Michael Sharrer, who wrestled primarily as Micah Taylor, has died. He was 47.
He was a mainstay of the independent scene, and spent time in WWE-developmental territories Ohio Valley Wrestling and Deep South Wrestling.
The 5-foot-10, 242-pounder was born on May 21, 1977, in Kaneohe, Hawaii, and attended Kalaheo High School, where he was a competitive amateur wrestler and played football.
Sharrer served in the US Marines before he broke into the wrestling business in 2003. His trainers included some of the top names at the developmental territories, including Nick Dinsmore, Lance Storm, Rip Rogers, Jim Cornette, Bill DeMott, Jody Hamilton and Dave Taylor.
Pro wrestling eventually became a family business, as he married wrestler Tracy Taylor (Tracy Castillo) — who also was a valet for her husband — and their daughter wrestles as Twisted Trixie. They lived in Georgia.
In his X profile, Sharrer proudly noted that he “has wrestled for WWE and many indies across the US and Japan, Korea, England and now Nigeria.” His signature move was “The Wipe Out”, playing into his Hawaiian background. He also wrestled as LOCO, Mike Taylor, Micah Fletcher. In Japan for ZERO-1, he was a champion as Sandy Beach.
Away from the ring, Sharrer participated in video games as a motion capture figure, including WWE Smackdown Vs RAW THQ, WWE 2K and Mortal Combat-Nether Realm.
The news of his death, announced on September 12, 2024, shook the wrestling world, though the actual circumstances behind his death are not known at this time.
Many people posted their memories of him.
Jax Dane (J Dane Laymon): Rest Well my friend. Professional Wrestling is weird intricate business w layers so complex an unaffiliated person couldn’t make sense of it if they tried. I’d guess less than 10 percent of the people you cross paths with want better for you than you want for yourself. It’s an inherently selfish business. That’s what made Mike special. He was one of the few that wanted to see you succeed and would do all he could to help you. I was paired w Mike on day one at OVW and he was already really good and I was a basketball player. He kept me safe in the drills, in the locker rooms, politically… the what to do and what not to do. Made my gear and genuinely made sure I was in a solid position in a new World that I was unprepared for and didn’t understand. There were a handful of guys (Mike, Conway and Idol) that were great to me. I’ll forever be grateful for the stuff they can’t teach you that he taught me. Rest Well my friend. I’m deeply saddened by this.
Most of these are shocking, some hurt and some really hurt. This one is the latter.
Maestro Rob Kellum: Oh man….one of my wrestling brothers I helped train Micah Taylor has passed away. Was so proud of him. Heartfelt thoughts, prayers, and condolences to his family.
Cassidy Riley: Been trying to process this all night and I still can’t. I’m Devastated and heart broken 💔 I love ya “brudda”. Thanks for all the memories and good times we had together. I’ll prob have more to say later, but for now this is all I have the strength to say. I ask for prayers for his family and children.
Freya States: Crazy that I was just randomly thinking about him this morning. He’s part of the only family where I wrestled both parents and their daughter. Had a tag match with him in Alaska years ago, and I was super nervous. So he planned a bunch of stuff for the beginning with me, and then he proceeded to not do any of it 😂 Learned a lot from him in a very short amount of time. Hell of a guy who offered help and advice even when we hadn’t spoken in a while. Wish I could have redeemed that first match. Nothing is guaranteed y’all 💙
Vik Dalishus: I am in total shock and filled with total sadness on this news. Rest peacefully Micah Taylor/ We were Tag Team partners in OVW, we had our first “shot at the big time”
Nigel Sherrod: Sad to hear of the passing of Micah/ Mike Taylor I’ve known him since I was 17 and he was always a consistent, talented, in ring performer and you always knew where you stood with Mike, been there a time or two with Mike on some disagreements but I appreciated the realness of being a brother, he was always a true brother through and through. Mike loved pro wrestling, he loved his kids and he loved to entertain. Thank you for your service. Thanks for the laughs and good times my friend! fly high
Lord Bengston: Rest in Peace Micah Taylor ❤️ Your generosity and love single handedly kept me afloat when I was lost. You taught me how to show grace and give people second chances. You helped me learn to let things go. I Love you so much
Rip Rogers: Seems like yesterday we were training together .. May he rest in peace ..u never know…..
Bull James: Mike, thank you for being a true brother, in every sense of the word. Hands down one of the most talented people I’ve ever shared a ring with and, easily, one of the funniest people I’ve ever been around. Every time my phone rang and your face showed up on my screen, I knew I was about to laugh until I cried. Save a seat for me and have a beer waiting. Love ya dude. 🤙
