How Many WWE Wrestlers Have Died?

We all know that the life of a professional wrestler is a dangerous one. But just how many have died as a result of their profession?

Introduction

In the WWE, death is unfortunately not uncommon. Of the promotion’s nearly 300 wrestlers, 20 have died while still under contract. While some of these deaths were due to natural causes, many were the result of drug overdoses or other tragic accidents.

Over the years, the WWE has lost some of its biggest stars, including “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Ultimate Warrior, and Eddie Guerrero. The most recent death was that of 27-year-old WWE star Ashley Massaro, who died by suicide in May 2019.

While the WWE has faced criticism for its treatment of wrestlers’ health and safety, the company has made some changes in recent years to try to improve its reputation. In March 2020, WWE released a statement saying that it had “zero tolerance for talent engaging in bad behavior,” and that it would be “increasing [its] efforts to ensure all talent are adhering to mandatory wellness policies.”

WWE’s Dirty Secrets

WWE has been shrouded in controversy for years, with many people wondering how such a brutal sport can be legitimized. One of the darkest parts of WWE’s history is the number of wrestlers who have died while performing. In this article, we’ll take a look at how many WWE wrestlers have died, and some of the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The WWE’s dark side

The WWE’s dark side is something that many fans ignore. The company has been embroiled in scandal after scandal, and many wrestlers have died young.

How many WWE wrestlers have died?

The answer is unclear. The WWE does not release official numbers, and the internet is filled with conflicting reports. Some say that as many as 60 wrestlers have died since 1997, while others claim the number is closer to 100.

What is clear is that the WWE has a problem with drugs and alcohol. Many wrestlers have died from overdoses, and others have committed suicide after struggling with addiction.

The WWE has also been accused of negligence in the deaths of some wrestlers. In 2012, the parents of former wrestler Chris Benoit sued the WWE, alleging that the company knew about his concussion problems but did nothing to help him.

The WWE has faced lawsuits from other families as well, and there are ongoing investigations into the company’s handling of concussions.

The WWE has denied all claims of negligence, but it is clear that something needs to be done to address the problem of drug use and concussions in wrestling. Until then, the death toll will likely continue to rise.

The WWE’s culture of secrecy

In the world of professional wrestling, death is not uncommon. In fact, it’s an all-too-real part of the industry. And while the WWE has always been open about the deaths of wrestlers who have died while performing in the ring, they have been far less forthcoming about the deaths of wrestlers who have died outside of it.

This culture of secrecy has led to a lot of speculation about just how many WWE wrestlers have died over the years. And while the exact number is unknown, it’s safe to say that it’s far higher than the WWE would like to admit.

So how many WWE wrestlers have died? The answer, unfortunately, is that we may never know.

The WWE’s History of Death

The WWE has been plagued by deaths throughout its history. Some of these deaths have been due to in-ring accidents, while others have been due to drug overdoses and suicides. Let’s take a look at how many WWE wrestlers have died.

The early years

The WWE has a long and storied history of death, going all the way back to the early days of the company. In the early years, WWE wrestlers often died young and suddenly, often due to drug overdoses or other health complications. These wrestlers included Eddie Guerrero, Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man Randy Savage, and Chris Benoit. While the early years of WWE were marred by death, WWE has made significant strides in recent years to improve the safety of its wrestlers and prevent deaths.

The “Attitude Era”

The “Attitude Era” of the WWE was a time when the company was willing to push the envelope in terms of edginess and violence. This was thanks in part to the success of the World Wrestling Federation’s (WWF) main competitor at the time, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), which was pulling in high ratings with its own brand of extreme programming.

The Attitude Era saw the WWF take things to a whole new level, with hardcore matches, storylines involving domestic abuse and rape, and an overall increase in on-screen violence. This era is often remembered as one of the most controversial and successful periods in WWE history, but it also came at a cost.

During this time, a number of WWE wrestlers lost their lives due to drug overdoses, accidents, and other health complications. Here is a look at some of the WWE wrestlers who died during the Attitude Era.

The “Ruthless Aggression Era”

The Ruthless Aggression Era was a time in WWE history marked by edgier storylines, more adult-oriented content, and an influx of new and talented Superstars.

It was also a time when the company was shrouded in tragedy, as a number of WWE Superstars died suddenly and unexpectedly.

Eddie Guerrero (38 years old)
One of the most beloved WWE Superstars of all time, Eddie Guerrero tragically passed away in 2005 due to heart failure. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.

Chris Benoit (40 years old)
In one of the most shocking events in WWE history, Chris Benoit murdered his wife and son before taking his own life in 2007. His tragic story sent shockwaves through the sports-entertainment world and changed the landscape of WWE forever.

Umaga (36 years old)
WWE Superstar Umaga passed away in 2009 after suffering a heart attack. He was a three-time Intercontinental Champion and one-time United States Champion during his time in WWE.

Test (33 years old)
Andrew Martin, better known as Test, passed away in 2009 at the age of 33 from an accidental overdose of painkillers. A former Intercontinental and Hardcore Champion, Test was a fan favorite during the Attitude Era.

The WWE’s Recent Deaths

Since the year 2000, there have been 54 deaths of WWE wrestlers that have been officially confirmed by the WWE. Out of those 54 deaths, 26 have been attributed to some kind of disease, while 8 have been due to car accidents, 5 have been homicides, 4 have been suicides, and 1 was due to an accidental drug overdose.

The “Reality Era”

Since the turn of the century, the WWE has been marred by the deaths of nearly 60 professional wrestlers, many of whom died before the age of 50. In 2011, a class action lawsuit was filed against the WWE by former wrestlers alleging that the company was aware of the risks of brain injuries but failed to protect its wrestlers. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2014, but the case brought increased scrutiny to the safety of professional wrestling.

The WWE has come under fire for its treatment of wrestlers in the past, and has been sued several times as a result. In 2007, Chris Benoit, a former WWE wrestler, killed his wife and son before taking his own life. An investigation into his death revealed that he had suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease often found in athletes who have sustained repeated head injuries.

In recent years, the WWE has made changes to its policies in an effort to improve safety for its wrestlers. These include banning certain high-risk moves and implementing mandatory concussion testing for all wrestlers. Despite these measures, wrestling remains a dangerous profession, and tragic deaths will continue to occur.

The “PG Era”

The “PG Era” of the WWE has been marked by an increase in family-friendly entertainment and a decrease in the amount of edgy, hardcore content. This has led to some fans feeling that the product has become watered-down and less interesting. One of the most common criticisms of the WWE during this time period is that there have been very few feuds or storylines that have captured the imagination of fans in the way that older ones did.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the exact number of wrestlers who have died is unknown, it is clear that there have been numerous deaths within the WWE. While some of these deaths may have been due to natural causes, it is likely that many of them were due to the dangerous and physically demanding nature of wrestling.