Death in Pro Wrestling: The Dark Side of the Squared Circle
By John Pitroff
I don’t know if you heard, but another wrestler died. His name was Eddie Fatu, better known to the world of wrestling fans as Umaga, Jamal, or Ekmo. Okay, I’ll be up front and honest here, no one remembers his run as Ekmo in TNA. I give you a Three Minute Warning to do some research. It is quite irrelevant if you knew who he was, or whether or not you were a fan. The fact is that we now have the latest addition to the list of wrestlers who have died young. Perhaps you took the news of Umaga’s death with the same indifference as I. Then again, perhaps you actually have a heart, but let me explain myself. Another dead wrestler? I’m not surprised in the least. I was more shocked when Vince McMahon revealed himself as the “greater power.” Not to sound harsh, but seriously, it’s nothing I am not used to at this point. How many times can this happen? There have been more failed wrestlers than TNA PPVs at this point.
I openly admit when I really think about it, it is quite sad. It is quite depressing. It is quite of a downer. Just like WCW Nitro circa 2000. But, I have grown somewhat immune to it. I have learned to ignore it. Just like WCW Nitro circa 2000. If I were to put that much care into another dead wrestler, it seems as though every few months I would fall into a state of depression. A depression more depressing than DDPs run in WWF, and that is not something I am not ready to handle. There are almost as many dead wrestlers as failed WWF gimmicks in the early to mid 90s. I can’t put that much emotion into the personal lives of wrestlers, because every few months, one of them drops worse than a botched Sid Vicious power bomb.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Of course I care about these men and women dying. They are people. I don’t really know these people and I have never met them. But, a lot of them touched my life in some sort of way, and I got some sort of joy out of their presence on the earth. They are not just wrestlers (sorry, Vince, I mean “Superstars.”) but human beings with families, friends, and loved ones. Except Mr. Perfect, no one liked that holier-than-thou jerk. As the saying goes, “A single death is a tragedy, even when it is some curtain jerker that no one really knows.” That might not be the exact quote, but it went something like that.
The list of wrestlers who have died young is astounding. These are young, talented people whose lives are cut short. I did some research, and even as a life-long wrestling fan, I was surprised to learn that some of these stars of the past are dead. Let me run over a list so you can realize how many there are, and how serious this problem really is. Keep in mind that I didn’t include all, and I didn’t include no name wrestlers on the Indy circuit that you never hear about. Also be forewarned I will be making tasteless jokes throughout that make the Katie Vick storyline seem almost heartfelt:
Brian Adams (43, not the singer), John Kronus (38), Sheri Martel (49), “Ravishing” Rick Rude (41, his body was “heavenly“), Mike Awesome (42, suicide most likely due to “That 70s Guy” gimmick) Bam Bam Bigelow (45). Umaga (36), Test (33), Chris Benoit (40), Eddie Guerrero (38), Owen Hart (34), Buddy Rose (56), Earthquake (42, died due to an earthquake), Johnny Grunge (39), Rocco Rock (49), Miss Elizabeth (42), Brian Pillman (35 he’s “Flyin’” in heaven), Chris Candido (33, this means Sunny is single, this means I am happy), Big Bossman (42, like his father during that Big Show storyline), Hercules (45), The Wall (36), Crash Holly (32), Hawk (46), “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig (44), British Bulldog (39), Big Dick Dudley (34), Bertha Faye (40), Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, Yokozuka (38, we all saw this one coming), Bobby Duncan (34), Renegade (33), Junkyard dog (45, due to collar being too tight), Big John Studd (46), nearly the entire Von Erich family, Andre The Giant (46), Bruiser Brody (42), Adrian Adonis (33), Peter Maivia (45), and The Undertaker (“The Dead Man” – get it?).
Looking at that list, it is no wonder that wrestling has a bad reputation. When this many involved in the business are dying year after year, something needs to be done. It must be sort of depressing in wrestling. Anyone you get to know either gets fired, injured, leaves for another company, dies, or becomes champion while you still can’t break the mid card. Imagine showing up every few months to your job and finding out your coworker died. And, it’s not even your boss. Unless you count that time Vince McMahon faked his own death. That is why I’m a writer, no coworkers that I have to worry about dying on me. Lame jokes aside, what can be done and whose fault is it really?
Many attempt the blame the business itself. Now, I agree that wrestling is not easy to get into, not easy to stay a part of, and is a hard business in which to make a living. You need a lot of luck, and a lot of sucking up to the right people, right Sheamus? It’s like being a rock star with a lot less money, a lot less chicks, and a lot more hicks who think the stuff is “real.” Life on the road is not easy, hence the drugs, drinking, and macho jocks who inherit it. But, then again, no one forces these men and women to be involved in wrestling. It is by choice, out of love for wrestling that they do it. Well, except for Brock Lesnar. He wanted to play in the NFL. How is that going for him? How can you blame the business? No one was forced into this, except Stephanie McMahon. Can’t any of these guys remain actual “people” and just attempt to have fun and entertain?
It is true that some of the wrestler’s deaths are literally due to in ring action. Owen Hart is the prime example, and Chris Candido, to a degree can have their deaths blamed on actual wrestling. But, then again, you can blame Candido’s doctor more than anyone. The lifestyle is not easy. I realize that being on the road over 300 days a year getting pounded is not the best for your life. But, take a vacation. Whoops, you can’t, they will just replace you with someone else, someone else will just slide in your spot.
This viciousness of the business is why wrestlers work when injured, hurt, or when mentally unstable. Perhaps wrestlers need an off season. Wouldn’t it help everyone? Storylines, characters, wrestlers themselves, fans, and staff? Perhaps the money of a month or two off is not worth another dead wrestler. This is a business decision, so I’m leaving it to Mr. McMahon. Does wrestling really need to be so cut throat that Chris Benoit goes nuts and literally becomes “the crippler?” Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy both knew it was getting to be too much, so they quit. But, not all wrestlers have enough money to do that.
With that said and some of the blame placed elsewhere, I have to blame the wrestlers more than anyone. Life is about making choices, and it seems as though as a group, wrestlers don’t want to make good ones. When you live a life of excess, this is what happens. When you drink all the time, this is what happens. When you do drugs all the time, this is what happens. Pain killers, steroids, cocaine, pharmaceuticals, and all sorts of other drugs plus the road over 300 days a year is a recipe for disaster. I still lie awake at night wondering how Jake Roberts still walks the planet.
No one normal gets into wrestling. These are attention starved people looking for people to cheer for them fake fighting with someone else. But, how many bad choices can they make and still expect me to feel sorry for them? Everyone has things in their life that aren’t easy to get through. Slowly committing suicide seeing your coworkers do the same is not the best career or life choice. Save some of that money you make so that you can retire when you are young, or so that if you do lose your job, you have something to back yourself up with.
How many guys will die before these other wrestlers get their act together and start living right? Seriously, how many does it have to be, “boys?” At what point does it come that you realize you shouldn’t be doing what you are doing? This is like people who smoke cigarettes all the time. They keep seeing everyone around them dying, but still do it anyway. Perhaps wrestlers need to come with a little warning label, “Wrestling has been known to cause early deaths.” By the way, remember that time The Giant smoked when coming to the ring? What was that all about? I’m not sure, but that gimmick was cool.
I want to see wrestlers grow old and retire from in-ring performing so that they can become forgotten announcers. Right Mick Foley, JBL, Tazz, and Don West…wait, he never wrestled. But how are wrestlers supposed to respect the business, wrestling, and the elders & their accomplishments when the only ones still living are past their prime wash ups who don’t know how to hang up the boots the right way (Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan)? With so many wrestlers dying young, the young talent are missing out on a big way of learning from those that have come before them. This knowledge needs to be passed on, but the ones who have it keep passing on. I’m not so sure what The Renegade had to offer the young guys except how to steal someone’s gimmick, but anyway, you know what I mean.
Please, wrestlers of the world, man up and be responsible for your actions. Look around and make better choices. Health choices, financial choices, business choices, and personal choices. And, company executives and CEOs, think of not only your wrestlers as “Superstars” but as human beings and please consider some solution to this problem. There has to be a balance, and both the wrestlers themselves and their bosses need to make it happen before it is too late yet again!
Death in Pro Wrestling: The Dark Side of the Squared Circle
By John Pitroff
I don’t know if you heard, but another wrestler died. His name was Eddie Fatu, better known to the world of wrestling fans as Umaga, Jamal, or Ekmo. Okay, I’ll be up front and honest here, no one remembers his run as Ekmo in TNA. I give you a Three Minute Warning to do some research. It is quite irrelevant if you knew who he was, or whether or not you were a fan. The fact is that we now have the latest addition to the list of wrestlers who have died young. Perhaps you took the news of Umaga’s death with the same indifference as I. Then again, perhaps you actually have a heart, but let me explain myself. Another dead wrestler? I’m not surprised in the least. I was more shocked when Vince McMahon revealed himself as the “greater power.” Not to sound harsh, but seriously, it’s nothing I am not used to at this point. How many times can this happen? There have been more failed wrestlers than TNA PPVs at this point.
I openly admit when I really think about it, it is quite sad. It is quite depressing. It is quite of a downer. Just like WCW Nitro circa 2000. But, I have grown somewhat immune to it. I have learned to ignore it. Just like WCW Nitro circa 2000. If I were to put that much care into another dead wrestler, it seems as though every few months I would fall into a state of depression. A depression more depressing than DDPs run in WWF, and that is not something I am not ready to handle. There are almost as many dead wrestlers as failed WWF gimmicks in the early to mid 90s. I can’t put that much emotion into the personal lives of wrestlers, because every few months, one of them drops worse than a botched Sid Vicious power bomb.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Of course I care about these men and women dying. They are people. I don’t really know these people and I have never met them. But, a lot of them touched my life in some sort of way, and I got some sort of joy out of their presence on the earth. They are not just wrestlers (sorry, Vince, I mean “Superstars.”) but human beings with families, friends, and loved ones. Except Mr. Perfect, no one liked that holier-than-thou jerk. As the saying goes, “A single death is a tragedy, even when it is some curtain jerker that no one really knows.” That might not be the exact quote, but it went something like that.
The list of wrestlers who have died young is astounding. These are young, talented people whose lives are cut short. I did some research, and even as a life-long wrestling fan, I was surprised to learn that some of these stars of the past are dead. Let me run over a list so you can realize how many there are, and how serious this problem really is. Keep in mind that I didn’t include all, and I didn’t include no name wrestlers on the Indy circuit that you never hear about. Also be forewarned I will be making tasteless jokes throughout that make the Katie Vick storyline seem almost heartfelt:
Brian Adams (43, not the singer), John Kronus (38), Sheri Martel (49), “Ravishing” Rick Rude (41, his body was “heavenly“), Mike Awesome (42, suicide most likely due to “That 70s Guy” gimmick) Bam Bam Bigelow (45). Umaga (36), Test (33), Chris Benoit (40), Eddie Guerrero (38), Owen Hart (34), Buddy Rose (56), Earthquake (42, died due to an earthquake), Johnny Grunge (39), Rocco Rock (49), Miss Elizabeth (42), Brian Pillman (35 he’s “Flyin’” in heaven), Chris Candido (33, this means Sunny is single, this means I am happy), Big Bossman (42, like his father during that Big Show storyline), Hercules (45), The Wall (36), Crash Holly (32), Hawk (46), “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig (44), British Bulldog (39), Big Dick Dudley (34), Bertha Faye (40), Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, Yokozuka (38, we all saw this one coming), Bobby Duncan (34), Renegade (33), Junkyard dog (45, due to collar being too tight), Big John Studd (46), nearly the entire Von Erich family, Andre The Giant (46), Bruiser Brody (42), Adrian Adonis (33), Peter Maivia (45), and The Undertaker (“The Dead Man” – get it?).
Looking at that list, it is no wonder that wrestling has a bad reputation. When this many involved in the business are dying year after year, something needs to be done. It must be sort of depressing in wrestling. Anyone you get to know either gets fired, injured, leaves for another company, dies, or becomes champion while you still can’t break the mid card. Imagine showing up every few months to your job and finding out your coworker died. And, it’s not even your boss. Unless you count that time Vince McMahon faked his own death. That is why I’m a writer, no coworkers that I have to worry about dying on me. Lame jokes aside, what can be done and whose fault is it really?
Many attempt the blame the business itself. Now, I agree that wrestling is not easy to get into, not easy to stay a part of, and is a hard business in which to make a living. You need a lot of luck, and a lot of sucking up to the right people, right Sheamus? It’s like being a rock star with a lot less money, a lot less chicks, and a lot more hicks who think the stuff is “real.” Life on the road is not easy, hence the drugs, drinking, and macho jocks who inherit it. But, then again, no one forces these men and women to be involved in wrestling. It is by choice, out of love for wrestling that they do it. Well, except for Brock Lesnar. He wanted to play in the NFL. How is that going for him? How can you blame the business? No one was forced into this, except Stephanie McMahon. Can’t any of these guys remain actual “people” and just attempt to have fun and entertain?
It is true that some of the wrestler’s deaths are literally due to in ring action. Owen Hart is the prime example, and Chris Candido, to a degree can have their deaths blamed on actual wrestling. But, then again, you can blame Candido’s doctor more than anyone. The lifestyle is not easy. I realize that being on the road over 300 days a year getting pounded is not the best for your life. But, take a vacation. Whoops, you can’t, they will just replace you with someone else, someone else will just slide in your spot.
This viciousness of the business is why wrestlers work when injured, hurt, or when mentally unstable. Perhaps wrestlers need an off season. Wouldn’t it help everyone? Storylines, characters, wrestlers themselves, fans, and staff? Perhaps the money of a month or two off is not worth another dead wrestler. This is a business decision, so I’m leaving it to Mr. McMahon. Does wrestling really need to be so cut throat that Chris Benoit goes nuts and literally becomes “the crippler?” Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy both knew it was getting to be too much, so they quit. But, not all wrestlers have enough money to do that.
With that said and some of the blame placed elsewhere, I have to blame the wrestlers more than anyone. Life is about making choices, and it seems as though as a group, wrestlers don’t want to make good ones. When you live a life of excess, this is what happens. When you drink all the time, this is what happens. When you do drugs all the time, this is what happens. Pain killers, steroids, cocaine, pharmaceuticals, and all sorts of other drugs plus the road over 300 days a year is a recipe for disaster. I still lie awake at night wondering how Jake Roberts still walks the planet.
No one normal gets into wrestling. These are attention starved people looking for people to cheer for them fake fighting with someone else. But, how many bad choices can they make and still expect me to feel sorry for them? Everyone has things in their life that aren’t easy to get through. Slowly committing suicide seeing your coworkers do the same is not the best career or life choice. Save some of that money you make so that you can retire when you are young, or so that if you do lose your job, you have something to back yourself up with.
How many guys will die before these other wrestlers get their act together and start living right? Seriously, how many does it have to be, “boys?” At what point does it come that you realize you shouldn’t be doing what you are doing? This is like people who smoke cigarettes all the time. They keep seeing everyone around them dying, but still do it anyway. Perhaps wrestlers need to come with a little warning label, “Wrestling has been known to cause early deaths.” By the way, remember that time The Giant smoked when coming to the ring? What was that all about? I’m not sure, but that gimmick was cool.
I want to see wrestlers grow old and retire from in-ring performing so that they can become forgotten announcers. Right Mick Foley, JBL, Tazz, and Don West…wait, he never wrestled. But how are wrestlers supposed to respect the business, wrestling, and the elders & their accomplishments when the only ones still living are past their prime wash ups who don’t know how to hang up the boots the right way (Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan)? With so many wrestlers dying young, the young talent are missing out on a big way of learning from those that have come before them. This knowledge needs to be passed on, but the ones who have it keep passing on. I’m not so sure what The Renegade had to offer the young guys except how to steal someone’s gimmick, but anyway, you know what I mean.
Please, wrestlers of the world, man up and be responsible for your actions. Look around and make better choices. Health choices, financial choices, business choices, and personal choices. And, company executives and CEOs, think of not only your wrestlers as “Superstars” but as human beings and please consider some solution to this problem. There has to be a balance, and both the wrestlers themselves and their bosses need to make it happen before it is too late yet again!