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Junkyard Dog (1953-98) car accident
In his formative years, Sylvester Ritter learned his trade at the Dungeon (the Hart family wrestling school) and "graduated" to compete actively in Stampede Wrestling as Big Daddy Ritter before adopting the JYD persona. Ritter claimed he earned his nickname while working in an auto junk yard. During his carrer as a babyface, JYD held the Mid-South Wrestling Association North American heavyweight title on four separate occasions taking on the likes of Ted Dibiase and Butch Reed. Ritter, who has had a low-profile since the 80's wrestling boom recently resurfaced in the news after a backstage altercation with another wrestler at an ECW show.
Fritz Von Erich (1929-1997) cancer
The unfortunate tragedies that surrounded his family will overshadow the great contributions that Fritz made and the great successes he enjoyed. In addition to being a great performer and promoter, he was also a great businessman. In addition to booking sold out arenas consistently, he also syndicated the WCCW television show in more than 60 US markets and in Latin America, Japan and the Middle East. He was also very committed to his family and struggled to find answers to the tragedies through which his family suffered. Often blamed for the demise of his sons, Fritz spent the remainder of his life in sadness. He died on September 10, 1997.
Stan Satziak (1937-97) heart failure
Stan made his wrestling debut in the late 50s and was billed as Stan 'The Man' Stasiak, from Buzzard Creek, Oregon. Stasiak's greatest achievement was on December 1, 1973 when he beat Pedro Morales in Philadelphia to win the World Wide Wrestling Federation world title. Just nine days later in New York City's Madison Square Gardens, he lost the title to Bruno Sammartino. The Master of the Heart Punch, ironically enough, died of heart failure on June 19, 1997.
Brian Pillman (1962-97)  heart attack
Brian Pillman was found dead in his hotel room in Bloomington, Minnesota, at 1:09 PM local time, Sunday. His death was caused by heart failure, likely exacerbated by the immense amount of pain killers that he was taking. Pillman is survived by his wife, Melanie, and their five children. Pillman had undergone numerous operations to treat throat cancer, from which he had suffered since being a young child. This left him with a raspy voice that led many to wonder whether he'd be a marketable wrestler; somehow, likely through sheer enthusiasm, his interviews were oftentimes amongst the best in the business
Dick Murdoch  (1947-96) heart attack
Murdoch was a legitimate household name in Japan, having spent more time in Japan than any foreign wrestler in history with the exception of Stan Hansen, Abdullah the Butcher and Tiger Jeet Singh. While he was a star virtually everywhere he went, he was the type of a performer whose talents were more appreciated and even raised more awe among his fellow wrestlers than to most of the fans. Although his looks, physique and facial expressions made him a classic heel, he actually achieved his best success as a drawing card in places like West Texas and the old Mid South territory as almost a classic kick-ass character babyface...
Ray Stevens (1936-1996) heart attack
 In the 60s, the general consensus within pro wrestling was that Stevens had followed in the footsteps of Buddy Rogers as being the best all-around performer in the business. He combined not only having great matches, the ability to make an opponent look great, but also was consistently one of the biggest money draws. He took big bumps and bounced his way around the ring to classic matches, whether his opponent could work a lick or not, and continued doing so well into his 40s, as part of two of pro wrestling's all-time legendary tag teams with Nick Bockwinkel and Pat Patterson.
Crusher Blackwell (1950-1995) pneumonia
 Jerry Blackwell wasn't your ordinary 468-pound fat man. Blackwell was extremely agile for his size and could throw a dropkick. Jerry had that combination of girth and agility that made his finishing maneuvers like the powerslam and Samoan drop look absolutely devastating. Blackwell was pushed heavily upon his arrival in the AWA feuding with Crusher Lisowski over the nickname "Crusher." Jerry formed a tag team with Big John Studd to wreak havoc on the AWA. Together, Blackwell and Studd would injure Mad Dog Vachon putting the veteran Canadian star out of action for several weeks. Baron Von Raschke returned to the AWA to take Vachon's place alongside the Crusher against Blackwell and Studd.
Big John Studd (1948-95) liver cancer
During an era in the WWF you had to be a big man to garner any attention. Big John Studd was definitely a bigman. Studd was one of the few men who could stand toe-to-toe with Andre The Giant, and not get himself killed. Although his only WWWF title reign took place while he was under a mask, he will always be remembered as Big John Studd.
Eddie Gilbert (1962-95) heart attack
 Thomas Edward "Eddie" Gilbert Jr's lifelong obsession was to be a top pro wrestler. His father Tommy, a big name in Tennessee and Kentucky during his day, began taking Eddie and his younger brother Doug to see the local wrestling matches as soon as they were old enough to walk. It didn't take Eddie long to become fascinated by what went on in the ring, but even more so by what went on behind the scenes. Eddie saw how wrestling worked at a young age and by the time he was in his teens his ambition was to be the booker and top star in the Memphis territory. He idolized Jerry Lawler, who became his role model since Lawler himself was booking and acting as the top star in Memphis even back when Eddie was just in high school.
Andre The Giant (1949-93) heart attack
During his heyday, Andre The Giant was likely the second-most recognized citizen of Planet Earth, just behind Muhammad Ali. Andre hit the road and, in 1971, arrived in Montreal as Jean Ferre. He was a moderate success around Quebec, but it wasn't until he took on Vincent McMahon Sr. as a booking manager that he became a household name. McMahon realized that Andre The Giant needed to move around from circuit to circuit to make the most of his uniqueness. McMahon explained to Sports Illustrated in the Dec. 21, 1981 issue: "The whole world is his circuit. By making his visits few and far between he never becomes commonplace. Now, wherever he goes the gates are larger than they would be without him. I book him for three visits a year to Japan, two to Australia, two to Europe, and the rest of the time I book him into the major arenas in the U.S. The wrestlers and promoters all want him on their cards because when the Giant comes, everyone makes more money." It was a lesson McMahon's son was to ignore.
Kerry Von Erich (1960-93) suicide
Professional wrestler Kerry von Erich, one of the famous Von Erich brothers who performed primarily in Texas rings, began his wrestling career in the late 1970's; he was briefly a world champion in 1984 as his family's World Class Championship Wrestling promotion was at the peak of its popularity. By the time of his appearance in Problem Child (1990), the promotion was on the verge of folding and Kerry was battling depression (brought on by the loss of three of his brothers, with whom he frequently appeared in the ring; two of them had committed suicide) and addiction to painkillers and other drugs (he had been wrestling with an artificial foot due to injuries he suffered in a 1987 motorcycle accident). Following the collapse of World Class, Kerry moved to the Connecticut-based World Wrestling Federation; while working for that group, he was arrested and sentenced to ten years probation for forging a prescription. After a second drug-related arrest which would likely have sent him to prison, Kerry returned to his childhood home near Denton, Texas and shot himself in the chest. He was 33.
Dino Bravo (1949-93) murdered
To remember Dino Bravo from his WWF days as a heel under the management of Johnny V, or in a tag team with Greg Valentine as the New Dream Team, is to do injustice to what was once an agile, exciting wrestler. Pumped up on steroids in the WWF, Bravo had lost the ability to do much in the ring except pose. To better remember Dino Bravo, one must look to his reigns as Canadian heavyweight champion, at one time recognized as such by the three big boys -- WWF, NWA and AWA. He took on all comers as Canadian champion for Frank Tunney's Toronto office and was the star of the Montreal Grand Prix wrestling circuit. Bravo was WWF tag team champion with Dominic DeNucci in 1978, and also formed a very successful tag team with Gino Brito. He met a tragic end March 11, 1993, when he was killed in his Montreal apartment by a hail of gunfire
Uncle Elmer (1931-92) kidney failure
Stan Frazier -- a 6'10", 400 pound giant -- was not really a dominant force in professional wrestling, and there was no way he could be: he was a slow, plodding, simple man. But he lives on as an inspiration -- the American Dream come true, in a backwards way. Under the guise of Uncle Elmer, he became a celebrity and semi-legend.
Buddy Rogers (1921-92) heart failure
When people consider a flamboyant, charismatic, effervescent wrestler with great technical skills, they usually think of the great Ric Flair. Flair, however, was not the original Nature Boy - that distinction goes to the great Buddy Rogers. After his wrestling career was over, Rogers continued to participate in the sport as a manager and occasionally made appearances as a wrestler. One of these was to be yet another showdown with a Nature Boy, this time "Nature Boy" Buddy Landell. This bout never took place, however, as Rogers suffered a massive stroke and died on June 26, 1992.
"Mad Dog" Buzz Sawyer (1960-92) overdose
Buzz Sawyer was a man before his time when he made his debut in 1979. Buzz was bald on top, keeping the hair growing around his sides, but there was no mistaking him for an Accountant. He wore thick fur around his boots and made the look cool. Truly, had he been born a short ten years earlier, he would have been what Steve Austin is today. The Mad Dog was wild, inhuman, and frightening to watch. In 1982, he came in fourth place in the PWI's "Most Hated" poll... just behind Ted DiBiase, Blackjack Mulligan, and Superstar Billy Graham. In 1982, he trailed behind Barry Windham and Otto Wanz in the "Most Improved" category. Finally, in 1983, he was third in the "Inspirational Wrestler of the year", beaten out by Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper.
Chris Von Erich (1971-91) suicide
Chris Von Erich was the smaller of the Von Erich boys. All he wanted to be was a wrestler. All he did was idolized Mike Von Erich and did everything that Mike wanted to do. Chris would get involved sometimes, maybe will be remembered most when hitting Michael Hayes with a chair. And did work some shows. On September 12,1991 Chris Von Erich commited suicide by shooting himself he was only 21.
Adrian Adonis (1964-88) auto accident
The late "Adorable" Adrian Adonis was a very talented performer. He teamed with Jesse "The Body" Ventura , as one half of the East-West Connection and feuded with the likes of Don Muraco and Roddy Piper. Adonis's last match in the WWF was at Wrestlemania 3 against Piper. He lost the match and his hair. Adonis passed away in a fatal car accident, as a few pro wrestlers have over the years. Adonis was somewhat ahead of his time. He carried gimmicks in wrestling to new levels. The legend of Adonis will live on.
Bruiser Brody (1946-88) murdered
On July 17, 1988 Bruiser Brody was scheduled to wrestle in Puerto Rico but got into a pre-match argument with wrestler/promoter Jose Gonzalez. After Brody went back into the shower room, Gonzalez followed him in. Moments later, wrestlers heard screams from the shower area and watched as Brody stumbled out towards them, with several stab wounds to the stomach. Gonzalez slipped out of the arena and medical attention was called. Unfortunately, doctors botched several attempts to save his life and Frank Goodish was dead at age the age of 42. Gonzalez was arrested and charged with murder but all of the wrestlers present (including Tony Atlas) refused to testify for fear of reprisals. Gonzalez was subsequently acquitted of all charges.
Mike Von Erich (1964-87) suicide
Mike Von Erich made his debut in 1983. Although a popular and talented champion, after a few years in the sport, Mike (and many fans) felt he had not been able to fill the void left by David's death, nor had he lived up to the lofty standards set by his brothers before him. It's not hard to imagine the pressure Mike must've been under, and simply by virtue of their incredible talent and natural ability, the three preceding Von Erichs were a very, very tough act to follow. In1987, Mike was unexpectedly rushed to the hospital, as his temperature had risen to deadly levels due to a severe case of Toxic Shock Syndrome. The affliction took a serious toll, however, and Mike lost what little bulk he'd managed to build up since becoming a wrestler, and then some. Once again, the WCCW cameras were there to capture the drama of another real-life Von Erich tragedy...something that many later pointed to as the true cause of the Von Erich's troubles. After a frighteningly close brush with death and a brave, hard-fought recovery, a despondent Mike Adkisson climbed inside of a sleeping bag and took his own life with an overdose of prescription drugs...
Gino Hernandez (1957-86) drug overdose Gino's title reigns included: Texas Tag Team w/ Jimmy Snuka, 6-time Texas Heavyweight Champ, 3-time S.C.W. Southwest Tag Team w/ Tully Blanchard as one half of the Dynamic Duo, NWA US Heavyweight Champ and NWA International Junior Heavyweight Champ.
David Von Erich (1959-84) *drug overdose
David, who resembled father Fritz the most, won the Texas Heavyweight title during his rookie year in 1978. He would go on to win the prestigious championship a total of 6 times. He would also go on to win such "major league" titles such as the NWA Southern Heavyweight title, the North American Tag Team title (as a heel, w/Dory Funk, Jr.), the Florida TV title, the Missouri Heavyweight championship, the NWA World Tag Team title, and many others in the next few years. Nicknamed "The Yellow Rose Of Texas," the 6`5 David Von Erich was a natural, perhaps even better than Kevin, and a superstar almost instantly.
* According to The Greatest Light-Heavyweight Champ of All Time, The Gnasty Gnat
The Grand Wizard (1929-83) heart attack
On October 12, 1983, Ernie Roth a.k.a. Abdullah Farouk a.k.a. The Grand Wizard of Wrestling died of a heart attack at the age of 54. The WWF, and the rest of the wrestling world, was obviously caught off guard by the unforeseen tragedy. Putting aside all of his "past indiscretions", the WWF honored The Grand Wizard on various WWF broadcasts after the announcement of his untimely death. Wrestlers, both friends and "enemies" of The Grand Wizard, gave their condolences and paid their respects, some in a very public fashion. Ernie Roth made hundreds of close friends during his nearly 25 years in the wrestling business, and it was a very sad time for many wrestlers, promoters, and fans alike. Nearly 15 years later, the World Wrestling Federation officially inducted The Grand Wizard into the WWF Hall of Fame.
 
 

 

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