2020 has been a tough year and the pro-wrestling community has lost many beloved pro wrestlers, including the tragic deaths of legendary La Parka II, Hana Kimura, Shad Gaspard, Jon Huber and legends like Rocky Johnson, Pat Patterson, Road Warrior Animal, and Kamala to name a few.
Here is a list of the most notable professional wrestlers who died in 2020:
Jon Huber
Jon Huber, popularly known as Luke Harper in WWE, and Brodie Lee died at the age of 41 of a lung problem unrelated to COVID-19 on December 27, an official statement from the WWE announced on Sunday. ‘AEW on social media. Huber was most recently wrestling as Brodie Lee for AEW. Huber made a name for himself in the independent wrestling scene, wrestling for promotions like Dragon Gate and Combat Zone Wrestling before making a splash on NXT and WWE’s main roster as Luke Harper in the very popular Wyatt family.
Hana Kimura
Japanese professional wrestler Hana Kimura died aged 22 in May this year, after posting pictures of self-harm and a suicide note on social media. Kimura had posted images of self-harm on Twitter with the message: “Almost 100 candid opinions every day. I couldn’t deny that I was hurt. I am dead. Thank you for giving me a mother. It was a life that I wanted to be loved. Thanks to everyone who supported me. I love. I’m weak, sorry. I don’t want to be human anymore. It was a life I wanted to be loved. Thank you all, I love you, Hi. “
Shad Gaspard
The body of former World Wrestling Entertainment star Shad Gaspard, who was last seen swimming off Venice Beach in Los Angeles, was found along the shore days later in May. Rescuers had told police that Gaspard, 39, was swept away by a tearing current at the weekend when rescuers were able to remove his 10-year-old son from the water. A search by rescuers and divers for Gaspard was unsuccessful and he had been listed as a missing person by the Los Angeles Police Department.
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La Parka II
Popular Mexican wrestler La Parka passed away in January this year, months after a traumatic injury sustained during a stunt in the ring that left him paralyzed. The stunt is believed to have taken place in Monterrey, Mexico, and involved La Parka – real name Jesus Alfonso Huerta Escoboza – jumping through the ropes at an opponent outside the ring. The Parka missed and hit its head on a railing, then the ground. Life-saving surgery was soon performed, but left the wrestler paralyzed.
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Pat Patterson
WWE Hall of Fame and first-ever Intercontinental Champion Pat Patterson passed away at 79 in December. A true industry pioneer, Patterson has been linked with many “firsts” in sports entertainment throughout his rich career, including the very first Intercontinental Title reign and the creation of the Royal Rumble Match. Over a six-decade career, the Renaissance man has left an indelible mark on the industry in the ring, on the microphone and behind the scenes.
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Road warrior animal
WWE wrestler Joe Laurinaitis, better known as Road Warrior Animal, took his last breath on September 22 at the age of 60. The cause of his death has not yet been revealed. The news was confirmed on Animal’s official Twitter account. He said: “For now, we would like to confirm the passing of Joseph Laurinaitis aka Road Warrior Animal at the age of 60. The family plan to issue a statement later today. At this time, we ask you to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.
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Kamala
James Harris, known to WWE fans as Kamala, has passed away at the age of 70. Beneath the spooky paint of Kamala’s face, the 6-foot-7, 380-pound Harris took on big pro wrestling stars including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and Andre the Giant in the early 1980s. He terrorized his opponents and delighted audiences in the Mid-South, World Class Championship Wrestling, WCW and WWE until 2006. Harris made his World Wrestling Federation debut in July 1984, led by iconic Freddie Blassie and challenged Hogan to the World Heavyweight. Championship the same year after a streak of victories since his debut, including chef Jay Strongbow.
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Rocky Johnson
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s father Rocky Johnson passed away at the age of 75 in January. Rocky was also a WWE wrestler and a Hall of Famer and the sports entertainment network confirmed the news on social media. Rocky Johnson’s career in sports entertainment began in the mid-1960s. He spent most of his career with the National Wrestling Alliance and then joined the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s. He formed a tag team with Atlas known as “Soul Patrol” and became one of the popular teams of the time. Rocky retired in the early 1990s, but helped introduce his son Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to WWE officials. Rocky’s son Dwayne adopted the Rocky nickname. Rocky came to the aid of his son after a match at WrestleMania in 1997. The Rock inducted his father into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Bob Armstrong
“Bullet” Bob Armstrong, WWE Hall of Fame member and patriarch of the legendary Armstrong wrestling family, passed away at age 80 in August. Strongman and equally showman, Armstrong, who was born Joseph James in Marietta, Georgia on October 3, 1939, has proven to be one of the most tenacious wrestlers on the planet during the territorial days of sports entertainment. He secured his reputation as a tough man long before he stepped into the ring, thanks to his period of service in the United States Marine Corps and his seven-year tenure as a member of the fire department. of Fair Oaks (later in Cobb County).
Zeus
Tom “Tiny” Lister, known as Zeus in WWE Universe, passed away today at 62 in December. Lister had shown symptoms of COVID-19[feminine[feminine
for a few days and was eventually found unresponsive in his apartment in Marina del Rey, California. Zeus first entered the square circle opposite Hulk Hogan in the 1989 film “No Holds Barred”. The rivalry spread beyond the big screen, as The Human Wrecking Machine quickly formed a common bond with “Macho Man” Randy Savage in their shared quest to defeat the Immortal. Zeus & Savage faced off against Hogan & Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake in the SummerSlam 1989 Main Event. One of Zeus’ most memorable moments came in Survivor Series 1989 as part of Ted DiBiase’s Million Dollar Team. , when The Human Wrecking Machine got the better of The Hulkster in an impressive show of force.
Danny Havoc
Wrestling star Grant ‘Danny Havoc’ Berkland died aged 45 on June 1. The American professional wrestled for over a dozen years and was also known as “The Deathmatch Drunkard”. Havoc’s retirement match was against SHLAK in 2017. A month earlier, Danny Havoc’s wife had died on April 4 due to heart failure. News of Havoc’s death comes days after former WWE Superstar Shad Gaspard passed away.
Howard Finkel
Veteran American announcer and WWE Hall of Fame member Howard Finkel passed away at the age of 69 in April. Affectionately known as “The Fink,” Finkel was from Newark, New Jersey and served as a “must-have resource” to WWE offices for his “vast knowledge of the history of sports entertainment.” He was recognized for his slogans such as “and NNNEEEWWW World Champion!” which he used to introduce wrestling heroes to the world for decades. Finkel also had his stint in in-ring battles. As the release says, Finkel fought Harvey Wippleman in 1995 on WWE RAW.
Other notable figures from the pro-wrestling community who died in 2020:
Adam Bueller, Pampero Firpo, Alex Trebek, Ares el Guerrero, Principe Aereo, Puppet, Bobby Lee, Regis Philbin, Rip Oliver, Ryan Smile, Danny Hodge, Dick Steinborn, Herodes, Steve Casey, Steve Gillespie, Supreme, Sy Sperling, Sylvano Sousa, Johnny Walker, Justice Pain, The Bruiser, Timothy Brooks, Tony Russo, Tracy Smothers, Karsten Beck, Kat LeRoux, Kazuo Sakurada, Kevin Greene, Wayne Bridges, Winona Littleheart, Little Richard, Xavier, Z-Barr, Mike Somaini, Mark Rocco, Mitch Ryder
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