Wrestling or Sports Entertainment is an arduous career not only physically, but, emotionally as well. Wrestlers often stay away from their families for very long periods. Missing their child’s first steps or words, missing birthdays and anniversaries and not being by the side of an ailing family member are just some examples of the moments that a wrestler has to miss.
Now, just think of the emotions that a wrestler would experience when his/her close family member passes away. Shock, fright, gloom and lonesomeness are few of the emotions they experience apart from remorse of missing precious moments with them. Let’s have a look at wrestlers from WWE who have had to experience personal tragedies in the recent past:
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5. Bill DeMott
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Bill DeMott is not an active wrestler in the WWE, but, he is involved in the capacity of the Head Trainer of WWE NXT. He was a part of the invasion storyline and has been an on and off feature in the WWE and ECW during the 2000s.
Bill lost her younger daughter Kerri (She was just 20-years-old.) in a car accident on October 12, 2015 when a 22-year-old drunk driver, Keith Pumphrey, deviated from his lane and crashed into Kerri’s car. Keith pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Since, the loss of his daughter Bill has become an active campaigner against drunk driving along with University of Central Florida Police Department to ensure that someone else doesn’t lose his/her child due a drunk driver.
4. Adam Rose
Recently released Adam Rose (Raymond John Leppan) also suffered a personal setback when he lost his sister on October 22, 2015.
Rose’s sister Michelle suffered a heart attack while she was sleeping. She is survived by her 7 year-old daughter, Daniella. What makes this even hard for the Leepan family is that Michelle’s demise left little Daniella in need of immense financial support. She needed money to fund her education and living costs.
Although, she is living with her grandfather now, donations were sought to ensure a bright future for young Dani to meet expenses related to legal guardianship, education, travel and necessities.
3. Goldust and Cody Rhodes
Goldust and the recently released Cody Rhodes are among the most gifted guys to step in the WWE ring. Well they had to be, because they were sons of “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes. Dusty was one of the most beloved superstars of all times. Even legends like Ric Flair and Triple H considered him a mentor.
On June 11, 2015, Dusty fell in his home and was rushed to the nearest hospital where he passed away due to “numerous complications”. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that Dusty’s kidneys stopped working and he suffered from dehydration.
Rhodes left behind a great legacy which is being carried forward by both his sons. He will always be remembered for being a man of principles, his insurmountable spirit and being affectionate father.
2. Ric Flair
Not many people know about Ric’s sons David and Reid Flair, while David has been an on-screen character in WWF/E, TNA and WCW, his younger brother Reid Flair was also training to become a professional wrestler until the tragedy struck.
On March 29, 2013, Reid was found dead at a South Park Residence Inn hotel room in North Carolina. According to the official autopsy report, Reid Flair had died from an accidental overdose of heroin and other drugs like clonazepam and xanax. Substantiating the fact the Reid’s death was accidental was the last tweet sent from his account. You can read the tweet here. It’s really sad to lose a budding talent like this.
Reid’s death became a talking point when Paige mentioned it during her feud with Charlotte. However, WWE realized it was a mistake to generate heat by mentioning Reid’s death in a feud that was not very personal and have not mentioned the same on air again.
1. Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan is one of the biggest entertainers of our times. Unfortunately, he had to retire from wrestling due to the concussions he had suffered during his career. However, Bryan will always be remembered as someone who went to all extents for the fans.
On April 21, 2014, Bryan has just returned from his honeymoon with fellow WWE star Brie Bella when it was informed to him that his father, 57-years-old Donald “Bud” Danielson, had passed away unexpectedly.
Despite learning of his father’s demise, Bryan insisted on being on the show. He went out there for the fans and even took a tombstone from Kane on the steel steps. Such a gesture from Bryan established him as a fan favorite.
Being a wrestler is not easy. What is more difficult is to put up an act just for the fans despite suffering from personal setbacks and they should be appreciated more for what they do in the squared circle for fans like us.
