Over 25 Percent of Wrestlemania VII Performers Have Died

“Macho Man” Randy Savage is the 14th of the 51 total participants in the 1991 pay-per-view event to pass away, according to reports citing The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While Savage died after having a heart attack and crashing his Jeep Wrangler last week, many of his peers died of drug-related causes.

“The Texas Tornado” Kerry Von Erich committed suicide at 33 years old after being indicted on a drug charge for “prescription forgery.” “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith died at 39 from steroid cocktail abuse, while Mr. Perfect died at 44 from a combination of steroids, cocaine and painkillers. Crush’s cause of death at 44 remains unconfirmed, but there are reports that drugs were involved.

Female performers who have died include Miss Elizabeth, Savage’s manager in the mid-90s, who passed away at 42 years old from overdosing on drugs and alcohol and Sensational Sherri, who also overdosed on drugs at 49, specifically on oxycodone.

Not all deaths were from drugs, however: Andre the Giant (46), Hawk (46), Hercules (47), and Big Boss Man (41) all died of heart problems; Earthquake died at 42 of bladder cancer; Joey Marella died at 31 after falling asleep at the wheel; and Dino Bravo was shot to death in a hotel room at 44.

WrestlingInc.com, which also cites the deaths of Gorilla Monsoon (62) and Lord Alfred Hayes (76), compared these numbers to other major 1991 events. All the 44 pro football players at Superbowl XXV between the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants, for example, are still alive. Every performer from England’s 1991 and 1992 Monsters of Rock festivals, a hard rock and heavy metal showcase, also remain alive.

At 58, Savage was the oldest on the list to die. According to TMZ, Savage’s brother, Lanny Poffo, said the family will not hold a public funeral and will instead hold a family-only memorial. Savage will then be cremated, and his ashes will be spread beneath his favorite tree where the ashes of his dog, Hercules, were spread years ago.

This article was originally published on AllMediaNy.com