The world of professional wrestling has seen its fair share of triumphs and tragedies. While wrestlers entertain and inspire millions of fans worldwide, the industry has also witnessed the untimely deaths of some of its brightest stars over the years. Perhaps it’s the lifestyle, or maybe it’s the bumps, but people have noticed that a disproportionate amount of wrestling superstars have died way before their time. In this article, we pay tribute to those wrestlers who left us far too early, leaving behind a legacy that serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile nature of life.
Eddie Guerrero (1967-2005)
Eddie Guerrero was a beloved wrestler known for his technical prowess and captivating charisma highlighted by his love of lying, cheating and stealing. Battling personal demons, Guerrero triumphed over addiction and achieved success in the WWE where he would defeat Brock Lesnar to lift the World Championship. However, in 2005, he passed away due to heart failure, leaving behind a void in the hearts of fans worldwide. It was rumoured that he was on the verge of capturing the world championship when current champion Batista was injured. Guerrero’s legacy endures as a testament to his resilience and incredible in-ring abilities.
Owen Hart (1965-1999)
Owen Hart, known as “The King of Harts,” was a gifted performer and member of the legendary Hart wrestling family. Tragically, during the May 1999 Over the Edge pay-per-view event, Hart’s planned entrance from the rafters went horribly wrong, leading to a fatal accident. The entrance, which was the same as had been done by Sting in WCW on many occasions lead to Hart falling to his death in front of the live crowd. The wrestling world mourned the loss of a charismatic talent who showcased exceptional in-ring skills and a playful sense of humour.
Brodie Lee (1979-2020)
Known as Luke Harper in WWE as part of the Wyatt Family, Brodie Lee was a former Intercontinental Champion and would go on to be a TNT Champion in AEW. Having wanted to leave the WWE for some time before he eventually did he was revealed to be the leader of the dark Order in All Elite Wrestling. He would challenge Jon Moxley for the World Title and have a famous dog collar match with Cody Rhodes. He fell sick in late 2020 and depite great efforts to save his life he passed away tragically soon.
Chris Benoit (1967-2007)
A controversial inclusion for those that know, but the circumstances around Benoit’s death is what adds to the true tragedy of it. Once regarded as one of the most talented and respected wrestlers who was a World Champion in both WCW and WWE, Chris Benoit’s story took a tragic turn. In 2007, he took the lives of his wife Nancy and son Daniel before committing suicide. The incident shocked the wrestling community and sparked discussions about the toll that the demanding nature of the industry can have on mental health. Benoit’s actions remain a heartbreaking reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by those in the wrestling world. We include this one because not only did fans lose a wrestler they loved, but if the mental state that lead to Benoit’s death had not happened he wouldn’t have taken the lives of his family either.
“Macho Man” Randy Savage (1952-2011)
Ooh Yeah! Known for his flamboyant personality and intense in-ring style, Randy Savage was a fan favourite. Following his retirement from wrestling, Savage tragically passed away due to a heart condition while driving. His last in ring appearance was for TNA Wrestling in the early days of the company. Rumours have grown that Randy may have had some kind of relationship with Stephanie McMahon which may have lead to his leaving the WWF in the 1990s, but no evidence to support this has ever come to light.
Jay Briscoe (1984-2023)
A mainstay of Ring of Honor wrestling, Jay and his brother Mark were long regarded as perhaps the best tag team in pro wrestling. Having won the ROH World tag team titles on multiple occassions Jay would also become a Ring of Honor World Heavyweight Champion. When Tony Khan bought Ring of Honour in 2022 the Briscoes would go on to have a trilogy of classic tag team matches with FTR and exchange the tag team titles. Unfortunately whilst still one half of the tag champions Jay was involved in a road traffic accident that took his life. This loss shocked the wrestling world, but his legacy of being a world class wrestler and family man will always be remembered.
Brian Pillman (1962-1997)
Brian Pillman, known for his unpredictable and rebellious persona ‘The Loose Cannon’, brought a unique energy to the wrestling scene. His career was cut short due a serious road incident, although he would leave WCW for the WWF where he would eventually become a member of the Hart Foundation stable. Whilst in a storyline with Goldust and Marlena Pillman passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition.
“Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig (1958-2003)
Curt Hennig, known as “Mr. Perfect,” was revered for his technical skills and natural athleticism. His famous SummerSlam match with Bret Hart is considered one of the greatest of all time. Despite achieving considerable success in WWE where he was an intercontinental champion, Hennig battled personal struggles and tragically died from acute cocaine intoxication. He had briefly returned to the WWE in 2002, but left after being involved in the infamous plane ride from hell.
The untimely deaths of these wrestlers serve as sobering reminders of the fragility of life and the challenges faced by those in the wrestling industry. Being on the road and putting their bodies through intense punishment night after night leads to injury and pain which is often solved with drugs and alcohol. This combination has lead to far too many early deaths in the sport. While their careers were cut short, their legacies endure through the memories they created and the impact they had on fans worldwide. These wrestlers will always be remembered for their incredible talents, their larger than life personas, and the joy they brought to the hearts of millions of fans.
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