411mania.com artical on wrestling deaths
I'm stealing this info from 411mania.com/wrestling. It shows some stats on the deaths of wrestlers in the last 20 years. Click the link to read the whole article, which also covers the entire Benoit story.
Of the 80+ "wrestlers under 65 who dropped like flies" over the past two decades...
Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 65 from Non-Drug-Related Illness
Russ Haas [heart attack, 27] - victim of lifelong heart aliment, death was not drug-related.
Brian Pillman [arteriosclerotic heart disease, 35] - though he had a history of drug abuse, cause of death was attributed to a previously undetected heart condition.
Johnny Grunge [sleep apnea, 39] - death was not drug-related.
Little Beaver [natural causes, 61] - death was not drug-related.
Sapphire [heart attack, 61] - death was not drug-related, attributed to excess weight.
Shohei Baba [cancer, 61] - death was not drug-related.
Wilbur Snyder [leukemia, 62] - death was not drug-related.
George Cannon [cancer, 62] - death was not drug-related.
Gorilla Monsoon [heart failure, 62] - death was the result of a long series of illnesses.
Hiro Matsuda [colon cancer, 62] - death was not drug-related.
Wahoo McDaniel [diabetes, 63] - death was not drug-related.
Chris Candido [blot clot, 33] - death was not drug-related, last worked for TNA.
Marianna Komlos [breast cancer, 35] - death was not drug-related.
Mark Curtis [stomach cancer, 38] - death was not drug-related.
Terry Gordy [blot clot, 40] - death was not drug-related.
Randy Anderson [cancer, 41] - death was not drug-related.
Earthquake [bladder cancer, 42] - death was not drug-related.
Andre the Giant [heart attack, 46] - heart attack death attributed to gigantism.
Big John Studd [liver cancer, 46] - death was not drug-related.
Jumbo Tsuruta [complications resulting from kidney transplant, 49] - death was not drug-related.
Haystacks Calhoun [diabetes, 55] - death was not drug-related.
Giant Haystacks [cancer, 55] - death was not drug-related.
Total "Illness" Deaths Before Age 65: 22. Since all of these performers died as a result of "natural illness" (ranging from cancer to diabetes), MeeThinks it's pronouncedly unfair to lump them in with the rest of the "dead wrestler" group.
Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 65 by Crimes or Accidents
D.J. Peterson [motorcycle accident, 33] - accident was not drug-related.
Joey Marella [car accident, 30] - died after falling asleep at the wheel, accident was not drug-related.
Adrian Adonis [car accident, 34] - accident was not drug-related.
Owen Hart [in-ring accident, 34] - accident was not drug-related.
Vivian Vachon [car accident, 40] - accident was not drug-related.
Brady Boone [car accident, 40] - accident was not drug-related.
Bruiser Brody [murdered, 42] - death was not drug-related.
Nancy Benoit [ murdered, 43] - toxicology results pending.
Dino Bravo [murdered, 44] - shooting was not drug-related.
Jerry Blackwell [complications resulting from car accident, 45] accident was not drug-related.
Junkyard Dog [car accident, 45] - died after falling asleep at the wheel, accident was not drug-related.
Chris Adams [shot, 46] - shooting was not drug-related.
Tarzan Tyler [car accident, 55] - accident was not drug-related.
Total "Accidental" Deaths Before Age 65: 13. Like the "natural" deaths that preceded this list, each of the performers in this group -- save Owen Hart -- were all victims of non-wrestling-related tragedies. Ergo, it's only fair to remove each of them (save Owen) from the egregiously overinflated "80+ dead from wrestling" statistic as well. That makes just north of thirty "dead wrestlers" whose deaths were in no way preventable (at least from ANY employer's standpoint).
Performers Dead Before Age 65 Who NEVER Worked for WWE
Chris Von Erich [suicide, 21] - never employed by WWE.
Mike Von Erich [suicide, 23] - never employed by WWE.
Art Barr [cause unknown, 28] - never employed by WWE.
Gino Hernandez [overdose, 29] - never employed by WWE.
Jay Youngblood [ruptured spleen in-match resulting in heart attack, 30] - never employed by WWE.
The Renegade [suicide, 33] - never employed by WWE.
Gary Albright [heart attack, 34] - never employed by WWE, in-ring collapse/death was the result of his diabetes.
Ed Gantner [suicide, 31] - never employed by WWE.
Big Dick Dudley [kidney failure, 34] - never employed by WWE.
Bobby Duncum Jr. [overdose, 34] never employed by WWE.
Pitbull #2 [overdose, 36] - never employed by WWE.
The Wall/Malice [heart attack, 36] - never employed by WWE.
Leroy Brown [unknown, 38] - never employed by WWE.
Jeep Swenson [heart attack, 40] - never employed by WWE.
Billy Joe Travis [unknown, 40] - never employed by WWE.
Larry Cameron [in-ring heart attack, 41] - never employed by WWE.
Biff Wellington [unknown, 42] - never employed by WWE.
Ray Candy [unknown, 43] - never employed by WWE.
Mike Davis [heart attack, 46] - never employed by WWE.
Ken Timbs [congestive heart failure, 53] - never employed by WWE.
Uncle Elmer [unknown, 61] - autopsy results never published.
Pez Whatley [liver failure, 54] - never employed by WWE.
Eddie Graham [suicide, 55] - never employed by WWE.
Kurt Von Hess [heart attack, 56] - never employed by WWE.
Rufus R. Jones [heart attack, 60] - never employed by WWE.
Dick the Bruiser [heart attack, 62] - never employed by WWE.
Total "Non-WWE" Deaths Before Age 65: 26. This group comprises the largest chunk of the "dead wrestler bunch," and though many of these performers died while actively competing as professional wrestlers for various promotions across the United States, pinning *their* deaths on Vince McMahon or World Wrestling Entertainment is unjustified and wrong. That would be like blaming the number of Canadian Football League players' deaths on Major League Baseball -- though both are similar in their profession ("athlete"), there is no overlap between the two groups. Adding this group to the "non-preventable" deaths detailed above, and SIXTY of the 80+ performers died with absolutely nothing to do with World Wrestling Entertainment's ability to intervene.
Performers Dead Before Age 65 Who Were FIRED From WWE over Drug/Health Concerns
Louie Spiccoli [overdose, 27] - released by WWE in 1996 for drug abuse, died two years later.
Kerry Von Erich [suicide, 33] - released by WWE in 1992 amid drug abuse controversy, died one year later.
Yokozuna [heart attack, 34] - released by WWF in 1998 after failing to lose weight, died two years later.
Eddie Guerrero [enlarged heart, 38] - released by WWE in 2001 for drug abuse, re-hired drug-free in 2002 and died in 2005.
Davey Boy Smith [overdose, 39] - checked into rehab at WWE's expense in 2000, released for subsequent drug abuse and died two years later.
Curt Hennig [overdose, 44] - released by WWE in 2002 for drug abuse, died one year later.
Road Warrior Hawk [heart attack, 46] - released by WWF in 1998 for drug abuse, died five years later.
Moondog King [heart attack, 56] - released by WWF in 1981 for drug arrest, died 25 years later.
Total "WWE-Disciplined" Deaths Before Age 65: 8. This statistic is important to note, as eight of the THIRTY (not eighty) WWE alumni who died young of drug-related deaths were dismissed by WWE over concerns for their health in advance. God forbid they should ever pass before their respective times, performers like William Regal and Jeff Hardy (as well as Jake Roberts, Joey Mercury and the like) would also fall into this category -- as ALL of them were terminated at one time or another for failing to meet WWE standards of health and wellness.
Remaining Former WWE Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 65 from (Alleged) Drug-Related Causes
Buzz Sawyer [heart attack, 32] - hadn't worked for WWE in four years prior to his death.
Crash Holly [overdose, 32] - released by WWE four months prior to death, last worked in TNA.
Eddie Gilbert [heart attack, 33] - hadn't worked for WWE in 13 years.
Bertha Faye [overdose, 40] - hadn't worked for WWE in four years prior to her death.
Chris Benoit [suicide, 40] - toxicology results still pending.
Rick Rude [overdose, 41] - hadn't worked as an in-ring performer for WWE in nine years prior to his death.
Miss Elizabeth [overdose, 42] - hadn't worked for WWE in eleven years prior to her death.
Big Boss Man [heart attack, 42] - autopsy results never published.
Mike Awesome [suicide, 42] - hadn't worked as a full-time performer for WWE in five years prior to his death.
Bam Bam Bigelow [overdose, 45] - hadn't worked for WWE in 12 years prior to his death (WWE covered funeral expenses).
Hercules Hernandez [heart attack, 47] - hadn't worked for WWE in 13 years prior to his death.
Dick Murdoch [heart attack, 49] - autopsy results never published.
Rocco Rock [heart attack, 49] - hadn't worked for WWE in 5 years prior to his death.
Sherri Martel [unknown, 49] - toxicology results still pending.
Moondog Spot [heart attack, 51] - hadn't worked for WWE in 22 years prior to his death, last worked in TNA.
Ray Stevens [heart attack, 60] - hadnt' worked for WWE in 14 years prior to his death.
Stan Stasiak [heart failure, 60] - hadnt' worked for WWE in 20 years prior to his death.
Dale Lewis [unknown, 62] - autopsy results never published.
Bad News Brown [heart attack, 63] - hadnt' worked for WWE in 17 years prior to his death.
Total Confirmed "WWE-Alumni" Drug-Related Deaths Before Age 65: 20. Though the media has been having a field day exploiting the dead wrestler statistics, it bears noting that less than 25% of the "epidemic of dead wrestlers" were WWE alumni who's drug problems went unaddressed by their employer. Moreover, when you average out the total number of years that all of these folks had spent OUT of World Wrestling Entertainment before dying, you're left with just about 10 years, 8 months away from "the road," "the business," and -- more importantly -- "World Wrestling Entertainment" before each of these performers ultimately succumbed to their demons... which means (on average) that most of these people's drug abuse extended a LONG time beyond their tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Again, does WWE share part of the blame? No question. And yes, even one death is "too many" -- but to blame WWE for 80, 60, 40 or even 20 of the deaths in this so-called "epidemic" is asinine and off base.
411mania.com
Of the 80+ "wrestlers under 65 who dropped like flies" over the past two decades...
Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 65 from Non-Drug-Related Illness
Russ Haas [heart attack, 27] - victim of lifelong heart aliment, death was not drug-related.
Brian Pillman [arteriosclerotic heart disease, 35] - though he had a history of drug abuse, cause of death was attributed to a previously undetected heart condition.
Johnny Grunge [sleep apnea, 39] - death was not drug-related.
Little Beaver [natural causes, 61] - death was not drug-related.
Sapphire [heart attack, 61] - death was not drug-related, attributed to excess weight.
Shohei Baba [cancer, 61] - death was not drug-related.
Wilbur Snyder [leukemia, 62] - death was not drug-related.
George Cannon [cancer, 62] - death was not drug-related.
Gorilla Monsoon [heart failure, 62] - death was the result of a long series of illnesses.
Hiro Matsuda [colon cancer, 62] - death was not drug-related.
Wahoo McDaniel [diabetes, 63] - death was not drug-related.
Chris Candido [blot clot, 33] - death was not drug-related, last worked for TNA.
Marianna Komlos [breast cancer, 35] - death was not drug-related.
Mark Curtis [stomach cancer, 38] - death was not drug-related.
Terry Gordy [blot clot, 40] - death was not drug-related.
Randy Anderson [cancer, 41] - death was not drug-related.
Earthquake [bladder cancer, 42] - death was not drug-related.
Andre the Giant [heart attack, 46] - heart attack death attributed to gigantism.
Big John Studd [liver cancer, 46] - death was not drug-related.
Jumbo Tsuruta [complications resulting from kidney transplant, 49] - death was not drug-related.
Haystacks Calhoun [diabetes, 55] - death was not drug-related.
Giant Haystacks [cancer, 55] - death was not drug-related.
Total "Illness" Deaths Before Age 65: 22. Since all of these performers died as a result of "natural illness" (ranging from cancer to diabetes), MeeThinks it's pronouncedly unfair to lump them in with the rest of the "dead wrestler" group.
Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 65 by Crimes or Accidents
D.J. Peterson [motorcycle accident, 33] - accident was not drug-related.
Joey Marella [car accident, 30] - died after falling asleep at the wheel, accident was not drug-related.
Adrian Adonis [car accident, 34] - accident was not drug-related.
Owen Hart [in-ring accident, 34] - accident was not drug-related.
Vivian Vachon [car accident, 40] - accident was not drug-related.
Brady Boone [car accident, 40] - accident was not drug-related.
Bruiser Brody [murdered, 42] - death was not drug-related.
Nancy Benoit [ murdered, 43] - toxicology results pending.
Dino Bravo [murdered, 44] - shooting was not drug-related.
Jerry Blackwell [complications resulting from car accident, 45] accident was not drug-related.
Junkyard Dog [car accident, 45] - died after falling asleep at the wheel, accident was not drug-related.
Chris Adams [shot, 46] - shooting was not drug-related.
Tarzan Tyler [car accident, 55] - accident was not drug-related.
Total "Accidental" Deaths Before Age 65: 13. Like the "natural" deaths that preceded this list, each of the performers in this group -- save Owen Hart -- were all victims of non-wrestling-related tragedies. Ergo, it's only fair to remove each of them (save Owen) from the egregiously overinflated "80+ dead from wrestling" statistic as well. That makes just north of thirty "dead wrestlers" whose deaths were in no way preventable (at least from ANY employer's standpoint).
Performers Dead Before Age 65 Who NEVER Worked for WWE
Chris Von Erich [suicide, 21] - never employed by WWE.
Mike Von Erich [suicide, 23] - never employed by WWE.
Art Barr [cause unknown, 28] - never employed by WWE.
Gino Hernandez [overdose, 29] - never employed by WWE.
Jay Youngblood [ruptured spleen in-match resulting in heart attack, 30] - never employed by WWE.
The Renegade [suicide, 33] - never employed by WWE.
Gary Albright [heart attack, 34] - never employed by WWE, in-ring collapse/death was the result of his diabetes.
Ed Gantner [suicide, 31] - never employed by WWE.
Big Dick Dudley [kidney failure, 34] - never employed by WWE.
Bobby Duncum Jr. [overdose, 34] never employed by WWE.
Pitbull #2 [overdose, 36] - never employed by WWE.
The Wall/Malice [heart attack, 36] - never employed by WWE.
Leroy Brown [unknown, 38] - never employed by WWE.
Jeep Swenson [heart attack, 40] - never employed by WWE.
Billy Joe Travis [unknown, 40] - never employed by WWE.
Larry Cameron [in-ring heart attack, 41] - never employed by WWE.
Biff Wellington [unknown, 42] - never employed by WWE.
Ray Candy [unknown, 43] - never employed by WWE.
Mike Davis [heart attack, 46] - never employed by WWE.
Ken Timbs [congestive heart failure, 53] - never employed by WWE.
Uncle Elmer [unknown, 61] - autopsy results never published.
Pez Whatley [liver failure, 54] - never employed by WWE.
Eddie Graham [suicide, 55] - never employed by WWE.
Kurt Von Hess [heart attack, 56] - never employed by WWE.
Rufus R. Jones [heart attack, 60] - never employed by WWE.
Dick the Bruiser [heart attack, 62] - never employed by WWE.
Total "Non-WWE" Deaths Before Age 65: 26. This group comprises the largest chunk of the "dead wrestler bunch," and though many of these performers died while actively competing as professional wrestlers for various promotions across the United States, pinning *their* deaths on Vince McMahon or World Wrestling Entertainment is unjustified and wrong. That would be like blaming the number of Canadian Football League players' deaths on Major League Baseball -- though both are similar in their profession ("athlete"), there is no overlap between the two groups. Adding this group to the "non-preventable" deaths detailed above, and SIXTY of the 80+ performers died with absolutely nothing to do with World Wrestling Entertainment's ability to intervene.
Performers Dead Before Age 65 Who Were FIRED From WWE over Drug/Health Concerns
Louie Spiccoli [overdose, 27] - released by WWE in 1996 for drug abuse, died two years later.
Kerry Von Erich [suicide, 33] - released by WWE in 1992 amid drug abuse controversy, died one year later.
Yokozuna [heart attack, 34] - released by WWF in 1998 after failing to lose weight, died two years later.
Eddie Guerrero [enlarged heart, 38] - released by WWE in 2001 for drug abuse, re-hired drug-free in 2002 and died in 2005.
Davey Boy Smith [overdose, 39] - checked into rehab at WWE's expense in 2000, released for subsequent drug abuse and died two years later.
Curt Hennig [overdose, 44] - released by WWE in 2002 for drug abuse, died one year later.
Road Warrior Hawk [heart attack, 46] - released by WWF in 1998 for drug abuse, died five years later.
Moondog King [heart attack, 56] - released by WWF in 1981 for drug arrest, died 25 years later.
Total "WWE-Disciplined" Deaths Before Age 65: 8. This statistic is important to note, as eight of the THIRTY (not eighty) WWE alumni who died young of drug-related deaths were dismissed by WWE over concerns for their health in advance. God forbid they should ever pass before their respective times, performers like William Regal and Jeff Hardy (as well as Jake Roberts, Joey Mercury and the like) would also fall into this category -- as ALL of them were terminated at one time or another for failing to meet WWE standards of health and wellness.
Remaining Former WWE Wrestlers Who Died Before Age 65 from (Alleged) Drug-Related Causes
Buzz Sawyer [heart attack, 32] - hadn't worked for WWE in four years prior to his death.
Crash Holly [overdose, 32] - released by WWE four months prior to death, last worked in TNA.
Eddie Gilbert [heart attack, 33] - hadn't worked for WWE in 13 years.
Bertha Faye [overdose, 40] - hadn't worked for WWE in four years prior to her death.
Chris Benoit [suicide, 40] - toxicology results still pending.
Rick Rude [overdose, 41] - hadn't worked as an in-ring performer for WWE in nine years prior to his death.
Miss Elizabeth [overdose, 42] - hadn't worked for WWE in eleven years prior to her death.
Big Boss Man [heart attack, 42] - autopsy results never published.
Mike Awesome [suicide, 42] - hadn't worked as a full-time performer for WWE in five years prior to his death.
Bam Bam Bigelow [overdose, 45] - hadn't worked for WWE in 12 years prior to his death (WWE covered funeral expenses).
Hercules Hernandez [heart attack, 47] - hadn't worked for WWE in 13 years prior to his death.
Dick Murdoch [heart attack, 49] - autopsy results never published.
Rocco Rock [heart attack, 49] - hadn't worked for WWE in 5 years prior to his death.
Sherri Martel [unknown, 49] - toxicology results still pending.
Moondog Spot [heart attack, 51] - hadn't worked for WWE in 22 years prior to his death, last worked in TNA.
Ray Stevens [heart attack, 60] - hadnt' worked for WWE in 14 years prior to his death.
Stan Stasiak [heart failure, 60] - hadnt' worked for WWE in 20 years prior to his death.
Dale Lewis [unknown, 62] - autopsy results never published.
Bad News Brown [heart attack, 63] - hadnt' worked for WWE in 17 years prior to his death.
Total Confirmed "WWE-Alumni" Drug-Related Deaths Before Age 65: 20. Though the media has been having a field day exploiting the dead wrestler statistics, it bears noting that less than 25% of the "epidemic of dead wrestlers" were WWE alumni who's drug problems went unaddressed by their employer. Moreover, when you average out the total number of years that all of these folks had spent OUT of World Wrestling Entertainment before dying, you're left with just about 10 years, 8 months away from "the road," "the business," and -- more importantly -- "World Wrestling Entertainment" before each of these performers ultimately succumbed to their demons... which means (on average) that most of these people's drug abuse extended a LONG time beyond their tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Again, does WWE share part of the blame? No question. And yes, even one death is "too many" -- but to blame WWE for 80, 60, 40 or even 20 of the deaths in this so-called "epidemic" is asinine and off base.
411mania.com
Labels: Wrestling
posted by Jason @ 3:36 PM
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