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Fake-Wrestling Graveyard

 

Fake-wrestling has an odd place among combat sports. When true professional wrestling collapsed in the 1930s, the theatrical spectacle emerged. Originally, they simply fixed bouts and later added the hero-vs.-villain aspects to create one of the most profitable theatre businesses.

In terms of business, fake-wrestling cannot be ignored by the kickboxing community. They stage several times more events than even the K-1. When fans discuss the prospects of a television channel wholly dedicated to the fight game, they often fail to realize that fake-wrestling would take up more air time than kickboxing, boxing and MMA combined. They simply provide more content than any competitors. Any fight promotional company looking to hire experienced staff and managers will understand that fake-wrestling may not be real; but the ring, the stadium and the paying spectators are very real.

When fighters can no longer remain competitive in the fight game, fake-wrestling offers an alternative. Provided the fighter has modest acting talent and can appeal to the crowd, he may have a career that will span decades. Some fighters who either retired to fake-wrestling or simply taken a gig or two for a quick buck include: Sam Greco, Chad Rowan, Bob Sapp, Ernesto Hoost, and Gary Goodridge.

One dark side that cannot be ignored is that before anyone can discuss making a living, we must ensure that the man will be able to live life itself. Many fake-wrestlers are put in a position to gain more and more muscle or risk being replaced by someone willing to make the sacrifice. Exploitation comes in many forms and Roddy Piper has stated that fake-wrestlers are “prostituted in every sense of the word.” Put in a position to choose between long term health and immediate gratification (money), many people prioritize by time. In other words, immediate needs outweigh overall necessities.

The largest show in fake-wrestling is called Wrestlemania. It started in 1985 and has been held annually since by the WWE (formally WWF and WWWF). The chart below will highlight each Wrestlemania and the participating actor who died too soon (ie. before age 50).

1985 Wrestlemania I

Sylvester Ritter (Junkyard Dog) died on 1998/06/02 at age 45.
- also performed in WM II, III, IV

Andre Rousimoff (Andre the Giant) died on 1993/01/27 at age 46.
-also performed in WM II, III, IV, V, VI

John Minton (Big John Studd) died on 1995/03/20 at age 46.
- also performed in WM II, V

1986 Wrestlemania II

Keith Franke (Adrian Adonis) died on 1988/07/04 at age 34.
-also performed in WM III

David Smith (Davey Boy Smith) died on 2005/05/17 at age 39.
-also performed in WM III, IV, VII, XI, XII, XIII

Raymond Fernandez (Hercules Hernandez) died on 2004/03/09 at age 47.
-also performed in WM III, IV, V, VI, VII

1988 Wrestlemania IV

Adolpho Bresciano (Dino Bravo) died on 1993/03/10 at age 44.
-also performed in WM V, VI, VII

Richard Rood (Rick Rude) died on 1999/04/20 at age 40.
-also performed in WM V, VI

1989 Wrestlemania V

Curtis Hennig (Curt “Mr. Perfect Hennig) died on 2003/02/10 at age 44.
-also performed in WM VI, IX, X, XVIII

Ray Traylor (Big Boss Man) died on 2004 / 09 / 22 at age 41.
-also performed in WM VI, VII, VIII, IX, XV, XVI, XVIII, XX

1990 Wrestlemania VI

John Tenta (Earthquake) died on 2006/06/07 at age 42.
-also performed in WM VII, VIII, X, XVII

1991 Wrestlemania VII

Kerry Adkisson (Kerry Von Erich) died on 1993/02/18 at age 33.

Michael Hegstrand (Road Warrior Hawk) died on 2003/10/18 at age 45.
-also performed in WM XIII, XIV, XV

1992 Wrestlemania VIII

Owen Hart died on 1999/05/23 at age 34.
-also performed in X, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV

1993 Wrestlemania IX

Rodney Anoai (Yokozuna) died on 2000/10/22 at age 34.
-also performed in WM X, XI, XII

2000 Wrestlemania XVI

Eduardo Guerrero Llanes (Eddie Guerrero) died on 2005/11/13 at age 38.
-also performed in WM XVII, XIX, XX, XXI

Michael Lockwood (Crash Holly) died on 2003/11/06 at age 32.

Conclusion

When kickboxers do retire to fake-wrestling, let’s hope they can enter an environment with far less exploitation. Even if the ex-fighter resists the temptation to poison himself, going to funerals for troupe mates is not a pleasant atmosphere. As silly as fake-wrestling is, death is serious and should be addressed by adults.

May those who have already fallen rest in peace.

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