Obituaries
Bob Ryder, key behind-the-scenes player, dies
With the news today that Bob Ryder of Impact Wrestling was found dead in his apartment after a lengthy battle with cancer, the tributes flow in. But...
Mat Memories: Recalling Sylvano Sousa, my tag team partner
I got the word on Wednesday that Sylvano Sousa had passed away from complications from COVID-19. He had been ill for just 10 days, with the virus...
George Tahinos’ Tracy Smothers & F.B.I. in ECW photo gallery
The Full-Blooded Italians faction in ECW has to count among the most unique groups in professional wrestling history. It began in April 1996 when...
More Headlines
Tracy Smothers succumbs to cancer
As announced on his Facebook page, "Wild-Eyed Southern Boy" Tracy Smothers passed away on October 28th. After battling lymphoma for years, he first publicly reported it in December 2019 and regularly updated everyone through his social media about his battle with...
Joe Black was an iconic Toronto photographer
Just around the corner from Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens was Joe Black's studio, Graphic Artists, on Yonge Street. The location meant that Black was a regular at sporting events around the city for years. Though he didn't shoot tons of live wrestling, Black did...
B.C. referee Gary Allen was ‘The King’ and one of the boys
“Jesus Christ, Denton, this kid’s a real mark!” Gary Allen said this to me in the middle of the ring one night. Al Tomko had brought in yet another guy to try out in his All-Star Wrestling territory, which was based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. Al had sent me...
Singer John Condrone, with a past in wrestling, dies from COVID
Singer-songwriter John Condrone passed away on October 20, 2020, from complications due to COVID-19. Although more known for his music such as "If You Stole My Heart", "But Then," and "Since I Found you," he also dished out numerous hits inside the squared circle....
Young European stars Karsten Beck and Ryan Smile pass away
Tributes have been pouring in for two young stars from the independent scenes in Europe that have died. Ryan Smile, from England, was 31 and Germany's Karsten Beck was 33. Smile, who had been battling mental health problems since he was aged 15, passed away on October...
Tennessee icon Len Rossi dies at 91
In the Tennessee wrestling territory known for over-the-top, anything-goes action, Len Rossi was an anomaly. He was a plain-and-simple babyface, not given to shrieking, hollering, or playing to the crowd. He was the son of Italian immigrants at a time when Tennessee...
