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Wrestlers Who Have Passed Away (So Far) In 2020
Wrestling is unlike any other sport or form of entertainment and this is often reflected in the number of deaths the business experiences each year. Already in 2020, the wrestling industry has seen several high-profile deaths of current or former workers. While some of the individuals may not have been known quite as well as others, the news of their passing hit everyone in the business similarly as hard.
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La Parka II – Jan 11, 2020
La Parka II, Jesús Alfonso Huerta Escoboza, donned the gimmick in 1996 after the original La Parka began working regularly in ECW and WCW. He rose to fame using the mask and had a memorable feud with the original La Parka over the name. In October 2019, La Park II attempted a dive move during a match for Kaoz Wrestling. He missed his opponent and crashed headfirst into the concrete floor and ring barrier. It left La Parka II paralyzed and later, he passed from his injuries in the hospital.
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Rocky Johnson – Jan 15, 2020
Of the wrestlers to pass away so far in 2020, none may have had the name appeal of Rocky Johnson. The father of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Rocky was a superstar in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s for various promotions including the WWE. In December 1983, Johnson famously became one half of the WWE World Tag Team Champions along with Tony Atlas. The duo was the promotion’s first-ever black world champions.
Black Demon – April 13, 2020
One of the more unknown wrestlers to pass away thus far was Black Demon, who died due to complications from Covid-19. The luchador is considered the first and only wrestler to die of the disease. Real name Roberto Munoz Carrillo, Black Demon had appeared on the independent circuit in Mexico for over a decade prior to his death. Carrillo was just 39.
Howard Finkel – April 16, 2020
For a generation of wrestling fans, Howard Finkel was one of the voices of the WWE. Finkel’s booming voice was often replicated but never duplicated by ring announcers around the globe. His iconic announcements of the “new… WWE Champion” are remembered fondly by many. Finkel had worked in the WWE’s offices after leaving his role as a ring announcer. The WWE Hall of Famer suffered a stroke in 2019 and died from its complications.
Shad Gaspard – May 17, 2020
Perhaps the saddest of the deaths this year was former WWE wrestler Shad Gaspard’s passing. The former tag team wrestler was washed out to sea attempting to save his son from drowning after he was taken out by the rip tide. Gaspard’s body washed up onto shore in Venice Beach three days after going missing.
Hana Kimura – May 23, 2020
Former Wrestle-1 and reality TV star Hana Kimura was found dead after committing suicide in May. Signed to work for World Wonder Ring Stardom, Kimura had posted images and messages of self-harm earlier in the day on social media. She had received hateful comments from fellow social media users and those comments accompanied her own pre-death posts
Danny Havoc – May 31, 2020
Former wrestler Danny Havoc retired from the ring in 2017 after just over a decade working for companies such as CZW, Big Japan, and GCW. He was known for wrestling violent death matches during his career and despite hanging up his boots three years prior to death, still worked sporadically. Havoc’s wife, Brianne Morrow died of heart failure in April 2020, just over a month prior to Havoc passing away.
Kamala – August 9, 2020
James Harris, better known to fans as Kamala passed away at age 70 following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis the week before.. He died in hospital following a heart attack. His career spanned several decades, beginning in 1978 under the name Sugar Bear. He was a mainstay in the South, and worked various promotions including Continental Wrestling Alliance, Mid-South Wrestling, WCCW, AWA, Jim Crockett Promotions, WCW, and eventually WWE.
Xavier – August 16, 2020
Former Ring Of Honor World Champion John ‘Xavier’ Bedoya passed away at age 42. Xavier was trained by Tony DeVito prior to his debut in 1995. He was a mainstay on the New York independent scene prior to joining Ring Of Honor in 2002. He won the ROH World Championship on September 21, 2002 after defeating Lo Ki. The cause of death was not revealed.
‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong – August 27, 2020
Joseph James, better known to fans as WWE Hall Of Famer ‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong passed away at the age of 80. He has won championships in a number of promotions including Mid-South /Georgia Championship Wrestling, NWA Mid-America, NWA Tri-State, Global Championship Wrestling, and Southeastern Championship Wrestling. Bob Armstrong was inducted in the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2011.
Joseph “Animal” Laurinaitis – September 22, 2020
Joseph Laurinatis, better known to wrestling fans as Road Warrior Animal passed away of natural causes on September 22 at the age of 60. Laurinatis died while on vacation at a resort in Osage Beach, Mo.
Tracy Smothers – October 28, 2020
Pro wrestling legend Tracey Smothers passed away at on October 28, 2020 at age 58. Smothers was diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer last year, which at the time was believed to be non fatal.
RJ ‘The Bruiser’ Meyers – November 16, 2020
Maryland independent wrestler and trainer RJ “The Bruiser” Meyers lost his battle with leukemia on November 16, 2020. Meyers was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in March 2019, and underwent a bone marrow transplant later that year. In addition to being an active wrestler until 2019, Meyers was also a trainer, credited for training Lio Rush and Velveteen Dream.
Pat Patterson – December 2, 2020
WWE Hall Of Famer Pat Patterson passed away at Miami Hospital on December 2, 2020 due to liver failure. Patterson was the first to hold the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Danny Hodge – December 26
Professional wrestling legend Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. His granddaughter, Stacy Ewy Wilson confirmed the news on social media.
Brodie Lee – December 26
Jonathan Huber, best known as AEW star Brodie Lee and WWE star Luke Harper passed away after a battle non-Covid related lung issue. Lee had been absent All Elite Wrestling television for undisclosed reasons, with his wife confirming the news via social media.
Following his passing, the wrestling world shared their memories of Huber. WWE, AEW, IMPACT Wrestling, and Ring Of Honor all posted statements regarding his contribution to the wrestling business.