WWE history's most dreadful and horrific deaths

WWE brings fans close to their stars, which creates an indelible bond. It's a main reason why it's become so popular over the last several decades.

While fans tune in to witness the spectacular athleticism and captivating storylines, they also bear witness to the harsh realities of the sport, including the untimely deaths of some of their favorite superstars.

Over the years, the wrestling community has mourned the loss of several talented individuals who left a lasting impact on the industry. Let’s take a look back at some of the most shocking and tragic deaths we’ve seen in the WWE.

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Eddie Guerrero was one of the WWE's most popular wrestlers when he was found unconscious during his preparations for a WWE event in November 2005.  He would die hours later due to acute heart failure that stemmed from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Due to his well-documented substance abuse issues, his death was initially believed to be an overdose but this was disproven in the autopsy. 

Chris Benoit was a talented and respected wrestler until a horrifying tragedy overshadowed his legacy. In 2007, Benoit was found dead in his home alongside his wife, Nancy, and their son, Daniel. It was later revealed that Benoit had murdered his family before taking his own life, leaving the wrestling world shocked and horrified.

Owen Hart's accidental death is one of the most heartbreaking incidents in WWE history. While performing as the Blue Blazer at the Over the Edge pay-per-view in 1999, a stunt went tragically wrong – Hart was supposed to descend from the rafters on a cable but a technical issue caused Hart to fall at full speed and hit the ring. He would die within minutes of the accident from internal bleeding.

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Brian Pillman was a promising talent in WWE. His death in 1997, due to a heart condition exacerbated by painkiller use, left fans mourning the loss of a wrestler who had the potential to become a major star in the industry.

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Randy Mario Poffo aka Macho Man" Randy Savage was a WWE icon, known for his charisma and memorable catchphrases.  In 2011, Savage died in a car accident in Florida. His untimely death left fans mourning the loss of one of wrestling's most over-the-top personas.

David Smith, known as The British Bulldog, was a beloved WWE superstar in the 80s and 90s. His life took a tragic turn when he suffered a heart attack while on vacation in 2002. Smith's death was a grim reminder of the physical toll that professional wrestling can take on a performer's body.

Andrew Martin, known as Test, was one of WWE's best mid-card superstars in the Attitude Era. In 2009, while in the process of retiring from the industry, he was found dead in his apartment at the age of 33. The cause of his death was an overdose of oxycodone – a painkiller commonly used by wrestlers at the time due to the chronic injuries they would pick up on the road.

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Eddie Fatu, better known as Umaga, was a Samoan powerhouse who would enjoy being part of several iconic matches in the mid-2000s, including a World Heavyweight title bout with John Cena. In 2009, he passed away due to acute toxicity from combined drugs. He had just been fired from the company due to breaching its wellness policy after testing positive for a banned substance.

Michael Lockwood aka Crash Holly, was best known for his title reigns in the hardcore and tag team divisions in the late 90s and early 2000s. In 2003, he was found dead in his friend and fellow wrestler Stevie Richards' apartment due to an overdose of prescription drugs.

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Miss Elizabeth, whose real name was Elizabeth Hulette (pictured with Randy Savage), was a legendary wrestling manager and a central figure during WWE's (then WWF's 'Golden Era' (89-92). In 2003, she was found dead in her home, with toxicology reports stating it was caused by a mix of painkillers and alcohol.

Chris Candido was a talented wrestler and manager and something of a journeyman – taking stints in WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. In April 2005, he suffered a broken leg during a match which required immediate surgery. Candido would develop pneumonia as a complication from the surgery and die just days later.

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Curt Hennig was known for his in-ring perfection and his larger-than-life persona. Though he was at his peak in the early 90s, he enjoyed a run in the WWE in the early 2000s, including a much-loved performance at the 2002 Royal Rumble. In 2003, he was found dead in a hotel room due to acute cocaine intoxication. The wrestling world lost a true showman.

Bam Bam Bigelow was a talented wrestler known for his athleticism and nimbleness that betrayed his heavy weight and sizeable frame. In 2007, he was found dead in his girlfriend's apartment, with an autopsy later revealing his death was caused by toxic levels of both cocaine and benzodiazepines in his system.

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Joan Laurer, known by her ring name "Chyna," was a trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling. She made history by becoming the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble match and even held the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Despite her groundbreaking accomplishments, Chyna's life was filled with personal struggles. In 2016, Chyna was found dead in her home due to an overdose of a mixture of alcohol and various prescription drugs.

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