5 Independent wrestlers that died recently due to injuries suffered in the ring

As a pro wrestler, entertaining the fans is of paramount importance.

And people that pay their hard earned money to come see a show want to watch the kind of entertainment that makes it worth their while.

But sometimes, the pressure to deliver can end up biting a performer in the backside.

It isn't that bad in the WWE, where the relatively 'safe' working environment and strict medical testing implemented by the company often ensures that the performers are in peak physical and mental condition before they're entrusted to perform in front of the fans.

But in the independent circuits, where the regulations and medical care can be a little lax, the performer often puts a lot more on the line.

Add to that, the marginally more dangerous and cavalier approach that Indie wrestling adopts as compared to WWE's safer working style, and you have a perfect mix for a disaster waiting to happen.

Unfortunately, these wrestlers found that out first hand, much to the dismay of their loved ones and the fans.

On that note, here are 5 independents wrestlers that paid the ultimate price due to injuries suffered while they were in the ring.

#1 William Ogletree

'Don't try this at home'

Pretty sure everyone one of you remembers the WWE flashing this before airing their programs on the television.

But for those who do not heed the warning and are tempted to test the waters for themselves, the results can be disastrous, as William Ogletree found out in August this year.

Ogletree, 25 then, was working in an unsanctioned event put together by Balthazar's Ladies of Wrestling (B.L.O.W) at Oklahoma's Blue Note Lounge, when he was severely injured while taking a Spinebuster gone wrong.

Yes, the very same move that hardly earns Triple H more than a 2 count because it's considered too 'weak' to be a finisher...

He was then admitted to the hospital, where he remained in critical condition until he was pronounced brain dead after two days.

It's a deep shame how a man in the prime of his life, who was also a stand-up comic and a musician, was robbed of everything in a matter of seconds.

For all you 'pro wrestling is fake' truthers out there...if this doesn't change your mind about the very real dangers that performers encounter while working a match, nothing will.

Here is the link to the Go Fund Me page to help William Ogletree's family out in their moment of need.

#2 Matt 'Riot' Lowry

Just 22 then, the passing of Ohio-based wrestler Matt Lowry in September of 2009 is one of those heartless instances in pro wrestling that don't make sense.

In fact, Lowry wasn't even working a match when tragedy struck.

He was just training along with other wrestlers at a Combat Zone Wrestling facility - which was once the ECW arena - when he passed out complaining of dizziness.

Lowry was then rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead due to a brain aneurysm.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the death, 22 is way too early for someone to pass away. We sincerely hope that his family and friends have since found comfort knowing that he's in a better place.

#3 Wayne vanDyke (Richard Delicious)

Another pro wrestling casualty to a heart attack in 2017, Wayne vanDyke was just 29 when he collapsed while working a tag team match at a Ronin Pro Wrestling Show.

vanDyke apparently informed his tag partner that something was wrong and tagged out, before suffering a heart attack.

Medical staff rushed in and performed CPR but to no avail, as he suffered a further two heart attacks en route to and in the hospital respectively, before being placed in an induced coma.

However, the efforts of the doctors weren't ultimately enough as his family confirmed the tragic news of his passing on social media a few days later.

RIP Wayne vanDyke. We offer our prayers and condolences to his family.

#4 Dan 'Spider' Quirk

Dan Quirk's unfortunate death in 2005 was especially saddening because he lost his life in an attempt to cover for his opponent's botched move.

Quirk, who was just 22 at the time, was working a match against Hi-Lite Kid in an Ultimate Championship Wrestling event in Taunton when he tried to compensate for his opponent's botched Piscada.

However, his head was crushed under Hi-Lite Kid's full weight and the match was stopped immediately when his blood splattered all over the floor.

Despite the desperate efforts to revive him, Dan Quirk couldn't be brought back to consciousness.

This grisly incident invited widespread criticism from the pro wrestling fraternity, who spoke up against unsanctioned bouts and unsafe working conditions.

It seemed that the failure to provide safety mats outside the ring was what ultimately proved fatal to Dan Quirk.

As a pro wrestling fan, one can only hope that such incidents don't ever come to pass again.

#5 Eric Denis

The most recent instance of an independent worker losing his life in the ring was when Eric Denis, a 40-year-old wrestler, suffered what was suspected to be a heart attack one day ago, as per the time of this writing.

Denis was working a charity match in Montreal, for a promotion known as ICW Fighting Federation, which was aiming to raise money for those ailed by Crohn's disease.

Despite the best efforts of the first responders, Denis was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

Our thoughts go out to Denis' six children, family and friends in this harrowing time.

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