7 Famous Pro Wrestlers Who Have Killed People
Pro wrestling attracts some of the strangest people. The rock and roll lifestyle combined with the adrenaline rush of 60,000 fans screaming your name, is a tempting concoction that lures in the egotistical and insecure. In the past, many wrestlers have been arrested on charges of drug possession, drunk driving, domestic abuse and robbery. But even a small few have been captured or accused of worse. That includes murder. Here is a list of seven popular wrestlers who have killed someone.
Scott Hall
In a short documentary last year, Scott Hall admitted that he once executed a man. In an episode of ESPN's E:60, Scott Hall recalled a 1983 circumstance when he got into a conflict with a patron at a bar. During the struggle outside, Hall claims he punched the guy and as the man laid on the ground, he went into his waistband to draw a gun. The two wrestled around with the handgun before Hall was able to get a hold of it. Hall shot the bruiser in the skull. Hall was charged with second degree murder, though the charges were later dismissed for insufficient evidence.
Chris Benoit
The most obvious murder in the history of pro wrestling. What Chris Benoit did to his wife and son over a three day period in June 2007 is one of the most heinous massacres in the last ten years. It's been reported that Benoit murdered his wife Nancy by asphyxiation, and then waited a substantial amount of time before doing the same to his son. Police used that evidence to determine the slayings were deliberate, and not a result of roid rage. There has been no conclusive cause, but many attribute the murders to Benoit's mental state, which had decayed as a result of numerous head traumas over his 22 year career.
New Jack
Hardcore wrestler New Jack made a name for himself by taking incredible risks with his body, and by beating the every living crap out of his opponents. So it should come as no surprise that New Jack is the only professional wrestler with four justifiable homicides under his belt. Before Jerome Young was christened New Jack, he was a professional bounty hunter. In addition to the four homicides, New Jack has driven headlines several times over the last twenty years. Most notably were his run ins with indy wrestlers Gypsy Joe and Mass Transit.
Great Khali
Former WWE Heavyweight Champion and current WWE superstar accidently killed a man during an APW Beginners Camp. Apparently the man, named Brian Ong, had suffered a previous concussion, but continued training at the camp. After taking two consecutive Flapjack maneuvers, Brian's got even worse. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The Great Khali was never brought up on charges, but the APW company was successfully sued for over one million dollars.
Verne Gagne
Verne Gagne is of the same ilk as men like Killer Kowalski, Lou Thesz and Bruno Sammartino. He was an old school wrestler that impressed the generation before the cartoonish WWF destroyed regional territories. But in 2009, the WWE Hall of Fame wrestler killed his nursing home room mate after bodyslamming him to the floor. Gagne, who was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, could not recollect the catastrophic events due to his dementia. The victims wife and family did not want to press charges.
Jimmy Snuka
The popular "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka has never been charged with murder, but there is a very compelling story about him and a female wrestling fan named Nancy Argentino, whose relationship culminated in death. The official story states Snuka returned to his hotel room after a night of wrestling matches, to find his girlfriend gasping for air. However, it was eventually determined she passed away from craniocelebral injuries. The case remains a jumbled mess, with accusations flying on both sides. Vince McMahon functioned as the mouthpiece for Snuka at the time. No charges were brought, though in 1985 a default judgment was made against Snuka in favor of the family of Nancy Argentino.
Ox Baker
Before I go into detail here, let me state that Ox Baker has never killed a man. But it is worth mentioning that his opponents have had poor luck while wrestling the legendary grappler. In 1971, Ox Baker's opponent Alberto Torres died after taking Baker's finishing maneuver the Heart Punch. It was later divulged Torres had a pre-existing condition. But it doesn't cease there. One year later, opponent Ray Gunkel had a heart attack during a match with Ox Baker. These two incidents were never Baker's fault, but it did help sustain his career.
With the exception of Chris Benoit, the episodes of these men did not hinder their involvement in pro wrestling. In fact, in the case of Ox Baker, Scott Hall and Great Khali, the men embarked on to bigger and better careers in the sport.
