Active WWE wrestler deaths

[erik316wttn]

Sorry for the morbidity, but with yet another wrestler dying way before his time this week, it got me to thinking about the active members of the WWE roster who have passed away.

I can think of 4:

Pillman in 97

Owen in 99

Eddie in 05

Benoit in 07

Was there one before Pillman?

[Mozenrath]

Not sure. And before someone makes the obvious joke, yes, them dying would effectively mean they were no longer active.

[molson5]

The WWE does have a knack for cutting guys loose before they die on their watch.

Going back to the 80s, there was "Quick Draw" Rick McGraw.

[I *still* ✡ Johnny]

I was actually wondering what would happen now if an active wrestler died.

Would they mention it on the next show, or would they wait and see if it was drug related?

["Hollywood" Cactus Matt]

Wasn't Adrian Adonis part of the roster when he died?

EDIT: Actually, now that I think about it, I think he was wrestling for Stampede in Canada when he died in the car wreck.

[Deleted]

Haas's brother, if you count developmental.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Yes, I was going to say Russ Haas (Charlie's brother). I remember WWE was very high on Russ Haas. It's a shame he lost his life so early.

[Crappler El 0 M]

Aug 14, 2010 16:37:00 GMT -5 "Hollywood" Cactus Matt said:

Wasn't Adrian Adonis part of the roster when he died?

EDIT: Actually, now that I think about it, I think he was wrestling for Stampede in Canada when he died in the car wreck.

No, Adonis was gone from WWE and I believe he last wrestled for AWA before he broke his ankle or something. I was reading through a bunch of old Observers recently and it stating he was trying to return to WWF, but they didn't seem interested.

[Big L]

It's VERY sad that all of em were pretty young

[Sparvid]

Joey Marella, if you count referees as well.

[The poster with no name]

Would Freddie Blassie, and Moolah count?

[Big Daddy Bad Booking]

Aug 14, 2010 18:53:39 GMT -5 The poster with no name said:

Would Freddie Blassie, and Moolah count?

They weren't "active" as much as people making the random appearance or two.

[harleyracesshome]

Wasn't the big bossman on the roster when he died?

[Crappler El 0 M]

Aug 14, 2010 19:22:04 GMT -5 harleyracesshome said:

Wasn't the big bossman on the roster when he died?

I don't think so. He was running for some local office here in Northwest Georgia. He even had yard signs that said "Vote for the Big Boss Man." If I recall, his death was a couple months before voting day.

I don't remember if it was during Stephanie's testimony before Congress or what, but I remember WWE releasing the figure that they have had five contracted wrestlers die while working for WWE. I believe she meant Pillman, Hart, Guerrero, Haas, and Benoit. I suppose anyone who may have died in WWE prior to Brian Pillman were not considered "contracted."

Obviously Gorilla Monsoon and guys like Arnold Skaaland and James Dudley (if they were still employees at their death) are not included.

[Dynamite Kid]

Aug 14, 2010 15:26:31 GMT -5 molson5 said:

The WWE does have a knack for cutting guys loose before they die on their watch.

...Which is a smart policy, so they can't blame WWE for it when it's not even WWE's fault.

I believe the story with Umaga, for example, was that he repeatedly failed wellness and was offered rehab which he didn't take, so they fired him. This is a smart move. Why get blood on your own hands when it's the individual's fault? If they won't stop it and you can't make them, they are a liability.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Aug 14, 2010 20:40:32 GMT -5 Dynamite Kid said:

Aug 14, 2010 15:26:31 GMT -5 molson5 said:

The WWE does have a knack for cutting guys loose before they die on their watch.

...Which is a smart policy, so they can't blame WWE for it when it's not even WWE's fault.

I believe the story with Umaga, for example, was that he repeatedly failed wellness and was offered rehab which he didn't take, so they fired him. This is a smart move. Why get blood on your own hands when it's the individual's fault? If they won't stop it and you can't make them, they are a liability.

And with Lance Cade, he was fired initially after that incident on a plane, and brought back for a 2nd chance, shame he didn't take it.

[4real]

Aug 14, 2010 16:35:23 GMT -5 I *still* ✡ Johnny said:

I was actually wondering what would happen now if an active wrestler died.

Would they mention it on the next show, or would they wait and see if it was drug related?

It is a problem now after the Benoit incident I guess. I really wouldn't want to be in Vince's shoes honestly if it happened again but I doubt he will ever find himself in a harder position than June 2007.

[ChillyMcFreeze!?]

Aug 14, 2010 16:35:23 GMT -5 I *still* ✡ Johnny said:

I was actually wondering what would happen now if an active wrestler died.

Would they mention it on the next show, or would they wait and see if it was drug related?

I think they'd wait at least a couple of days for all the information, before they ran a tribute. The Benoit tribute saw to that, even though that was totally not WWE's fault. So if someone dies on say a tuesday, they might get a tribute show on that weeks Smackdown... but not if they passed away on Sunday night.

It does make me feel a little sad that former workers who pass away don't get a mention on the next show though, even just a line from the commentators - Umaga deserved better than that, and Cade does too.

[The poster with no name]

Aug 15, 2010 7:48:50 GMT -5 ChillyMcFreeze!? said:

Aug 14, 2010 16:35:23 GMT -5 I *still* ✡ Johnny said:

I was actually wondering what would happen now if an active wrestler died.

Would they mention it on the next show, or would they wait and see if it was drug related?

I think they'd wait at least a couple of days for all the information, before they ran a tribute. The Benoit tribute saw to that, even though that was totally not WWE's fault. So if someone dies on say a tuesday, they might get a tribute show on that weeks Smackdown... but not if they passed away on Sunday night.

It does make me feel a little sad that former workers who pass away don't get a mention on the next show though, even just a line from the commentators - Umaga deserved better than that, and Cade does too.

Cade died after the tapings.

[________ has left the building]

Aug 15, 2010 7:48:50 GMT -5 ChillyMcFreeze!? said:

Aug 14, 2010 16:35:23 GMT -5 I *still* ✡ Johnny said:

I was actually wondering what would happen now if an active wrestler died.

Would they mention it on the next show, or would they wait and see if it was drug related?

I think they'd wait at least a couple of days for all the information, before they ran a tribute. The Benoit tribute saw to that, even though that was totally not WWE's fault. So if someone dies on say a tuesday, they might get a tribute show on that weeks Smackdown... but not if they passed away on Sunday night.

It does make me feel a little sad that former workers who pass away don't get a mention on the next show though, even just a line from the commentators - Umaga deserved better than that, and Cade does too.

Some of the wrestlers will probably do silent tributes. Like wearing a black armband. I remember some folks did that after Umaga and Test's death. Only wrestlers who might get a shout on tv will have either had died from disease, old age, or accidental non drug related deaths.