THOSE RESIDUAL EFFECTS FROM TAKING A SHOT
Oklahoma City, OK– Boxing has always had a knack for bringing us unusual and untimely deaths; some directly from in ring combat, some indirectly. I would call the recent, untimely deaths of Alexis Argüello and Arturo Gatti indirect ring deaths. The lives of fighters who die prematurely is often surrounded by over indulgence in drugs, alcohol and women. They are also prone to severe depression, suicidal tendencies and the ever present long term effects of concussive blows to the head which results in any number of diseases, disorders and physical anomalies.
DEATH: BOXING VS. MMA
Mixed Martial Arts on the other hand, has not yet reached that kind of level of disarray in its short lifetime. With only one direct in ring death recorded in its history, Texan Sam Vasquez in late 2007, it is no wonder that studies show MMA is actually a safer discipline than boxing. I can only recall two indirect deaths in its history; that of troubled Oklahoma native and former UFC middleweight champ, Evan Tanner, and that of former heavyweight contender Justin Eilers. While Tanner was found dead of apparent dehydration and fatigue on a solo camping trip, Eilers was murdered during a domestic dispute by his step father.
MANY MORE GUYS DIE IN WWE-LIKE WORLD
The really shocking numbers come about when we move into the world of “Sports Entertainment” or Professional Wrestling. The numbers of pro wrestling deaths are simply staggering. Make no mistake about it; the live theater of wrestling is physically demanding and also can be extremely physically damaging. While I wouldn’t call wrestling fake as much I would call it pre determined; these men and women put their body on the line, and they often do it on very demanding schedules; such a 300 days a year on the road and performing. This kind of stress can also lead to the severe depression and suicidal tendencies found in combat sports.
BENOIT MURDER-SUICIDE OPENED LOTS OF EYES
Everybody recalls the recent tragedy of Chris Benoit and his suicide along with the murder of his wife and young son. I recall reading the autopsy report on Chris Benoit were Dr. Julie Bailes, who examined Benoit’s brain after death stated “Benoit’s brain was so severely damaged it resembled the brain of an 85-year-old Alzheimer’s patient.” This is the kind of damage that can be acquired from years of pro wrestling. Not to mention, while much of the attraction of the business relies on physical appearance, many die of heart failure, organ failure and other ailments as the result of years of steroid abuse. The results of the deaths in pro wrestling are shocking, and at the bottom of this article is a list of just some of the deaths in pro wrestling—many of them occurring at a very young age.
Chris Von Erich – 21
Mike Von Erich – 23
Louie Spiccoli – 27
Art Barr – 28
Gino Hernandez – 29
Jay Youngblood – 30
Rick McGraw – 30
Joey Marella – 30
Ed Gatner – 31
Buzz Sawyer – 32
Crash Holly – 32
Kerry Von Erich – 33
D.J. Peterson – 33
Eddie Gilbert – 33
The Renegade – 33
Chris Candido – 33
Test – 33
Adrian Adonis – 34
Gary Albright – 34
Bobby Duncum Jr. – 34
Owen Hart – 34
Yokozuna – 34
Big Dick Dudley – 34
Brian Pillman – 35
Marianna Komlos – 35
Pitbull #2 – 36
The Wall/Malice – 36
Emory Hale – 36
Leroy Brown – 38
Mark Curtis – 38
Eddie Guerrero – 38
John Kronus – 38
Davey Boy Smith – 39
Johnny Grunge – 39
Vivian Vachon – 40
Jeep Swenson – 40
Brady Boone – 40
Terry Gordy – 40
Bertha Faye – 40
Billy Joe Travis – 40
Chris Benoit – 40
Larry Cameron – 41
Rick Rude – 41
Randy Anderson – 41
Bruiser Brody – 42
Miss Elizabeth – 42
Big Boss Man – 42
Earthquake – 42
Mike Awesome – 42
Biff Wellington – 42
Brian Adams (Crush) – 43
Ray Candy – 43
Nancy Benoit (Woman) – 43
Dino Bravo – 44
Curt Hennig – 44
Bam Bam Bigelow – 45
Jerry Blackwell – 45
Junkyard Dog – 45
Hercules – 45
Andre the Giant – 46
Big John Studd – 46
Chris Adams – 46
Mike Davis – 46
Hawk – 46
Mitsuharu Misawa – 46
Steve Dunn – 48
Cousin Junior – 48
Dick Murdoch – 49
Jumbo Tsuruta – 49
Rocco Rock – 49
Sherri Martel – 49
Moondog Spot – 51
Ken Timbs – 53
Uncle Elmer – 54
Pez Whatley – 54
The Angel of Death – 54
Eddie Graham – 55
Tarzan Tyler – 55
Haystacks Calhoun- 55
Giant Haystacks – 55
Buddy Rose – 56
The Spoiler – 56
Kurt Von Hess – 56
Moondog King – 56
Gene Anderson – 58
Dr. Jerry Graham – 58
Bulldog Brown – 58
Tony Parisi – 58
Rufus R. Jones – 60
Ray Stevens – 60
Stan Stasiak – 60
Terry Garvin – 60
Boris Malenko – 61
Little Beaver – 61
Sapphire – 61
Shohei Baba – 61
Dick the Bruiser – 62
Wilbur Snyder – 62
George Cannon – 62
Karl Krupp – 62
Dale Lewis – 62
Gorilla Monsoon – 62
Hiro Matsuda – 62
Bad News Brown – 63
Bulldog Brower – 63
SD Jones – 63
Wahoo McDaniel – 63
Matthew Grizzle