Heart Failure

Greg Oliver of Slam! Wrestling reports the sad news that Cowboy Lang has passed away in Portland OR.

According to Oliver, Lang died virtually penniless and was a homeless person. He passed away on January 4 from unknown causes. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Lang worked all over the country in the 70's and 80's and held the World Midget Title in the early 80's.

The staff of 1Wrestling.com sends condolences to the family and friends of Cowboy Lang.

Right around the time of the reunion, Onosa'i Ulualoaiga Emelio, professionally known as Cocoa Samoa, died of unspecified causes. He was 62 years old. Cocoa Samoa wrestled in many of the key territories: Florida, Memphis, Southwest, Mid-South and the Pacific Northwest, to name just a few. He was a main event star in Portland for a few years, and headlined as Sabu the Wildman in Memphis against Jerry Lawler and Terry Taylor.

http://caulifloweralleyclub

WWE.com has learned that former WWE Superstar Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow has passed away in Florida.

Kevin Doll, the Public Information Director for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Bigelow was found dead early Friday morning in his home in Hudson, Fla.

"We can confirm that Scott Bigelow was found in his home this morning. At this time the cause of death is unknown," Doll told WWE.com.

Doll also confirmed that the Pasco-Pinellas Counties medical examiner has taken the body and an autopsy will be performed.

Bigelow, 45, worked for WWE, ECW and WCW extensively throughout his 20-year sports-entertainment career. A former ECW Champion, ECW Television Champion and WCW Tag Team Champion, he is perhaps best known for his rivalry with Lawrence Taylor that culminated in the main event of WrestleMania XI in 1995. 

WWE.com

The woozy stench of cigar smoke, grease and cheap beer hung in the air inside the International Amphitheater as 12,000 fans chanted:

"We want blood!"

Empty whiskey bottles, eggs, beer -- even a chair --sometimes came flying into the ring if the fans didn't like you, if you weren't from Chicago.

And the man watching over it all, pulling the strings at this gloriously savage spectacle at 42nd and Halsted, was Bob Luce, the legendary Chicago wrestling promoter.

"Every wrestling event he had down there was an extravaganza," said one of his daughters, Robin Luce. "It was like he was promoting the next Super Bowl, that's how much he loved his work."

Mr. Luce was buried Tuesday in Milwaukee. He died Feb. 8 at a hospice in Wheeling after a long illness, his family said. He was 78.

Decades before the pyrotechnics and barking theatrics of the World Wrestling Federation, Mr. Luce was promoting the likes of Dick the Bruiser, the Crusher, Verne Gagne and Baron Von Raschke -- a k a "the Clawmaster" -- during the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

http://www.suntimes.com/

The name James C. Melby would be familiar to any wrestling fan of a certain age. He wasn't a wrestler or manager or promoter, but instead was the editor of numerous magazines, the public face for The Wrestling News, Wrestling Revue and Wrestling Monthly. With his passing this weekend at age 57, the business has lost a true champion.

http://slam.canoe.ca/

Mike Awesome's first major exposure came overseas, where he became one of the Japan's top stars. Awesome would eventually become a star and champion in America while wrestling for Extreme Championship Wrestling. Following his successful run in ECW, Awesome spent time working in WCW and later WWE before retiring to his native Tampa, Fla.

While in ECW, Awesome was a two-time World Champion and Tag Team Champion. His matches with Masato Tanaka, including a show-stealer at One Night Stand in 2005 were among the most memorable in ECW history.

WWE.com

At age 13 he joined the Merchant Marines using the name Paul Davis and discovered bodybuilding, a sport he loved so much he would carry a pair of 50 pound dumbbells in his duffel bag for workouts. In 1950 Stern began wrestling at age 17 in New York City working for Rudy Dusek. Due to his penchant for aerial moves promoters nicknamed him "Thunder".

Stern opened the first co-ed gym in the United States in San Francisco, California, as well as the first with a nursery. He also worked with real estate and rental properties.

Stern was also an avid flier, and during his wrestling career this allowed him to travel great distances in short periods to conduct more business and matches in a quicker span. He founded Stern Air in Dallas, Texas. He even flew to Czechoslovakia to train with their national aerobatic champions, and was so successful that the team named him as an official backup member at the world level.

In 1994 Stern publushed his autobiography, Power and Thunder: The Rags to Riches Story of One Man's Adventure of Fame, Fortune, Romance & Fitness. He was also awarded the Iron Mike Mazurki Award in 2000 at that year's Cauliflower Alley Club reunion, an award that recognizes wrestlers for success outside the industry.

In 2005 he received the New York State Award (now since renamed the Senator Hugh Farley Award) from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Amsterdam, New York.

On March 6, 2007, Stern died after complications from heart surgery. He was 74 years old. he is survived by his wife of 10 years debi stern a fitness athlete and iffbb judge

Bad News Brown
3/7/07


World Wrestling Entertainment is saddened by the death of Allen Coage (professionally known as Bad News Brown). The former WWE Superstar passed away on Tuesday, March 6 in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was 63.

Prior to entering WWE, Coage was a world-class athlete, competing and winning a bronze medal in Judo at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Perhaps his biggest victory in sports-entertainment came at WrestleMania IV, where he won a Battle Royal that included some of the industry's biggest stars.

WWE.com

Black Shadow
3/8/07

Alejandro Cruz Ortiz (born May 3, 1921 León, Guanajuato, died March 8, 2007 Mexico City) was a Mexican professional wrestler, known worldwide as Black Shadow.

Cruz is best known for his Luchas de Apuestas, or mask vs. mask match, with Santo on November 7, 1953, a 70 minute match that is still heralded today as one of the most famous in Latin American history. It helped popularize the concept with mask matches still the biggest draws in Mexican wrestling to the moderm day. [1]

He was nicknamed El Hombre de Goma, translated as The Elastic Man, due to his elasticity and flexibility in the ring. 

Cruz also appeared in numerous Mexican wrestling films with Santo, mostly as "Black Shadow" though in two (Blue Demon en Noche de muerte and Santo y Blue Demon contra los monstruos) he played a clone or evil duplicate of Blue Demon. 

Cruz died age 82 after suffering from pnemonia in Mexico City.

Ernie Ladd
3/10/2007

WWE Hall of Famer Ernie Ladd passed away last night, according to TheNewsStar.com of Monroe, La. Ladd, 68, had been battling cancer since 2004.

Professionally known as the “Big Cat,” Ladd was one of the premiere professional wrestlers of the 1960s and 1970s. Long-time fans in the Northeast particularly remember the havoc he wreaked in WWE throughout the ‘70s as one of the biggest names the territory had ever seen. Managed by the Grand Wizard, Ladd was a persistent challenger to WWE Champions Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund.

Prior to a successful career in sports-entertainment, Ladd earned fame as a dominant football player at both the college and pro level. He was a star lineman for Louisiana’s Grambling State University in the late ‘50s, and was recruited in 1961 by the AFL’s San Diego Chargers. He was a member of the Chargers’ 1963 AFL Championship team, and appeared in four straight AFL All-Star Games from 1962-1965. In addition to the Chargers, he also played for the Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs.

WWE.com

Arnold Skaaland
3/14/07

Arnold Skaaland, a fixture on the Northeast wrestling scene dating back to the 1940s, passed away yesterday at the age of 82. A former part owner of Capital Wrestling Corporation, the parent company of the World Wide Wrestling Federation, Skaaland's public persona during the 70s was as the long-time prelim wrestler who was the public manager of champions Bruno Sammartino and later Bob Backlund. He was also the regular heel manager for Andre the Giant for New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he served the role as Andre's caretaker and Vince McMahon Sr.'s business representative, since McMahon Sr. was Andre's booker.

WrestlingObserver.com

Angel Azteca
3/18/07

Angel Azteca, who passed away a few days ago: EMLL confirmed what Super Luchas reported earlier today that Angel Azteca died late last night after a show in Campeche at 43-years-old. Word was that he completed his match fine and signed autographs after the match before leaving the arena and it was after he left, he had a cardiac arrest and died. Angel Azteca the gimmick was borne in 1988 and had a pretty successful career in the early 90’s where he won the NWA Middleweight & Mexican National Welterweight Titles plus Mexican National Tag Titles with Atlantis, and Mexican National Trios Titles with Hijo del Santo & Super Muneco. Azteca would leave EMLL in the mass exodus in 1992 and would join AAA working as Azteca and Charro de Jalisco. Azteca bounced around for a while before returning to EMLL where he would eventually lose his mask to Arkangel de la Muerte in 2003 before working for a little longer until he became a referee. Azteca would soon leave that job and worked indy shows for the last year up until last night

f4wonline.com

Steven Ranton
3/27/07

Indy wrestler Steven Ranton who has wrestled for the IWF and other independent promotions passed away at the age of 22 this past weekend. It is reported that Ranton died by committing suicide by setting himself on fire.

Born in Paterson, N.J., on Oct. 16, 1984, he was the son of Thomas Scott and Frances Elinor Ranton, West Milford. Due to graduate in May,

"Condolences to the family and friends of Steve Ranton, who recently passed away.  Steve began training at IWF Wrestling School in 2001, graduated from the program in 2002, and performed on live events as 'Axis' through 2003.  He is a former IWF Tag Team Champion.  Steve was a fun-loving individual who loved life, was a very talented wrestler, and more importantly a super human being.  We will always remember The Mighty Axis!" 

Abe Coleman
3/28/07

NEW YORK–Abe Coleman, a squat powerhouse of a professional wrestler, billed by promoters as the Hebrew Hercules and known to opponents by the two-footed kick he copied from kangaroos, died last Wednesday. He was 101, probably making him the oldest retired professional wrestler, according to wrestling publications.

His death was confirmed by the receptionist at the Meadow Park Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Fresh Meadows, Queens.

Coleman was active in pro wrestling in the days when people, rightly or wrongly, treated it as a legitimate sport. He weighed 220 pounds, stood 5-foot-3 and boasted moves that included the flying head butt and the airplane spin.

But his pièce de résistance was the drop kick, a still-common tactic in which a wrestler turns himself into a human missile. Coleman said he learned it from kangaroos on a 1930 trip to Australia.

He was never a champion, but a middle-card standby who fought about 2,000 matches, continuing into his 50s, according to the Slam Sports website. His foes included giants of the 1930s like Jim Londos, with whom he duelled before 60,000 spectators in a Mexico City bullring.

It was an era when an athlete was promoted by his ethnicity, and Londos, the heavyweight champion, was the Golden Greek. When Coleman wasn't the Hebrew Hercules, he was presented as the Jewish Tarzan.

The Jewish Daily Bulletin in 1934 hailed him as "a past master of the art of grunts, groans and grimaces."

Coleman was born as Abba Kelmer on Sept. 20, 1905, in Zychlin, Poland, where his father sold coal. He was one of 16 siblings, some of whom died in the Holocaust.

He moved to Winnipeg in 1923 before settling in New York and making do with odd jobs.

In an interview with The New York Times in 1995, Coleman said that a promoter saw him in a gym and asked, "Hey, boy, want to make $25 tonight?"

Soon, he was a favourite of fans in New York, then elsewhere. According to several professional wrestling publications, he once raised Man Mountain Dean, all 465 pounds of him, over his head and slammed him. They fell through the ring to the auditorium floor.

In 1936, he met June Miller, he said, when he was thrown out of the ring and landed in her lap. They married in 1939, and she died in the mid-1980s.

They had no children, and Coleman left no immediate survivors.

After wrestling, Coleman inspected licence plates for the Department of Motor Vehicles. He was a wrestling referee, played the horses and spun yarns at the T-Bone Diner on Queens Blvd.

His cauliflower ears attested to a rough past, and family members said that, in his 80s, Coleman fought off two assailants. At his 100th birthday party, The Queens Chronicle said that a nephew asked him if he wanted to wrestle.

"Get my tights and jockstrap," the Hebrew Hercules growled.

The Star

Dynamite D,
4/18/07

For those of you who have not heard the news, Darren McMillan, who wrestled as Dynamite D, passed away last night at about 8 PM from complications related to cancer.

D had a storied history in the So Cal wrestling scene and gained a measure of international stardom with his “Mr. 80’s” Dynamite D persona in XPW.

Most recently D served as a coordinator for the pilot episode of Wrestling Society X. WSX co-creator/producer Kevin Kleinrock has credited D with being responsible for his career in wrestling and said that without Darren, XPW and therefore WSX would never have come to be.

The following is from SoCalUncensored.com :

SCU has learned Darren McMillan, who wrestled in SoCal as Dynamite D passed away around 8:00 PM on April 11th. Dynamite D is best known for his time in XPW, however it had been wrestling locally since 1990. D was also responsible for training or helping to train countless SoCal wrestlers including Kaos, Damian Steele, and Ed Ferarra.

D also hosted a radio show that was responsible for helping to promote Southern California indy shows in the days prior to the explosion of the Internet.

More information will be posted as it becomes available. SCU wants to send our best wishes to all of Dynamite D’s friends and family.

http://wrestlingsocietyx.blogspot.com 

Mephisto LePhanto
5/5/07

The Sr.Omar Antonio Perez Barreto more good known like Mephisto LePhanto, fallecio the night of Saturday 5 of May of the 2007 after that at the final moments of the encounter, Perez Barreto collapsed after receiving “tag” on the part of their companion Mikael Judas, during the combat made in Single the Ydelfonso Stage Moral of Caguas and where these challenged to Mr.Big and Bitz by the World-wide Championships in Pair.

Perez Barreto was transferred in stretcher towards the dressing rooms where this recibio first aid by the paramedicos. Soon Baptist in Caguas was transported in ambulance until the San Juan Hospital where certificó its death at the age of 31 years.

I inquire to us that Perez Barreto sufrio a massive infarct and that in a moment him estara being made the autopsy.

Perez Barreto was well dear and respected by all their companions of dressing room.

During the last years and before arriving at the IWA like Mephisto LePhanto, Perez Barreto work in other companies like The Hunter, until comenzo Saturday 31 of March of 2007 in the Pepin Field Basketmaker of Bayamon with the IWA.

Soon we will place but information of the happened thing, including the autopsy, velatorio and sepelio.

From the great family of the International Wrestling Assosiation we sent ours to him more felt condolence to the relatives and friends of the Sr.Omar Antonio Perez Barreto. We will always remember it and that rests peacefully.

http://www.iwapr.tv

Sonny Myers
5/9/07

Central States wrestling legend Sonny Myers, 83, has passed away according to reports out of St. Joseph, Missouri. Reports indicate Myers died on Saturday. I just recapped an interview with Deep South owner Jody Hamilton, who said Myers was one of the best all around wrestlers he had ever seen. GERWECK.NET would like to extend our deepest condolences out to the friends of family of Mr. Myers.

http://www.gerweck.net/

Sandy Barr
6/2/07

Sandy Barr, a fixture on the Oregon wrestling scene as a wrestler, referee and promoter, passed away earlier tonight from a heart attack. We don't have any further details.

Barr worked with Don Owen in the 80s promoting shows, and then when Owen retired, took over the local promotion. His sons Jesse and Art both wrestled around the world, with Art, who passed away in 1994, a superstar in Mexico as Eddy Guerrero's tag team partner, Love Machine.

http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/

El Caballero Rojo
6/214/07

Humberto Reynoso, a legendary wrestler in the TV program, "Titanes en el Ring" (Titans in the Ring), died June 14 of undisclosed causes in San Pedro, Argentina.  He was 72.

Reynoso was a star in the program, which aired 1962-1972 on Canal 9 after gaining a following at carnivals, circuses and fairs around the country.  Canal 13, a bigger network, aired it Sunday evenings in the 1970-80's with strong numbers, especially of kids.  He went against his main rival, "The Mummy," who also built a huge fan base, at Luna Park in one legendary live match.

Known as "The Red Knight," Reynoso took to the ring in a bright red outfit and red and white mask.  He kept his identity hidden for over 40 years.  After the program ended, he worked as a longshoreman in his native San Pedro, a port city up the river from Buenos Aires.

http://www.variety.com/ 

Sherri Martel
6/15/06

PWInsider.com is sorry to report the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Sherri Martel, real name Sherri Russel today.

A former WWF and AWA Women's champion, Martel is probably best remembered for her role of one of the best female heel managers of all time during her 1990s WWF run, working alongside Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, and Randy Savage, among others.

Moving to World Championship Wrestling in 1994, Martel worked on top with Ric Flair during his feud with Hulk Hogan before moving on to manage The Harlem Heat tag team.

Martel was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in Chicago during Wrestlemania 22 weekend and still made semi-regular appearances at conventions and media events. Jakks Pacific had just released a Classic Superstars action figure in her honor.

Martel was only 49 years old.

http://www.pwinsider.com/

Biff Wellington
6/23/07

Former Stampede Wrestling star of the 1980's, Biff Wellington (real name Shane Bower) has passed away. His parent's had not heard from him, and discovered his body earlier this morning in bed. It appears Bower had already passed away days earlier. In the past, Bower worked against the likes of Chris Benoit, Owen Hart, Brian Pillman and Hiroshi Hase. We will keep you posted on his developing story.

www.gerweck.net

Boogie Woogie Brown
6/24/07

From: CHUCK RISTANO
ECWA Hall of Famer and ring announcer

I'm really not sure how to start this. I was truly stunned to check ECWAprowrestling.com on Sunday and learn of the incredibly sad news. I know it's the clich� thing to say these days, but with the passing of Boogie Woogie Brown, the ECWA and the pro wrestling world in general has lost a true legend, a true professional and a true showman.

While I knew Boogie had a multitude of health problems that forced his retirement from the sport he loved so dearly, I had not seen or talked to him in many years. I guess we all just get a little too caught up in our lives sometimes. But despite that, his name and his face would both constantly pop in to my head almost on cue whenever I would think about the many great years I spent in the ECWA.

I had the honor and privilege of introducing Boogie Boogie Woogie on countless occasions, and let me tell you something: When the opening chords of "Sweet Home Chicago" hit, we all knew we were in for a big treat; the fans, those of us at ringside, the boys in the back. When that song hit, it was showtime. I'm sure Billy K would say exactly the same thing, as would the late Al Napier if he were still here with us. We were not just peers of Boogie Woogie Brown's; we were fans, too. Boogie was a tremendous entertainer, but more important than that, the man behind the character was a gentleman. He was always willing to give advice or lend a helping hand, the true definition of a locker-room leader.

When I achieved a career-long goal of being inducted into the ECWA Hall of Fame in 2005, it wasn't about me nearly as much as it was about the people I would be joining. One of the main reasons for my excitement about the induction was to have earned the right to be mentioned on the same list and in the same breath as legends and friends such as Cheetah Master, Inferno Kid, Ace Darling, E. S. Easton, Jeff Peterson, Jim Kettner, and, of course, Boogie Woogie Brown.

I must've recited this quote a thousand times over the years, but Jim Cornette once said about the ECWA, "It's a together type of thing." I think it was in 1998. Cornette was right, and perhaps no one in the locker room at the time better exemplified that statement than Boogie Woogie Brown.
Rest in peace. Your memory and indelible spirit will live on.

Your friend,
Chuck Ristano

http://ecwaprowrestling.com/

Please Note This Tribute: Losing Boogie

Nancy Elizabeth Benoit (May 21, 1964 - c. June 22, 2007) (more commonly known by her in-ring names as Woman and Fallen Angel) was a professional wrestling valet and manager in Jim Crockett Promotions, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling.

When George Napolitano needed a beautiful young girl for the cover of the June 1984 edition of the pro-wrestling magazine Wrestling All Stars, fellow photographer Bill Otten suggested the 20 year old Nancy Daus for the role. Nancy, who had worked as a model, often sat alongside her then-husband Jim to watch matches and was no newcomer to being involved with professional wrestling. Nancy, who had been selling programs at the Orlando shows, also appeared as Para in the old "Apartment Wrestling" features. It was on this shoot where she met Kevin Sullivan, who eventually wanted her to be a part of his wrestling entourage. After months of convincing, Nancy finally became an on-air valet, taking the name Fallen Angel, a reference to a song by Led Zeppelin. She made her in-ring debut on July 7, 1984 at the Lakeland Civic Center in Lakeland, Florida for Florida Championship Wrestling.

She became a part of Kevin Sullivan's stable of (kayfabe) "Satanists", which also included wrestlers Luna Vachon, The Purple Haze, and Sir Oliver Humperdink.Nancy and Kevin Sullivan traveled throughout the United States using the "Satanist" gimmick for promotions such as Angelo Savoldi's ICW and Southwest Championship Wrestling. The two married in 1985.

In 1989, Nancy appeared in the NWA's Jim Crockett Promotions as Robin Green, Rick Steiner's (kayfabe) biggest fan who sat at ringside cheering him on during matches. Eventually, she talked Rick into letting her stand at ringside with Missy Hyatt during a tag-team match with brother Scott against the Fabulous Freebirds (Michael Hayes and Jimmy Garvin). Nancy caused the Steiners to lose the match, and she soon left Rick to manage the masked team of Doom (Ron Simmons and Butch Reed). During this time she also changed her name to Woman. In storyline, The Steiner Brothers and Doom went on to feud, with the Steiners still seeking revenge on Woman. In response, she acquired a bodyguard known as Nitron to protect her from them.

In 1990, she dumped Nitron and Doom to manage Ric Flair and his Four Horsemen. She fit in well with the "dirtiest player in the game", interfering in his matches and helping him keep his NWA World Heavyweight Championship. She left the NWA after the Capitol Combat '90 pay-per-view.

She later rejoined her husband Kevin in smaller promotions, mainly running out of the Northeast.

In 1993, Kevin and Nancy surfaced in the fledgling ECW, where - once again called simply Woman - she managed Sullivan and The Tazmaniac to the ECW Tag Team Championships. When Kevin resought the greener pastures of WCW, Nancy remained in ECW, going on to manage Sandman and 2 Cold Scorpio. Once again, she almost seamlessly reinvented herself to fit with The Sandman's gimmick - opening his beers, lighting his cigarettes, and destroying his opponents with her own kendo stick.

After being dumped by Sandman and Scorpio in ECW, she once again resurfaced in WCW, first appearing on the January 29, 1996 edition of WCW Monday Nitro as one of many women who stood in the aisle and waved as Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage came to the ring. She stayed at ringside, but she soon turned on Savage and rejoined Flair, Arn Anderson, and Chris Benoit in the then-current incarnation of the Four Horsemen. Miss Elizabeth also managed the stable.

n 1996, the Horsemen added Steve McMichael and his wife Debra, which didn't sit well with Woman.In her next angle, the two bickered, not getting along in general. The Four Horsemen were often given interview time on Nitro and when it came time for Debra to speak on the mic, she'd often go into a soliloquy regarding Woman's looks and fashion sense--usually when the two weren't within the vicinity of each other. Despite the heavy tension, the two managers never had a physical altercation.

At the same time, she started an on-screen relationship with Benoit, rubbing it in Sullivan's face, her real-life husband at the time On December 7, on WCW Saturday Night, while announcer Tony Schiavone was conducting a post-match interview with Sullivan, he played a home movie of the couple in front of him. They were shown canoodling in a kitchen. Woman taunted Sullivan by saying, "You can't find me" and "I'm my own woman." Benoit taunted Sullivan as well by saying, "You consider yourself the master of human chess. Well, my bishop just took your queen." After the video, Sullivan stood there speechless, and his manager Jimmy Hart led him off stage.As fate would have it, this on-screen relationship developed into a real-life affair off-screenThis resulted in a feud between Benoit and Sullivan that saw Woman clashing with Sullivan's then-valet Jacquelyn at ringside. In one match, the two ladies were strapped together, took shots at each other, and used the strap connecting them as a weapon against the men.

Nancy's final WCW appearance (and professional wrestling appearance as the character 'Woman') took place on May 26, 1997 on WCW Monday Nitro as she accompanied Benoit to the ring for a confrontation with Jimmy Hart regarding the whereabouts of Sullivan, who wasn't in the arena.On the following week's show, Benoit came alone to ringside without her by his side. After managing him for a little over half a year, no reason was given for Woman's sudden disappearance, and she was never mentioned on WCW programming again.

Sullivan and Nancy (off-screen) divorced in 1997, and (on-screen) Sullivan lost a retirement match to Benoit.It is often joked that 'Kevin Sullivan booked his own divorce'. Sullivan's intent was to retire from in-ring action and focus on booking. As a booker, Sullivan caused Nancy to (off-screen) quit wrestling when she refused to be topless in an angle Sullivan created for a PPV.

Before her marriage to Kevin Sullivan in 1985, Nancy had previously been married to and divorced from Jim Daus.

Nancy and Benoit became engaged in 1997 after her divorce from Sullivan that same year, although Benoit only referred to Nancy as his fiancée even after they were married.Although her days as an on-air performer were over, she did actively manage her husband's career from their home in Atlanta.

She gave birth to her son Daniel Christopher Benoit on February 23, 2000.two days later, Daus married Chris Benoit on February 25, 2000However, in 2003, she filed for divorce, citing the marriage as "irrevocably broken" and alleging "cruel treatment."She later dropped the suit, as well as a restraining order filed on her husband

Chris Benoit
6/25/07

Chris Benoit was born on May 21, 1967, in Montreal. He was trained by Stu Hart in the infamous Hart Family Dungeon. He grew up idolizing the Dynamite Kid and based his ring style off of Dynamite's. He made his debut in 1995 wrestling in the Canada based Stampede Wrestling promotion. In real life, he was married to Woman. She was a valet in ECW and WCW. On June 25, 2007, Chris and his family were found deceased in their home.

http://www.about.com/ 

Moondog Nathan
7/04/07

Tennessee indie wrestler Moondog Nathan was found dead yesterday. We don't have any other details, but he's also used the name Moondog Rex, but isn't the more famous Moondog Rex.

Americo Morales Santiago, who wrestled in the 70’s and 80’s as El Soberano, passed away on August 18. He was born at Peñuelas, PR on July 11, 1948. No word on his death.

He was vey well know, not as a wrestler, but as a wrestling gears and boots manufacturer.

http://www.1wrestling.com

Devil Bhudakhan
7/12/07

Devil Bhudakhan, an independent wrestler from Pittsburgh, committed suicide by hanging himself on 7/12 or 7/13. His body was found on 7/15. His real name was James Fawcett, and according to reports, idolized and patterned his wrestling style after Chris Benoit. Apparently the wrestler, 31, was despondent over his wife leaving him five weeks earlier.

http://www.gerweck.net/

John Kronus
7/18/07

John Kronus was found dead today at his girlfriend's apartment in New Hampshire. At this point, no other details are available.

Kronus & Perry Saturn, as The Eliminators, were pushed by Paul Heyman as "The Best Tag Team in the World," during much of 1996 and 1997, as multiple-time ECW tag champions. New Jack & Kronus also held the title.

It is with sad regret we report the death of Eugene Stezycki who lost his fight with cancer last Thursday 19th July 2007. He passed away at his Ilford home with his wife and family around him.

Eugene Stezycki was born in Bydgoszcz, Poland in October 1924 and during the second world war he was put into a German forced labor camp while serving as a young recruit in the Polish army.

After the war, he left war torn Eastern Europe to settle in Bristol, England in the early 1950’s where he was an all-round athlete participating in boxing, weightlifting and amateur wrestling. He represented the Bristol Amateur Wrestling Club on many occasions, winning for them many cups and medals. After a number of years as an amateur he turned to the paid ranks and slowly starting working his way up the bills.

However his big chance came in 1956 when female promoter Jessie Rogers (Wife of Dick Rogers, ex-heavyweight wrestler) of Bell Vue, Manchester were looking for a late replacement for an Assirati opponent for their next bill at the Sports Stadium, Brighton for Sunday 22nd of July. Having seen Stezycki in action, and liking what they had seen they offered him the opportunity and a big pay packet.

And so it was that Stezycki stepped into the ring for the first time to face the reigning British, Empire and European heavyweight champion. Stezycki took the fight to Assirati from the bell, and pushed him all the way. The packed house of 3,000 fans were never disappointed with the all-action wrestling, and were left thrilled at the end of six hard fought rounds. Assirati was so impressed with his young opponent that he took the mike and declared to the audience, “You`ve got a good un here.” With Assirati`s seal of approval, Stezycki was able to go from a good working heavyweight, to a top of the bill attraction, earning twice his usual pay.

In the ensuing years that followed Stezycki was to face Assirati over 45 times in the space of three years, a truly remarkable feat when you think that former Olympic champions and world champions were only willing to share the ring with Assirati just the once. He will always be remembered as the toughest, and bravest wrestler ever to work in this country.

Who can forget their epic battle at the Seymour Hall, London in December 1958 when Assirati`s European title was up for grabs, with a side wager of £500 when the average weekly wage was only £10 per week. Tickets for the match were being sold for twice, and three times their value outside the hall; such was the clamour of the fans to see the match. At the end of the struggle, Assirati was bloodied but declared the winner, Stezycki, also bloodied, received the acclaim of the packed crowd, his hand held raised by referee Harry Geoghan who was also covered in blood, just like the two front rows of spectators around the ringside.

Eugene Stezycki’s name will never be forgotten by the legions of true wrestling fans that saw him in action, and wrestling historians will always include his name when remembering their top ten wrestlers. These wrestlers made wrestling simply by wrestling. (Anyone wishing to see photographs of Assirati and Stezycki before their epic December 1958 battle can log onto to bertassirati.com).

Rest in peace you`ve earned your rest great Warrior.

Lita "Latin Hellcat" Marez
7/21/07

Women's wrestling legend Lita "Latin Hellcat" Marez passed away this morning. Lita held several World championships throughout her 13 year career. She was trained by WWE legend Mae Young and had many memorable feuds with her back in California during the 60's for the States Women's Championship Division title

RONNIE P. GOSSET
7/24/07

Ronnie P. Gossett, a longtime manager in the Tennessee area, passed away early this morning after a lengthy illness. Gossett was somewhat of a legendary figure in Tennessee and was definitely a colorful character.

One of Gossett's more notorious stunts was a time he is said to have sold a portion of the old Nick Gulas territory. As the story goes, Gossett was helping run part of the territory and ended up selling it to a would be investor. The investor reportedly called his new partner only to be told by Gulas that Gossett had apparently pulled a fast one on him and that his territory wasn't for sale.

Gossett was definitely one of a kind.

Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Ronnie P. Gossett.

http://www.1wrestling.com/

Killer Tor Kamata
7/27/07

Killer Tor Kamata (McRonald Kamaka), who wrestled all over the world but was most famous as one of the legendary heels of Stampede Wrestling, passed away on Monday at St.Paul's Hospital in his home city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at the age of 70. We don't have anymore details at the moment.

http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/

Karl Gotch
7/29/07

According to Dave Meltzer, Karl Charles Istaz, (Karl Gotch), passed away at 9:45PM ET earlier tonight. Istaz was just days shy of turning 83 years old.

Karl Gotch is a Wrestling Legend born in Germany in 1924. The popular German Suplex wrestling move was named after him.

Karl Gotch excelled in amateur wrestling, competing (as Charles Istaz) for Belgium in the 1948 Olympics in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Gotch also trained in the Indian martial art of Pehlwani. This training led to Gotch's regime of calisthenic bodyweight exercise, which were used by Indian wrestlers and other athletes to build leg endurance and strength. He also adopted other Indian exercises, such as the bridge, Hindu squats, and Hindu press ups in his wrestling. Gotch's philosophy was later passed on to several of his students.

Istaz's professional wrestling career began after training in the "Snake Pit", run by the renowned catch wrestler, Billy Riley. Istaz debuted as a professional wrestler in 1955 under the ring name Karl Krauser, beginning his career in Europe. After establishing himself as arguably the best wrestler in Europe, Gotch ventured to the United States in 1959.

In 1961, he adopted the ring name of Karl Gotch (after Frank Gotch). He captured his first major championship, the AWA (Ohio) Heavyweight Title in 1962 by defeating Don Leo Jonathon. Gotch held the belt for two years before dropping the title to Lou Thesz, one of the few American wrestlers he respected because of the similarities of their styles (the two also share a common German/Hungarian heritage).

Gotch had a notorious behind-the-scenes feud with "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, starting when Gotch asked for a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Rogers wanted to avoid getting into the ring with a wrestler he feared would shoot on him and legitimately "steal" his championship. This led to a locker room fist fight between the two, ending when Gotch broke Rogers' hand; incapacitating Rogers for several weeks. These events only served to alienate Gotch from the American promoters, who already felt there was no place for his style in the flashier world of American pro wrestling.

During the early 1970s, Gotch had a brief run in the World Wide Wrestling Federation. He won the WWWF Tag Team Championship with Rene Goulet on December 6, 1971.


Gotch then left the United States for Japan, where he became very popular. He wrestled in the main event of the very first show held by New Japan Pro Wrestling, defeating Antonio Inoki. His more athletic, less entertainment-based wrestling style was passed on to Inoki, who further developed it into the strong style that has been the norm in New Japan Pro Wrestling ever since.

After retiring, Gotch went on to train other wrestlers, including Tatsumi Fujinami, Hiro Matsuda, Osamu Kido, Satoru Sayama, and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Some of these students, including Satoru Sayama and Yoshiaki Fujiwara, formed the original Japanese UWF, where the matches were entirely shoot wrestling.

http://prowrestlingsyndicate.com/

Pat Humphries
7/30/07

Michigan independent wrestler Pat Humphries (who wrestled as Purple Haze in the early 90's) has passed away from a heart attack. If anyone has more information (including the exact date of death and his age) on his passing, do e-mail me.

Scott Dumas who wrestled under the name Scotty Williams from the mid-80's through the mid-90's passed away on August 7.  Dumas worked for Championship Wrestling from Florida and frequently worked as enhancement for the WWF when they would run TV tapings in Florida.

Scott worked for the City of Pompano Beach, FL for 16 years, was the owner of "Just Call Scott" lawn service and was a member of The Moose Lodge #2267.

The CAC sends our condolences to the friends and family of Scott Dumas

http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/

Bronko Lubich
08/11/07

Penny Banner informed us of the death of former wrestling great, Bronko Lubich in Dallas, TX yesterday.

Bronko worked throughout Texas, Georgia and Florida as both a wrestler and also served as a manager, having managed Boris Malenko at one point in his career.  He is remembered by many for his time as a referee working in Dallas.

The CAC sends our condolences to the friends and family of Bronko Lubich.

www.caulifloweralleyclub.org

Brian Adams
8/13/07

Brian Adams (April 14, 1964 - August 13, 2007) was an American actor and professional wrestler. Adams gained fame in the 1990s while performing for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) under the name Crush and for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) under his given name.

Trained in Japan by Antonio Inoki, Adams was a two time WCW World Tag Team Champion as well as a one time holder of both the WWF World Tag Team Championship and the All Japan Pro Wrestling World Tag Team Championship among other titles and accomplishments.

In 2002, Adams briefly tried a career in boxing until he was forced to retire due to a back and shoulder injury. His death was reported by WWE on 13 August 2007.

John “The Missing Link” Robertson
8/16/07

Cancer takes his life…

John "Dewey" Robertson, known to wrestling fans around the world as The Missing Link passed away 3:30 am this morning in his native Hamilton, Canada after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 68 years old. Robertoon began his career in the 1960's as the protégé of Whipper Billy Watson and also used the ring names Troy Steel and the Masked Crusader. But Robertson's biggest wrestling success would be portraying the mute, green faced, Neanderthal-like "Missing Link" Character. Robertson had runs with Bill Watt's Mid-South Wrestling, the Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling and a brief run in the WWF, with Bobby Heenan as his manager.

Robertson retired and left the business for a while, but returned to it in 2004 working religious based Independent shows. He released an autobiography entitled, "Bang Your Head," in which he discussed his career, battles with drug addiction, homelessness, and returning to Canada where he would turn his life around.

http://www.411mania.com

Frank Butcher

8/22/07

Frank Butcher, a long-time fixture on the Mexican and Spanish wrestling scenes who finished his lengthy career in Stampede Wrestling, passed away in Calgary, Alberta on August 22, 2007. He was 84 years of age.

Born Francisco Garcia in Monterrey, Mexico on February 12, 1923, he developed into a highly capable journeyman wrestler. He spent many years touring his native country and Spain before immigrating to Canada and Johnny Rougeau's Montreal promotion in 1971. From there he moved westward to Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in the fall of 1971, a seasoned veteran in a territory where the old guard and the new formed a cohesive crew.

Throughout its 42-year history, Stampede Wrestling has always been a tremendous training ground, given its usual mix of young and older talent, and the six and sometimes seven nights-a-week schedule. Beyond their formal training, young wrestlers gained much more than just ring time working with the veterans -- every match was a learning experience, not only technically but from the feel and the feedback gained from a live crowd. Even the long car trips between towns contributed to the educational process: lots of time to discuss wrestling, and pick the brains of the old pros.

Frank's honest, open nature formed the basis of a natural penchant for passing on his wide knowledge to the youngsters in Stampede. He took an active part in training Bruce Hart, Smith Hart, Rick Martel and Kim Klokied, among others, who were just breaking into the business.

"Frank was a very patient, even-tempered trainer, much the same temperament he showed in all his dealings," recalls Ross Hart, who is no stranger to the training and development of pro wrestlers. "With his background in a number of styles, having worked both heel and face throughout his career, and being the very smooth worker he was, he was very effective."

"To this day, Bruce thinks very highly of Frank Butcher as a person, a wrestler and a trainer. And I fully agree."

Butcher toiled in Stampede rings from 1971 to 1974 -- including a six-week run in 1973 as the masked Shadow, that ended when many fans identified his rather unique style through the disguise. He then spent a short stint with Sandor Kovacs' and Gene Kiniski's All Star Wrestling in Vancouver. Frank returned to Stampede in 1976, wrapped up his active career in 1977, and did some refereeing for Stu Hart into the 1980's. He remained in Calgary for the rest of his life, with his wife and daughters.

Frank Butcher's personal side was all positive. He was quiet and respectful of all, seldom without a broad smile and a cheerful disposition, friendly towards all, and always ready to do whatever was needed in the ring. Knowing him was indeed a pleasure.

The CAC sends our condolences to his wife Lilia, his daughters Lupe and Marlene, and his extended family and friends.

 http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/

Frank Fozo 8/23/07

In the ring Frank Fozo was the original Great Malenko and loved by millions. Outside the ring he was the patriarch and adored by his family.

Fozo, born and raised in Hamilton, died at St. Joseph's Hospital August 23. His funeral was Tuesday. He was 79.

"He was the original Great Malenko, a name he allowed Larry Simon to use. Simon's son, Dean used it in the WWE, so it has had quite a history," said Fozo's grandson David Knapman.

"He wrestled all across Canada, He was popular in the southern United States and really big in Australia."

Fozo also wrestled under the moniker Sandor Fozo and performed in wrestling's Golden Era in the '50s and '60s with the likes of Yukon Eric, Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, Lord Athol Layton, Bobo Brazil, Gene Kiniski and Whipper Billy Watson.

His wrestling career spanned almost 30 years into the 70s.

He was a regular on the Sunday night card at Maple Leaf Gardens.

He received honourable mention in the Canadian Pro Wrestling Place of Fame, a tribute to the greatest wrestlers to come out of Canada.

An A&E documentary on wrestling used a match between Fozo and Ricky Starr as a backdrop.

Legendary wrestler George (The Animal) Steele named Fozo as one of the top pros of the past.

On April 15, 1954, he and partner Frank Marconi took on George Bollas and Seelie Samara in the first known version of a steel cage match. Instead of a steel cage, they used chicken wire.

In 1956 as Malenko, he won the National World Wrestling Alliance Southern Junior Heavyweight Championship for lighter wrestlers.

Fozo spent the early part of his career in Australia.

In post 1945 Australia he was one of the legendary figures in pro wrestling, right beside Dirty Dick Raines, Chief Little Wolf and Tarzan White.

"He was treated like a movie star in Australia. He had a large following and could have been the biggest name there, but he didn't want to be away from his family," David said. "He was a big man, but was a big softie when it came to family."

After retiring from the ring he had success as a realtor and from a car dealership.

Wrestling was a business, a way for him to take care of his family. During his career he would only commit to lengthy stays if his family could be with him

Fozo was married to Ethel for 59 years. They were inseparable. Even when he was hospitalized she never missed a day.

The couple had three daughters, Susan, Francie, Diana and a son, Frank Jr.

Fozo thoroughly enjoyed being the family's patriarch. He loved teaching, talking about his travels and imparting knowledge to his children and grandchildren.

"Family was everything to him," David said. "When he was lying in his hospital bed he told us not to feel sorry for him because he had a great life, a wonderful family. He said he always felt he had won the lottery the day met his wife."

http://www.thespec.com/

John Meek
8/29/07

John Meek, 52, who wrestled under the name Mike Steele for Boris Malenko's promotion, was killed on Wednesday. Harry Taylor, 37, is being charged with second degree murder for running his car in the back of Meek's motorcycle and forcing him to crash in the Tampa area. Meek, who wrestled people like Dean Malenko and Marc Mero in the early 90s, was thrown from his motorcycle and rushed to Tampa General Hospital, where he died. According to witnesses, Taylor told Meek, "I'm going to run you over."

Karloff Lagarde
9/01/07