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Can a wrestling fed be cursed?

Can a wrestling fed be cursed?

Posted: Jun 27th 2007 By: mikeiles

With the recent tragedy regarding Chris Benoit, several wrestling fans have begun to wonder if perhaps Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) is cursed. The fact a wrestling company is cursed is nothing new by any stretch of the imagination. In the past, it was believed that World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) was a cursed wrestling federation due to several of its top stars dying either at the peak of their career or dying at a relatively young age.

By most accounts, there have been 18 former WCCW stars that have had their life end tragically and far too early. The Von Erich family tragedy is well documented with four of Fritz Von Erich's wrestling sons dying young and three of them taking their own lives. David Von Erich was the first of those sons to pass away. He died while on a wrestling tour of Japan in February 1984. It was ruled that David died of acute enteritis which is a severe inflammation of the intestines. However, conspiracy theorists feel that the enteritis cause of death was a cover up and David actually died of a drug overdose. Mike Von Erich was the second to pass away and first to take his own life. He committed suicide in April 1987 by overdosing on the tranquilizer, Placidyl. Chris Von Erich, who was extremely close to his brother Mike, committed suicide by self inflicted gunshot in September 1991, his older brother Kerry Von Erich did the same in February 1993. However, they are far from the only stars who left the Earth far too soon.

Billy Joe Travis: heart attack in November 2002
Bruiser Brody: stabbed in the locker room in Puerto Rico in July 1988
Buzz Sawyer: drug overdose (reportedly heroin) in February 1992
Captain USA (John Studd): Hodgkins Disease in March 1995
Chris Adams: killed by gunshot following an altercation in October 2001; shooter claimed self defense
Crusher Yurkof (Bam Bam Bigelow): drug overdose of cocaine and Benzodiazepine in January 2007
Dave Peterson: motorcycle accident in May 1993
Gino Hernandez: drug overdose of cocaine in January 1986
Magic Dragon: plane crash in November 1987
Mike Davis: heart attack in December 2001
Ralph Pulley: AIDS in January 1992
Rick Rude: heart attack in April 1999
Scott Irwin: brain aneuryism in September 1987
Terry Gordy: heart attack in July 2001

However, ECW has also had its fair share of tragedy as well.

Bam Bam Bigelow: see Crusher Yurkof above
Big Dick Dudley: kidney failure in May 2002
Chris Benoit: alleged suicide by hanging in June 2007
Chris Candido: blood clot due to surgery complications in April 2005
Eddie Gilbert: heart attack in February 1995
Eddie Guerrero: heart failure in November 2005
Johnny Grunge: sleep apnea complications in February 2006
Louie Spicolli: drug overdose of Soma and wine in February 1998
Mike Awesome: suicide by hanging in February 2007
Mike Lockwood (AKA Crash Holly): drug overdose of painkillers in November 2003
Mike Lozansky: died in his sleep of apparent heart failure in December 2003
Pitbull #2 (Anthony Durante): drug overdose of homemade Oxycontin in September 2003
Rocco Rock: heart attack in September 2002
Terry Gordy: see above
Woman: allegedly murdered by her husband Chris Benoit in June 2007

An argument could possibly even be made that WCW or WWF/WWE are also cursed. In addition to several of the names already listed above, WCW and/or WWF/WWE also have had several wrestlers on their roster that have passed away. Below is a list of those wrestlers and by no means a complete and comprehensive list:

Art Barr (AKA The Juicer; WCW)
Adrian Adonis (WWF)
Andre the Giant (WWF)
Bad News Brown (WWF)
Bertha Faye (AKA Rhonda Singh; WCW & WWF)
Bobby Duncum Jr. (WCW)
Brady Boone (WCW & WWF)
Brian Pillman (WCW & WWF)
Curt Hennig (AKA Mr. Perfect; WCW & WWF)
Davey Boy Smith (WCW and WWF)
Dick Murdoch (WCW & WWF)
Dino Bravo (WWF)
Hercules (WWF)
Jeep Swenson (WCW)
John Tenta (AKA Earthquake; WCW & WWF)
Junkyard Dog (WCW & WWF)
Loch Ness (WCW)
Marianna Komlos (AKA Mrs. Cleavage; WWF)
Mark Curtis (WCW)
Miss Elizabeth (WCW & WWF)
Moondog Spot (WWF)
Owen Hart (WWF)
Pez Whatley (WCW)
Randy "Pee Wee" Anderson (WCW)
Ray Traylor (AKA Big Bossman; WCW & WWF)
Renegade (WCW; not the one with Oklahoma experience)
Road Warrior Hawk (WCW & WWF)
Russ Haas (under a WWE developmental deal at the time of his death)
Sapphire (WWF)
Sherri Martel (WCW & WWF)
The Wall (WCW)
Uncle Elmer (WWF)
Yokozuna (WWF)

Is there a curse involving WCCW, ECW, or any other wrestling fed? That is something for wrestling fans to debate and decide for themselves. We should all hope that the list of wrestlers passing away before their time does not continue to add names anytime soon.

 

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Supplemental Information

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1954 Red Berry def. Whitey Whittler for the TSW Tri-State Title
  • 1976 Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch def. Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 1980 Kevin Von Erich def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 1989 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. Beauty & The Beast (Terrance M. Garvin & The Beast [2nd]) for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 2000 Heather Savage def. Jenna Love for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Title
  • 2002 Summer Rain became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 2007 Eric Rose def. Jersey Devil for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 2007 Joe Herell became the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 2017 Brandon Groom def. Sam Stackhouse for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 2018 Dusty Gold def. Wesley Crane for the UWE United States Title

Week of Sun 04-26 to Sat: 05-02

  • 04-26 2008 Jerry Bostic def. Joshua Smith for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-26 2008 Shane Rawls def. Ky-Ote for the 3DW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-26 2014 Buster Cherry def. Bud Barnes for the SWCW All-American Title
  • 04-26 2014 Chaz Sharpe def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-26 2014 Sam Stackhouse def. Warhammer for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-26 2024 Miranda Gordy def. Sgt. Slice for the CPW Women’s Title
  • 04-26 2025 Deacon Hendrix became the RWE Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-26 2025 Family Affiliated (Athan Sorrow & Rika Wildlee) became the RWE Tag Team Champions
  • 04-26 2025 Gluttony became the RWE United States Champion
  • 04-26 2025 Bishop Simon became the RWE Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-26 2025 For God And Country (Pastor Brent & Corporal Punishment) def. The Main Characters (Sean Ryan & Daniel Aaron Michalles) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
  • 04-27 1978 The Assassin became the TSW Louisiana Champion
  • 04-27 1981 Junkyard Dog & Dick Murdoch def. The Grappler & The Super Destroyer for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 04-27 2003 The Sharpe Brothers (Chaz Sharpe & Rich Sharpe) def. John O'Malley & All-American Aaron for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-27 2003 Se7en def. Aaron Neil for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-27 2008 Tyrone def. Jerry Bostic for the 3DW Violent Division Title
  • 04-27 2019 Brandon Groom def. Brian Dixon for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 04-27 2019 Doc Black became the BCW Heritage Rivalry Champion
  • 04-28 1954 Red Berry def. Whitey Whittler for the TSW Tri-State Title
  • 04-28 1976 Ted DiBiase & Dick Murdoch def. Buck Robley & Bob Slaughter for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 04-28 1980 Kevin Von Erich def. Toru Tanaka for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 04-28 1989 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. Beauty & The Beast (Terrance M. Garvin & The Beast [2nd]) for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 04-28 2000 Heather Savage def. Jenna Love for the OPW Oklahoma Womens Title
  • 04-28 2002 Summer Rain became the OCW Oklahoma Womens Champion
  • 04-28 2007 Eric Rose def. Jersey Devil for the UWF06 Light Heavyweight Title
  • 04-28 2007 Joe Herell became the UWF06 Violent Division Champion
  • 04-28 2017 Brandon Groom def. Sam Stackhouse for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
  • 04-28 2018 Dusty Gold def. Wesley Crane for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-29 2006 AWOL def. Michael York for the TPW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-29 2006 Natural Born Sinners (Appolyon & El Lotus) def. Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-29 2006 Rexx Reed def. Carnage for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-29 2006 Carnage def. Rexx Reed for the ACW Hardcore Title
  • 04-29 2007 Aaron Neil def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 04-29 2007 Brad Michaels def. Ryan Davidson for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 04-29 2007 Bad Boy & Outlaw became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-29 2011 The Unknown & Johnny USA def. Michael H & Mr. Big for the NCW Tag Team Titles
  • 04-29 2011 Mr. Big became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Prophet for the BYEW Heavyweight Title
  • 04-29 2012 Rage Logan became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-29 2012 Nemesis (Damien Morte & Damon Windsor) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 04-29 2017 Aaron Anders became the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 04-30 1954 Frenchy Roy became the TSW Oklahoma Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-30 1971 Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 04-30 2004 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the TPW Hardcore Title
  • 04-30 2011 Ryan Reed def. Rolling Thunder for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-30 2011 Ray Martinez def. Ryan Reed for the UWE United States Title
  • 04-30 2016 Ray Martinez became the SRPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 04-30 2022 Clayton Bloodstone def. Ky-Ote for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
  • 04-30 2023 El Gallardo/El Vaquero def. Cappuccino Jones for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 04-30 2023 Heavyweight Grappling (Dan Webber & Morrison) def. Subject To Death (Cade Fite & Leo Fox) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 05-01 1981 Super Destroyer def. Jim Garvin for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 05-01 2016 Skylar Slice def. Nikki Knight for the MSWA Ladies Title
  • 05-01 2021 Fuel def. Derek James for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 05-02 1969 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 05-02 1975 Mad Dog Vachon def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 05-02 1977 Stan Hansen def. Dick Murdoch for the TSW North American Title
  • 05-02 1984 Krusher Khrushchev became the MSW Television Champion
  • 05-02 1984 The Rock-N-Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) def. The Midnight Express (Bobby Eaton & Dennis Condrey) for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 05-02 2009 Ozzy Hendrix def. Shank for the SWCW Luchadore Title
  • 05-02 2015 Gail Kim became the IWR Diamonds Champion
  • 05-02 2015 Kareem Sadat became the BCW Independent Hardcore Champion
  • 05-02 2021 Drake Gallows def. Blade [2nd] for the AIWF National Title
04-28
  • Ichiban [2nd] Apr 28th Today!
  • Siva Afi Apr 28th Today!
  • Chance Snodgrass Apr 28th Today!
  • Sunshine Apr 29th
  • Joe McCarthy Apr 30th
  • Billie the Kiid Apr 30th
  • Dustin Tibbs Apr 30th
  • Anarchy [2nd] Apr 30th
  • Prince Maivia May 1st
  • Don Fields May 2nd
  • Barrett Brown May 2nd
  • Americos May 2nd
  • Nightmare [1st] May 2nd
  • Big Bossman May 2nd
  • Kari Wright May 2nd
  • Lester Welch May 3rd
  • Johnny Humble May 3rd
  • Lily McKenzie May 3rd
  • Jay Hazzard May 4th
  • Malik Mayfield May 4th
  • El Hijo del Mascara Sagrada May 4th
  • Dory Funk May 4th
  • Bull Schmitt May 4th
  • Miss Diss Lexia May 5th
  • Bill Watts May 5th
  • Zane Morris May 5th
  • El Gallardo May 5th
  • Olivier Vegos May 5th
  • Pat O'Dowdy May 5th
  • Maria Brigitte May 5th
  • El Matador Dos May 5th
  • Princess Victoria May 5th
  • Claire Watson May 6th
  • Hercules May 7th
  • Richie Adams May 8th
  • Jake Danielsson May 9th
  • Jerry Brown May 10th
  • Tito Santana May 10th
  • Billy Brown May 10th
  • Sunny War Cloud May 10th
  • Rook Tyler May 10th
  • Psycho May 11th
  • Big J May 11th
  • Charming Charles May 11th

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