3 Most Painful deaths which shocked the wrestling Universe – #3 was so unfortunate

According to Wrestlerdeaths.com, the number one cause of death in wrestlers is heart-related illnesses resulting from years of substance abuse.

Yet, a number of them have died while in the ring or from post-match complications. Murders and suicides are also not uncommon in wrestling history. Here, we list down three wrestlers’ deaths which shook the industry at its core.

1) Chris Benoit: A double murder-suicide

Benoit’s death in 2007 sent shockwave through the business. It became the reason WWE started taking concussions and head injuries more seriously, strengthened its talent wellness policy and eventually, changed the programming from TV-14 (in 2008) to PG.

On June 22 and 23, Benoit strangled his wife Nancy and seven-year-old son Daniel. He then hung himself on June 24. Even after more than a decade, why he did is unclear but many suspect the 40-year-old wrestling veteran had had several untreated concussions throughout the year. This and one of Benoit’s signature moves,

the diving head-butt (wherein he would fly from the top turnbuckle and hit the opponent’s shoulder with his forehead) had caused brain damage. An autopsy revealed the late wrestler’s brain to be similar to that of an 85-year-old Alzheimer’s patient.

2) Eddie Guerrero: Heart failure

Guerrero’s unexpected passing in November 2005 was most definitely a sad turn in the wrestling industry. One of the most popular wrestlers of the era, he was found dead by his nephew Chavo in a hotel room. The autopsy revealed Guerrero had died as a result of heart failure.

Steroid abuse came into play and later in 2006, WWE instituted its wellness policy to keep wrestlers from using non-medical drugs.

The 38-year-old wrestler obviously died too early. Despite that, Guerrero’s legacy is such that he has inspired countless others to join the industry and continues to do so.

Legends such as Ric Flair, Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle have said he was one of the all-time best. The wrestler was not only entertaining but also had technique and was the master of his craft. While he remains alive in people’s hearts, Chavo continues to make his uncle proud by performing in the US-based promotion Lucha Underground.

3) Owen Hart: In-ring accident

Hart’s is one of the most unfortunate cases ever seen in the wrestling world. At WWE’s May 1999 pay-per-view Over the Edge, one of the finest technical wrestlers ever died when the equipment malfunctioned and he fell from the rafters of the arena.

The 34-year-old was set to face The Godfather for the Intercontinental Championship. He was supposed to be lowered into the ring through a harness and grapple line for a dramatic entrance. But he fell 78 feet, landing chest-first on the top rope. It was later announced he had passed away due to internal bleeding from blunt force trauma. In a controversial move, WWE decided to continue the show, although it has not been commercially distributed since then.

Hart’s wife Martha later sued WWE and the two eventually settled. But to this day, she has not forgiven the company for her husband’s death, which is why the Canadian superstar was never inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame. Martha used the $18 million she received from the settlement to establish the Owen Hart Foundation.