Back in Time Today
Professional wrestling combines athleticism with entertainment, but behind the spectacle lies a darker reality. Many talented performers have left us too soon, their promising careers cut short by various circumstances.
The following list remembers ten wrestlers who passed away before reaching 40, highlighting both their contributions to the industry and the often harsh lifestyle that accompanies fame in the squared circle.
1. Eddie Gilbert: The Brilliant Mind Gone Too Soon
Eddie “Hot Stuff” Gilbert possessed a creative wrestling mind that few could match. His ability to craft compelling storylines made him as valuable behind the scenes as he was in the ring. Working across NWA, USWA, and ECW, Gilbert’s fiery personality and technical prowess earned him respect throughout the industry. His heated feud with Jerry Lawler in Memphis remains legendary, featuring one of wrestling’s most memorable moments when Gilbert hit Lawler with his car on television. Despite his success, heart problems plagued Gilbert throughout his life. In 1995, at just 33, a heart attack claimed his life in Puerto Rico, robbing wrestling of one of its most innovative thinkers.
2. Crash Holly: The Superheavyweight With a Comedic Touch
Weighing in at “well over 400 pounds” (according to his own humorous billing), the 175-pound Crash Holly brought laughter and chaos to WWE’s Hardcore division. His gimmick of carrying a scale to prove his “superheavyweight” status showcased his commitment to entertainment. Holly’s 24/7 Hardcore Championship defenses created some of WWE’s most memorable Attitude Era moments. From being attacked in an amusement park to defending his title while sleeping, Crash made the belt truly unpredictable. Sadly, in 2003, the 32-year-old wrestler was found dead at fellow performer Stevie Richards’ home, another victim of the prescription drug issues that plagued wrestling during that era.
3. Gino Hernandez: The Heartthrob With Hollywood Potential
With movie-star looks and exceptional microphone skills, Gino Hernandez seemed destined for superstardom in the 1980s wrestling scene. As half of the “Dynamic Duo” with Chris Adams in World Class Championship Wrestling, he generated genuine hatred from fans with his arrogant persona and underhanded tactics. His infamous “hair cream” angle, where he blinded his opponent with a mysterious substance, showcased his gift for psychological storytelling. Many industry insiders believed Hernandez had the tools to become one of wrestling’s biggest mainstream stars. His mysterious 1986 death at just 28 shocked the wrestling world and remains surrounded by conspiracy theories, despite the official ruling of cocaine overdose.
4. Chris Candido: The Underrated Technical Wizard
Few wrestlers combined technical excellence with character work as seamlessly as Chris Candido. Rising to prominence alongside Sunny in Smoky Mountain Wrestling, his “Skip” character in WWF showcased his ability to make any gimmick work through sheer commitment and in-ring excellence. Candido truly shined in ECW, where his “No Gimmicks Needed” persona allowed his wrestling ability to take center stage. His innovative offense influenced countless future stars, particularly in the cruiserweight division. In 2005, what seemed like a routine leg injury at a TNA event led to a fatal blood clot just days later. At 33, wrestling lost one of its most naturally gifted performers who never received the mainstream recognition his talent deserved.
5. Reid Flair: The Legacy That Never Fully Blossomed
The pressure of being Ric Flair’s son created both opportunities and challenges for Reid Flair. An accomplished amateur wrestler before entering the professional ranks, Reid possessed natural athleticism and the unmistakable Flair charisma that suggested greatness awaited. His early career showed flashes of the potential that had promoters excited, particularly during his time in Japan where he was developing his own style. Many believed Reid would eventually carry on his father’s legacy in WWE, potentially creating memorable father-son storylines. Tragically, at just 25, Reid was found unresponsive in a hotel room in 2013. His accidental overdose devastated the wrestling community and profoundly affected his father, who has spoken openly about the loss.
6. Adrian Adonis: The Revolutionary Character Performer
Before flamboyant wrestling characters became commonplace, Adrian Adonis broke boundaries with his transformation from tough biker to the exaggerated “Adorable” Adrian Adonis. This dramatic character shift in the mid-1980s WWE showcased his remarkable commitment to character development regardless of potential backlash. His feud with Roddy Piper culminated in a hair vs. hair match at WrestleMania III, demonstrating Adonis’s willingness to sacrifice personal vanity for storytelling. Behind the makeup was one of wrestling’s most respected ring technicians who could deliver compelling matches with any opponent. In 1988, Adonis died at 34 in a van accident in Newfoundland alongside fellow wrestlers Dave McKigney and Victor Arko, cutting short a career that was ahead of its time.
7. Mike Von Erich: The Reluctant Warrior
Unlike his brothers, Mike Von Erich never truly aspired to wrestling fame. Thrust into the family business to replace his injured brother David, Mike’s gentle nature made him ill-suited for the physical demands of the profession, yet he persevered out of family loyalty. A devastating case of toxic shock syndrome following shoulder surgery left him with permanent physical and cognitive impairments. Despite these challenges, Mike returned to the ring, showing remarkable courage but never regaining his previous abilities. The pressure of living up to the Von Erich name while battling health issues proved overwhelming. In 1987, at just 23, Mike took his own life, becoming another tragic chapter in wrestling’s most cursed family legacy.
8. Lance Cade: The Protégé With Unfulfilled Potential
Training under Shawn Michaels gave Lance Cade a foundation few wrestlers receive. His impressive size combined with surprising agility made him stand out during his WWE tenure, particularly while teaming with Trevor Murdoch where their old-school tag team style earned them three championship reigns. Many backstage officials, including Vince McMahon himself, saw championship potential in Cade. His release in 2008 following a seizure on an international flight derailed what seemed like a promising career trajectory. Struggling with personal demons after leaving WWE, Cade passed away in 2010 at 29 from heart failure related to prescription drug use. His death represents the countless talented performers who never got the chance to reach their full potential.
9. Umaga: The Fearsome Samoan Bulldozer
Eddie Fatu’s transformation into the untamed Umaga character revitalized his career, creating one of the 2000s’ most intimidating WWE personas. With his face painted, wild hair, and tribal tattoos, Umaga’s savage intensity made him a believable threat to any opponent, including main event stars like John Cena. His surprising agility for a 350-pound performer allowed him to execute moves that defied expectations, like his signature “Samoan Spike” and diving headbutt. Despite his monstrous character, colleagues remember Fatu as one of the locker room’s most beloved figures. Released from WWE in 2009 after refusing rehabilitation following a Wellness Policy violation, Umaga died from a heart attack just months later at 36, his potential for further championship reigns unfulfilled.
10. Ashley Massaro: The Multitalented Performer Gone Too Soon
Ashley Massaro brought authentic alternative style to WWE when winning the 2005 Diva Search. Beyond her wrestling career, Massaro leveraged her WWE fame into mainstream opportunities, appearing on Survivor: China and gracing the cover of Playboy magazine while maintaining her wrestling schedule. Her punk rock aesthetic and genuine connection with fans made her stand out during an era when women’s wrestling was still transitioning toward being taken seriously. Behind the scenes, Massaro juggled the demands of being a single mother with her wrestling career. In 2019, the wrestling world was shocked by her suicide at 39. Posthumous revelations about injuries and experiences during her WWE tenure sparked important conversations about performer welfare and mental health support in professional wrestling.