10 Professional wrestling deaths in 2020

#8 Howard Finkel (April 16, 2020)

The sports-entertainment world is mourning the loss of WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel, who passed away at age 69. https://t.co/c8nQHk8aug

— WWE (@WWE) April 16, 2020

Regarded as one of the greatest in-ring announcers of all time in professional wrestling, Howard Finkel was one of the voices of WWE. His iconic voice and ring-announcement style are fondly remembered by professional wrestling fans even to this day. Working with the company since 1975, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

Howard Finkel was one of the longest-serving employees of the company and worked in backstage roles during the final year of his life. He died on April 16, 2020, after suffering a stroke in 2019. Recently, at WWE Backlash 2020, the company played a recording of Howard Finkel introducing both Randy Orton and Edge during the 'Greatest Wrestling Match Ever'.

---

#7 Shad Gaspard (May 17, 2020)

The thoughts of everyone at WWE are with Shad Gaspard’s family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/dLRnF6oElX

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) May 19, 2020

One of the most shocking professional wrestling deaths of this year was that of former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard. Best known for his time in WWE alongside JTG as Cryme Tyme, Shad Gaspard was on Venice Beach with his son on May 17, 2020, when a strong rip current caught them. When the lifeguards came, he instructed them to save his son first. While they were successful in doing so, Gaspard got pulled by the current and was missing for days.

It was on May 20th when his body was found washed ashore and was identified. The incident shook the professional wrestling world to its core but everyone stood up to salute how he died a hero, saving his son.