Pro Wrestling Top 10 Death List

Gypsy Joe is one of the oldest active wrestlers in the business with active being the relative word since he is still in the ring. Joe is still going at almost 80 years of age and while it may seem like he could wrestle forever many worry that he will take his final three count in the ring.There is probably no bigger name in the history of Memphis or Mid-South wrestling that Jackie Fargo, including that of Jerry "The King" Lawler. Fargo was and is still as rough and tough as they come but his age and declining health (he had serious health issues in late 2012) put him favorably on this list."The Hammer" still battles alcohol according to friends and promoters who have had bad business dealings with the former NWA and WWF/E star. Between the alcohol and the abuse Valentine subjected his body to over the years, it is all starting to catch up.View the list »
Mae Young is pushing 90 years old and while she is not the oldest living wrestler she is one of the oldest living lady wrestlers and even though she makes the rare appearance for WWE, she is starting to show signs of frailty. Many close to Mae say she is still suffering from a broken heart after the death of Fabulous Moolah.

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There seems to be an inordinate number of professional wrestlers who have met an untimely death with many at a young age which is disproportionate to other professional sports. The cause of many deaths in wrestling are due to abuse and excess on the part of the athlete with either steroids, alcohol or drug use a primary factor. There have been a number of suicides in recent months which has set the world of professional wrestling into a constant state of mourning.

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While many on the outside looking in will often blame the promoters (WWE CEO Vince McMahon) or the lifestyle their rationale is often unfair. Death is an unfortunate consequence of life, we are all destined to die from the moment we are conceived. Everyone has a choice when it comes to their life and how they choose to live it especially when they make a conscious choice to smoke that first cigarette fully knowing doing so will most likely result in some form of cancer. Taking that first drink, popping the first pill, lighting a blunt or injecting that first dose of dura decabolin and doing so willingly puts your life at risk.

A lot of focus has been on former WWE Diva Tammy "Sunny" Sytch as she continues to struggle with demons and her personal life. Scott Hall, who has been to rehab a reported 12 times and still struggling with addiction has now turned to Dallas Page to try and overcome his issues. Justin Credible, who was a momentary part of the first Extreme Reunion show that saw a very intoxicated Sabu removed via stretcher from a hotel room he and Credible shared, has been to rehab but is said to be still "on the mend."

On this list due to Father Time creeping up or because the demons are in constant pursuit these are the people who are currently still part of professional wrestling but not expected to see the end of 2013.

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  • Mae Young is pushing 90 years old and while she is not the oldest living wrestler she is one of the oldest living lady wrestlers and even though she makes the rare appearance for WWE, she is starting to show signs of frailty. Many close to Mae say she is still suffering from a broken heart after the death of Fabulous Moolah.
  • "The Hammer" still battles alcohol according to friends and promoters who have had bad business dealings with the former NWA and WWF/E star. Between the alcohol and the abuse Valentine subjected his body to over the years, it is all starting to catch up.
  • There is probably no bigger name in the history of Memphis or Mid-South wrestling that Jackie Fargo, including that of Jerry "The King" Lawler. Fargo was and is still as rough and tough as they come but his age and declining health (he had serious health issues in late 2012) put him favorably on this list.
  • Gypsy Joe is one of the oldest active wrestlers in the business with active being the relative word since he is still in the ring. Joe is still going at almost 80 years of age and while it may seem like he could wrestle forever many worry that he will take his final three count in the ring.
  • Morbid obesity and the effects of Hepatitis C are quickly starting to overcome Abdullah the Butcher. Abby can often be found in his restaurant in Atlanta eating food that is less than healthy and with his current known health issues as well as possible diabetes, being this high on the list is generous.
  • The former AWA World Champion and owner of the AWA has suffered from dementia and Alzheimer's Disease for years the effects of which saw him bodyslam and take the life from a fellow patient at a care facility. Gagne is not in the best of health and growing closer to the end where his mental illness is concerned.
  • The "Hep-C" Kid is said to still be living the life of excess even though he has talked of trying to get and stay clean in almost every interview he has done of late. Waltman shows signs of an addictive personality and with his Hepatitis C slowly moving toward the advanced stages 2013 could be a year of disaster.
  • Justin Credible has been a reported mess for years with his abuses and addictions moving toward becoming legendary. The fiasco that was Extreme Reunion where Credible and Sabu were beyond repair so much so that Sabu was taken to the hospital and Credible passed out backstage and was removed from the event. Credible is said to have entered rehab after that incident but those close to him say nothing has changed.
  • Scott Hall has been to rehab over 12 times to no avail and even though Dallas Page has seemingly done wonders to another train wreck in Jake Roberts, few believe there will be much long term success Page will see with Hall. Hall has an affinity for alcohol and drug abuse and even if he were to finally get clean the effects of the many years of hard core addiction will eventually take its toll.
  • Tammy "Sunny" Sytch has so many demons chasing her currently being in jail is possibly the best thing for her right now. Years of drug and alcohol abuse culminated in her being arrested numerous times in late 2012 and early 2013 and saw her placed in rehab twice. Unscrupulous video producers exploited Sytch during a painful time and made numerous "shoot" videos that did nothing but bastardize her plight. One of the DVDs "Beyond Kayfabe" saw Sytch call out the WWE, who had footed the bill for her rehab, for placing her in a subpar facility after Linda McMahon lost her bid for Senate. The WWE then said they would no longer front further attempts at coming clean for the former Diva.Sytch would go on to apologize to the WWE but seems to have sealed her fate and there are many who worry that if her addictions do not take her she will find a way to do it herself.
View the list

, Columbus Pro Wrestling Examiner

Dr. Jerry Wiseman was known as the "Managerial Wizard of Ohio Valley Wrestling" for a period of three years. Nicknamed "The Worm," he was one of the most successful independent managers in wrestling at the time, walking to the ring with notables as "Hustler" Rip Rogers, Vic the Bruiser and...

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