WWE Wrestlers Who Died Tragically

WWE has seen incredible highs in the ring and heartbreaking losses outside it. The names below shaped eras, told unforgettable stories, and left far too soon. Each entry shares the essentials on who they were, how they were connected to WWE, and the circumstances of their passing so readers can understand the scope of these losses.

Owen Hart

Owen Hart died on May 23, 1999 during a stunt accident at the Over the Edge pay per view in Kansas City. He was 34 and performing as The Blue Blazer when the harness malfunctioned. The event continued after the incident and WWE later dedicated tributes to his career.

Eddie Guerrero

Eddie Guerrero died on November 13, 2005 in Minneapolis at age 38. He was a former WWE Champion known for a run that included WrestleMania XX and celebrated matches with Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio. The medical examiner listed heart failure and WWE honored him with memorial shows.

Chris Benoit

Chris Benoit died in June 2007 in a murder suicide that also took the lives of his wife and son. He was 40 and a former World Heavyweight Champion who headlined WrestleMania 20. WWE responded by removing him from current programming and historical packages.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan born Terry Gene Bollea died on July 24, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida at age 71 after emergency services responded to a cardiac arrest call and he was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital. The Pinellas County medical examiner listed the cause of death as acute myocardial infarction and noted a history of leukemia and atrial fibrillation, with the death ruled natural. WWE confirmed his passing that day and tributes followed across sports and entertainment as funeral and memorial services were held in Largo, Florida.

Shad Gaspard

Shad Gaspard died on May 17, 2020 after being caught in a rip current off Venice Beach while telling rescuers to save his son first. He was 39 and known to fans as part of Cryme Tyme with JTG. WWE posthumously awarded him the Warrior Award for his heroism.

Bray Wyatt

Windham Rotunda known as Bray Wyatt died on August 24, 2023 at age 36. He returned to WWE in 2022 with The Fiend and Uncle Howdy storylines after a long hiatus. Family statements noted cardiac complications and WWE aired a tribute show on SmackDown.

Brodie Lee

Jon Huber known in WWE as Luke Harper died on December 26, 2020 at age 41. He was a core member of The Wyatt Family and held the Intercontinental and Tag Team titles. His family cited a lung illness and WWE talent shared extensive memorials.

Chyna

Joanie Laurer known as Chyna died on April 17, 2016 in Redondo Beach at age 46. She was the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble and the only woman to hold the Intercontinental Championship. Authorities reported a drug and alcohol related death and she was later inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of D Generation X.

Ashley Massaro

Ashley Massaro died on May 16, 2019 at age 39. She won WWE’s 2005 Diva Search and competed at WrestleMania 23 in a Women’s Championship match. Her death was ruled suicide and WWE released a statement offering condolences to her family.

Brian Pillman

Brian Pillman died on October 5, 1997 at age 35. He was part of the Hart Foundation in the Attitude Era and was scheduled to wrestle that night at the Badd Blood event. The autopsy cited heart disease and WWE dedicated a Raw episode to his memory.

The British Bulldog

Davey Boy Smith known as The British Bulldog died on May 18, 2002 at age 39. He was a former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion with a signature win at SummerSlam 1992 in Wembley Stadium. Reports cited a heart attack and WWE later honored his legacy with a Hall of Fame induction.

Yokozuna

Rodney Anoa’i known as Yokozuna died on October 23, 2000 at age 34. He was a two time WWE Champion who headlined WrestleMania IX and X. The coroner cited pulmonary edema and WWE recognized him posthumously in the Hall of Fame.

Umaga

Edward Fatu known as Umaga died on December 4, 2009 at age 36. He had a dominant undefeated streak and main evented against John Cena for the WWE Championship. His death followed a heart attack and WWE issued a remembrance of his career.

Test

Andrew Martin known as Test died on March 13, 2009 at age 33. He was a former Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion and worked in both WWE and ECW’s relaunch. The medical examiner listed oxycodone intoxication and his family requested privacy.

Lance Cade

Lance Cade died on August 13, 2010 at age 29. He was a World Tag Team Champion with Trevor Murdoch during the mid 2000s. Reports cited heart failure and his passing drew tributes from colleagues across the industry.

Crash Holly

Michael Lockwood known as Crash Holly died on November 6, 2003 at age 32. He was famous for the Hardcore Championship 24 seven rule segments that defined a slice of the Attitude Era. Authorities ruled his death a suicide and WWE shared condolences.

Mike Awesome

Mike Alfonso known as Mike Awesome died on February 17, 2007 at age 42. He wrestled for ECW and WCW before a WWE run after the Invasion angle. Authorities ruled his death a suicide and tributes highlighted his athletic style for a big man.

Viscera

Nelson Frazier Jr known as Mabel and later Viscera and Big Daddy V died on February 18, 2014 at age 43. He won the 1995 King of the Ring and wrestled across multiple eras. Reports cited a heart attack and WWE acknowledged his long tenure.

Mr. Perfect

Curt Hennig known as Mr. Perfect died on February 10, 2003 at age 44. He was a two time Intercontinental Champion remembered for technical matches and signature vignettes. The medical examiner listed acute cocaine intoxication and WWE aired tributes from peers.

Rick Rude

Rick Rood known as Ravishing Rick Rude died on April 20, 1999 at age 40. He worked in WWE during the late 1980s and returned during the Monday Night War in a managerial role. Reports cited heart failure and he was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Bam Bam Bigelow

Scott Bigelow known as Bam Bam Bigelow died on January 19, 2007 at age 45. He wrestled in WWE and ECW and headlined a WrestleMania match with Lawrence Taylor. The medical examiner reported multiple drugs in his system along with heart disease.

Luna Vachon

Luna Vachon died on August 27, 2010 at age 48. She managed and wrestled in WWE’s women’s division through the 1990s and had memorable programs with Alundra Blayze and Sable. The medical examiner cited an accidental overdose and WWE posted a memorial note.

Miss Elizabeth

Elizabeth Hulette known as Miss Elizabeth died on May 1, 2003 at age 42. She managed Randy Savage and became one of WWE’s most recognizable personalities in the late 1980s. Authorities cited a drug and alcohol related death and industry figures shared tributes.

Brian Christopher

Brian Christopher Lawler known as Grandmaster Sexay died on July 29, 2018 at age 46. He was part of Too Cool with Scotty 2 Hotty and Rikishi during the Attitude Era. Authorities reported his death as suicide while he was in jail and WWE issued condolences.

Sean O’Haire

Sean O’Haire died on September 8, 2014 at age 43. He competed in WCW and WWE and held WCW Tag Team gold before the acquisition. Authorities ruled his death a suicide and colleagues highlighted his potential and unique presentation.

Kamala

James Harris known as Kamala died on August 9, 2020 at age 70. He wrestled in WWE in the 1980s and early 1990s and later dealt with complications from diabetes. Family statements noted health issues and a positive COVID test near the time of his passing.

The Ultimate Warrior

The Ultimate Warrior died on April 8, 2014 at age 54 in Arizona. He had just been inducted into the Hall of Fame and appeared on Raw the night before. Officials listed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease as the cause. WWE celebrated his legacy with a tribute episode.

Macho Man Randy Savage

Randy Savage died on May 20, 2011 at age 58 in Florida. Authorities reported he suffered a heart attack while driving and then crashed. He was a former WWE Champion with classic matches at WrestleMania and SummerSlam. Fans and wrestlers shared memorials across multiple shows.

Rowdy Roddy Piper

Roddy Piper died on July 31, 2015 at age 61 in California. The coroner cited cardiac arrest linked to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. He was a cornerstone of the Rock n Wrestling era and headlined the first WrestleMania. WWE devoted video packages and tributes to his career.

The Big Boss Man

Ray Traylor known as The Big Boss Man died on September 22, 2004 at age 41 in Georgia. Reports listed a heart attack as the cause. He was a multiple time champion and a fixture of late 80s and 90s storylines. WWE later honored him with a Hall of Fame induction.

Road Warrior Hawk

Michael Hegstrand known as Road Warrior Hawk died on October 19, 2003 at age 46. He was one half of the Legion of Doom and held the WWE Tag Team Championship. His death was reported as a heart attack at his home. WWE referenced his legacy with partner Animal in later segments.

Road Warrior Animal

Joseph Laurinaitis known as Road Warrior Animal died on September 22, 2020 at age 60. He teamed with Hawk as the Legion of Doom and entered the Hall of Fame in 2011. Family statements described his passing as due to natural causes. WWE and peers shared memories of their dominant run.

Doink the Clown

Matt Osborne known as Doink the Clown died on June 28, 2013 at age 55. Officials later ruled an overdose involving prescription painkillers. He worked several runs in WWE and made appearances on nostalgia themed shows. The character remained a recognizable part of company history.

Earthquake

John Tenta known as Earthquake died on June 7, 2006 at age 42. He had publicly battled bladder cancer in his final years. In WWE he feuded with top stars and wrestled in high profile matches. Tributes noted his strength and surprising agility for a big man.

Chris Kanyon

Chris Kanyon died on April 2, 2010 at age 40 in New York. Authorities ruled his death a suicide. He wrestled during the Invasion period and held the WWE Tag Team Championship. Friends and fans highlighted his innovation and creativity in the ring.

Balls Mahoney

Jonathan Rechner known as Balls Mahoney died on April 12, 2016 at age 44. Medical reports pointed to heart related issues. He wrestled on the WWE ECW brand and appeared on pay per view events. Colleagues remembered his toughness and connection with fans.

Axl Rotten

Brian Knighton known as Axl Rotten died on February 4, 2016 at age 44 in Maryland. Authorities cited heroin intoxication. He appeared on WWE’s ECW reunion shows and had a long career closely tied to the ECW style. The wrestling community shared messages about his impact.

Bertha Faye

Rhonda Singh known as Bertha Faye died on July 27, 2001 at age 40. Reports listed a heart attack as the cause. She was a former WWE Women’s Champion during the mid 1990s. Her run included a title win over Alundra Blayze and televised defenses.

Rosey

Matthew Anoa’i known as Rosey died on April 17, 2017 at age 47. Family statements cited congestive heart failure and ongoing health issues. He teamed with The Hurricane and captured the World Tag Team Championship. WWE issued condolences and highlighted his community work.

Vader

Leon White known as Vader died on June 18, 2018 at age 63. His family shared that he faced heart problems and complications from pneumonia. In WWE he battled top names like Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker after a dominant run in Japan. He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Scott Hall

Scott Hall known in WWE as Razor Ramon died on March 14, 2022 at age 63. Complications after hip surgery led to multiple heart attacks and he was placed on life support. He was a multi time Intercontinental Champion and a Hall of Famer. WWE and generations of talent honored his influence on modern wrestling.

Andre the Giant

Andre the Giant died on January 27, 1993 in Paris at age 46. He was a central attraction for WWE in the 1970s and 1980s and headlined WrestleMania III opposite Hulk Hogan. Reports cited congestive heart failure and he was later inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Dusty Rhodes

Virgil Runnels known as Dusty Rhodes died on June 11, 2015 at age 69. He worked in WWE as a performer in the late 1980s and later as a creative mind and mentor at NXT. Family statements and officials pointed to kidney failure related complications and WWE celebrated his influence with tributes.

King Kong Bundy

Christopher Pallies known as King Kong Bundy died on March 4, 2019 at age 63. He wrestled in WWE during the mid 1980s and faced Hulk Hogan in a steel cage at WrestleMania 2. His family announced his passing and colleagues shared memories of his marquee run.

Kerry Von Erich

Kerry Von Erich died on February 18, 1993 at age 33. He wrestled in WWE as The Texas Tornado and held the Intercontinental Championship. Authorities ruled his death a suicide and WWE later recognized the Von Erich family’s legacy in multiple features.

Chris Candido

Chris Candido died on April 28, 2005 at age 33. He wrestled for WWE in the mid 1990s as Skip of The Bodydonnas and later worked across several promotions. He passed away from complications after surgery and tributes noted his tag team title run.

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which names you remember most and what moments you think best honor their legacies.