The news of Kevin Sullivan’s death on August 9, 2024, learned by many as they were waking up was not a complete surprise, as Sullivan had been in poor health since May.
But for peers and colleagues, it was still a great loss. Many took to social media to share their memories of the man who was at various times a “Taskmaster”, a “Boston Battler” and “The Prince of Darkness” … or just “Sully” to his friends. Note the variety of names — wrestlers, bookers, promoters, major names and some not.
Andrew Anderson, who was a true student of Sullivan’s, sitting at his learning tree for years, simply posted a broken heart on Facebook. When Anderson received a Men’s Wrestling Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club, he asked Sullivan to introduce him.
Gangrel David Heath on Facebook: “Got a message 5:50am this morning, with that news 38 years of laughter, fear and learning lessons, smiles and growls and appreciation of sunrises and sunsets and the beauty of smoke and mirrors and conducting a wrestling orchestra with stroke of his mind all rushed through my head and heart but most of all the kindness and true friendship you gave me! I’m truly heartbroken and forever grateful and thankful for you being in my life! Say hello to all and take easy on the big man upstairs! RIP”
Triple H on X: “Kevin Sullivan had one of the most unique minds in the history of our industry, pushing creative boundaries and developing some of the most intriguing characters to step into the ring. He had an unwavering passion for what we do. My thoughts are with his family, friends & fans.”
Jacqueline Moore on Facebook: “I woke up to the news of the passing of my friend Kevin Sullivan. He was a pleasure to work with in the wrestling business. Rest easy my friend.”
I'm deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend Kevin Sullivan.
What an incredible mind for the business and an even greater person. Please say a prayer for his family. pic.twitter.com/7lBPTrV0Pd
— JakeSnakeDDT (@JakeSnakeDDT) August 9, 2024
Sal Corrente on Facebook: “I woke up this morning to a text from Andrew Anderson about the passing of Kevin Sullivan. I was in the ring with Kevin many times as a referee. In 2005 he was part of some of the WrestleReunion events. I am posting a picture of Kevin and Abdullah from the inaugural event in Tampa January 2005. He was in a tag team match with C.M. Punk and Abdullah the Butcher as his partners with Sir Oliver Humperdink as manager in our main event. Dusty, Dustin and Mike Graham on the other side with Harley Race. As we grow older the news of deaths comes much to often and is much to relevant. R.I.P Kevin Sullivan.”
Billy Silverman on Facebook: “I am sadden to hear about the death of Kevin Sullivan. I have known Kevin since I broke in in 1985. I also worked for Kevin when he was the booker for WCW. Kevin was the best and always treated me well. My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the Task Master Kevin Sullivan. There will never be anyone like him. God bless you, my friend.”
WWE is saddened to learn that Kevin Sullivan has passed away. We extend our condolences to Kevin's family, friends and fans. https://t.co/JcJme4lI6v pic.twitter.com/PHwEnCWgrR
— WWE (@WWE) August 9, 2024
Alex Pourteau on Facebook: “I’m so sorry to hear that Kevin Sullivan has passed away. Sending love and prayers to his family… I was only 19 years old here working as an extra for WCW, learning the business the hard way. Kevin was one of the first guy’s to legit work stiff with me. Later on it made me respect and learn that the phrase ‘Alex go out there and get yourself over’ really meant. He was also tremendous talent behind the scenes working in the office for many years! He brought me to Texas a few years ago to help as an agent on the road… Thank you Kevin RIP my friend!”
Neal Koloff on Facebook: “Woke up this morning to hear of the passing of my mentor, my friend Kevin Sullivan. Kevin, I will always always always be grateful for you mentoring me, believing in me, and helping me through the years of this crazy business/sport or ours. We’ve been overseas together, worked many shows together, shared many laughs and many memories together. One I will never forget is the day you met my son, held him and he smiled at you. I will miss our conversations, the laughs, the knowledge and I will definitely miss you my friend. The wrestling world lost a true legend and one of the greatest minds in wrestling. I love you my friend. RIP Kevin Sullivan (Sully, Taskmaster, Gamesmaster)”
Godspeed, Kevin Sullivan. Whether in front of or behind the camera, your contributions to our industry are without question. Grateful for the times we shared, your advice, and kindness. Honored to have gone into the @nwa HOF together. Rest well, sir. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/OsoSmC1L4F
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) August 9, 2024
Sheldon Goldberg on Facebook: “RIP Kevin Sullivan. One of the top wrestling minds of his era, Kevin made frequent appearances for the late Tony Rumble and gave numerous locals spots on national TV. I considered him a friend and always enjoyed seeing him the last couple of years at Cauliflower Alley Club reunions. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”
Gary Juster on Facebook: “Kevin and I were friends from the first day we met almost 40 years ago. A brilliant guy who knew world history, politics, religion and baseball (particularly the Red Sox). Kevin could speak intelligently on virtually any subject as he was so well read. I will miss him and our frequent. conversations.”
Cary Silkin on Facebook: “RIP Kevin Sullivan, my friend thank you for taking the time to share your wisdom, your humor, and your love. They just don’t make people like this anymore. You will never be gone. You are here and always will be. You always gave me time talking about life, love politics, baseball, the world, and obviously pro wrestling … I have to smile. Kevin was not a negative person, but I would often hear him say when I would ask a question about current day life ‘Cary what’s wrong with these people.'”
Just heard that Kevin “Sully” Sullivan has passed away. His passing really hurts my heart.
I recently was talking to Ric Flair who told me that Sully wasn't doing well and I should call him. I immediately called him, and I talked about it on an interview I did with @CodyRhodes.… pic.twitter.com/sdbVZNJHzX
— Diamond Dallas Page (@RealDDP) August 9, 2024
Steve Corino on Facebook: “For the last few hours I was trying to think about what I wanted to say about Kevin Sullivan. Kevin was a mentor to me in the last stage of my in-ring career and then became an even bigger mentor in life. He was like a second father to me and I imagine there are hundreds of pro-wrestlers that also saw him as their second father. He was always there with advice and a story to go with it. He taught me about insight and compassion. He helped ease my mind when I needed it. And not just with wrestling. As amazing as he told his stories, he was an even better listener. He taught me to not be afraid to make mistakes at work because a mistake was a chance to learn the right way. He’d refer to Colby and Beck as his ‘grandsons’ in that Boston accent that always made me laugh. I’ll miss that. Thank you Kevin for the impact you made in my life, starting as a fan and then as a trusted friend and mentor. My life is better because I knew Kevin Sullivan.”
Les Thatcher on Facebook: “So very sad to hear of the passing of my dear friend Kevin Sullivan. A multi-talented man in our business as a wrestler, booker, manager & more. I have the pleasure of not only working with him, but enjoying socializing with he & his family. Watching him squat 425 lbs. 26 times back in the late 70’s!!! You have fought the good fight my friend, go with God & know that you will be remembered with much Love a respect!”
Kevin Sullivan was a huge influence on me from my early days as a fan to being a booker. Thank you, sir. RIP.
Deepest condolences to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/Absy3hiPut
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) August 9, 2024
Eric Bischoff on X: “Woke up to the news of Kevin Sullivans passing. This one hits hard. Last time we spoke, we talked about taking a fishing trip. Kevin loved the water. Kevin was talented, loyal, and had instincts that made him a valuable partner. I will miss him. Respect always ‘Booker Man’.”
Rick Allen on Facebook: “So very sad to hear of the passing of my dear friend Kevin Sullivan. A multi-talented man in our business as a wrestler, booker, manager & more. I have the pleasure of not only working with him, He gave me my first break in CWF booking me in 1985 for TV Tapings and undercard matches. And on a few overseas tours over the years. I also enjoying socializing with him lunches and Dinners and at the bar after a match. You have fought the good fight my friend, go with God & know that you will be remembered with much Love and respect! 🙏❤🥃😇 my condolences and prayers to the Sullivan Family.”
Many years ago,I said mean & false statements about kevin sullivan.I was stupid to harbor hatred towards him over eddie Gilbert's heat w/ him from the 1989 wcw booking committee. Over the year's,he was always professional to me.i even managed him in 2008. RIP pic.twitter.com/TrUpZ025rO
— Missy Hyatt (@missyhyatt) August 9, 2024
Joseph Cabibbo on Facebook: “You were one of the best friends I’ve ever had. Thank you for the years of guidance and support, you were my father figure, my mentor, my professor, and my taskmaster. I will deeply miss you Kev.”
No one, and I mean no one, knew more about what worked and what didn’t in professional wrestling than @realkevsullivan. He wrote some of the most successful television program ever during the Monday night wars. I will miss him…we will all miss him, but I’m sure he’s up there… pic.twitter.com/kKDzMa9e8u
— Tony Schiavone (@tonyschiavone24) August 9, 2024
Pco Pierre Carl Ouellet: “R I P my good buddy Kevin Sullivan. I worked for Kevin when he was a booker in WCW, and with him again in 2018 for MLW and he was a big believer in the PCO Character. He had a tremendous career and paved the way for so many of us.
God bless you Kevin! You will be missed by friends and family and by the whole Wrestling community.”
Rest in Peace to one of the great wrestling minds of all time, Kevin Sullivan. To talk to Kevin was to receive a master class in the business, and I was honored to be a student a few times. Kevin also championed my Sheik book and put me over to Sabu, which I’ll never forget. pic.twitter.com/o8BThYVwFv
— Brian R. Solomon (@BrianRSolomon) August 9, 2024
Jeffrey Wayne Bowdren on Facebook:
So I received a text from Barry this morning telling me that we had lost Kevin Sullivan. Unlike a lot of people, my favorite memories of Kevin were not as the “evil” leader of the Army of Darkness. My favorite memory of him were as the “Boston Battler” who teamed with Austin Idol against the Freebirds in Georgia, or as Mike Graham’s tag team partner back in the day. I also remember at one of Barry’s Fanfests, where Kevin was one of the featured guests. It was Sunday and a lot of the people were beginning to leave for the airport or the drive home. Kim was up in our room getting our stuff together, and I was the last one at the table with Kevin. I figured he just would want some time to himself and I got up to leave. Kevin looks at me and says:
“Do you have to leave? Can’t you stay for awhile?”
And I remember thinking….are you fucking kidding? Kevin F’n Sullivan wants me to sit and talk with him? Yep! So I sat with him for over 30 minutes, and didnt once talk about wrestling. We talked about the Red Sox and the Cubs, about baseball history, about our lives. Everything but wrestling. I remember thinking, what a great guy.
My friends used to rib each other when we would go to the matches by faking a kick to the groin. We’d laugh and say:
“Sully shot!”
Today, we all got a Sully shot. But it was a shoot.
R.I.P. my man.
TOP PHOTO: From left to right, Jenni Santana, Andrew Anderson, “Cuban Assassin” Fidel Sierra, Kevin Sullivan and Fantasy at the 2022 Cauliflower Alley Club awards banquet on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Photo by Wayne Palmer
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