WWE: Death grip – The dark side of pro-wrestling

Brian Pillman

‘Flyin’ Brian’ was destined to become a superstar, being different from everyone else. He was the outrageous character in a world which only had the good and the bad. Pillman was entertaining and edgy, something that was influential in the career of Steve Austin. Pillman endured more than most others at a very young age, going through over 36 throat surgeries! As a member of the ‘Hollywood Blondes’, Pillman had a huge impact on Austin’s career, as Austin’s ‘redneck’ gimmick was a mere extension to Pillman’s character. Pillman was found dead in his hotel room due to a previously unknown heart condition. Pillman’s wife was pregnant at that time, and Pillman wasn’t aware of it. About a decade later, Pillman’s daughter, Alexis, who decided to pursue wrestling like her father passed away after a serious motorcycle accident. She was 26 at that time.