Wednesday, August 6, 2025: Daily Dirt
Jimmy Snuka was the wrestler I’ve always wanted to meet, second only to The American Dream. Welcome to The Daily Dirt’s Vol. 1,364: Three Thoughts for Today.
1. I m still trying to come to grips with the recent death of Hulk Hogan.
For over 40 years, Hulkamania has been raging. His death was a shock to the entire globe, and his character had grown out of proportion.
The total number of stars from the squared circle that we have lost in recent years, however, struck me the other day. The high number of premature deaths in professional wrestling is a complicated problem that is impacted by a number of variables, including as lifestyle decisions, the physical demands of their work, and the possibility of substance misuse. The physical toll that wrestling takes on its performers is substantial, resulting in injuries and long-term health problems, despite the fact that it is a performance art rather than a legitimate sport.Putting all of that aside, losing a well-known professional wrestler is like losing a well-known TV personality or actress. A person like Hulk Hogan, I believe, certainly spent as much time in our living rooms—through the TV screen, of course—as any famous actor or actress you could name. In fact, because of its widespread distribution through various cable and satellite channels, the wrestlers have probably been on our television screens far more frequently than Brad Pitt, Katie Perry, or any other member of the entertainment industry.
Taking Hulk Hogan out of this kind of calculation, the following wrestlers’ deaths have had the greatest impact on their fans during the past 25 years:
At the age of 61, Rowdy Roddy Piper passed away in 2015.His real name was Roderick George Toombs, and he certainly had the best microphone abilities of any matman, living or dead. Piper passed away in his sleep after overcoming cancer not long before he passed away. Rowdy Roddy also starred in a few films, the most notable of which was the horror-science fiction picture They Live (1988), which was actually quite good.
Gordon Solie passed away in 2000 at the age of 71.Due to national telecasts that had made him virtually a cult figure, Solie was widely acknowledged as the voice of professional wrestling, especially in the 1980s and in the south. In terms of popularity, Solie was comparable to in-ring villains like Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair. After years of smoking, Solie had his larynx removed in late 1999 and passed away from throat cancer.
The Sheik passed away in 2003 at the age of 76.It’s unlikely that anyone as vicious or furious as Ed Farhat, sometimes known as The Sheik, will be included in wrestling’s roll call of villains. With his fearsome use of fire, the Sheik singed numerous opponents and caused them to bleed night after night. In addition, he bit, raked his eyes, and coughed. Farhat’s fight with Bobo Brazil was legendary, and he is regarded as one of wrestling’s finest heels ever. The two bled enough over the decades-long feud to sustain the Red Cross for several months. Heart failure claimed Farhat’s life.
Miss Elizabeth: Passed away at the age of 42 in 2003.There has never been a presence like that of Randy Macho Man Savage’s former valet, Mike Elizabeth. She was absolutely adored by her fans. After hooking up with Lex Luger, the former First Lady of Wrestling ended up becoming married to the Macho Man in real life for a brief time before dying of a drug overdose. Elizabeth Ann Hulette was her full name.
At the age of 46, Road Warrior Hawk passed away in 2003. To his family and friends, he was known as Michael Hegstrand, but to the rest of the world, he was half of the renowned Road Warriors, also known as the Legion of Doom, the greatest tag team in history. Unfortunately, Hegstrand’s drug addiction ultimately caused his heart to deteriorate, which ultimately resulted in his death.
Road Warrior Animal: Passed away at the age of 60 in 2020.The second member of the world’s most charismatic tag team. After being named an All-American at Ohio State, Animal’s son, James Laurinaitis, played in the NFL for eight seasons before retiring in 2017.
Jimmy Snuka, Superfly. died at the age of 73 in 2017.Superfly was at the top of the world and possibly as well-liked as Hulk Hogan in his prime. He made his professional wrestling debut in 1968 and had a lengthy career. Snuka’s demons ultimately overcame him, despite his famed and extremely exciting soaring finishing maneuvers from the top rope. In his 2012 autobiography, Snuka detailed his extensive usage of cocaine, steroids, and alcohol. Additionally, he was connected to his ex-mistress’s strange death. In addition, he was suffering from acute dementia and stomach cancer.
Bobby The Brain Heenan: Passed away at age 72 in 2017.Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Heenan, who was always the master villain, managed a lengthy list of talent, including King Kong Bundy, Big John Studd, Rick Rude, Paul Orndoff, Andre the Giant, Mr. Perfect, and Hercules. He was also a wrestler. In addition to Paul Bearer, Sensational Cheri, Miss Elizabeth, and Mr. Fuji, Heenan also died of throat cancer, joining a long list of other well-known wrestling managers who have died in the past 15 years.
At the age of 69, Dusty Rhodes passed away in 2015.Ten years ago, The American Dream was lost to stomach cancer. Perhaps no fighter in any era had more fan appeal than Dusty, who was always my favorite wrestler. The man who came into the world as Virgil Riley Runnels had the support of everyone, and I mean EVERYONE. He was also one of pro wrestling s all-time great bleeders. His scarred forehead was proof to that. Dusty was a major draw for most of his career, and one of the most entertaining figures who ever stepped inside the squared circle. He built his career as a hero to the everyday man. The American Dream is truly missed.
Bruno Sammartino: Died in 2018 at age 82.I always felt sorry for Bruno. He was wrestling s biggest star in the 1960s and much of the 1970s, but with very few wrestling shows on at that time very few knew of his greatness. As a wee lad, I think I saw Bruno wrestle twice on TV. Twice! He once held the world title for seven years.
Mean Gene Okerlund: Died in 2019 at age 76.If there was throne for wrestling s best-ever announcers, it would be shared by Solie and Mean Gene. Okerlund was always a major fan favorite and had the personality to handle the spotlight, which often shone on him rather than wrestlers he would be interviewing.
George The Animal Steele. Died in 2017 at age 79.Steele will forever be remembered for his wild antics in the ring and that signature green tongue, which he admitted was a simple matter of eating green breath mints prior to entering the ring. In a 2008 interview, he jokedI had the best breath in wrestling. Steele, whose real name was Jim Myers, best known for eating the turnbuckles.
2. Did you know (Part 449)
- That Hulk Hogan never defeated Jerry Lawler.
- That famed WWE Irish brawler Sheamus once worked as a bodyguard for U2 s Bono.
- That Smackdown was originally designed to have an all-women s wrestling format.
- That Tito Santana won the most matches (1,071) without ever being the WWF/E champion.
- That Buddy Rogers was the first WWF/E champion back in 1963.
3. Appalachian Word of the Day: Odyssey.
Hey, honey, you better come out here quick you odyssey the deer in our yard.
Steve Thought O The DayIf not for Dusty Rhodes, my all-time favorite wrestler would be Bobo Brazil.
Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. Yes, we are aware that Hulk Hogan was a detestable human away from the ring. Some athletes and performers and regular people are as well.
