Gorilla Monsoon – Remembering “The Manchurian Giant”
When Gorilla Monsoon appeared on WWF TV for the very last time at WrestleMania 15 in March of 1999, I didn’t react well.
In Memoriam
We honor the memories and pay tribute to deceased professional wrestlers who made a significant impact on professional wrestling.
Pedro Morales – Our Champion and Hero Remembered
Pedro Morales transcended race, creed, and color. ‘A deafening chorus still rings in my ears. In the middle of all of that volume was love.’
Buddy Landel: The Wrestler With Most Wasted Potential?
A reader asked: Which wrestler had the most wasted potential? Learn why our pick is Buddy Landel and how poor decisions derailed his career.
Nikolai Volkoff: Secret Tales of a Wrestling Legend
Nikolai Volkoff was a caring man and one of the few in this business that nobody, not a single soul, could ever say a bad…
Bullet Bob Armstrong: Remembering a Legend
There are legends in professional wrestling. And then there’s Bullet Bob Armstrong. He passed away at the age of 80 on August 27, 2020.
‘Big Daddy’ Shirley Crabtree: Secret History of a British Giant
From great highs to the tragic in-ring accident that led to the death of a wrestler, learn the rise and fall of “Big Daddy” Shirley…
Nicole Bass – The Life and Tragic Passing of My Friend
When my beloved friend Nicole Bass walked into a room, everything just stopped. This is my tribute to her and her life.
Dynamite Kid – Examining His Life and Troubled Legacy
Dynamite Kid Tom Billington was one of the best to ever lace up a pair of wrestling boots, but does his troubled past overshadow his…
Len Rossi – A Gentleman In and Out of the Ring
With an unpretentious yet convincing wrestling style, Len Rossi was a world-class athlete and an even better man. This is his powerful story.
FRED GEOBOLD: NYC Wrestling Radio Pioneer, Unsung Hero
Fred Geobold wore many hats in life- receptionist/switchboard operator at WBAI-FM, 99.5 in NYC, on-air radio host, folk singer, songwriter, and concert MC.
King Kong Bundy: Secret Tales on Wrestling’s Mischievous Giant
As it turns out, Christopher Alan Pallies, who played the bald-headed monster King Kong Bundy on screen, was quite the opposite off-camera!
Brickhouse Brown – Passes Away After Initially Kicking Out From Death
We are sad to report that Brickhouse Brown has, in fact, passed away on July 29, 2018 after initially kicking out from death nine days…
Pepper Martin – A Champion’s Final Fight
Pepper Martin endured it all as an actor, wrestler, and color commentator. He now finds himself fighting his biggest battle yet.
The Tragic Final Days of Eddie Guerrero
To put it simply: his heart gave out. The tragic passing of Eddie Guerrero is still hard to fathom. He had just turned 38 the…
Shad Gaspard – A Hero, Brother, and Friend Forever
I want you to know about Shad Gaspard, the man – my friend, and hero – who should never be remembered as just another pro…
Melissa Coates – A Champion’s Fight Outside The Ring
Melissa Coates made a name for herself in multiple fields. But before her untimely passing, she went through her biggest fight yet.
Silver King: Questions After Death of Nacho Libre Star Luchador
He played Ramses in Nacho Libre and wowed fans as a luchador in Mexico. Sadly, Silver King would die in the ring, leaving many questions.
Death of Dusty Rhodes Still Felt Years On
It’s been some time since the death of Dusty Rhodes due to stomach cancer, and we still realize there is no replacement for The American…
Final Moments of Bruiser Brody and the Mystery that Followed
Circumstances surrounding the murder of Bruiser Brody remain a mystery. Here are the known theories and the twists and turns that followed.
Killer Kowalski: Secret Tales of a Wrestling Legend
Killer Kowalski headlined around the world, but to me, he was more than a great wrestling villain- he was my friend.
Masa Saito Remembered: “Brother, He Was Double-Tough”
“What everyone seems to remember is the arrest of Masa Saito – and subsequent conviction – while competing in the AWA in 1984.”
Remembering Calgary Stampede Star, TIGER KHAN
Tiger Khan was on the rise. But like many wrestlers before him and likely after, he treated his body like a chemistry set. In the…
“Oooh Yeah!” The Untold Story of Pampero Firpo
Delve into the life and exploits of the Wild Bull of the Pampas, Pampero Firpo, whose tale goes much beyond inspiring a future WWE Champion!
Harley Race: Secret Tales of His Tenacity Outside the Ring
Harley Race was considered by many the legitimate toughest man to grace the squared circle. But what was he like behind the scenes?
Mantaur Mike Halac: Untold Tales of a Gentle Powerhouse
Dreams die hard. Even at age 55, Mantaur Mike Halac was contemplating returning to the ring before he abruptly, tragically passed away.
Larry Sweeney: A Tragedy of a Man Who Had It All
Larry Sweeney was a classic heel wrestling manager in a world that no longer wanted him. It hurts like hell to think what could have…
Legends Live on in “Wrestling Then & Now” Documentary
Many legends of the squared circle have left us but they live on, not only in our hearts but in a film from the heart,…
Chris Hyatte – RIP to the Most Entertaining Man in the Room
Chris Hyatte died. This time it was for real. Maybe. He’d died maybe a hundred Internet deaths. Hyatte was a lightning rod for readers and…
Lance Russell: Remembering the Nicest Man in Wrestling
Lance Russell had a career in the wrestling business spanning six decades. Listening to him was better than being ringside!
![Lanny Poffo over the years. The last image on the right was taken just one day before he sadly passed away. We honor and remember our friend, a man known to wrestling fans as "Leaping Lanny" and "The Genius." [Photo composite by JP Zarka/Pro Wrestling Stories]](https://prowrestlingstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lanny-Poffo-tribute.jpg)
Lanny Poffo: Remembering a Genius Friend
With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Lanny Poffo, known to wrestling fans as “The Genius” and “Leaping Lanny.”
Jimmy Rave – Surrendering His Mind and Body to Wrestling
Former TNA and Ring of Honor star Jimmy Rave surrendered his mind, limbs, and, unfortunately, his life to the business.
Kamala: Secret Tale of WWE Woes, Poor Pay, and Treatment
Kamala was a gentle soul outside the ring. This begs the question: did his kind nature lead to him being taken advantage of in WWE?
George The Animal Steele: A Teacher’s Secret Life as a Wrestler
Former WWE star George The Animal Steele led a double life! Before his death, he opened up about his secret life and fetish for turnbuckles!
Dale Pierce Remembered – Wrestling Manager Extraordinaire
Dale Pierce simultaneously loved and loathed pro wrestling with a passion that only someone who has devoted their life to it could fully grasp.
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling – Ernie Roth Remembered
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling was a gaudily attired, smooth-talking manager who fans loathed (though appreciated) with every ounce.
Monster Ripper to Bertha Faye: Secret Story of Rhonda Sing
Rhonda Sing wrestled as the punishing Monster Ripper and Bertha Faye. She had a rapid journey to the top but a fast descent once joining…
Kirk White – Remembering Wrestling Promoter, Bret Hart Manager
Kirk White was a wrestling promoter and the longtime manager of Bret Hart. I remember my friend, someone I had known since he was just…
Adrian Street: From Glitz to Grappling, His Legendary Tale
Adrian Street played by his own rules. He’d inflict pain (while keeping mascara intact)! But how hard was life for the sequined grappler?
Les Thornton: Secret Life of The Original ‘Bruiserweight’
Les Thornton was a technical expert and original ‘bruiserweight’ in wrestling who laid the blueprint for future tough-as-nails competitors.
Paul Jones – Wrestling Territory Star ‘No. 1’
When the world saw Paul Jones, he was a shell of his former self. Before becoming a legendary manager, he had a standout wrestling career.
Terry Funk Forever: Secret Journey of a Wrestling Icon
Celebrating Terry Funk: A Texan wrestling icon’s decades-long journey. We remember a man who forged a path that few dared!
Kerry Von Erich: Devastating Final Days of ‘The Texas Tornado’
It should have been a happy time in the life of Kerry Von Erich. His wife was due to have their second child. Instead, tragedy…
Angelo Savoldi – The World’s Oldest Retired Wrestler
A notable wrestler’s father once stabbed him. For the “World’s Oldest Retired Wrestler” Angelo Savoldi, authenticity was always involved.
Bobby Eaton: Secret History of a Beautiful Wrestler
All Bobby Eaton wanted to do was be a wrestler. He did that, and then some. We remember one of the nicest guys in the…
Brad Armstrong – Your Favorite Wrestler’s Favorite Wrestler
Michael Hayes referred to himself as “Your favorite wrestler’s favorite wrestler.” Good for a promo, but Brad Armstrong was the real thing.
Bobby Heenan: Secret History on the Man Behind the Mic
Bobby Heenan was one of the funniest and most talented men ever to grace a wrestling show. But what was he like behind the scenes?
‘Big Boss Man’ Ray Traylor: Secret Life and Tragic Final Days
The Big Boss Man Ray Traylor had a career defined by showing up and putting in the work. But tragedy would find him when he…
Dominic DeNucci – Wrestling’s Shining Light
He wrestled across seven decades throughout his illustrious career. But his accolades take a distant second to Dominic DeNucci, the man.
12 Years Since the Death of Chris Candido, NJPW’s Tokyo Dome Debut in 1989
This week in Wrestling History – The death of Chris Candido one of the most underrated workers in professional wrestling was announced – a look…
Jody Hamilton – Behind the Mask of The Assassin
From generating heat that got him in dire trouble to becoming a trainer and promoter, we pull back the mask on The Assassin Jody Hamilton.
David Gann Remembered, 1971-2018
David Gann wasn’t a famous name. He wasn’t any kind of star. But he was one of us. He was family. It’s our privilege to…
‘Miss Elizabeth’ Remembered
Years later, the professional wrestling world still mourns the loss of Elizabeth Hulette, known to a generation of wrestling fans as ‘Miss Elizabeth’
Bruno Sammartino – “Our Forever Champ” Remembered
If you saw Bruno Sammartino live – where the love for this impossibly charismatic man was palpable – you’ll never forget the deafening roars.
Wrestling Autograph Encounters in the Late ’60s and ’70s
Renaissance man Wayne St. Wayne had many wrestling autograph encounters, even procuring scribbles from the hottest heels during a protected bygone era.