5 times WWE involved a dead wrestler in storylines

The professional wrestling business is tough, and it has seen more than its share of premature deaths related to an accumulation of injuries, substance abuse, and the hardships of life on the road. In turn, WWE has used the memories of deceased wrestlers on occasion for business purposes.

While some would argue that these practices exploit wrestlers’ memories, there’s another side to the story. Pro wrestlers, by and large, dedicate their lives to their craft and look for every opportunity to take part in crafting an important storyline.

So, while one might dismiss a posthumous mention as coming in poor taste, one could also view it as a distinct honour. To be a part of an important storyline after death is to live on in one’s chosen vocation and art form.

This article takes a look back at five different occasions when WWE honoured a late wrestler by invoking his or her name in modern-day storylines.

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#5 Paul Bearer, 2013

Paul Bearer was, posthumously, a key figure in the WrestleMania 29 showdown between The Undertaker and CM Punk

Paul Bearer was one of WWE’s most iconic managers. After a lengthy career managing talents for smaller promotions like World Class Championship Wrestling as Percy Pringle, he moved on to WWE. In WWE, he was most memorably cast as The Undertaker’s manager, but he also appeared in the corner of other talents, including Kane, Mankind, and Vader.

Bearer’s passing in 2013 occurred as WWE was gearing up for a program between CM Punk and The Undertaker at WrestleMania. In the follow-up, Punk would show kayfabe disrespect for Bearer, first by interrupting the Dead Man’s tribute to him, and later by attacking The Phenom and pouring ashes—representative of Bearer’s—over The Undertaker’s fallen body.

While some fans were offended by Bearer so quickly becoming a device for a wrestling storyline, most people close to Bearer seemed to agree he would have gladly offered one more boost to an important angle, and particularly to help out his real-life friend The Undertaker. The booking added some extra heat to what turned out to be the best match of that year’s WrestleMania.

#4 Eddie Guerrero, 2006

Rey Mysterio carried forward Eddie Guerrero's legacy.

Eddie Guerrero was an unlikely top star for WWE — undersized and brought up in the tradition of independent wrestling rather than the WWE machine, not to mention his struggles with substance abuse on the way to the top.

In 2004, however, he got his shot on top, pinning young Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, then successfully defending it against Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 20 in Madison Square Garden.

Guerrero passed on unexpectedly in the fall of 2005. The company aired tribute videos and hosted tribute episodes of Raw and SmackDown to his memory. WWE didn’t stop there, though, as they would, in turn, build a big push for fellow underdog luchador, and Guerrero’s real-life friend Rey Mysterio to rise up while paying tribute to Guerrero.

He won the 2006 Royal Rumble and dedicated it to Guerrero’s memory. From there, he won his first world title at WrestleMania 22, not only representing Guerrero again but actively avenging his memory against Randy Orton who dared to disparage Latino Heat.

#3 Andre the Giant, 2014

After the role battle royals played in building Andre the Giant's legacy, it was fitting for WWE to name an annual battle royal after him.

Andre the Giant is one of the biggest legends in wrestling history (both literally and figuratively). While WWE honoured him with the first WWE Hall of Fame induction and has never shied away from celebrating his legacy, he nonetheless receded a bit from memory of the years as WWE crossed over into new generations of stars.

In 2014, WWE brought his legend back a bit with the launch of the annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 30. Andre’s name lent the battle royal instant credibility, and the match reintroduced Andre to the contemporary wrestling lexicon.

And while the match hasn’t exactly emerged as the most prestigious since its inception, that first iteration, in particular, honoured Andre’s legacy well, as The Big Show put over Cesaro in the end by letting the Swiss Superman body slam him out of the ring.

#2 Reid Flair, 2015

Invoking Reid Flair's name revived his memory and brought new heat to his sister's rivalry with Paige.

While Ric Flair is among the greatest wrestlers of all time, his daughter Charlotte has emerged as one of the top female stars in wrestling. Charlotte’s older brother David was a bit of a flop in the wrestling world.

However, it was the youngest sibling, Reid Flair, who looked to be the truest heir to their father’s legacy— as a successful amateur wrestler who was, by most reports, making good progress learning the craft of pro wrestling.

Reid would pass away at the age of 25 before he could realize much of his potential or reach WWE television. His name did make it to Raw, though, as it became a plot point in the feud between Charlotte and Paige, with the latter suggesting that like her brother, Charlotte didn’t have much fight in her.

While many considered the promo in poor taste, it seems like a fair enough way to honour a young man who never had time to make it to the big dance.

#1 Mae Young, 2017

Hosting a women's tournament branded under her name paid tribute to the legendary Mae Young.

Mae Young wrestled for WWE long, long ago, though contemporary fans remember her better for her role in the Attitude Era and periodic appearances in the years to follow. In these instances, she was the old woman who still saw herself as a sex symbol and still wasn’t afraid to mix it up in the ring despite her increasingly geriatric state.

While WWE had traditionally celebrated The Fabulous Moolah as its Babe Ruth-like legend of women’s wrestling, they shifted gears in 2017 to honour Young instead. Maybe it’s Moolah’s checkered reputation as she allegedly pimped out women she wrestled. Maybe it’s Young having outlived her friend and remained a familiar presence for more recent WWE fans.

Regardless, WWE wound up applying Young’s name to a groundbreaking tournament on the WWE Network, featuring a variety of female talents from around the world and WWE’s own developmental system. The tournament was a creative success that featured some very good performances, helped establish a handful of rising stars, drew viewers, and celebrated Young’s legacy for a new audience.

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