockwood was born in Anaheim, California, and raised in Pacifica, California, was an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name as Crash Holly (or simply Crash), in the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E) promotion. He began his wrestling career as Hardcore Holly‘s storyline (kayfabe) cousin Crash Holly. Crash Holly won the Hardcore Championship 22 times and starts his greatest success in WWF/E’s hardcore division. He was released from WWE in June 2003, and joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Mad Mikey, a perpetually angry character as his gimmick. He remained with TNA until his death four months later. Lockwood met N’keigh Wheeler, when she escorted strongman and professional wrestler Mark Henry to the ring at Unforgiven 1999, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lockwood married N’Keigh Wheeler on New Year’s Eve, 1999. Lockwood died on November 6, 2003, at the age of 32, in Stevie Richards’ Florida home, his friend and fellow wrestler. Lockwood was found clothed partially full of vomit around his face, and probable cause of death choking by his own vomit. Empty bottles of the prescription drug Carisoprodol and a bottle of alcohol partially consumed were found near his body and was officially ruled a suicide. Lockwood had recently received divorce papers from his wife, N’Keigh. He was buried in China Grove in Rowan County, North Carolina. Nora Greenwald, who performed alongside Lockwood as Molly Holly, released an autobiographical DVD in August 2005, a portion of the profits from the sale of the DVD went to the education fund of Mike Lockwwod‘s  daughter, Greenwald’s onetime on-screen cousin, after his death.

4)   Eddie Guerrero

Eduardo Gory “Eddie” Guerrero Llanes (October 9, 1967 – November 13, 2005), was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, was an American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. Eddie Guerrero wrestled in several major promotional wrestling promotions in Mexico and Japan. Guerrero’s gimmick in the United States wrestling, was that of Latino Heat, a crafty, resourceful wrestler who would do anything to win a match. His storylines was his real problems in life with his consent. Guerrero’s famous catchphrase was I Lie! I Cheat! I Steal!, which was used in one of his entrance themes. Though most of Guerrero’s career as being a villain, he got over in and outside the ring being the youngest, yet most popular and successful of the Guerrero brothers. Guerrero was widely regarded as one of the most respected and gifted technical wrestlers in history. Since he started his wrestling career, Guerrero encountered various Substance abuse, addiction to painkillers and alcoholism problems outside of wrestling. In March 2000, Guerrero, who portray as a villainous character in wrestling, began to pursue Chyna‘s affections, who he referred to as his Mamacita. Chyna (American former profession, actress, bodybuilder and pornographic actress born Joan Marie Laurer) at the time, she was allies with Chris Jericho whom he rejected his advances. However,   Chyna became uncomfortable as Guerrero started to cheat in order to retain his title, while Guerrero became upset that Chyna was posing for Playboy Magazine, with Guerrero’s attempting to stop the pictorials by invading the Playboy Mansion. The Guerrero married Vickie Lynn Lara on April 24, 1990 and had two daughters, Shaul Marie Guerrero  (born October 14, 1990 now singer, model, professional wrestling manager and professional wrestler under the ring name Raquel Diaz) and Sherilyn Amber Guerrero (born July 8, 1995). Guerrero also has another daughter, Kaylie Marie Guerrero (born 2002) from his relation with another woman, known as Tara Mahoney, during the time when Guerrero and wife Vickie separated for two years. Guerrero and Tara Mahoney split and he reconciled with his wife, Vickie. Guerrero and Mahoney remained close friends until his death in 2005. Guerrero was a born again Christian.  On November 13, 2005, Guerrero was found unconscious on November 13, 2005, in his hotel room (The Marriott City Center) in Minneapolis,Minnesota, by his nephew, Chavo Guerrero,  attempted CPR, but Guerrero was pronounced dead when paramedics arrived at the scene. Guerrero was 38 years old at the time of his death.  Guerrero died as a result of acute heart failure due to primary atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as a result of an autopsy. Guerrero’s wife, Vickie, claimed that her husband had been unwell in the week prior to his death. Professional wrestler, Chavo, stated on the episode of WWE Byte This! on November 30, that his uncle, Eddie Guerrero had been working hard and was at peak physical fitness as a result, doing daily cardiovascular and weight training exercises.

5)   Johnny Grunge

Michael Lynn Durham (July 10, 1966 – February 16, 2006) was an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name as Johnny Grunge. Durham and professional wrestler Rocco Rock formed the tag team known as The Public Enemy in 1993 in Woodbridge, New Jersey. This was not the first time Grunge and Rocco Rock met, though in Austria circa 1991, they faced one another as The Public Enemy with Grunge (using the ring name Johnny Rotten) and lost to Rock (using the ring name Cheetah). After Rocco Rock’s death in 2002, Johnny Grunge teamed with Joey Grunge, his “brother” as The New Public Enemy until August 2003. Grunge and professional wrestler Chris Benoit were neighbors, and Grunge regularly helped Benoit cope with death of Eddie Guerrero in November 2005. Johnny Grunge was preparing for a comeback in 2006, when his cousin, Jason Ray, a wrestler for Big Japan Wrestling, helped book him for the upcoming Spring 2006 BJW tour. On February 16, 2006, Grunge died at the age of 39, in his Peachtree City, Georgia residence as a result of steroid overdose. Johnny Grunge is survived by his widow, Penney, and two sons.

6)   John Tenta

John Anthony Tenta, Jr. (June 22, 1963 – June 7, 2006) was a Canadian sumōtori (or Sumo wrestler, but occasionally referred to sekitori) and professional wrestler known by his ring name as Earthquake for his work in the World Wrestling Federation. He was known as Kototenzan during his sumo career, and later, Tenta switched to professional wrestling becoming a high-profile WWF star, wrestler Hulk Hogan was one of his opponent on the ring and winning with partner and personal friend wrestler Typhoon at the WWF Tag Team Championship. Tenta’s career as professional wrestler surrounds in the World Championship Wrestling, where he was known as Avalanche and The Shark,in All Japan Pro Wrestling and a return to WWF as Golga. Tenta quit his sumo career despite doing well as a newcomer, due to the difficulty of the sumo lifestyle and the hard surface of the ring was taking on his body, and the world of sumo required Tenta to remove his large tiger tattoo on his left biceps via skin grafting and, though Tenta covered his tattoo  during matches, before moving up to the higher level competitions, because in Japan tattoos are associated with gangsters. In 2004, Tenta retired from wrestling after he was diagnosed of bladder cancer, and was given a 20% chance to live, assuming he continued with his chemotherapy treatments. Tenta announced on an interview on WrestleCrap Radio on November 18, 2005, that a recent radiation dosage did not go as planned, and had no effect on the tumor, and also stated that multiple tumors had spread to his lungs. John Tenta died on June 7, 2006, after suffering from cancer at the age of 42. The June 9, 2006 edition of SmackDown, and the edition of Raw of June 12, 2006, before the show started, the WWE showed a bumper that read “RIP ‘Earthquake’ John Tenta” in honor of him. John Tenta is married to Josephine Tenta and has three children together.

7)   Rocco Rock

Theodore James “Ted” Petty (September 1, 1953 – September 21, 2002) was an American professional wrestler, known by his ring name as “Flyboy” Rocco Rock, one half of the team The Public Enemy. In 1978, Petty started wrestling as The Cheetah Kid, after his short career as a boxer. In 1990, Petty wrestled in the National Wrestling Alliance, appearing as Colonel DeKlerk at Starrcade ’90. Rocco Rock represented South Africa along with Sergeant Krueger in a tag team match, but the team lost to The Steiner Brothers. Ted Petty used the name Rocco Rock  in 1993, and formed a tag team they call The Public Enemy with professional wrestler Johnny Grunge, with a gimmick of inner city criminals, or hoodies or ghetto, where their team first wrestled in the Universal Wrestling Federation and Extreme Championship Wrestling. The tag team, The Public Enemy signed with World Championship Wrestling in 1996, where they won the tag team title and feuded with The Nasty Boys.The tag team continued to use some of their extreme tactics and gimmicks making the team famous in ECW, including the frequent use of tables in match.Ted Petty aka Rocco Rock died of heart attack at the age of 49, on September 21, 2002.

8)  Bam Bam Bigelow

Scott Charles Bigelow (September 1, 1961 – January 19, 2007) was an American professional wrestler known by his ring name as Bam Bam Bigelow. Bigelow worked in major wrestling promotions, during his twenty-one years as professional wrestler, including the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the original Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) promotion, and the World Championship Wrestling (WCW). BamBam Bigelow is best known for his distinctive flame tattoo covering almost his head and his size of nearly 390 pounds (180 kg,). Bigelow and his wife Dana Fisher, had three children, together, Shane Bigelow (born 1988), Scott Colton Bigelow (born 1995), and daughter, Ricci Bigelow, (born 1998). After their divorced in 2000, the three children live with his ex-wife in New Jersey. Dana Fisher sued Bigelow for non-payment of child support in 2005. Bigelow rescued three children from a burning house near his home, and had a second degree burns on 40% of his body in July 2000, and spent two months in a hospital for full recovery. Upon his retirement, Bigelow moved to a private recreational community after his retirement, in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania area  known The Hideout. Scott Bigelow opened the eponymous Bam Bam Bigelow restaurant located nearby in the town of Hamlin in Salem Township, but the restaurant was close later. Bam Bam Bigelow relocated to Florida, that even his close friend fellow wrestler,Shane Douglas was clueless of Bigelow’s whereabouts. Bigelow was charged with endangering the welfare of a child through reckless driving in May 2004, and Bigelow attributed the incident to a mild seizure he had suffered, and two months later, the charges were dropped. Bigelow was rushed to the hospital October 2, 2005, after his Harley-Davidson motorcycle crashed and was treated for a broken nose and several lacerations in Spring Hill, Florida. At the time of the crash, Bigelow’s girlfriend, Janis Remiesiewicz, was his passenger and she suffered severe injuries, but made a complete recovery and remained with Bigelow until his death. Bam Bam Bigelow was found dead in his home by his partner, Remiesiewicz  on January 19, 2007 at approximately 10:00 a.m. EST in Hudson, Florida at the age of 45. The autopsy results showed that his death was due to toxic levels of cocaine and multiple drugs found in his system and an anti-anxiety drug. Bam Bam Bigelow was also suffering from severe back problems and a heart problem, known as arteriosclerotic diovascular disease.

9)    Chris Benoit

Christopher Michael Benoit (May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler, who had worked for major promotions such as Consejo Mundial deLucha Libre (CMLL), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and theWorld Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE). Chris Benoit was born to parents, Michael and Margaret Benoit in Montreal, Quebec, but grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, and can speak English and French fluently. Chris Benoit and fellow wrestler Eddie Guerrero became good friends following a match in Japan, when Benoit utilized an Enzuigiri kick (any attack that strikes the back of the head) and knocked him out cold. Since then they started a friendship that lasted even after Eddie Guerrero’s death in late 2005, in which Benoit had written diary entries to him just in ten days after Guerrero’s passing. The content became a premonition of Benoit’s own death.  Benoit became close friends with professional wrestler Dean Malenko as the trio traveled from promotion to promotion together putting on matches, being dubbed the Three Amigos by commentators. Benoit had two children,David and Megan by his first wife, Martina, but their marriage broke down by 1997, and Benoit lived with Nancy Sullivan, the wife of Kevin Sullivan,  WCW booker and his frequent opponent.  Nancy g birth to a son, they named Daniel on February 25, 2000, Chris Benoit married Nancy on November 23, 2000. For Nancy, it was her third marriage. Nancy filed for divorce from Benoit, in 2003, citing the marriage as irrevocably broken and claimed cruel treatment, that he would break and throw furniture around. But Nancy, dropped the suit, later, as well as the restraining order filed against her husband. After several missing appointments, the police entered the home of Chris Benoit on June 25, 2007, on a “welfare check”. The police officers discovered the bodies of Benoit, his wife Nancy, and their 7-year-old son Daniel at around 2:30 p.m.EDT. According to investigations, they determined that Benoit had committed the murders of his wife Nancy and their son, Daniel on June 22, 2007, over a three-day period, before committing suicide by hanging himself with a weight machine on June 25, 2007. Benoit’s wife, Nancy, was found bound before the killing while his son was drugged and likely unconscious before Benoit strangled him. The father of Chris, Michael Benoit, confirmed that his son was quietly cremated. Numerous commented and react for Benoit’s actions since his suicide, some thoughts because of failing marriage, and abused steroid used causing brain damage.

10)   Crush

Brian Keith Adams (April 14, 1964 – August 13, 2007) was an American professional wrestler, and best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), under the name Crush, and using his real name for World Championship Wrestling. Adams was trained by Antonio Inoki in Japan, Adams won many titles and accomplishment such as, two-time WCW World Tag Team Champion, a one-time holder of both theWWF World Tag Team Championship and the All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Championship. Adams briefly tried a boxing career in 2002, until he was forced to retire due to back and shoulder injuries. Upon his departure from the WWF, Adams, continued to use the Crush gimmick, after his departure from the WWF and returned to PNW.  His cause of death was never officially confirmed. Brian Adams was born in Kona, Hawaii and was raised in Kealakekua, Hawaii. Adams joined the military, where he began his boxing career after high school graduation. While stationed in Japan as military, he was also exposed to wrestling was trained in wrestling by Antonio Inoki, famous Japanese wrestler and mixed martial artist. In 1996, Adams had an uncredited role in the Bollywood movie Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi,  portray the role as Crush and was killed by The Undertaker played by American professional wrestler, Brian Lee in a wrestling match. Adams had surgery to attempt to correct his spinal injury, after he retired from wrestling, which was unsuccessful and left him unfit to continue to wrestle. Adams became a bodyguard after his retirement, for his longtime friend, Randy Savage, professional wrestler-turned-rapper, who was touring promoting his Be a Man CD. Brian Adams and his wife, Irene Yumiko have two children. Adams was found unconscious in his bed by his wife at their Tampa, Florida home on August 13, 2007. His wife called 911, but soon the paramedics arrived, he was pronounced dead, at the age of 43. According to reports, in February 2006, Adams received illegal steroids, nandroone, testosterone including and HGH, and these illegal drugs were speculated to have played a role in his death and reported cause of death was accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

11)  The Missing Link

Byron James John “Dewey” Robertson (February 28, 1939 – August 16, 2007) was a professional wrestler, known by his ring name Missing Link best known for his trademark of painting his face with blue and green face paint and shaved portions of his head while letting the hair grow in other areas. Robertson’s gimmick is the same with George “The Animal” Steele, former wrestler, actor and author and retired American wrestler, James Harris best known by his ring name as Kamala, like a crazy out-of-control wildman, that needed trainer or manager that can lead him to the ring. During his matches, Missing Link’s gimmick, he often bang his own head repeatedly into the turnbuckle or wooden chair, headbutt and dive head first onto an opponent. Robertson started wrestling in Canada in the 1960s, by his ring name Dewey Robertson, and became famous babyface in the area of Toronto, Canada. In 1973, Robertson went to the United States to wrestle, but after a year he  returned by his ring name as The Masked Crusader with his manager John St. John. Robertson was on a crusade to keep wrestling scientific but was later unmasked by The Sheik  (former American professional wrestler Edward George “Ed” Farhat (June 9, 1924 – died from cancer on January 18, 2003). Robertson and fellow professional wrestler William Snip ( May 17, 1932 – died from cancer on June 22, 2009 at age 77) known by his ring name as Billy Red Lyons formed a tag team called The Crusaders. In the 1990s, Robertson retired from wrestling, but came back to do independent shows as The Missing Link in 2004. On May 5, 2007, Robertson’s last match was against Al Jihad in Buffalo, NY. Byron “Missing Link” Robertson’s sons, Jason Stirling and Mark Stirling were also professional wrestlers. Robertson  admitted to alcoholism, drugs and taking steroids during his career in 2006, written in his autobiography, Bang Your Head: The Real Story of The Missing Link was published by ECW Press. Robertson died on August 16, 2007 at age 68, after a long battle with cancer.

12)  Test

Andrew James Robert Patrick Martin (March 17, 1975 – March 13, 2009) was a Canadian professional wrestler known by his ring name  Test, and became popular during his time with the World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment. Martin won six championships in the WWF/E, successful as a singles competitor, and won in the Intercontinental and European Championships once each, and twice at the Hardcore Championship. He also became champion twice in a world tag team championship, the WWF and WCW World Tag Team Championship with Booker T.  During his first tenure in WWE, Andrew Martin was in a relationship with former American actress, model and WWE professional wrestler and manager, Stacy Keibler. After they split, Martin had a relationship with model and former professional wrestler and valet Kelly Kelly (Barbara Jean “Barbie” Blank) during his second stint with the company, but broke up before Martin’s death. On September 14, 2007 and April 5, 2008, Martin was arrested in Hillsborough County and Pasco County for driving under the influence on September 14, 2007 and April 5, 2008 respectively, and was booked into jail twice, but was released after posting bail the following day. On March 13, 2009,  Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Florida home, four days before his 34th birthday. When concerned neighbor saw Martin appearing motionless for several hours through a window outside of his condominium, they called the police, and retrieved the body after climbing the balcony of his apartment. The authorities believed that Martin died the previous day. Martin’s death was ruled an accidental overdose of oxycodone, and determined by forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu that Martin had severe chronic traumatic brain injury related  boxing,  which is a type of brain damage with an Alzheimer’s-like form which fellow pro wrestler Chris Benoit was also found to be suffering from for committing double murder and suicide in 2007, caused by repeated concussions and subconcussive head injuries. Martin aka Test was cremated and his remains were flown to his family at his hometown of Whitby, Ontario, Canada.

13)   Steven Dunn or Steve Doll

Steven Lyle Doll (December 9, 1960 – March 22, 2009) was an American professional wrestler, best known for his tenure in the (WWF) as Steven Dunn in the tag team Well Dunn. Steve Doll was half of a jobber tag team that wrestled the Sting and Warrior as Blade Runners in their first match in the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) in 1985. Steve Doll joined the World Wrestling Federation in 1993 alongside his Southern Rocker teammate Rex King, and they became known as Well Dunn (Steven Dunn and Timothy Well) and were managed by Harvey Wippleman. The tag team were used primarily as an undercard tag team but feuded with The Bushwhackers on Monday Night Raw’s several episodes. Steven Doll went to the United States Wrestling Association as Steven Dunn, and defeated Doomsday (Glenn Thomas Jacobs now known by his ring name as Kane) for the USWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, and the last wrestler to hold that title until the USWA folded in 1997. Doll was hospitalized after having a seizure associated to an intestinal blockage in May 2006, and he underwent successful surgery at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.  On March 22, 2009, Doll died at the age of 48, after a blood clot  from his lungs reaching his heart.

14)  Umaga

Edward “Eddie” Smith Fatu (March 28, 1973 – December 4, 2009) was a Samoan-American professional wrestler, known by his ring name as Jamal and Umaga, for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment in the 2000s. Eddie Fatu aka Umaga was a member of the Anoa’i wrestling family and frequently worked as a part of tag team, namely, The Island Boyz, the Samoan Gangstas, and 3-Minute Warning with Anoai’s cousin. Fatu was repackaged to his ring name, Umaga when he returned to WWE2007.  Eddie Fatu was born to Vera and Solofa Fatu, Sr., and was a member of the famous Anoai’s family. His mother, Vera Anoa’i, was the sister of Afa (Arthur “Afa” Anoa’i, Sr.) and Sika (Leati “Sika” Anoa’i) of the Wild Samoans.  Eddie “Umaga” Fatu has two older brothers who were also professional wrestlers, Sam (Samuel Larry Anoa’i Fatu known by his ring name The Tonga Kid, or Tama) and Solofa (Solofa Fatu Jr.known under his ring name as Rikishi  and Fatu) are also professional wrestlers, and he was also a cousin of former professional wrestler and actor Dwayne Johnson. Fatu’s mother, Vera, died after a seven-year battle with cancer, on April 27, 2008. Eddie Fatu was married, and had four children. An article was published by Sports Illustrated, the New York Daily News and The Washington Post on August 30, 2007, named Eddie Fatu as one of a number of superstars to have purchased on an online pharmacy, pharmaceutical products, a violation of the WWE Talent Wellness Program. Between July and December 2006, Fatu allegedly received a growth hormone called, somatropin, after the No drugs from online sources rule was implemented. Eddie Fatu violated the Wellness Policy, and due to his unwillingness to seek rehabilitation, he was released from his WWE contract in June 2009. On December 4, 2009, Fatu was found unconscious and not breathing with blood coming out of his nose, and was rushed to the hospital. Fatu had suffered a heart attack, and was pronounced dead at the age of 36,  around 5:00 PM Central Time after suffering a second heart attack.The official cause of death was acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol and diazepam. 

15)   “Dr. Death” Steve Williams

Steven “Steve” Williams (May 14, 1960 – December 29, 2009),  was an American professional wrestler,and  author known by his ring name “Dr. Death” Steve Williams. Steven Williams aka Dr. Death, was a three time world champion, winning two times from the UWF World Heavyweight Championship and the AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship once. Dr. Death also achieved great tag team success in North America, winning tag team titles in the Mid-South, World Championship Wrestling, UWF and NWA United States Tag Team Championship as well as winning the World’s Strongest Tag Team League twice with Gordy and Mike Rotunda. In 1982, he started training wrestling under Bill Watts in his Watt’s Mid-South Wrestling and also under Buddy Landel. In 1985, Williams formed a team with Ted DiBiase in 1985, and feuded with Eddie Gilbert (Thomas Edward (Eddie) Gilbert, Jr. (August 14, 1961 – February 18, 1995) was an American professional wrestler and booker, known by his ring name as “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert) and The Nightmare. In 2004, Williams underwent surgery for throat cancer in 2004 and was declared cancer-free the next year. On March 11, 2006, Williams appeared at a SmackDown! brand house show, in Alexandria, Louisiana, signed to help train up-and-coming WWE wrestlers in its Ohio Valley Wrestling  (OVW) developmental territory. Williams made a few appearances on OVW television, where he helped Jake Hager, his fellow Oklahoma wrestler, and shortly worked as his tag team partner, and also made an appearance at an August 30 Raw house show, during which he announced to the crowd how happy he was to be cancer free for four years. Williams final match was held in Tokyo on October 25. However, his throat cancer eventually returned and Williams’s health deteriorated gradually and worsened. Williams died on December 29, 2009 at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver from throat cancer at age 49.

16)  Tony Halme aka Ludvig Borga

Tony Christian Halme (January 6, 1963 – January 8, 2010) was a Finnish politician, athlete, author and actor. Tony Halme was a member of the Finnish Parliament from 2003 to 2007, as an independent politician representing the True Finns party. In the 1990s, Halme was also known by the pseudonym Viikinki he used when he appeared in a Finnish version of the GladiatorsTV game show entitled Gladiaattorit. Halme was also a professional wrestler best known for his ring name as Ludvig Borga, during his appearances with World Wrestling Federation, an MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter and a professional boxer who held the Finnish Heavyweight Championship. At his late teens Halme joined the Finnish military at his late teens and continued his training by serving in Finnish military sports team. Halme was trained by American professional wrestler and trainer, promoter Verne Gagne as a powerhouse professional wrestler. On October 29, 1990, Halme made his wrestling debut for Herb Abrams’ Universal Wrestling Federation (UFW) using the ring name as The Viking. Halme defeated The Patriot in his first match, Tony Halme was divorced from his wife Katja Talus. A handgun was fired inside Halme’s apartment, in July 2003, probably after a domestic quarrel, but nobody hurt from the incident, but the gun was unlicensed. Halme was using prescription medication because was in pain, few days before been in a boxing match. The risk of the dangerous combination of drugs and alcohol can be a factor in the incident. Halme’s blood contained trace amounts of amphetamine and illegal steroids were also found in his apartment, and he claimed that somebody had put the illegal substance into his drink without his knowledge. After the incident Halme was unconscious for several days, and the police searched Halme’s office at the House of Parliament. In January 2004 Halme’s trial was aired live on MTV3 digital television channel. Halme was suspended for four months sentence and fine, but continued to serve as Member of Parliament. Halme was convicted for driving while impaired in 2006. Halme was involuntarily committed to a mental hospital, in March 2006, reportedly due to delirium due by excessive use of alcohol. Halme had been diagnosed with alcohol-related disease called cirrhosis and acute pancreatitis in early 2006. After Halme spent his sick leave for almost the entire year of 2006, he went on disability pension at end of the Parliamentary term. Halme died on January 8, 2010 of self-inflicted gunshot wound using his unlicensed handgun at age 47. His body was found two days later.

17)   Chris Kanyon

Christopher Klucsarits (January 4, 1970 – April 2, 2010) was an American professional wrestler, known under his ring name as Chris Kanyon, or simply Kanyon and Mortis and known for his work in World Championship Wrestling as a jobber and the World Wrestling Federation. Kanyon was partnered with Mark Starr in a tag team called Men at Work, with their gimmick  that they were two construction workers turned wrestlers who wore jeans to the ring, and that Kanyon would cause the team to suffer losses by taking measurements with his tape measure during the match. Kanyon wear mask during his match in 1997, and was repackaged as Mortis, a which means death in Latin word.  On February 9, 2004, After a year suffering from two injuries and not being used in any major match, he was officially released from his contract and retired from wrestling on August 28, 2004, after losing a retirement match in Wayne, New Jersey to Diamond Dallas Page. Kanyon was arrested in the early hours of October 16, 2004, in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida for resisting arrest without violence for disorderly conduct after attempting to break up a fight. Kanyon was released when he was bailed out that same day after fellow wrestler, American professional wrestler, actor and stuntman with ring name Altar Boy Luke or also known with his ring name Luke Hawx (Oren Hawxhurst real name) provided a  $750 cash bond. After he was released from WWE in 2006, Kanyon started a gimmick that he was an openly gay wrestler, and later told reporters and radio personalities that this was just a publicity stunt, however, he later retracted these statements and acknowledged that he was in fact gay. Kanyon was working on a book, Wrestling Reality, with Ryan Clark before his death, and the book was was released on November 1, 2011, featuring Kanyon’s struggles as a closeted gay man.  Kanyon had been suffering from bipolar disorder and he threatened suicide few weeks before  death. Ken Klusarits his brother, found him dead on April 2, 2010, in his Sunnyside, Queens, New York apartment with an empty bottle of antidepressants, leaving a suicide note behind apologizing to his family.

18)   Lance Cade

Lance Kurtis McNaught (March 2, 1981 – August 13, 2010) was an American professional wrestler,best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) under the ring names Garrison Cade and Lance Cade. In December 1 1999, Cade and fellow wrestler Bryan Danielson went to Japan, made his debut and worked in Japan before being signed to a developmental contract by WWCade and Danielson worked as a tag team for a while before they went their separate ways, Cade remained in FMW and faced off against wrestler Balls Mahoney of Extreme Championship Wrestling in tag team matches and a three way dance against another FMW wrestler. After McNaught aka Cade was defeated by Mahoney in a three way dance on February 25, 2000, Cade left FMW, also involving Crazy Boy. In June 2010, Cad later began wrestling for All Japan Pro Wrestling, and at the time of his death had been scheduled to challenge for the AJPW Unified World Tag Team Championship teaming with Canadian professional wrestler René Duprée from the stable of Voodoo Murders. McNaught married Tanya R. Gonzalez on June 14, 2000, but they divorced on May 16, 2006, together they had two daughters, Natallye and Laryssa.  Cade and Tanya remarried, and had a stepson named Brian Curry II. Cade is the son in law of wrestler Victor “Black Gordman” Gonzalez. McNaught attended rehabilitation in January 2010, and completed a 30-day program in February. On August 13, 2010, McNaught died on at the age of 29 of apparent heart failure in San Antonio, Texas. Tanya, the wife of McNaught had noticed that Lance was not looking well in the past few weeks before his death, and he was confined to a hospital on August 10 with difficulty breathing, but discharged himself the next day. On ctober 13, two months after Cade’s death, the San Antonio medical examiner ruled his death as accidental drug overdose stating that intoxication from combined drugs complicated a cardiomyopathy that caused his death.

19)    Giant González

Jorge González (January 31, 1966 – September 22, 2010) was born El Colorado, Formosa, Argentina, he was an Argentine basketball player and professional wrestler, best known by his ring name as El Gigante in the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) between 1989 and 1992 and in 1993, he was knows ring name Giant Gonzalez in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and billed as a villain. Gonzalez suffered from Gigantism, which at age of 14 he reached 6’4, and later stood 7 ft 6 in. making him the tallest Argentine basketball player in history. In 1988, González took part in the NBA Draft was chosen by the Atlanta Hawks in the third round with Hernán  Montenegro, both became the first Argentine players drafted in the NBA. The Hawks bought the player’s rights from his Argentine team for a fee of 30,000 Argentine australes. However, Gonzalez  was not able to adapt to NBA’s basketball physical demands, partly due to a serious knee injury. Ted Turner, Hawks owner offered González a job in 1989 as a professional wrestler in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), owned also by Ted Turner. González was introduced to fans as El Gigante after a year of training,on May 19, 1990 at the pay-per-view Capital Combat, he competed as a fan favorite, wearing shorts and was billed as being close to eight feet tall. Jorge González aka El Gigante grew a beard and wore a full body suit that featured airbrushed muscles with bushy hair attached as his gimmick. On October 4, 1993, he made his last appearance in WWF was on Monday Night Raw episode in a 20 man battle royal match for the Intercontinental Championship. El Gigante was eliminated by Randy Savage Macho Man, Diesel, Baston Booger 1-2-3 Kid, Marty Jannetty, Adam Bomb and Bam Bam Bigelow. On October 7, 1993, WWF announced that Gonzalez had left the company when his contract had expired. In 1993, Gonzalez played the role of Manny, in an episode of Baywatch, as a carnival sideshow giant. In 1994, Gonzalez made a cameo appearance in Hercules in the Underworld, as Eryx the Boxer, from the television series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys a television prequel film and other roles in Thunder in Paradise a double episode turned movies in 1993 and 1994. In his later years, González lived on a ranch in Argentina. By October 2009, Gonzalez was confined to a wheelchair, and had to use a dialysis machine to treat his failing kidneys. Gonzalez died due to complications of diabetes, on September 22, 2010 at the age of 44, in his hometown of San Martin, Argentina.

Randy Savage

Randy Mario Poffo (November 15, 1952 – May 20, 2011), was an American professional wrestler known by ring name as “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and best known during his time in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and occasional color commentator. Savage’ manager was his real life wife “”Miss Elizabeth”Hulette. “Macho Man” Randy Savage, was known for his distinctively deep and raspy voice, his ring attire, intensity exhibited in and out of the ring, using as his entrance music is the Pomp and Circumstance and Oooh yeah! was his signature catch phrase. Savage married Elizabeth Ann Hulette on December 30, 1984, and became a wrestling manager. Savage died of cardiac arrhythmia while driving with his second wife Barbara Lynn Payne, in Seminole, Florida on the morning of May 20, 2011. Randy Mario Poffo was the eldest son of Judy, a Jewish and Angelo Poffo, Italian, American, born in Columbus, Ohio. Angelo was featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not,  a well-known wrestler in the 1950s and 1960s, who has the ability to do sit-ups for hours. His younger brother, Lanny Poffo is professional wrestler, performs under his ring name The Genius and also use his real name. Randy Savage began a feud onscreen with WWF Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair“, who claimed that he had been in a relationship with Miss Elizabeth, Savage’s wife before their marriage, according to the storyline, which went too far Flair presenting pictures together with Miss Elizabeth. While WWF Magazine published photos of Savage and Miss Elizabeth that same time, which were identical to those pictures of Elizabeth and Flair, and was later revealed that Flair had doctored the Savage-Elizabeth pictures. Savage and Elizabeth separated in the summer of 1992 and were divorced on September 18, 1992. Savage married his long-time girlfriend, Barbara Lynn Payne on May 10, 2010.  For years, Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage had an on again/off again friendship bu reconciled shortly before Savage’s death. Although, former wrestler The Ultimate Warrior did not agree over the reconciliation and said that the relations between Hogan and Savage had been limited to some casual encounters. Savage died at the age of 58, after suffering a sudden heart attack while driving with his wife in Seminole, Florida a town on the Pinellas County side of the Tampa Bay Area, on the morning of May 20, 2011. Savage lost control of his Jeep Wrangler when he became unresponsive, crashed jeep into a tree. Savage was found with enlarged heart and advanced coronary artery disease as a result of an autopsy performed by the medical examiner’s office of Pinellas-Pasco County. The examiner also found drugs in his system and a prescription painkiller and a small amount of alcohol. Savage was never aware of his heart condition, and had never been treated for heart problems. It was also not clear whether Randy Savage, had suffered a blockage in his coronary arteries or cardiac arrest from lack of oxygen to the heart muscle, thus his death was officially ruled out the cause of death was atherosclerotic heart disease.

20)    Doug Furnas

Doug Furnas (December 11, 1959 – March 2, 2012), was a professional wrestler and powerlifter, was an APF National and World Powerlifting Champion, who set multiple world records in the 275 pound weight class.  As a wrestler, Furnas worked for, among other promotions as a wrestler, at the World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Wrestling Federation (WWF), known for being part of the tag team Can-Am Express with tag team partner Phil Lafon. Upon retiring, Furnas and his wife ran a group home in San Diego for abused boys after his retirement and also raise bucking stock rodeo bulls in his family’s farm. On March 3, 2012, Furnas’ body was discovered at his home in Tucson, Arizona, and that time, the precise date of his death could not be estimated by the medical examiner because of decomposition, but is presumed to have been sometime in February. Furnas died at the age of 52. The official cause of death was ruled out as atherosclerotic and hypertensive heart disease and for many years before his death had been suffering Parkinson’s Disease. One of his sisters confirmed the death of Doug Furnas, and was survived by his wife, Martha, parents, three sisters, Lawayne, Pam and Terri, one brother Michael, and numerous nieces and nephews. Furnas was divorced once. Doug Furnas’s sister confirmed that his brother died in his sleep on March 2, 2012 in his home in Tucson, Arizona. Furnas is being cremated in Tuscon.

21)  Brad Armstrong

Robert Bradley “Brad” James  June 15, 1961 – November 1, 2012) was an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name as, Brad Armstrong, known for his appearances in the 1990s with the World Championship Wrestling WCW promotion. Brad Arstrong is the son of veteran wrestler Bob Armstrong and professional wrestler brothers Steve, Scott and Brian (best known by his ring name as Road Dogg). Brad started wrestling in disguise in May 1991 as Badstreet (originally Fantasia, however, the name was changed, to avoid legal action from Disney), a masked member of The Fabulous Freebirds with teams Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin, winning the WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. Brad Armstrong did not reveal his identity on television as Badstreet, and as a result, Armstrong was able to interfere on behalf of both sides during the Freebirds’ win over the Young Pistols for the said vacant U.S. Tag Team Championship at SuperBrawl I, first appeared as Brad Armstrong on behalf of the Pistols (who included his brother Steve Armstrong) then later as Fantasia on behalf of the Freebirds, all within the space of the same title match. Armstrong was given another masked gimmick, Arachnaman, who bore such a strong similarity to Spider-Man that the Marvel Comics threatened legal action, causing WCW to quickly drop the character. Brad Armstrong was an actor, known for 1998 WCW /NWO SuperBrawl VIII,1997 WCW World War 3 and 1991 Starrcade. Armstrong was married to Stephanie Davis and had two children together. Armstrong was found dead on Novemver 1, 2012,  in his Kennesaw, Georgia home, after seeing his physician the previous week for an undisclosed medical issue. The news of his death was broken via WWE.com   The cause of death was labeled ruled medical distress, although his best friend Tim Horner and his former tag team partner speculated that Armstrong may have died from a heart attack. Armstrong was survived by his wife Lori Spranz (whom he married on October 17, 1998) and his daughter Jillian (born 2001), his parents and brothers.

22)   Paul Bearer

William Alvin Moody born April 10, 1954 – died March 5, 2014, best known by his ring name as Paul Bearer and Percival Pringle III was an American professional wrestling manager, known for his time in World Class Championship Wrestling (WWCW) and the  World Wrestling Federation now known as WWE, where he became a manager of top level wrestlers such as The Undertaker, Kane, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Rick Rude and Vader. After the rn of his first son, he quit his involvement with the wrestling business and obtain the degree in mortuary science and earn a certificate as an embalmer and mortician. In December 1990, Moody aka Paul Bearer joined the World Wrestling Federation WWF, after he was mentioned by Rick Rude to Vince McMahon, owner of WWF promotion. Vince McMahon used the real life involvement of Moody in the funeral industry and created the character of Paul Bearer, a ghostly manager, always bearing his urn, with his popular catch phrase Ohhh yyyes! His name Paul Bearer is derived from the word pallbearer, participants during funerals who helps carry the casket of a deceased person.  Jim Ross asked Paul Bearer to rejoined the company, but he refused the offer due to suffering from health problem and depression related to his obesity and in November 2003, he underwent gastric bypass surgery. He appeared as Paul Bearer after his recovery at WrestleMania XX with Undertaker as his manager, in a match against Kane. Paul Bearer was “kidnapped” by The Dudley Boyz under Paul Heyman‘s direction, as a set up as the WWE storyline, in order Paul Bearer will undergo emergency gall bladder surgery after developing gallstones, which is commonly side effect of gastric bypass surgery. Moody married Dianna McDole in 1978 and the couple has two sons, Michael and Daniel Moody, who is also a professional wrestler. Bearer’s wife, Dianna, died on January 31, 2009 due to complications results from her breast cancer. Before Bearer underwent gastric bypass surgery, he had weighed 525 lbs (238 kg) but dropped to 300 lbs.  On March 2, Moody attended an event, and Moody was having difficulties in breathing and was coughing severely. He told his friends he was going to seek treatment for respiratory problems, and according to Kelly Moss, Bearer was treated for a blood clot. Moody died on March 5, 2013 at the age of 58 in Mobile, Alabama.

23)  Doink The Clown

Doink the Clown or Matt OsBorne died at age 55

Doink the Clown and Psyc

 

Matthew “Matt” Wade Osborne (July 27, 1957 – June 28, 2013) was an American professional wrestler, and a second generation wrestler as the son of “Tough” Tony Borne (Anthony Wayne “Tony” Osborne (July 13, 1926-August 27, 2010)) and known as being the first and longest-running wrestler playing the role as Doink the Clown. Osborne debuted for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)  in late 1992 after he left WCW of that same year and began competing in dark matches (A dark match before the show is often used to test new talent or warm up the crowd) as himself before becoming Doink the Clown, a villainous character of a clown, commonly pull tricks on the viewers and wrestlers at ringside. Doink the Clown, portrayed by Dusty Wolfe, interfered against Skandar Akbar and his men Dr. Knuckles and Rommel in a match on May 23, 2010, losing the tag titles during the Wrecking Ball Wrestling tag team matches. In retaliation Akbar challenge the original Doink the Clown, Matt Borne. Their match were scheduled to meet on Aug. 15, 2010, which at that time Dusty Wolfe did not showed up the event to avoid the wrath of Matt Borne. Matt Borne won the Wrecking Ball Wrestling Championship on August 8, 2010. Osborne became active competing all over the United States for the last several years until before his death. Osborne was found dead on June 28, 2013, at the age of 55, in his apartment he shared with his girlfriend in Plano, Texas. According to police investigation, Borne’s death appears accidental, and launched a precautionary homicide investigation, although no weapons were found near his body. The autopsy result ruled out the cause of Borne’s death is an accidental overdose of morphine and hydrocodone. Matt Borne was also suffering from heart disease, which may be a contributing factor cause in his death.

24)   Mabel (Nelson Frazier, Jr.

Nelson Frazier, Jr. (February 14, 1971 – February 18, 2014) born in Goldsboro, North Carolina as Nelson Lee Frazier Jr., was an American professional wrestler, also an actor, known for WWE Sunday Night Heat in 1998, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation/ World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/WWE) in the 1990s and 2000s under the ring names Mabel, Viscera and Big Daddy V. As Mabel Viscera, he won the 1994 WWF Tag Team Championship once with Mo (Robert “Bobby” Lawrence Horne now known as Sir Mo), as half of Men on a Mission. In 1995, Frazier became the King of the Ring. Frazier began his professional wrestling career under the ring name as Nelson Knight, one half of the team The Harlem Knights with his partner and storyline brother, Bobby also known as Sir Mo.The Harlem Knights were given a new gimmick, Nelson Frazier became Mabel when he joined the WWF. Mabel made a one-night-only surprise return to the WWF on July 6, 1998 to unsuccessfully challenge the new King of the Ring, Ken Shamroc.The next night on RAW, he was reintroduced as Viscera, and performed as the Ministry of Darkness‘ enforcer, adopting a gothic look, including white-out contact lenses, a bleached mohawk hairstyle and a black bodysuit.  Nelson Frazier wrestled for All Japan Pro Wrestling, under his ring name as Big Daddy Voodoo (later changed to Big Daddy) and he was part of the Voodoo Murders stable. On February 18, 2014, Frazier died of a heart attack, four days after turning 43 years old. Nelson Frazier Jr. body was cremated and his ashes was divided by his widow, Cassandra into 500 pendants as gifts for his loved ones.

25)   The Ultimate Warrior

Warrior born James Brian Hellwig (June 16, 1959 – April 8, 2014) was an American professional wrestler, who wrestled most famously under the ring name The Ultimate Warrior. Hellwig aka Warrior, was best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) from 1987 to 1991 and again in 1992 and 1996, as well his stint in 1998 World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Warrior was born in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and the oldest of five children and was raised by his mother and later, with his stepfather, after his biological father abandoned the family when James was 12. Hellwig aka Warrior met his future wife at the famous Million Dollar Saloon strip where she was working, at Dallas, Texas, and married Shari Lynn Tyree on October 2, 1982. The couple remained together for the almost the entire career of Warrior’s WWF profession, before divorcing on March 22, 1991, two days before WrestleMania VII.  On January 31, 1999, Warrior married for the second time to Dana Viale and together the couple had two daughters. Hellwig legally changed his name to the mononym Warrior in 1993. And this one-word name appears on all legal documents pertaining to Warrior, which his children carry their legal surname as Warrior. In 1996 and 1998, Warrior and the WWF promotin engaged in a series of lawsuits and legal actions, where both parties claimed copyright of the name Warrior and Ultimate Warrior, stated that they owned the characters, under both contract and copyright law. The court ruled that Warrior was entitled legally to use the gimmick, costuming, face paint designs, and mannerisms character of the Warrior. Warrior died on April 8, 2014. On April 5 2014, Warrior had been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and the following day April 6, he appeared at WrestleMania XXX and on April 7, the day before he died, he made his first Raw appearance in almost 18 years . On April 8, 2014, Warrior collapsed at 5:50 p.m. (PDT) while walking to his car with his wife in Arizona outside of their hotel, according to reports. Warrior was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at age 54. Some of Warrior’s colleagues reportedly said that Warrior appeared frail during WrestleMania weekend, and that he was sweating profusely and breathing heavily backstage. An autopsy report ruled out the cause of his death as a natural death caused by atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, some reported regarding the autopsy that Warrior had suffered a fatal heart attack.