Wrestlers Who Sadly Died In 2025 So Far

2025 has been a difficult year for wrestling fans, as many well-known performers have sadly passed away. This is a brief overview of those we’ve lost, covering their careers, ages, and how they died. It includes wrestlers from major companies and smaller independent promotions around the world, to acknowledge the impact these losses have had on the wrestling community.

Hulk Hogan

I was really shocked to hear about Hulk Hogan passing away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71. It happened in Clearwater, Florida, and reports said it was a heart attack, though he’d been dealing with leukemia and an irregular heartbeat for a while. WWE quickly confirmed the news, and it felt like everyone – from athletes to actors – was sharing how much he meant to them. Thinking back, his career was incredible – he wrestled from the late 70s all the way up to 2012, and he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice! It’s a huge loss for anyone who grew up watching wrestling.

Sabu

I was really saddened to hear about Terry Brunk, or Sabu as most of us knew him, passing away in May 2025 at the age of 60. He was a huge part of the 90s ECW scene and honestly, he helped shape so much of the hardcore and high-risk wrestling we see today. The news spread quickly, and it’s clear fans everywhere will remember him for his incredibly innovative moves and willingness to take risks. He didn’t just wrestle in ECW, though – he had a great career in both Japan and the US too. He’ll be deeply missed.

Sir Mo (Bobby Horne)

Bobby Horne, known to fans as Sir Mo, passed away in October 2025 at the age of 58 following recent hospital stays for pneumonia and a blood infection. He wrestled for the WWF from 1993 to 1996, and in 1994, he and Mabel won the WWE Tag Team Championship. After his time with WWF, Horne continued wrestling on independent circuits and later dedicated himself to training and mentoring other wrestlers. He had received a kidney transplant in 2018 and faced ongoing health challenges in recent years.

Black Bart (Richard Harris)

Richard Harris, known as “Black Bart,” passed away on January 9, 2025, after a battle with advanced colon cancer. A professional wrestler for three decades, he performed in various wrestling organizations like NWA, WWF, and WCW, and won several regional championships, including the NWA National Heavyweight Championship. His family and the Cauliflower Alley Club shared memories of him after his death. He was 76 years old.

Colonel DeBeers (Ed Wiskoski)

Edward Wiskoski, who wrestled as Colonel DeBeers in the American Wrestling Association (AWA), passed away on January 22, 2025, at the age of 80. He was a well-known villain in the AWA during the late 1980s and later became a wrestling trainer and promoter. News of his death and his contributions to the sport were reported by numerous wrestling history sources.

Osamu Nishimura

I was really saddened to hear about Osamu Nishimura’s passing on February 28, 2025. He was only 53. A lot of us fans remember him as a fantastic wrestler for New Japan Pro-Wrestling – he was all about that classic, technical style, really focusing on the basics and groundwork. It was so impressive. News outlets in both Japan and English-speaking countries have been sharing tributes, remembering not just his skills in the ring, but also his work as a local politician after he retired late in 2024. It’s just a tough loss for the wrestling world, especially knowing he fought so bravely against cancer.

Australian Suicide (Broderick Shepherd)

Broderick Shepherd, a wrestler known as Australian Suicide, passed away in Mexico on March 6, 2025, at the age of 32. He was a champion in AAA Worldwide, holding the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship, and also wrestled in Australia, Puerto Rico, and the United States. He reportedly suffered a medical emergency before his death, and his family was working to bring his body back to Australia. Fellow wrestlers and promotions shared heartfelt tributes, recognizing his impact on the lucha libre world.

Vince Steele

Vince Steele, a well-known independent professional wrestler, passed away on March 16, 2025, at the age of 39. He reportedly suffered a heart issue during a match in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. Emergency services responded to the venue, and local authorities confirmed the incident. Steele had been a regular performer in the New York and New Jersey wrestling circuit for many years, working with various local promotions. Fellow wrestlers and companies have shared tributes recognizing his significant contributions to the regional wrestling scene.

Eric Priest (Mike Boehne)

Mike Boehne, a wrestler known as Eric Priest, passed away in February 2025 at the age of 50 following a motorcycle accident. A Midwestern native, he performed for independent wrestling promotions around the Great Lakes and appeared on regional television in the early 2000s. His career and contributions to the community were remembered in obituaries and local tributes, and a memorial event was held in Chicago to honor him.

Taishin Nagao

All Japan Pro Wrestling announced the tragic passing of 21-year-old wrestler Taishin Nagao on September 7, 2025. Nagao had been in the hospital since late May after being hit by a tour bus, suffering serious abdominal injuries and requiring a long stay in intensive care. Both AJPW and various news sources confirmed his death and details of the accident. Fans and fellow wrestlers have been sharing tributes, remembering his dedication to training and his promising early career.

Gregory “The Great Wojo” Wojciechowski

Gregory Wojciechowski, affectionately known as “The Great Wojo,” passed away in August 2025 at the age of 73. He was a successful amateur wrestler from Ohio who later became a professional wrestler, competing in local circuits for many years. Reports indicated he died suddenly from a heart condition. Wojo is remembered for his achievements in both amateur and professional wrestling.

Tomohiko Hashimoto

Tomohiko Hashimoto, a well-known Japanese wrestler and promoter, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 47 after fighting liver cancer. He was a prominent figure in DDT during the 2000s and later established Pro-Wrestling A-TEAM. News of his illness and death was widely reported in Japan, and many in the wrestling world have shared tributes recognizing his contributions both as a performer and as a leader behind the scenes.

Jonathan “Jaka” Echevarria

Jonathan Echevarria, a 39-year-old professional wrestler who performed as Jaka, passed away in early September 2025 due to a heart attack. Echevarria was a former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion and had recently wrestled in Florida. Following his death, many friends, fellow wrestlers, and promotions nationwide shared tributes and established funds to support his family. He was a well-known figure in independent wrestling scenes in both the Northeast and Florida.

Kevin Nikel (Knuckles Madsen / Ivan Warsaw)

Kevin Nikel, a well-known independent wrestler who performed as Knuckles Madsen and Ivan Warsaw, tragically passed away in July 2025 at the age of 41 following a shooting in Arkansas. Police and news sources confirmed the incident and the ongoing investigation. Nikel had previously trained with WWE and was a regular performer on the independent wrestling circuit. Many wrestlers and promotions shared tributes online, highlighting his extensive career and positive reputation.

If you notice someone missing who was important to you, please share their name and a favorite memory of them in the comments. We’d be happy to include them and pay our respects.

2025-10-22 19:28