5 Deaths that changed Pro Wrestling

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Eddie Guerrero was one of the most gut-wrenching losses to the world of wrestling
Ente
Eddie Guerrero was one of the most gut-wrenching losses to the world of wrestling

Professional wrestling isn’t so forgiving. There have been so many instances in the past where the performers got injured, yet still continued to finish their matches. It isn’t just a matter of pride or protecting their “spot” on the roster, but the saying “The show must go on” implies to professional wrestling more than any other contact sport. At the end of the day, what matters most is the fact that the fans need to get their money’s worth, and these superstars understand that better than anyone else. These superstars fall on their heads and necks more often than one might think, and in the process, are prone to concussions and other injuries. Since 2007, WWE introduced the ImPACT testing thanks to the work done by former WWE superstar Christopher Nowinski, and have taken stringent measures relating to the safety of the performers. It wasn’t always the same however, and these regulations came about after the unfortunate demises of various superstars.In this article, we take a look at the untimely demises of five professional wrestlers, and how the circumstances surrounding their deaths changed the face of professional wrestling forever.


#5 Mitsuharu Misawa

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Japanese fans are considered to be the most passionate bunch in the pro wrestling world. For decades, Japan has been the hotbed for some of the best wrestling matches in the world, while also producing some of the biggest legends in the business. Although not as popular as their North American counterparts, legends such as Giant Baba, Antonio Inoki, Mitsuharu Misawa and Jumbo Tsuruta are by no means secondary to the western superstars. Legends such as Ric Flair, Stan Hansen and even the legendary Hulk Hogan considered it an honour to wrestle the Japanese legends in front of the Japanese fans.

Misawa, considered by many to be the best wrestler to come along in the past three decades, was loved by the Japanese wrestling fans. In 2009, Misawa took part in a tag team match, and during the course of the bout, received a belly to back suplex by Saito, who then proceeded to pin him. After the bout, Misawa laid still on the mat, and initially, it was seen as him selling the finish. But things soon turned ugly when everyone realized there was something gravely wrong. Misawa, who still didn’t get up, was tended to by the trainers and other wrestlers, and as the animated wrestlers started shedding tears, the worst fears came true.

Misawa was rushed to a nearby medical facility, but he had already passed away. After his untimely death, the wrestling world mourned the loss of one of the most beloved grapplers, and most of the organizations started a policy which made it mandatory for the referees to stop the bout if one of the participants got injured. One of the more famous instances was when Daniel Bryan was tended to during a bout against Orton and was immediately sent to the back. Reports came out that an enraged Bryan confronted Triple H, but everything was forgotten soon.

#4 Bruiser Brody

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Back when pro wrestlers were notorious for being aggressive and hard to work with, primarily due to them protecting the kayfabe aspect of the business (making it look real), Brody was seen as one of the legitimately tough guys in the locker room. Brody, who is given credit for injecting and popularizing the ‘brawling’ style in the matches, was reportedly hard to work with, and was often termed to be uncooperative by the promoters.

The instance of Brody unwilling to “work” a match against Lex Luger flashes in the minds of the fans, and Brody, who was termed ‘unrealistic’ by the promoters carried this image to every promotion he worked with. One evening in ’88, Brody was asked to visit Jose Gonzalez, the booker of the promotion who himself was a wrestler in the shower. In one of the most controversial and arbitrary instances in the business, Brody was stabbed multiple times, leading to his death. Although WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas initially stated that he saw Jose Gonzalez stabbing Brody, he did not testify in the court.

Gonzalez was acquitted in ’89, and this instance raised an alarm in the locker rooms of all the wrestling promotions. It is famously said that some of the wrestlers didn’t testify to receive pushes in the promotion, and went on to win titles in the company. On the flipside, the incident also led to a code of honor among the professional wrestlers in other promotions, as well as having a locker room union to make sure such things didn’t happen again.

#3 Eddie Guerrero

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Eddie Guerrero was perhaps the most well rounded wrestler to ever lace a pair of boots. From cutting a promo to working a match, there have been very few, perhaps in single numbers who could compete with Eddie. Some of his feuds have achieved legendary status, and his matches with the likes of Rey Mysterio Jr. and Chris Benoit are considered to be some of the best wrestling matches in the history of the business. Eddie captured the imagination of the fans around the world, and finally won the ‘big one’ at No Way Out in 2004.

He was arguably in the prime of his career in 2005, and was scheduled to be a part of the traditional Survivor Series match. Rumors also suggested that he was in line to win the World Heavyweight championship from Batista, and have a long run as the champion. Unfortunately, Eddie Guerrero was found dead in his hotel room, sending shockwaves in the industry. The fans and pro wrestlers alike couldn’t believe that Eddie was no more, and everyone from the likes of his best friend Chris Benoit to his sworn enemy on camera, JBL shed tears for their fallen friend.

It was revealed that Eddie had a heart condition from his previous years of drug use, and WWE immediately started testing all the wrestlers in order to clear them to compete in the ring. Not only did it save the lives of other performers, but also helped them in detecting any heart defects which might’ve gone unnoticed till then.

#2 Owen Hart

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Perhaps, the most shocking incident on this list purely because of where and how it happened is the Owen Hart tragedy. Owen was, by all accounts one of the liveliest people in the locker room. Owen was loved by everyone, and his knack of playing pranks was legendary. It is famously said that Owen could light up a room in an instant, and that he could make anyone laugh. No one had a bad thing to say about the youngest member of the Hart family, and his love for life and his kids made this incident all the more gut wrenching.

Owen was scheduled to face The Godfather at the Over The Edge PPV, in Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Owen Hart, disguised as the Blue Blazor, was rumored to win the WWE Intercontinental championship that night, and was set to make a grand entrance, being lowered from the rafters. As Owen was being lowered, something terrible happened; the release mechanism was activated, resulting in Owen Hart falling down to the mat from 70 feet, hitting the corner turnbuckle sternum first. Owen momentarily sat up, but fell right back. He was rushed to a nearby medical facility, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Vince McMahon and the WWE were bashed by the media and the fans alike, and Owen’s untimely demise resulted in stringent regulations being followed in the organization. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Vince McMahon made sure that proper precautions were taken in case such stunts were attempted again. Owen’s death shook the entire wrestling industry, and once again raised concerns about the safety of the performers.

#1 Chris Benoit

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Arguably, the greatest tragedy to ever strike the professional wrestling industry was the double murder-suicide of Chris Benoit. Benoit, who was revered by the fans and his peers alike, and was regarded as the greatest technical wrestler to ever grace a wrestling ring. True to those sentiments, Benoit devoted his life to the business and was known to be the hardest working grappler in the business. The adulation and respect made him one of the most beloved superstars in the industry, but over 20 years of sacrifice and hard work was destroyed in one night in 2007, when Benoit was found hanging, with his wife and son murdered in their Atlanta home.

It was later alleged that Benoit had killed his wife and son, and then proceeded to kill himself over the course of a couple of days. WWE, for the first time in its existence, faced the wrath and the ire of not only the media and North American audience but from the fans all over the globe. Wrestling industry prepared itself for the darkest days, as the stigma the industry once faced came back to haunt it yet again. WWE had to go into damage control, but it was the result of Benoit’s autopsy that shed more light on what Benoit endured during his career.

Benoit’s brain resembled that of an 85-year-old Alzheimer patient’s, and it was implied that years of physical abuse, combined with steroid abuse resulted in Benoit completely snapping in the final few moments of his life. WWE has since then introduced the Wellness Policy, carefully testing the performers and lending any help they needed. They also introduced the ImPACT testing, which focuses on understanding the mental condition of the performers. It is safe to say that the rude awakening post the Benoit tragedy pushed the WWE and other organizations to take better care of its performers.


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