List of premature professional wrestling deaths

According to a study by Eastern Michigan University, mortality rates for professional wrestlers are up to 2.9 times greater than the rate for men in the wider United States population.[1] John Moriarty of the University of Manchester and Benjamin Morris of FiveThirtyEight report that the mortality rate for professional wrestlers is higher than that of athletes in other sports.[2] Experts suggest that a combination of the physical nature of the business, no off-season, and the drug culture of the 1970s and 1980s contributes to high mortality rates among wrestlers. Measures such as the introduction of WWE's Wellness Program have been instituted to curb the trend.[3][4][5][6][7] For purposes of this list, wrestlers listed died before age 65.

List

Under 20

Age Ring name
(Birth name)
Promotion(s) worked for Date of birth Date of death Cause of death
18Janet Wolfe
(Janet Boyer Wolfe)
NWAJune 13, 1933July 27, 1951Injuries (suffered during match)

Under 30

Age Ring name
(Birth name)
Promotion(s) worked for Date of birth Date of death Cause of death
21Chris Von Erich
(Chris Adkisson)
WCCW, USWASeptember 30, 1969September 12, 1991Suicide by gunshot[8]
21Oro
(Jesus Javier Hernandez)
CMLLDecember 24, 1971October 26, 1993Head injury (suffered during a match)
21Jeff PetersonIndependent Circuit, ECWAAugust 13, 1981November 29, 2002Leukemia
22Spider
(Daniel Quirk)
Independent circuit, WXWJuly 19, 1982May 28, 2005Head injury (suffered during a match)
22Mass Transit
(Eric Kulas)
ECW1979May 12, 2002Complications from gastric bypass surgery[9]
23Mike Von Erich
(Michael Adkisson)
WCCWMarch 2, 1964April 12, 1987Suicide by drug overdose[8]
23Shane Shamrock
(Brian Howser)
MCW, MEWFFebruary 8, 1975August 18, 1998Shot by police
23Edouard Beaupre
(Joseph Édouard Beaupré Piché)
N/AJanuary 9, 1881July 3, 1904Tuberculosis
23Chri$ Ca$h
(Christopher Bauman Jr.)
CZWJuly 13, 1982August 18, 2005Motorcycle accident
23Emiko KadoJWPJanuary 28, 1976April 9, 1999Intercerebral bleeding (suffered during a match)
25David Von Erich
(David Adkisson)
WCCW, NWA St. Louis, AJPWJuly 22, 1958February 10, 1984Acute enteritis[8]
25Reid Flair
(Reid Fliehr)
AJPW, WCW, NWAFebruary 26, 1988March 29, 2013Drug overdose[10]
26Kasavubu
(Jimmy Banks)
Stampede Wrestling, WWWFMay 14, 1956July 27, 1982Heart attack
27Russ Haas
(Thomas Russell Haas)
MCW, HWA, WWF, JAPWMarch 27, 1974December 15, 2001Heart attack
27J.C. BaileyCZW, IWA Mid-SouthAugust 23, 1983August 30, 2010Brain aneurysm from multiple concussions and brain trauma
27Masakazu FukudaWAR, NJPWMay 17, 1972April 19, 2000Head injury (suffered during a match)
27Louie Spicolli
(Louis Mucciolo Jr.)
WWF, ECW, WCW, AAAFebruary 10, 1971February 15, 1998Drug overdose[11]
28Art BarrPNW, WCW, AAA, EMLLOctober 8, 1966November 23, 1994Unknown[12]
28Gino HernandezWCCW, SCW, NWA, UWF Mid-SouthAugust 14, 1957February 1, 1986Drug overdose[13]
28Ricky Lawless
(Medardo Leon Jr.)
ICW, NWFDecember 3, 1959November 30, 1988Murdered
29Plum Mariko
(Mariko Umeda)
JWPNovember 1, 1967August 16, 1997Head injury (suffered during a match)
29Clarence WhistlerN/AFebruary 24, 1856November 6, 1885Pneumonia
29Chris TaylorAWA, AJPW, NWAJune 13, 1950June 30, 1979Cardiomyopathy
29Lance CadeWWE, HWA, OVW, AJPWMarch 2, 1981August 13, 2010Cardiomyopathy[14]
29Bobby Shane
(Robert Schoenberger)
NWA, CWFAugust 25, 1945February 20, 1975Plane crash
29Trent Acid
(Michael Verdi)
ROH, CZW, JCW, UXWNovember 12, 1980June 18, 2010Drug overdose

Under 40

Age Ring name
(Birth name)
Promotion(s) worked for Date of birth Date of death Cause of death
30Rick McGrawWWF, NWAMarch 19, 1955November 1, 1985Heart attack[15]
30Jay Youngblood
(Steven Romero)
AWA, NWA, MACW, MLW, CWFJune 21, 1955September 2, 1985Heart attack[16]
30Larry Sweeney
(Alexander Whybrow)
Chikara, IWC, ROH, CZWFebruary 18, 1981April 11, 2011Suicide
30Giant Ochiai
(Takayuki Okada)
Battlarts, WJMay 8, 1973August 8, 2003Subdural hematoma
30Pierre LefebvreGCW, WWF, Lutte InternationaleFebruary 24, 1955December 20, 1985Car accident[17]
31Ed GantnerCWFFebruary 4, 1959December 31, 1990Suicide by gunshot[18]
31Gene LipscombunknownAugust 9, 1931May 10, 1963Drug overdose
31Frank SpeerunknownMay 27, 1907June 10, 1938Bronchial pneumonia
31Kazuharu SonodaAJPW, NWA, WWCSeptember 16, 1956November 28, 1987Died aboard South African Airways Flight 295
31Joey MarellaWWFFebruary 28, 1963July 4, 1994Car crash
32Jaime CardricheunknownMarch 28, 1968July 28, 2000Complications during gall bladder surgery
32Steve Bradley
(Steve Bisson)
WWF/WWE, PPW, OVW, HWADecember 10, 1975December 1, 2008Unknown
32Adam Firestorm
(Adam Dykes)
Independent circuit, ECCWNovember 25, 1976November 5, 2009Suicide
32Kris TravisTNA, RPW, PCW, ICW, PROGRESSDecember 16, 1983March 31, 2016Stomach Cancer
32Sorakichi Matsuda
(Koujiro Matsuda)
N/A1859August 16, 1891Consumption
32Devil Bhudakhan
(James Fawcett)
PWX, Independent circuitMarch 17, 1975July 13, 2007Suicide
32Crash Holly
(Mike Lockwood)
WWF/E, Funking Conservatory, APW, TNAAugust 25, 1971November 6, 2003Suicide by drug overdose, and alcohol poisoning[19]
32Buzz Sawyer
(Bruce Woyan)
NWA, WWF, UWFJune 14, 1959February 7, 1992Heart attack[20]
32Billy McCraryNWA, NJPWDecember 7, 1946July 14, 1979Motorcycle accident
33Chris CandidoWCW, WWF, ECW, SMW, NJPW, TNAMarch 21, 1972April 28, 2005Acute pneumonia[21]
33Adrian Adonis
(Keith Franke)
AWA, WWF, NJPW, CWF, GCW, NWA All-Star WrestlingSeptember 15, 1954July 4, 1988Car accident[22]
33Eddie GilbertCWF, WCW, UWF, WWF, USWA, ECWAugust 14, 1961February 18, 1995Heart attack[23]
33José Aarón Alvarado NievesCMLL, UWAMay 9, 1966October 27, 1999Infection
33Kerry Von ErichWCCW, WWFFebruary 3, 1960February 18, 1993Suicide[8]
33Paul E. Normous
(Paul Fauchs)
OVW, ECWA, Independent CircuitApril 15, 1975January 16, 2009substance overdose
33The Renegade
(Rick Wilson)
WCW, WAROctober 16, 1965February 23, 1999Suicide[24]
33Test
(Andrew Martin)
WWF/E, Funking Conservatory, TNAMarch 17, 1975March 13, 2009Drug overdose[25]
33Michel Martel
(Michel Vigneault)
Stampede Wrestling, WWCOctober 4, 1944June 30, 1978Heart attack (suffered after a match)
33D.J. Peterson
(David Peterson)
AWA, WWF, UWF, NWAJuly 17, 1959May 25, 1993Motorcycle accident
33Neil Superior
(Neil Caricofe)
NWL, IWCCW; SAPW, WCWApril 6, 1963August 23, 1996Confrontation with police
33Moondog MayneNWA, WWWF, PNWSeptember 12, 1944August 13, 1978Car accident
33Gran Naniwa
(Yoshikuni Kimura)
Michinoku Pro, ECWFebruary 15, 1977October 6, 2010Heart attack
34Espectrito II
(Alejandro Pérez Jiménez)
AAA, WWFMay 15, 1975June 30, 2009Murder
34La Parkita
(Alberto Pérez Jiménez)
AAA, WWFMay 15, 1975June 30, 2009Murder
34El Hijo de Cien Caras
(Eustacio "Tacho" Jiménez Ibarra)
AAA,CMLLMarch 21, 1976November 29, 2010Murder
34Chase Tatum
(William Tatum)
WCWNovember 3, 1973March 23, 2008Drug overdose
34Brain Damage
(Marvin Lambert)
IWA MS, CZWDecember 14, 1977October 18, 2012Apparent suicide
34Yokozuna
(Rodney Anoa'i)
WWF, AWA, NJPW, UWAOctober 2, 1966October 23, 2000Heart attack[26]
34Bobby Duncum, Jr.WCW, ECW, AJPWAugust 26, 1965January 24, 2000Accidental prescription drug overdose[27]
34Owen HartWWF, Stampede Wrestling, NJPW, CWAMay 7, 1965May 23, 1999Fall from roof of Kemper Arena during stunt[28]
34Big Dick Dudley
(Alex Rizzo)
ECWJanuary 12, 1968May 16, 2002Kidney failure[29]
34Wayne MunnNWAFebruary 9, 1896January 9, 1931Bright's disease
35Andy KaufmanCWAJanuary 17, 1949May 16, 1984Kidney failure from lung cancer
35Chris DuffyWWF, IWF, Independent circuitJuly 7, 1965August 25, 2000Brain aneurysm
35Dino Casanova
(David DiMeglio)
WCW, Independent circuit, MEWFFebruary 8, 1967March 1, 2002Heart attack[9]
35Scott IrwinWWWF, UWF, CWF, AWA, Lutte InternationaleMay 14, 1952September 5, 1987Cancer
35Marianna KomlosWWFSeptember 3, 1969September 26, 2004Breast cancer[30]
35Brian PillmanStampede Wrestling, WCW, ECW, WWFMay 22, 1962October 5, 1997Arteriosclerotic heart disease[31]
35Miguel Ángel Delgado
(Miguel Ángel Delgado Reyes)
EMLLAugust 28, 1947February 7, 1983Leukemia
35Perro Aguayo Jr.AAA, CMLL, Los Perros del MalJuly 23, 1979March 21, 2015Cervical spine trauma (suffered during a match)
35Thunder
(Luke Fordward)
CMLL, wrestled in various promotions in Japan and Australia1981June 30, 2016Stomach cancer
36Dean HartStampede Wrestling, NWA Polynesian WrestlingJanuary 3, 1954November 21, 1990Bright's disease
36Emory Hale
(Emory Hail)
WCW, XWFDecember 13, 1969January 28, 2006Kidney failure
36Freddie Sweetan
(Fred Prossner)
NWA, Stampede WrestlingJuly 25, 1938July 26, 1974House fire
36Shoichi AraiFMW promoterDecember 19, 1965May 16, 2002suicide
36Gary AlbrightStampede Wrestling, UWFi, AJPWMay 18, 1963January 7, 2000Heart attack (suffered during a match)[32]
36Pitbull #2
(Anthony Durante)
ECW, CWAJuly 26, 1967September 25, 2003Drug overdose[33]
36Jerry TuiteWCW, TNA, AJPWDecember 27, 1966December 6, 2003Heart attack[34]
36Umaga
(Eki Fatu)
WWE, TNA, WXW, AJPWMarch 28, 1973December 4, 2009Heart attack[35]
36Ray
Smash, WNC, Shimmer, Ice Ribbon, JWPFebruary 14, 1982August 30, 2018Brain tumor[36]
37Mike BellWWF, ECW, UPWMarch 18, 1971December 14, 2008Heart attack
37Buford PusserUWF Mid-SouthDecember 12, 1937August 21, 1974Car accident
37Pak Song
(Pak Song Nam)
NWA, CWFApril 11, 1945April 1982?Marfan's Syndrome
37Brian HildebrandSMW, ECW, WCWJanuary 5, 1962September 8, 1999Stomach and bowel cancer
37Joey MaggsWCW, WWF, SMW, USWAJuly 1, 1969October 15, 2006Unknown
37Leroy BrownNWA, CWFNovember 30, 1950September 6, 1988Heart attack[37]
37Abismo Negro
(Andrés Alejandro Palomeque González)
AAA, CMLL, WWF, TNAJuly 1, 1971March 22, 2009Drowning
37-38Espanto I
(José Eusebio Vázquez Bernal)
EMLL1930May 30, 1968Murder
38Eddie GuerreroCMLL, AAA, NJPW, ECW, WCW, WWF/EOctober 9, 1967November 13, 2005Arteriosclerotic heart disease[38]
38John Kronus
(George Caiazzo)
ECW, USWA, CZWJanuary 13, 1969July 18, 2007Heart failure[39]
38Tim Arson
(Timothy Calkins)
WWE, WWC, Independent circuitDecember 27, 1976January 7, 2015Unknown
38Chip Fairway
(Brett Keen)
HWA, IWA Mid-SouthNovember 7, 1972April 9, 2011unknown
38Danno O'Mahony
(Daniel O'Mahony)
NWASeptember 29, 1912November 5, 1950Car Accident
38Aleksander AbergN/AAugust 11, 1881February 20, 1920Pneumonia
38Brian DanovichWWE, DSW, Independent CircuitJuly 8, 1980August 9, 2018Suicide
38Bison SmithWWC, ROHSeptember 24, 1973November 22, 2011Heart complications
38Matt CappotelliOVW, WWENovember 12, 1979June 29, 2018Brain cancer[40]
39Villano II
(José Alfredo Díaz Mendoza)
UWA, EMLLSeptember 25, 1949April 17, 1989Suicide
39El Solitario
(Roberto González)
UWA, EMLLMay 22, 1946April 6, 1986Cardiac arrest during operation
39Skull Murphy
(John Murphy)
GCW, WWWF, WCW Australia, Studio WrestlingDecember 7, 1930March 23, 1970Suicide
39Hercules Cortez
(Alfonso Chicharro)
AWA, NWAJuly 7, 1932July 23, 1971Car accident
39Pink the Clown
(Richard Trogdon)
WWF, Independent circuitMay 20, 1973December 16, 2012Natural Causes
39Johnny Grunge
(Michael Durham)
ECW, WCW, WWF, 3PW, TCWJuly 10, 1966February 16, 2006Sleep apnea complications[41]
39Rikidōzan
(Kim Sin-rak)
NWA, JWANovember 14, 1924December 15, 1963Peritonitis (as result of stab wound)[42]
39British Bulldog
(David Smith)
Stampede Wrestling, WWF, AJPW, WCWNovember 27, 1962May 18, 2002Heart attack[43]

Under 50

Age Ring name
(Birth name)
Promotion(s) worked for Date of birth Date of death Cause of death
40Chris BenoitStampede Wrestling, NJPW, ECW, WCW, WWF/EMay 21, 1967June 24, 2007Suicide by hanging[44]
40Brady Boone
(Dean Peters)
PNW, MACW, WCW, WWFAugust 22, 1958December 15, 1998Car accident
40Terry GordyUWF, WCCW, AWA, WCW, ECW, WWFApril 23, 1961July 16, 2001Blood clot
40Frank GotchN/AApril 27, 1877December 16, 1917Uremic poisoning
40Shinya HashimotoNJPW, Zero1, Stampede WrestlingJuly 3, 1965July 11, 2005Brain aneurysm
40Chris Kanyon (Christopher Klucsarits)WCW, WWF/E, ECW, SMWJanuary 4, 1970April 2, 2010Suicide[45]
40Cincinnati Red
(Gregory Scott Daves)
NWC, EWFOctober 17, 1974March 20, 2015Heart attack
40Vivian VachonAWA, WWWF, CWF, International Wrestling NWAFebruary 14, 1951August 25, 1991Car accident
40Rick Rude
(Richard Rood)
CWF, WCCW, WWF, ECW, WCWDecember 7, 1958April 20, 1999Heart failure[13]
40Rhonda SingWWF, WCW, Stampede WrestlingFebruary 21, 1961July 27, 2001Heart attack
40Robert SwensonWCCW, GWF, WCWJanuary 5, 1957August 18, 1997Heart failure
40George KotsonarosN/AOctober 16, 1892July 13, 1933Car accident
41Hack Meyers
(Donald Haviland)
ECW, FOW, IPW, Funking ConservatoryDecember 7, 1973December 5, 2015Complications from brain surgery
41Jackie Sato
(Naoko Sato)
AJWOctober 30, 1957August 9, 1999Stomach cancer
41Don Eagle
(Carl Donald Bell)
AWA, NWAAugust 25, 1925March 17, 1966Suicide
41Yusuf İsmailN/A1857July 4, 1898Drowned aboard the SS La Bourgogne
41Jerry London
(Jerry Linden)
NWA, CWC, Stampede Wrestling, Maple Leaf Wrestling1929September 20, 1970Overdose of sleeping pills, suicide
41Billy Travis
(Gary Mize)
CWA, USWA, WWFApril 29, 1961November 23, 2002Heart attack[9]
41Larry CameronStampede Wrestling, NWA, AWA, CWANovember 4, 1952December 13, 1993Heart attack (suffered during a match)
41Big Boss Man
(Ray Traylor)
WCW, MACW, WWFMay 2, 1963September 22, 2004Heart attack
42Herb AbramsUniversal Wrestling Federation promoterJanuary 2, 1954July 23, 1996Cocaine induced heart attack
42Mike Awesome
(Michael Alphonso)
AJPW, FMW, ECW, WCW, WWFJanuary 24, 1965February 17, 2007Suicide by hanging
42Biff Wellington
(Shayne Bower)
Stampede Wrestling, WCW, NJPWApril 18, 1965June 24, 2007Heart attack
42Ray Candy
(Ray Canty)
NWA, AJPW, WWCDecember 3, 1951May 23, 1994Heart attack
42Randy AndersonNWA, WCWJuly 17, 1959May 5, 2002Testicular cancer
42Bruiser Brody
(Frank Goodish)
NWA, AJPW, NWA St.Louis, WWWFJune 18, 1946July 17, 1988Murder[13]
42Miss Elizabeth
(Elizabeth Hulette)
WWF, WCWNovember 19, 1960May 1, 2003Drug overdose[13]
42John TentaWWF, WCW, ASW, AJPWJune 22, 1963June 7, 2006Bladder cancer[46]
42John AyersUWFApril 14, 1953October 2, 1995Liver cancer
42Hiromichi FuyukiAJPW, NJPWMay 11, 1960March 19, 2003Intestinal Cancer
43Brian AdamsPNW, NJPW, WWF, WCWApril 14, 1964August 13, 2007Improper mixture of prescription drugs[47]
43Georg LurichN/A22 April [O.S. 10 April] 187620 January 1920Typhus
43Nancy BenoitCWF, ECW, WCWMay 17, 1964June 22, 2007Murder[44]
43Rocky Hata
(Mitsuo Hata)
AJPW, CSW, GCW, NWA Tri-State, CWFSeptember 12, 1948October 27, 1991Complications from diabetes[48]
43Viscera
(Nelson Frazier, Jr.)
WWF/E, AJPW, USWA, Memphis WrestlingFebruary 14, 1971February 18, 2014Heart attack
43Sean O'Haire
(Sean Haire)
WCW, WWF, NJPWFebruary 25, 1971September 8, 2014Suicide by hanging
43Héctor GarzaCMLL, Perros del Mal, WCW, WWFJune 12, 1969May 26, 2013Lung cancer[13]
43Tony Rumble
(Anthony Magliaro)
Independent circuit, NWA New England, WCWNovember 6, 1956November 13, 1999Heart attack
43Ángel Azteca
(Juan Manuel Zúñiga)
AAA, CMLLJune 24, 1963March 18, 2007Heart attack (suffered after a match)
43Doctor X
(Clemente Nájera)
CMLLJuly 17, 1968October 11, 2011Murder[49]
44Carl AbsN/ASeptember 12, 1851February 18, 1895Liver and kidney failure
44Balls Mahoney
(Jonathan Rechner)
ECW, SMW, WWF/EApril 12, 1972April 12, 2016Heart attack[50]
44Eric The Red
(Ib Solvang Hansen)
WWWF, NWF, IWA, CWFAugust 1, 1934November 16, 1978Car accident
44Danny Fargo
(Audie Hager)
WWC, CWA, NWAJune 13, 1959December 26, 2003Cancer
44Axl Rotten
(Brian Knighton)
ECW, MEWF, IWA Mid-South, WCW, WWEApril 21, 1971February 4, 2016Drug overdose
44Dino Bravo
(Adolfo Bresciano)
NWA, AWA, Lutte Internationale, WWFAugust 6, 1948March 11, 1993Murder[13]
44Curt HennigAWA, PNW, WWF/E, WCW, TNAMarch 28, 1958February 10, 2003Combined drug intoxication[13]
44Jorge GonzálezWCW, WWF, NJPWJanuary 31, 1966September 22, 2010Diabetes and severe heart issues
45Bam Bam Bigelow
(Scott Bigelow)
CWA, WWF/E, ECW, WCWSeptember 1, 1961January 19, 2007Drug overdose[51]
45Jerry BlackwellAWA, WWWF, NWAApril 26, 1949January 22, 1995Complications from car accident
45Mike DavisCWA, WCCW, GWF, WCWNovember 2, 1956December 26, 2001Heart attack
45Iron Mike DiBiaseAWA, NWADecember 24, 1923July 2, 1969Heart attack
45Junkyard Dog
(Sylvester Ritter)
Stampede Wrestling, UWF, WWF, WCWDecember 13, 1952June 2, 1998Car accident
45Toni Adams
(Toni Collins)
UWF, USWAAugust 19, 1964June 24, 2010Heart attack
45Val Puccio
(Valentino Puccio)
AJPW, WWF, ECWJune 9, 1965January 7, 2011Believed to be obesity
45Aya KoyamaAJW, BJWMarch 8, 1973August 27, 2018Cancer
46Chyna
(Joanie Laurer)
WWF, NJPW, TNADecember 27, 1969April 20, 2016Drug overdose
46Maximum Capacity (Michael Stanco)Independent circuit, FOWAugust 2, 1968August 21, 2014Colorectal cancer
46Bestia Salvaje
(Juan Rodriguez)
CMLLFebruary 11, 1962March 20, 2008Liver disease
46Victor QuinonesIWAJune 30, 1959April 1, 2006Unknown
46Argentina Apollo (Vincente Denigris)WWWF, NWA, IWA1938August 2, 1984Heart attack
46Magnificent Maurice (Eugene Dubuque)WWWF, NWA, AWA, NWA San Francisco, NWA HawaiiDecember 11, 1927March 13, 1974Plane Crash
46Herman HickmanNWAOctober 1, 1911April 25, 1958Unknown
46Brian Christopher
(Brian Lawler)
WWF, USWA, TNA, Memphis WrestlingJanuary 10, 1972July 29, 2018Suicide by hanging
46Tom BurtonUSWA, GWF, UWFi, WCW1964March 29, 2010Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
46Gus SonnenbergNWAMarch 6, 1898February 18, 1961Leukemia
46Sam SheppardNWA Los AngelesDecember 29, 1923April 6, 1970Liver failure
46Chris AdamsWCCW, UWF, WCW, AWFFebruary 10, 1955October 7, 2001Murder
46Road Warrior Hawk
(Michael Hegstrand)
AWA, NWA, AJPW, WWF, WCW, NJPWSeptember 12, 1957October 19, 2003Heart attack[52]
46André the Giant
(André René Roussimoff)
NWA, NJPW, AWA, WWFMay 19, 1946January 27, 1993Congestive heart failure[53]
46Mitsuharu MisawaAJPW, Pro Wrestling NoahJune 18, 1962June 13, 2009Heart attack caused by cervical spinal cord injury (suffered during a match)[54]
47Hercules
(Ray Fernandez)
NWA, WWF, NJPW, WCW, CWF, NWA St. LouisMay 7, 1956March 6, 2004Heart disease
47Man Mountain Mike
(Gary Fletcher)
NWA, AWA, WWWFSeptember 15, 1940April 30, 1988Heart attack
47Hayabusa
(Eiji Ezaki)
FMW, ECW, CMLL, AJPWNovember 29, 1968March 3, 2016Subarachnoid hemorrhage
47Rosey
(Matthew Anoa'i)
WWE, HWA, WXW, ECW, AJPWApril 7, 1970April 17, 2017Congestive heart failure[55]
47Peter Maivia
(Pita Fanene Anderson)
NWA, WWWFApril 6, 1935June 13, 1982Cancer
47Big John Studd
(John Minton)
NWA, AWA, WWF, NAWAFebruary 19, 1948March 20, 1995Liver cancer
47Ludvig BorgaNJPW, WWF, CWAJanuary 6, 1963January 8, 2010Suicide by gunshot
47Ángel Blanco
(José Ángel Vargas Sánchez)
EMLLAugust 2, 1938April 26, 1986Car crash
47Bob KonovskyNWAAugust 19, 1934March 6, 1982Unknown
47Luther Lindsay
(Luther Goodall)
NWA, Stampede Wrestling, PNW, MACWDecember 30, 1924February 21, 1972Heart attack (suffered during a match)
47El Texano
(Juan Aguilar Jauregui)
WCCW, WCW, CMLLNovember 26, 1958January 15, 2006Pneumonia
48Doc Dean
(Ian Dean)
All Star Wrestling, WCW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, European Wrestling Federation (France)July 3, 1970August 14, 2018Heart attack
48Troy 'The Hippie' Graham
(Troy Rolland Thompson, Jr.)
AWA, CWA, USWAOctober 26, 1953March 7, 2002Heart attack
48Yukon Eric
(Eric Holmback)
NWAApril 16, 1916January 16, 1965Suicide
48Cousin Junior
(Lanny Kean)
WWF, CWA, USWAMarch 19, 1960January 13, 2009Heart attack
48Fuzzy Cupid
(Leon Stap)
WWWFSeptember 24, 19281976Unknown
48Harley Saito
(Sayori Saito)
Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling, Frontier Martial-Arts WrestlingDecember 21, 1967December 15, 2016Esophageal cancer
48Mark Young
(Joe Scarpa Jr.)
WWF, WCWApril 23, 1967February 25, 2016Unknown
48Don RossNWAHWOctober 6, 1946June 2, 1995Heart attack
48Dennis CoralluzzoNWA New Jersey promoterMarch 5, 1953July 21, 2001Bleeding on the brain due to a stroke
48Gorgeous George
(George Wagner)
NWAMarch 24, 1915December 26, 1963Heart attack
48Ray GunkelNWAFebruary 15, 1924August 1, 1972Heart attack (suffered after a match)
48Luna VachonCWF, AWF, WWF, WCW, ECWJanuary 12, 1962August 27, 2010Drug overdose
48Steve DollWWF, PNW, WCW, USWADecember 9, 1960March 22, 2009Blood clot
49Sheik Ali
(Wadi Ayoub)
WCW Australia and various international promotionsApril 20, 1927September 29, 1976Cancer
49Dean DettonNWAJune 27, 1908February 27, 1958Suicide
49La Fiera
(Arturo Casco Hernández)
NWA, EMLLMarch 17, 1961September 12, 2010Murder
49Kung Fu
(Raymundo Cuesta Veloz)
EMLL, UWAJanuary 20, 1951January 3, 2001Arterial hypertension
49Ray SteeleNWAFebruary 2, 1900September 11, 1949Heart attack
49Piratita Morgan
(Raymundo Rodríguez)
EMLL, WWC, AAA, WWF, WWA, TNAMarch 15, 1969July 8, 2018
49Sherri MartelAWA, WWF, WCWFebruary 8, 1958June 15, 2007Drug overdose
49Dick MurdochCWF, NWA, WWF, Mid-South/UWFAugust 16, 1946June 15, 1996Heart attack
49Rocco Rock
(Ted Petty)
ECW, WCW, WWFSeptember 1, 1953September 21, 2002Heart attack[9]
49Jumbo Tsuruta
(Tomomi Tsuruta)
AJPW, NWA, AWAMarch 25, 1951May 13, 2000Complications of a liver transplant
49Espectrito
(Mario Jiminez)
EMLL, AAA, WWFDecember 18, 1966January 23, 2016Unknown
49Jack ClaybourneNWAMarch 8, 1910January 7, 1960Suicide by gunshot
49"Dr. Death" Steve WilliamsMid-South/UWF, NWA, WWF, WCW, ECWMay 14, 1960December 29, 2009Throat cancer
49Louis Cyr
(Cyprien-Noé Cyr)
N/AOctober 10, 1863November 10, 1912Chronic nephritis
49Grigory VerichevFMWApril 4, 1957May 25, 2006Unknown

Under 60

Age Ring name
(Birth name)
Promotion(s) worked for Date of birth Date of death Cause of death
50Brad ArmstrongWCW, NWA, NJPW, WWEJune 15, 1962November 1, 2012Heart attack
50Mark Starr
(Mark Ashford-Smith)
WCW, CWA, WWFDecember 26, 1962June 7, 2013Heart attack
50The French Angel
(Maurice Tillet)
AWA, NWA Tri-StateOctober 23, 1903September 4, 1954Cardiovascular disease
50Lucifer
(Tim Burke)
MEWF, IPWA, ECWA, MCWOctober 1, 1960June 21, 2011Cancer
50Malcolm KirkJoint Promotions, CWA, All Star WrestlingDecember 18, 1936August 24, 1987Heart attack (suffered during match)
50Bearcat Wright
(Edward Wright)
NWA, CWC, Stampede Wrestling, CWFJanuary 13, 1932August 28, 1982Sickle cell anemia
50Villano I
(José de Jesús Díaz Mendoza)
UWAJune 28, 1950January 4, 2001Heart attack caused by cerebral haemorrhage
51Kerry BrownStampede Wrestling, GPW, WWCFebruary 3, 1958September 10, 2009Liver failure
51Moondog Spot
(Larry Latham)
WWF, CWA, USWAJanuary 6, 1952November 29, 2003Heart attack (suffered during match)
51Emmanuel YarbroughCWASeptember 5, 1964December 21, 2015Heart attack
51Arkangel de la Muerte
(Alfredo Pasillas)
CMLLJuly 16, 1966June 13, 2018Cardiac arrest[56]
51Giant Haystacks
(Martin Ruane)
Stampede Wrestling, CWA, AJPW, WCWOctober 10, 1947November 29, 1998Lymphoma
51Jun IzumidaAJPWOctober 28, 1965January 25, 2017Heart attack
51Renato GardiniN/AMarch 20, 1889September 29, 1940Unknown
51Black Cat
(Victor Manuel)
UWA, NJPW, AAA, WCWOctober 17, 1954January 28, 2006Heart attack
52Gene Anderson
(Eugene Anderson)
AWA, GCW, MACWOctober 4, 1939October 31, 1991Heart attack
52El Brazo
(Juan Alvarado Nieves)
WWA, AAA, UWA, CMLLJuly 30, 1961October 15, 2013Diabetes
52Nicole BassWWF, ECWAugust 10, 1964February 17, 2017Myocardial infarction
52Jimmy Del Ray
(David Ferrier)
SMW, WWF, ECW, WCWNovember 30, 1962December 6, 2014Heart attack
52Silo Sam
(John Elmo Harris)
WCCW,AWASeptember 12, 1952April 19, 2005Unknown (probably related to Gigantism)
52Rockin' Rebel
(Charles Williams)
ECW, CZW, Independent CircuitJanuary 13, 1966June 1, 2018Suicide by gunshot[57]
52Buddy Austin
(Austin Wesley Rapes)
WWWF, NWA, JWAFebruary 27, 1929August 12, 1981Heart attack
52John CozmanStampede Wrestling, HIW, Independent circuitAugust 28, 1964November 28, 2016Unknown
52Doug FurnasAJPW, WWF, ECWDecember 11, 1959March 2, 2012Heart attack
52-53Ski Hi Lee
(Robert Leedy)
Stampede Wrestling, NWAFebruary 9, 19211973 or 1974Believed to be Acromegaly
53Mike ShawStampede Wrestling, WCW,WWFMay 9, 1957September 11, 2010Heart attack
53Ion CroitoruWWF, NJPW, SMWDecember 7, 1963February 21, 2017Unknown
53Anibal
(Carlos Contreras)
EMLL/CMLL, UWANovember 5, 1940March 4, 1994Brain tumor
53Buddy Landel
(William Ensor)
CWA, IPWA, WCW, MACW, SMW, USWA, WWFAugust 14, 1961June 22, 2015Injuries from a car accident
53Johnny RougeauIWA Montreal, BTWJune 9, 1929May 25, 1983Cancer
53Curly Moe
(Donald Zalesky)
IWCCWApril 3, 1962July 1, 2015Unknown
53Larry O'Dea
(Larry Davies)
WCW Australia, CWF, AJPW1944June 30, 1997Liver cancer
54Angel of Death
(David Sheldon)
Stampede Wrestling, UWF, GWF, WCWJuly 20, 1953November 25, 2007Unknown
54Jonathan Boyd
(Jonathan Barry Boyle)
WCW Australia, NWA, PNW, CWAOctober 21, 1944August 7, 1999Heart attack
54Benny McGuireNWA, NJPWDecember 7, 1946March 26, 2001Heart attack
54The Ultimate Warrior
(James Hellwig)
WWF, CWA, WCWA, WCWJune 16, 1959April 8, 2014Heart attack
54Uncle Elmer
(Stan Frazier)
CWA, WWFAugust 16, 1937July 1, 1992Diabetes
54Jos LeDuc
(Michel Pigeon)
NWA, Lutte Internationale, AWA,WWF, CWA, CWFAugust 30, 1944May 1, 1999Lung infection
54Lionel ConacherunknownMay 24, 1900May 26, 1954Heart attack
54Dory Funk, Sr.WSS, NWA, AWA, NWA St. Louis, WWWFMay 4, 1919June 3, 1973Heart attack
54Tommy Rogers
(Thomas Couch)
UWF, NWA, AJPW, WCW, WWF, ECWMay 14, 1961June 1, 2015Unknown
54Pez WhatleyCWF, NWA, WWF, WCWJanuary 10, 1951January 18, 2005Heart attack
55Haystacks Calhoun
(William Dee Calhoun)
WWWF, NWAAugust 3, 1934December 7, 1989Diabetes
55Matt Borne
(Matthew Osborne)
PNW, WCCW,UWF, WWF, WCW, ECWJuly 27, 1957June 28, 2013Drug overdose
55Eddie Graham
(Edward Gossett)
WWWF, CWFJanuary 15, 1930January 21, 1985Multiple gunshot suicide
55Universo 2000
(Andrés Reyes González)
CMLL, AAA, IWRGApril 18, 1963May 1, 2018Heart problems
55Antonino Rocca
(Antonino Biasetton)
WWWF, NWAApril 13, 1921March 15, 1977Urinary infection
55Diane Von Hoffman
(Phyllis Burch)
USWA, CWA, LPWA, LMLWApril 13, 1962July 6, 2017Complications form knee surgery
55Antonio Peña
(Antonio Herrada)
founder of AAA, CMLLJune 13, 1951October 5, 2006Heart attack
55Timothy Well
(Timothy Smith)
AJPW, USWA, WWF, WCWSeptember 8, 1961January 9, 2017Kidney failure
56Moondog King
(Edward White)
WWF, Lutte InternationaleMay 18, 1949August 26, 2005Injuries from a car accident and health issues
56Dave McKigneyMaple Leaf Wrestling, WWWF, NWA, NJPWJune 9, 1932July 4, 1988Car accident
56Cowboy Lang
(Harry Lang)
NWA, WWF, AWAAugust 28, 1950January 4, 2007Complications from homelessness
56Paul Bunyan
(Max Palmer)
NWA Mid-America, NWFNovember 27, 1927May 17, 1984Heart disease
56Garry RobbinsCNWA, GWF, NJPW, WWCSeptember 9, 1957December 11, 2013Heart attack
56Emilio Charles Jr.
(Sergio Garduño )
CMLLOctober 12, 1956December 28, 2012Kidney failure[58]
56Kurt Von Hess
(William Terry)
NWA, Lutte Internationale, All-Star, Maple Leaf Wrestling, NJPW, WWFApril 10, 1942March 13, 1999Heart attack
56Ben RollerN/AJuly 1, 1876April 19, 1933Pneumonia
56Yvon RobertNWAOctober 8, 1914July 12, 1971Heart attack
56Buddy Rose
(Paul Perschmann)
AWA, PNW, WWFNovember 27, 1952April 28, 2009Natural causes from obesity, blood sugar and diabetes
56-57Black Guzmán
(Miguel Guzman Huerta)
CMLL, NWA1916December 1, 1973Unknown
56-57Edwin BibbyN/ANovember 15, 18481905Rheumatism
57Al Green
(Alfred Dobalo)
WCWOctober 15, 1955June 14, 2013COPD
57Brazo de Oro
(Jesús Alvarado Nieves)
CMLL, WWA, UWA, NWA Los AngelesOctober 7, 1959April 28, 2017Heart attack
57The Grand Wizard
(Ernie Roth)
NWA, WWWF/WWFAugust 30, 1926October 12, 1983Heart attack
57Shag Thomas
(James Thomas)
Stampede Wrestling, PNWAugust 11, 1924July 25, 1982Heart attack
57Paddy RyanStampede Wrestling, PNW, NWA All-Star WrestlingAugust 23, 1932December 28, 1989Heart attack
57Brickhouse Brown
(Frederick Seawright)
AWA, WWF, CWA, USWAAugust 11, 1960July 29, 2018Prostate cancer
57Chris Champion
(Christopher Ashford-Smith)
WCW, MACW, CWA, CWF, USWAFebruary 17, 1961August 22, 2018Believed to be a stroke
57Fred BeellN/AJanuary 17, 1876August 5, 1933Murder by gunshots
57Samson KutsuwadaJWA, AJPWMay 1, 1947October 12, 2004Leukemia
57-58Blimp Levy
(Martin Levy)
NWA1903November 8, 1961Believed to be complications from obesity
58Helen Hild
(Gladys Helen Nevins)
NWA, WWWFFebruary 26, 1926March 4, 1984Lung infection
58Paul Bearer
(William Moody)
WWF, CWF, WCCW, USWA, TNAApril 10, 1954March 5, 2013Heart attack
58Gran Apache
(Mario Balbuena González)
CMLL, AAA, IWA JapanApril 16, 1959May 7, 2017Intestinal cancer
58Dwaine Hobergpromoter for AWAAugust 17, 1925August 6, 1984
58Ripper Collins
(Roy Lee Albern)
NWA Hawaii, AWA, Stampede WrestlingOctober 10, 1933November 12, 1991Melanoma
58Randy Savage
(Randall Poffo)
WWF, NWA, CWA, WCWNovember 15, 1952May 20, 2011Cardiovascular disease
58Tarzan Tyler
(Camille Tourville)
Lutte Internationale, WWWF, CWFDecember 4, 1927December 24, 1985Car accident
58Bulldog Bob BrownAWA, All-Star, NWA St. Louis, CSWOctober 16, 1938February 5, 1997Heart attack
58Larry WintersECW, TWA, Independent circuitApril 14, 1956January 27, 2015Heart attack
59Don Kent
(Leo Smith Jr.)
NWA, WWWF, NWA Mid-America, CWFJune 24, 1933June 7, 1993Leukemia
59Drew McDonald
(Charles Shaw)
All Star Wrestling, Stampede Wrestling, CWAJune 16, 1955February 9, 2015Cancer
59Espectro I
(Antonio Arriaga)
EMLLFebruary 9, 1934October 13, 1993Unknown
59Evan "Strangler" LewisN/AMay 24, 1860November 9, 1919Unknown
59Mangla RaiN/A wrestled in IndiaOctober 1916June 24, 1976Multiple organ failure
59Mike MarinoJoint PromotionsOctober 8, 1921August 24, 1981Leukemia
59Tony Parisi
(Antonio Pugliese)
WWWF, NWA, Lutte Internationale, MLWJanuary 22, 1941August 19, 2000Heart attack
59Tom ZenkAWA, WWF, WCW, AJPWNovember 30, 1958December 9, 2017Heart attack from arterial sclerosis and cardiomegaly
59Ernie HolmesGCW, WWFJuly 11, 1948January 17, 2008Car accident
59Eddie Quinnpromoter for wrestling in Montreal, NWA St. LouisMay 22, 1906December 14, 1965Cerebral hemorrhage

Under 65

Age Ring name
(Birth name)
Promotion(s) worked for Date of birth Date of death Cause of death
60Princess Jasmine
(Cynthia Peretti)
GLOW, AWAJune 2, 1948May 8, 2009Cancer
60Mountain FijiGLOWSeptember 28, 1957January 2, 2018Natural causes from years of health issues
60Rufus R. Jones
(Carey Llyod)
CSW, NWA St. LouisJuly 4, 1933November 13, 1993Heart attack
60Emile Czaja
(Emile George Zeimes)
JWA, wrestled in various promotions in Asia and IndiaJuly 15, 1909May 16, 1970Car accident
60Little Beaver
(Lionel Giroux)
Lutte Internationale, WWWF, AWA, NWAApril 18, 1935December 4, 1995Emphysema
60Ray StevensBTW SF, AWA, NWA, WWWF/WWF, CWFSeptember 5, 1935May 3, 1996Heart attack
60Primo CarneraNWAOctober 26, 1906June 29, 1967Liver disease and complications from diabetes
60Sándor SzabóNWAJanuary 4, 1906October 16, 1966Heart attack
60Stan Stasiak
(George Stipich)
PNW, Stampede Wrestling, WWWF, NWAApril 13, 1937June 19, 1997Heart failure
61Mike Graham
(Michael Gossett)
CWF, AWA, WCWSeptember 22, 1951October 19, 2012Suicide by gunshot
61Man Mountain Dean
(Frank Leavitt)
N/AJune 30, 1891May 29, 1953Heart attack
61Killer Karl Krupp
(George Momberg)
ESA, GPW, WCCW, Maple Leaf Wrestling, NJPWMay 13, 1934August 24, 1995Hepatitis
61James McLaughlinN/AJune 8, 1844September 11, 1905Unknown
61Paul AndersonUnknownOctober 17, 1932August 15, 1994kidney failure
61Cocoa Samoa
(Ulualoaiga Emelio)
ASW, CWF, PNW, Continental Wrestling AssociationMarch 9, 1945January 9, 2007Unknown
61Goldie Rogers
(David Sherwin)
ASW, MLW, Stampede Wrestling, WWF,August 5, 1950July 20, 2012Heart attack
61Terry Garvin
(Terry Joyal)
GCW, IWA Montreal, CSW, NWA, SCW WWFMarch 1, 1937August 17, 1998Cancer
61Roddy Piper
(Roderick Toombs)
AWA, PNW, GCW, MLW, WWF, WCWApril 17, 1954July 31, 2015Heart attack from Pulmonary embolism
61Boris Malenko
(Larry Simon)
CWF, WWWF, GCW, NWAJune 28, 1933September 1, 1994Leukemia
61Giant Baba
(Shohei Baba)
JWA, AJPW, NWAJanuary 23, 1938January 31, 1999Cancer
61Sapphire
(Juanita Wright)
WWF, USWAOctober 24, 1934September 11, 1996Heart attack
62Luke Brown
(Carl Campbell)
AWA, WWWF, NWA, CSWJuly 28, 1935November 12, 1997Stroke
62Dick the Bruiser
(William Afflis)
WWA, AWA, NWA St.Louis, CSWJune 27, 1929November 10, 1991Internal bleeding
62Earl CaddockN/AFebruary 27, 1888August 25, 1950Heart attack during surgery
62Crybaby Cannon
(George McCarther)
NWA, AWA, WWWF, MLW, BTWMarch 28, 1932July 1, 1994Cancer
62Mocho Cota
(Manuel Cota Soto)
EMLL/CMLLJune 5, 1954December 22, 2016Brain aneurysm
62Oliver Humperdink
(John Sutton)
MACW, CWF, WWF, WCWJanuary 16, 1949March 20, 2011Complications from pneumonia and cancer
62Happy Humphrey
(William Cobb)
NWAJuly 16, 1926March 14, 1989Heart attack
62Lord Athol Layton
(Allan Layton)
NWA, MLW, NWA St.LouisAugust 20, 1921January 18, 1984Myocardial infarction
62Ron Slinker
(David Slinker)
CWF, NWA, IWCCW, UWFOctober 30, 1945March 28, 2008Liver failure from years of alcoholism
62Harold Sakata
(Toshiyuki Sakata)
NWA, AWA, NWA HawaiiJuly 1, 1920July 29, 1982Liver cancer
62Hiro Matsuda
(Yasuhiro Kojima)
JWA, CWF, WCW, NWAJuly 22, 1937November 27, 1999Prostate cancer
62Ari Romero
(Jose Luis Arias Romero)
CMLL, MPW, BJPWDecember 20, 1951December 29, 2013Liver cancer
62Frank AnderssonNJPW, WCWMay 9, 1956September 9, 2018Heart failure
62Gorilla Monsoon
(Robert Marella)
WWWF/WWF, NWAJune 4, 1937October 6, 1999Heart failure
62Wilbur SnyderAWA, WWA, NWA St.Louis, NWASeptember 15, 1929December 25, 1991Heart failure
62Moondog Spike
(William Smithson)
WWF, USWAMay 31, 1950March 21, 2013Unknown
63Brute Bernard
(James Prudhomme)
WCW Australia, WWWF, MACWJune 6, 1921July 14, 1984Gunshot while cleaning a rifle
63Jack CarkeekN/AJanuary 22, 1861March 12, 1924Unknown
63Bulldog Brower
(Richard Gland)
MLW, NWA, WWWF/WWF, NWFSeptember 17, 1933September 15, 1997Complications from hip surgery
63Big Van Vader
(Leon White)
WCW, WWF, AWA, NJPW, AJPW, Pro Wrestling NOAHMay 14, 1955June 18, 2018Heart problems
63Mike Clancy
(Christopher Clancy)
NWASeptember 9, 1924June 15, 1988Unknown
63Jim NeidhartWWF, Stampede, WCW, ECW, CWF, NJPWFebruary 8, 1955August 13, 2018Head injury from a fall
63Vivian St. John
(Suzanne Miller)
WWWF/WWF, CWFSeptember 10, 1950December 20, 2013Long illness
63Ken Fenelon
(Patrick Fenelon)
NWAFebruary 26, 1909August 8, 1972Unknown
63Wahoo McDaniel
(Edward McDaniel)
WWWF, NWA, WCCW, AWAJune 19, 1938April 18, 2002Complications from diabetes and renal failure
63Bad News Brown
(Allen James Coage)
WWF, NJPW, Stampede WrestlingOctober 22, 1943March 6, 2007Heart attack
63Big Bully Busick
(Nick Busick)
WWF, GAF, GWFJune 1, 1954May 8, 2018Cancer in the Cerebrospinal Fluid
63Jim Crockettpromoter for MACW, and NWAJune 2, 1909April 1, 1973Unknown
63S.D. Jones
(Conrad Efraim)
WWF, MACWMarch 30, 1945October 26, 2008Stroke
64Bobby Jaggers
(Robert Jeaudoin)
MACW, NWA, NWA St.Louis, PNW, CWFJanuary 8, 1948September 30, 2012Renal failure from Hepatitis C
64Cousin LukeWWF, AWA, CWF, MACWMay 19, 1949September 29, 2013Multiple sclerosis and diabetes
64Dale LewisAWA, CWF, NWAAugust 29, 1933August 30, 1997Leukemia
64Lee Wang-pyoNJPW, AJPWJune 11, 1954September 4, 2018gallbladder cancer
64Lizmark
(Juan Baños)
EMLL, AAA, CMLLDecember 18, 1950December 16, 2015Respiratory failure
64Iron Mike SharpeCWA, ASW, MSWA, WWWA, WWFOctober 28, 1951January 17, 2016Years of health issues

See also

References

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Further reading

  • Hamilton, Ian (2012). Gone Too Soon: Deaths That Changed Wrestling. CreateSpace. ISBN 978-1477540268.
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