O/T Dead Wrestlers

[johnswan1]

David Von Erich

"The Yellow Rose of Texas" David Von Erich is the third son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born on July 22, 1958 in Dallas, Texas.

David had many memorable feuds, mostly in Fritz's World Class Championship Wrestling promotion. It was there that he faced off with Harley Race and later Ric Flair several times for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship (never winning), as well as teamed with brothers Kevin and Kerry against the Fabulous Freebirds. David also wrestled in Missouri, winning the Missouri Heavyweight Championship on a couple of occasions.

David died in 1984, reportedly shortly before he was booked to win the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair. (Although many insist that, before he died, David was scheduled to carry the NWA belt, there has never been anything concrete to substantiate this fact, nor have any NWA board members come out and confirmed this story.)

The official doctor's report states that he died of acute enteritis, but Ric Flair stated in his autobiography To Be the Man that "everyone in wrestling believes" it was a drug overdose that really killed him and that Bruiser Brody (a fellow wrestler who found David) disposed of the narcotics by flushing them down a toilet before the police arrived. Mick Foley also claims that he died from an apparent drug overdose. Brody, a close friend of Von Erich, would later admit that he overreacted in the moment of tragedy and flushed David's pain killers down the toilet. It has been confirmed that David Von Erich's official cause of death was a heart attack caused by ruptured intestines, which were the result of acute enteritis.

A tribute show was held a couple of months later in his honor, during which his younger brother, Kerry Von Erich, won the NWA title from Ric Flair.

Mike Von Erich

Mike Von Erich, born March 2, 1964 in Dallas, Texas, was the fifth son of Fritz Von Erich.

Mike replaced David in the feud the Von Erichs had with the Fabulous Freebirds following David's death. According to the DVD Heroes of World Class, Mike wanted to work for World Class as a cameraman and had no interest in being in the ring, but Fritz forced him into the ring after David's death.

After suffering a shoulder injury in 1985 on a tour of Israel, Mike was forced to have surgery. Shortly after, it was discovered that he suffered from Toxic shock syndrome, a rarity in men, and according to Ric Flair, was forced back into the ring by Fritz much too early. Eventually, Mike had to retire after not being able to return to the ring at full strength anymore. He committed suicide in 1987 by intentional overdose of a tranquilizer.

Chris Von Erich

Born September 30, 1969 in Dallas, Texas, Chris Von Erich was the youngest, shortest, and least athletic of the Von Erich family. He made many attempts to succeed in the squared circle due to an incredible love of wrestling that kept him going despite numerous injuries. He managed one major feud with Percy Pringle in the USWA/World Class, but his career didn't take off like the rest of the family's.

After several years of not being able to succeed in the wrestling business, Chris became depressed and frustrated. He was also heartbroken over the loss of his brothers. He committed suicide in 1991.

Kerry Von Erich

Kerry Von Erich is the fourth son of Fritz Von Erich. He was born on February 3, 1960 in Niagara Falls, New York. Known as "The Modern Day Warrior" and "The Texas Tornado," Kerry was by far the best-known of the Von Erich Family.

Much like his brothers, Kerry spent the majority of his career wrestling in World Class Championship Wrestling. Amongst the many major feuds he had were those against Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Chris Adams and The Fabulous Freebirds.

Kerry became the most successful of the Von Erich family when he won the NWA World Heavyweight Title from Ric Flair at the David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions, a tribute show to his deceased older brother. Kerry lost the belt three weeks later to Flair. Kerry also wrestled for several months in both the World Wrestling Federation (where he won the WWF Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam on August 27, 1990) and Global Wrestling Federation, two national promotions that were rising to fame at the expense of regional promotions such as WCCW.

On June 4, 1986, Kerry was in a motorcycle accident that nearly ended his life. With a dislocated hip and a badly injured right leg, Kerry was in bad shape. Doctors tried hard, but could not save his foot, eventually amputating it. According to brother Kevin, Kerry injured the foot following surgery by attempting to walk on it prematurely, thus forcing the doctors to amputate it. He was able to continue wrestling after the accident with a prosthesis and until his death kept the amputation secret to the majority of fans and even some fellow competitors.

Kerry had a history of drug problems. Amongst the many of them were two arrests, the first of which resulted in probation. After the second, which violated the probation and likely would have resulted in extensive jail time, Kerry committed suicide by a shot to the heart in 1993 on his father's ranch.

[Tony Lumb]

Brian Christopher is very much alive, as is Dynamite Kid who was interviewed on TV in the wake of the Benoit tragedy. He's living in a council flat in Greater Manchester, but is wheelchair-bound.

[Tony Lumb]

Kerry Von Erich (AKA Texas Tornado) 33 yrs - Suicide

David Von Erich 25 yrs - Unclear how he died

.

VERY likely to be a drug overdose. The rumour is that Bruiser Brody flushed the drugs when he found him in his hotel room in Japan - as it says above!

[Tony Lumb]

Can anyone help me with this trivia, there was a Wrestler who joined the WCW in 99ish that had a big of buzz about him. I think his name was Joe, or Joey, with an Italian surname that died soon after he signed for WCW.

I cannot find anything on him on the net.

I can't think of who that is, but Joey Maggs, who was a WCW jobber in the 90's also died in the last 12 months but I never heard why. Either suicide or heart attack.

[Ash-Weston]

Wow didnt even know half of these were dead!!!! Amazing. The steroid use is unreal though and it needs to be stopped b4 more young wrestlers die. Do these guys even know that their heart is building up just as fast as their muscles and it will eventually explode.

[ebeneezer]

You should deffo check out this book if you are interested in the behind the scenes drug and death culture in wrestling

Ring Of Hell by Mathhew Randazzo

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ring-Hell-Matth ... 212&sr=8-1

[Poncey]

I've heard Billington's is pretty good too, just haven't gotten round to buying it yet.

[Chris W 1982]

Wrestling in general is still on a high from the successful Attitude era (97-00)

The majority of stuff it produces today lacks the creativity, passion and personality of ten years ago. Acts like Steve Austin and The Rock were all round performers who matched their ring work with excellent mic skills. Too fewer wrestlers today do not possess them skills.

TNA for me is the leading product. Their first hour is reminiscent to the successful Nitro days, and although they lack star power compared to WWE, the chemistry at the top is more pleasing to the viewer.

[oliverfennell]

Kerry Von Erich (AKA Texas Tornado) 33 yrs - Suicide

It's terrible what happened to the Von Erich family.

Kerry Von Erich (AKA Texas Tornado) 33 yrs - Suicide
David Von Erich 25 yrs - Unclear how he died
Mike Von Erich 23 yrs - Suicide
Chris Von Erich 21 yrs - Suicide
Jack Von Erich, although not a wrestler, he would have been. He died when he was a child - electrocuted

The only brother left is Kevin Von Erich.

Ye Gods. I barely watch WWE now but used to tune in now and again. Never heard of these. Sounds incredible, in a very tragic way.

Can someone give me a brief catch up lesson on these poor guys?

Sounds a lot like the Chuvalo family.

[BigGar]

Was gutted when I heard above Miss Elizabeth. Was infatuated with her when I was about 13.

[WildWaylon]

Was gutted when I heard above Miss Elizabeth. Was infatuated with her when I was about 13.

Kleenex did well out of you then.

[Crease]

I watched a video on Youtube yesterday where The Ultimate Warrior accues Hulk Hogan of getting other wrestlers addicted to dope and cocaine.

Apparently is was Hogan's fault that Kevin Sullivan to an overdose.
Shocking if it's true...

[doctorboxing]

TNA for me is the leading product. Their first hour is reminiscent to the successful Nitro days, and although they lack star power compared to WWE, the chemistry at the top is more pleasing to the viewer.

Not a hope.

Relying on novelty acts like Flair, Hogan and Sting does little to help their product. Flair is so old he must actually ejaculate dust and Hogan walks like he has just spent a week at a Michael Barrymore pool party.

The amount of actual wrestling on their shows is pathetic as well, especially for an organisation that states "wrestling matters". Plus, holding the events in the Impact Zone gives it little atmosphere. I went to a TNA event when on holiday in Florida and all the signs the crowd had were handed out in advance by the production crew and during the breaks they tried to hype up the crowd by offering prizes to the loudest fans etc. juts to get some crowd reaction. The crowd also cheered heels like Kurt Angle (who is also close to breaking point physically) simply because they recognised him.

AJ Style, Christopher Daniels and potentially the Beer Money guys are the only ones who could possibly make an impact in the WWE imo. Whereas a massive proportion of the WWE roster could move to TNA and become a main player.

[Exoddus]

Since this was posted. There has been more deaths of WWE wrestlers.

Andrew Martain AKA Test. He was 33 years old and died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone (pain killer)

Eddie Fatu aged 36. He died of a heart attack. He was booted out of the WWE a couple of months before he died. Because he wouldn't go into rehab.

Lance Cade aged 29. He died of heart failure. Intoxication from mixed drugs complicated a cardiomyopathy.

"Macho Man" Randy Savage. Aged 58. Heart attack.

[Gazmac81]

I read Bret harts Book last year and the portrait Kyd Dynamite as a complete arsehole

last mention off him was he was in a flat in uk and kids were throwing shit at his windows

Great book that by the way

Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington is missing off the list. You could arguably include all the Von Erich's. The bloke that played half of the Body Donnas (was is Skip?) is missing off there, as is Brian Christopher who I think is dead too.

How Jake the Snake isn't dead with his crack habit is beyond me.

Oli and I could have a wet dream with this thread.

Dynamite Kid is still alive as far as I'm aware.

[Chambers2]

Steroids are bad mmmm kay

[reggaereggae]

From the UK, non-steroid users Big Daddy dies at 67, and Giant Haystacks at 52. But they were fat bastards

[littlekinny]

I read Bret harts Book last year and the portrait Kyd Dynamite as a complete arsehole

last mention off him was he was in a flat in uk and kids were throwing shit at his windows

Great book that by the way

Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington is missing off the list. You could arguably include all the Von Erich's. The bloke that played half of the Body Donnas (was is Skip?) is missing off there, as is Brian Christopher who I think is dead too.

How Jake the Snake isn't dead with his crack habit is beyond me.

Oli and I could have a wet dream with this thread.

Dynamite Kid is still alive as far as I'm aware.

Bound to say that due to the acrimonious split of the bulldogs with davey boy smith. Davey Boy was family to the Harts.

[Bricks]

Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington is missing off the list. You could arguably include all the Von Erich's. The bloke that played half of the Body Donnas (was is Skip?) is missing off there, as is Brian Christopher who I think is dead too.

How Jake the Snake isn't dead with his crack habit is beyond me.

Oli and I could have a wet dream with this thread.

Jake is a terrible alcoholic too. He was a tremendous worker so your guessing his body is broken down and so he has to take these dreadfully heavy doses of painkillers to be in comfort, but crucially jake was never about his physique he didnt take huge amounts of steroids etc.

[Bricks]

Was gutted when I heard above Miss Elizabeth. Was infatuated with her when I was about 13.

Kleenex did well out of you then.

yeah i liked elizabeth too and to compound matters had a teacher who looked exactly like her and had the same legs! I was 15 she was 28!

[Gazmac81]

Jake the snake Doucmentry - Beyond the mat is a good one

he was getting the interviewers and asking his daughters to get him crack

apparently one time they had to cut the cameras off during a live show because he was that out his nut that he started to take his trousers off in the ring.

Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington is missing off the list. You could arguably include all the Von Erich's. The bloke that played half of the Body Donnas (was is Skip?) is missing off there, as is Brian Christopher who I think is dead too.

How Jake the Snake isn't dead with his crack habit is beyond me.

Oli and I could have a wet dream with this thread.

Jake is a terrible alcoholic too. He was a tremendous worker so your guessing his body is broken down and so he has to take these dreadfully heavy doses of painkillers to be in comfort, but crucially jake was never about his physique he didnt take huge amounts of steroids etc.

[JamesH]

Jake the snake Doucmentry - Beyond the mat is a good one .

Wow that takes me back. He was in bad, bad shape there. I remember being (naively) shocked at the way this 'superstar' was sucking that pipe so frequently - 'proper on it' I believe the modern term is (Did I just say that? Ahhh I used to be young y'know.) Seriously though, taking the cheap buck for his next hit. Was very sad actually, esp with regards his daughter.

[Gazmac81]

i havent saw the full thing , my mate tipped me off about it but i do find the whole Business of Wrestling and some of the stories intresting,

i just turned 30 so when i was a kid into wrestling it was Ultimate warrior , hulk hogan and Brett hart that were the main ones , then i went to high school and chucked it and missed the Attitute era with the the Rock and Stone cold.

the Bret hart book is a quality read and he dishes the dirt on a lot off people
he tells it like it is ( well thats what he tells us anyway )

only thing is for every Great match there is he was the one who made it Great and made the other guy look good

Jake the snake Doucmentry - Beyond the mat is a good one .

Wow that takes me back. He was in bad, bad shape there. I remember being (naively) shocked at the way this 'superstar' was sucking that pipe so frequently - 'proper on it' I believe the modern term is (Did I just say that? Ahhh I used to be young y'know.) Seriously though, taking the cheap buck for his next hit. Was very sad actually, esp with regards his daughter.