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Oklafan Associate Editor Mike Iles rants on deaths in wrestling and media coverage

Posted: Aug 19th 2007 By: mikeiles

I realize people die every day. I realize that young people die every day. But it seems every time a wrestler dies the media has to make a big deal out of it. Way too big a deal. Don't get me wrong Chris Benoit killing his wife and son then offing himself as well is a huge tragedy. But would there as much media play if Benoit was just an average joe? Several years ago, former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Phil Hartman was shot and killed by his wife and then she turned the gun on herself and killed herself. There was a lot of media coverage of that but nowhere near the magnitude of Benoit. That's what really makes me mad, all the media sensation, and more importantly how much mileage Marc Mero is getting. This guy was a midcard guy and the only thing people are going to remember about his wrestling career is that he impersonated Little Richard and his first wife was Sable. After that...meh. Also, why in the blue hell was Mero at Benoit's funeral?

Now I see Joanie "Chynna Doll" Laurer is back in rehab and she will also be a guest on an upcoming Nancy Grace show. I am sure Joanie will blame wrestling for her addictions. Now with Brian "Crush" Adams dying at the age of 44 the fire will be fueled again. Dewey "Missing Link" Robertson died recently from cancer at the age of 61 and he admitted to his addictions and abusing drugs in the past in his book. But he didn't blame wrestling. Former wrestler and World Class referee Bronko Lubich died last week at 81. The media won't mention Lubich dying in his 80's because they can't sensationalize an old man dying. They might mention Robertson but probably only because of his addictions.

When the media posts a list of wrestlers that have died at a young age, pay close attention to it. Yes there are plenty of tragedies: Benoit, the Von Erich boys, Mike Awesome, Bam Bam Bigelow, etc. But when the list has John Studd, who died of Hodgkins Disease, and Junkyard Dog who died in a car crash after he fell asleep at the wheel coming home from his daughter's high school graduation, how can wrestling be blamed for that? They would have died if they were construction workers, circus carneys, short order cooks, or worked at the local 7-11.

Wrestlers should not be blaming wrestling as a whole for their problems. They are grown adults and that is the lifestyle they chose. I know they get hurt and I know they travel much more than an average person. But Mick Foley turned out pretty good sleeping in his car and eating bologna sandwiches and staying in seedy motels in the early part of his career. There haven't been any stories of Foley being addicted to anything and it is well documented that Foley has had more injuries than most wrestlers. William Regal admitted his addictions in his book (good read by the way), and he didn't blame wrestling.

I realize that this has become something of a rant. But this has been weighing on my mind for quite some time. It is getting to be that when I look at wrestling news boards I see the headline "Wrestling Death" and I cringe to see who it is and the cause. The wrestlers need to take control of their lives and ask for help. Before its too late.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title

Week of Sun 09-27 to Sat: 10-03

09-27 1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-27 1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-27 1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
09-27 1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
09-27 2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
09-27 2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
09-27 2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
09-27 2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
09-27 2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
09-27 2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
09-27 2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-27 2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
09-27 2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
09-27 2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
09-27 2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
09-27 2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-27 2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
09-27 2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-27 2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-27 2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
09-27 2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title
09-28 1979 Mike George & Bob Sweetan became the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champions
09-28 1982 Mr. Olympia def. Killer Khan for the MSW Mississippi Title
09-28 1984 The Long Riders (Scott Irwin & Bill Irwin) def. The Rock & Soul Connection (Buck Zumhofe & King Parsons) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-28 1986 Buddy Roberts def. Terry Taylor for the UWF Television Title
09-28 2008 Striker def. Al Farat for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
09-28 2013 The C. I. A. (Trevor Mapleleaf & J. B.) def. The Oakhurst Fire Mafia (Keebler & Diamond) for the SRPW Tag Team Titles
09-28 2019 Brixton Barricade def. Chaz Sharpe for the ASP Inter-County Title
09-28 2024 Daniel Aaron Michalles def. Pastor Brent for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
09-28 2024 Shotgun Webber def. Zac Royal for the TIW No Pressure Title
09-29 2007 Luc Lapointe & Beau Dalton became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
09-29 2007 Kareem Sadat def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Hardcore Title
09-29 2007 Beau Dalton def. Luc Lapointe for the SWCW Sooner Xtreme Title
09-29 2007 Kunna Keyoh def. Joe Herell for the UWF06 Violent Division Title
09-30 1963 Bill Miller def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-30 1965 The Daltons/The Fargos (Jim Dalton/Jim Fargo & Jack Dalton [1st]/Don Fargo) became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
09-30 1974 Blackjack Lanza def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-30 1977 Ox Baker def. Captain USA for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
09-30 1981 Great Kabuki def. Bob Roop for the MSW Louisiana Title
09-30 1983 The Super Destroyers (Super Destroyer I & Super Destroyer II) def. Roddy Piper & Bulldog Brower for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-30 2006 The House of Strange (AWOL & Overdose) def. The Family (Beau Dalton & Luc Lapointe) for the AACW Tag Team Titles
09-30 2007 Outlaw became the MSWA Oklahoma Champion
09-30 2017 Los Loco Moscas (Elijah Sparks & El Greengo Loco) def. Legion (Rob Cabella & Shawn Shields) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
09-30 2023 The Psychotic Messengers (Tank Bryson & Malachi) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
09-30 2023 Romeo Reese def. Punk Synister for the MajCW Flawless Title
09-30 2023 Nibira def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-30 2023 Brandon Groom def. Nibira for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-30 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Brandon Groom for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-30 2023 Lunchador def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-30 2023 John J. Bishop def. Lunchador for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-30 2023 Lunchador def. John J. Bishop for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
10-01 2002 Pimpology (Jeffrey Parker & Kool Ade) def. The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
10-01 2002 Bitch the Clown def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
10-01 2002 The Cookie Man def. Bitch the Clown for the ACW Hardcore Title
10-01 2002 HIMM def. The Cookie Man for the ACW Hardcore Title
10-01 2004 Beau Dalton def. Bobby Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
10-01 2011 Michael Barry def. Double D for the IZW Impact Division Title
10-01 2011 Maniac Mike def. John E. Stone for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
10-01 2011 Se7en def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
10-01 2011 Kevin James Sanchez & Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
10-01 2011 Drake Gallows & Bobby Star became the SWCW All-American Champion
10-01 2012 Brian Lakewood def. Brandon Walker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
10-01 2016 Dean Lambert def. Kareem Sadat for the EmpCW Independent Hardcore Title
10-01 2016 Running Wolf became the NAW Heavyweight Champion
10-01 2016 Thunder, Inc. (Rolling Thunder & Tim Bean) def. The Midnight Riders (The Unknown & The Midnight Rider) for the NAW Tag Team Titles
10-02 2004 Missa Sparkle def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Missa Sparkle for the SRPW Hardcore Title
10-02 2004 Codie Mullins def. Beau Dalton for the SRPW Hardcore Title
10-02 2004 Beau Dalton def. Codie Mullins for the SRPW Hardcore Title
10-02 2009 Aerial Assault (Montego Seeka & Ky-ote Joe) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
10-02 2010 Outlaw def. Tyson Jaymes for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
10-02 2010 Bleach, Ink (Draven Cross & Korvin Sage) def. The Hardcore Connection (Shane Sanchez & Maniac Mike) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
10-02 2010 Rage Logan def. Damien Morte for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
10-02 2010 David Kyzer def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW All-American Title
10-02 2010 Kevin James Sanchez def. Kareem Sadat for the SWCW Hardcore Title
10-02 2010 Jasper Davis def. Kevin Douglas for the NWA Texas Junior Heavyweight Title
10-02 2010 La Reina de Corazones def. Tasha Simone for the NWA World Womens Title
10-02 2011 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) def. The New Age Syndicate (Scott Sanders & Shawn Sanders) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
10-02 2016 The Urban Misfits (Drake Gallows & Dean Lambert) def. The Mid-South Express (Tyson Jaymes & Will Chambers) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
10-02 2020 Jerome Daniel Griffey def. Niles Plonk for the TexPro Red River Title
10-02 2021 Step Brothas (Jermaine Johnson & Tego) def. Niles Plonk & Flex Zerba (substituting for Dexter Hardaway) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
10-03 1967 Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis def. The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
10-03 2008 Spoiler 2000 became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
10-03 2009 Arrogant Money (Austin Tacious & Randy Price) def. BLK-OUT (Jermaine Johnson & Montego Seeka) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
10-03 2020 Classy & Sassy (Niles Plonk & Dexter Hardaway) def. The Brotherhood of Holy Hell (Terry Pantera & Dean Lambert) for the BCW Tag Team Titles
10-03 2020 Super Beast def. Cody Burns for the BCW Heavyweight Title
10-03 2025 Lola the Adventurer def. Skylar Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
10-03 2025 The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) def. The Sweet Life (Colt Killbane & Jake Swayze) for the CPW Tag Team Titles

09-27

Angel Camacho Sep 27th Today!
Alec Bisogno Sep 27th Today!
Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th Today!
Trey Count Sep 28th
Kamille Sep 28th
Scott Lee Sep 28th
Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
Tommy Prince Sep 28th
Rip Tyler Sep 28th
Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
Ann Casey Sep 29th
David Sammartino Sep 29th
Raymon Downey Sep 30th
Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
Fred Urban Sep 30th
Seth Coburn Sep 30th
Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
Lady Starwind Sep 30th
Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
James Southard Oct 2nd
Funnybone Oct 2nd
Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
Crystal White Oct 3rd
Don Fargo Oct 3rd
Johnny TV Oct 3rd
Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
Dick Hutton Oct 4th
Jay Strongbow, Sr. Oct 4th
T-Arsenal Oct 4th
Bobby Fulton Oct 4th
Abyss Oct 4th
Studd Lee Oct 4th
P. Y. Chu-Hi Oct 4th
Violent V Oct 4th
Dennis Heflin Oct 5th
Joaquin Wilde Oct 5th
Spike Oct 6th
Mr. Nasty Oct 6th
Paloma Starr Oct 6th
Rip Oliver Oct 6th
Smash Oct 6th
Frankie V Oct 7th
Tennessee Rebel Oct 7th
Rhino Oct 7th
Nelly Rivers Oct 7th
Terry Orndorff Oct 7th
Ripper Collins Oct 8th
Moonshine Oct 8th
Brett Irons Oct 8th
Judy Martin Oct 8th
Travis Harkrider Oct 8th
Betty Niccoli Oct 9th
Andre West Oct 9th
Richard Fitzwell Oct 9th
Brian Breaker Oct 9th
K. J. Everly Oct 10th
Shane Morbid Oct 10th

1977 Dr. X & Porkchop Cash def. The Medics (Medic #1 & Medic #2) for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1982 The Rat Pack (Ted DiBiase & Matt Borne) def. Junkyard Dog & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
1985 Brian Adias def. Gino Hernandez for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
1986 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. Eddie Gilbert & Sting for the UWF Tag Team Titles
2003 Brandon Groom became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
2003 Tarantula & X-Cal became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
2003 Big Daddy Moore def. Dexter Hardaway for the SRPW Hardcore Title
2008 Outlaw def. 3rd Rail for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
2008 Rage Logan def. Sage for the SWCW Cruiserweight Title
2008 Shank became the SWCW Luchadore Champion
2008 Seth Allen def. Dustin Heritage for the IZW Impact Division Title
2015 Lil Outlaw def. Little Nasty Boy for the EMWF Heavweight Title
2015 King Midget def. Lil Outlaw for the EMWF Heavweight Title
2019 Stephan Bonnar def. MVP for the WCR Imperial Title
2025 L. C. Green def. Deacon Hendrix for the RWE Heavyweight Title
2025 Will Chambers def. L. C. Green for the RWE Heavyweight Title
2025 Mitch Onyx def. Bishop Simon for the RWE Light Heavyweight Title
2025 Triple Crown Tribe (Fuel & Koko) def. The Super Crash Brothers (Trench Blythe & Badger James) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
2025 Birdman def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Apex Title
2025 Brandon Warhawk def. Faded Ghoul for the UWE Heavyweight Title
2025 Sgt. Todd def. Floyd Maystorm for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

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Oklafan.com v5 Beta

Oklafan Associate Editor Mike Iles rants on deaths in wrestling and media coverage

Posted: Aug 19th 2007 By: mikeiles

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