From WWE legends to performers who made strong names on the independent scene, and some who were just getting started, the professional wrestling world suffered some difficult losses in 2024.
The following is a look back at the wrestlers who died across the past year:
Akebono
Taro Akebono, a legendary sumo wrestler who starred at WrestleMania, died earlier this year.
He was 54.
Akebono died of heart failure in early April, according to The New York Times. The paper said he has been receiving treatment in a Tokyo hospital.
Akebono, who was born in Hawaii, was the first foreign born sumo grand champion. He became sumo’s 64th Yokozuna in 1993, according to the Times. He won 11 grand championships.
Akebono, who was born Chadwick Haheo Rowan, began his career in sumo in 1988. He reportedly retired in 2001 due to injury, and eventually transitioned to professional wrestling.
He trained under the legendary wrestler “The Great Muta,” and became a champion in Japanese wrestling, too. He made his WWE appearance at WrestleMania 21, defeating Big Show in a sumo match.
Akebono, who was listed at 6-foot-8, 514 pounds, also had a run in mixed martial arts. He competed in K-1 and fought against legendary fighters Royce Gracie and Don Frye. He finished his lost all four of his fights, three by submission.
Asahi
Asahi was just 21-years-old when she died in a car accident back in February.
The Joshi wrestler began her career at 14, and had already won a title.
The tragedy made the up-and-coming performer the youngest lost this year.
Ole Anderson
Professional wrestling legend Ole Anderson died in February.
He was 81.
Anderson, whose real name is Alan Robert Rogowski, was a founding member of The Four Horsemen along with Ric Flair, Arn Andeson, Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon.
“I am forever thankful to Ole and Gene for bringing me to Crockett Promotions as a cousin,” Ric Flair posted on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday. “It launched my career. I will e grateful forever for you giving me the opportunity to become who I am today. We didn’t always agree with each other, but the honest to God truth is you & Gene started me. Rest in Peace my friend!”
Ricky Morton also posted on Instagram about Anderson’s death.
“Rest in Paradise, Ole Anderson,” he wrote. “You taught me so much in professional wrestling. You were tough as nails. You will be missed, my friend.”
Anderson began his career in 1967 and wrestled through 1990.
He held individual and tag titles in a long list of organizations including the American Wrestling Association and in Jim Crockett Promotions.
He was elected to the WCW Hall of Fame in 1994 and was enshrined in the NWA Hall of Fame in 2010.
Afa Anoa’i
Professional wrestling legend Afa Anoa’i died in August.
He was 81.
“It is with deepest regret that we announce the passing for my father Anoa’i Sr.,” his son Samu Anoa’i wrote. “It was a peaceful transition and he was surrounded by loved ones. Please respect our privacy as we morn our father.”
Samu posted on Thursday that his father was not doing well.
Afa was known as one-half of “The Wild Samoans” where he teamed with his brother, Sika. Sika died back on June 25. Per Fightful, the duo joined the WWE in 1979 and won the tag team titles three times.
The site said that Afa was taken to the hospital for pneumonia back on January 12, and then suffered a mild heart attack. The site said Afa had a second heart attack.
He reportedly also had two “exploratory” heart procedures in December.
Sika Anoa’i
Sika Anoa’i died in June.
He was 79.
Sika, a WWE Hall of Famer, is perhaps best known for his run alongside Afa in the popular tag team, the “Wild Samoans.” The duo, per PWInsider, helped bring about the Anoa’i dynasty which consists of a long list of children and cousins that included the likes of The Rock, Rikishi, Jimmy Snuka right up until today’s popular “Bloodline” storyline in WWE.
The “Wild Samoans” worked together from 1973 all the way up through 1997.
They also opened a wrestling school where they trained the likes of Yokozuna, Junkyard Dog, Paul Orndorff, Bam Bam Bigelow and Batista.
He is the father of WWE star Roman Reigns.
James Castle
Castle died on June 15 after a lengthy battle with leukemia.
He was just 35-years-old.
Sports Illustrated called him “a stalwart of the British Independent scene.”
Francisco Ciatso
Ciatso died on January 21 at the age of 48, according to Sports Illustrated.
He was 48-years-old.
No cause of death was made public.
SI said he mostly made his name wrestling on the independent scene in Florida.
Jax Dane
Jax Dane, a former NWA world heavyweight champion, died in December.
He was 48.
The NWA announced his death on social media.
“The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) is heartbroken to announce the passing of Jeremy “Jax Dane” Laymon,” the statement read.
The NWA’s statement said that “Dane left us on Christmas Day” and that his death was “due to complications from a heart attack suffered in late November.”
“Dane is survived by his wife Evelynda Laymon, stepson Nicolas, and father, who will forever cherish his memory,” the statement said.
“Jax is remembered not only for his remarkable achievements inside the ring but his unwavering dedication to the sport and his fellow wrestlers,” it continued. “The most decorated wrestler of the Lightning One Era and former NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, Jax left an indelible mark on the NWA and the pro wrestling community as a whole.
NWA owner Billy Corgan said that Dayne “will forever be in our hearts.”
Anthony Gaines
Gaines was just 30-years-old when he died on February 24.
No cause of death has been reported.
Sports Illustrated noted he began working on the independent scene in 2014.
Scott Henson
Henson died on June 16 at the age of 40, according to Sports Illustrated.
He was 40.
SI said he had been in the business for 24 years working across the Pacific Northwest and in the indies in British Columbia.
He was also reportedly a popular podcaster and gamer.
Harold Hogue
Harold Hogue, perhaps best known for his run in WCW in the 90s as Ice Train, died in January.
He was 56.
Hogue was a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and he was trained by legendary wrestler Paul Orndorff and Buddy Lee Parker. The 6-foot-2, 315 pounder was particularly popular in WCW, per PWInsider.com because he was local — the company was based in Atlanta.
He was a powerful wrestler and his most memorable program may have come when he teamed with Scott Norton, another powerhouse wrestler, to form “Fire and Ice.” Norton eventually turned heel on Ice Train and the two feuded.
Later in his career with WCW he was renamed, M.I. Smooth.
Former WCW and WWE wrestler Marc Mero posted about Hogue’s death on X, formerly Twitter.
“I just heard the devastating news that our longtime friend and Wrestling Superstar Harold Hogue aka Ice Train passed away,” he wrote. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this and immediately called (Diamond Dallas Page) and he confirmed what I was seeing was in fact real. This really hits home as he was truly one of the good guys. Only 56 years young. My heart goes out to his wife and kids and his numerous fans. Heartbroken… RIP our amazing friend.”
Tony Jones
“The Shooter” Tony Jones died in April.
He was 53.
Jones was a well-known professional wrestling star in California, but he was best known for his appearance in the legendary wrestling documentary, “Beyond the Mat,” in 1999.
Jones’ tryout with the WWE was featured on that film. He wrestled Mike Modest during the tryout, and the film caught him receiving advice from legendary announcer Jim Ross backstage.
Jones was never signed by the WWE, though, and instead spent most of his career wrestling in California.
PWInsider.com reported that Jones last wrestled in 2017.
The site said that prior to his professional wrestling days, Jones was a talented amateur wrestler at San Francisco State University where he was the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Champion in 1994.
John Klinger
The 40-year-old was scheduled to wrestle his retirement match in September, but he never made it there.
Per Sports Illustrated, “Bad Bones” was a “mainstay of the UK independent wrestling scene.” He also had stints with TNA Wrestling in 2011, 2014 and 2017.
SI reported that Klinger died on May 20 of a heart attack.
Chris Markoff
“The Macedonian Madman” died on February 10 after suffering a stroke earlier in the year.
Markoff, whose real name was Risto Zelevarov, was 85-years-old.
Among his accolades, he teams with Lanny Poffo, and the two were champions in the World Wrestling Association.
Rey Misterio Sr.
Misterio Sr., the uncle of WWE legend Rey Mysterio Jr., died on December 20.
He was 66-years-old.
Misterio Sr. was remembered as a trainer for some top wrestlers, including Mysterio Jr., Psicosis and Konnan.
Sports Illustrated said he started wrestling in the 1970s and won multiple titles in AAA, WWA and Tijuana Wrestling.
Liger Rivera
Rivera died on October 22 at the age of 37, per Sports Illustraged.
The site said he had been placed into a medically induced coma before his passing.
Among his accolades, per SI, he held several titles in EWF.
Kevin Sullivan
Kevin Sullivan died in August.
He was 74.
The WWE acknowledged Sullivan’s death on social media and in a post on its website. WWE chief content officer, Triple H, also posted about his death 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 wrote. “He had an unwavering passion for what we do. My thoughts are with his family, friends and fans.”
Former WCW wrestler Bill DeMott also posted about Sullivan’s death.
“Without him taking a chance on me there (never) would have been Hugh Morrus,” he wrote. “Thank you #shorty! See you down the road!”
Sullivan’s death came just more than a month after news broke that he was battling serious health issues and was in need of financial health. Veteran wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer said then that Sullivan had “been in rough shape, including battling sepsis and encephalitis,” across the past couple of months. Meltzer said that Sullivan has been “in and out of consciousness in an ICU.”
A GoFundMe was set up to help offset costs because Sullivan’s insurance was running out. It said that Sullivan was in Florida to sign autographs on May 12 when he “suffered a devastating accident” and had to undergo “emergency surgery that saved his leg and life.”
Sullivan’s in-ring career began in 1970 and ran through 1997.
Perhaps his most well-known run came as a heel — “The Taskmaster” —with WCW from 1994 until 2001.
Paul Vachon
Paul “The Butcher” Vachon died in March.
He was 86.
“The Butcher” was a native of Montreal, who spent time wrestling in the World Wrestling Federation, which eventually became the WWE, and also wrestled in what would eventually become the WCW.
He began his career in 1957 and wrestled through 1986.
During his wrestling career, he often teamed with his brother Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon and they won championships in the NWA and AWA.
Aside from his brother, he was part of a large wrestling family.
According to Wrestle Zone, his sister, Diane, wrestled as Vivian Vachon, and his adopted daughter was the late Luna Vachon, who was also a WWE star.
He was reportedly diagnosed with colon cancer in 1993 and throat cancer in 2003.
Vachon was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2004, the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010, and the Nebraska Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2023.
Sid Justice (right) faces Hulk Hogan at a World Wrestling Federation show at Madison Square Garden on March 23, 1992. Justice, who's real name was Sid Eudy, died at age 63 after a long battle with cancer. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Sid Vicious
“Psycho” Sid Eudy died in August.
He was 63.
His son, Gunnar Eudy, announced his death on Facebook.
“In Memory of My Father, Sid Eudy,” he wrote. “Dear friends and family, I am deeply saddened to share that my father, Sid Eudy, has passed away after battling cancer for several years. He was a man of strength, kindness, and love, and his presence will be greatly missed.”
Former WCW and WWE personality Eric Bischoff also posted about his death.
“So very sad to hear of the passing for Sid Eudy,” Bischoff wrote. “I have nothing but the fondest memories of working with Sid. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and fans.”
Former WCW and WWE wrestler Marc Mero also posted about Eudy’s death.
“So sad to hear that friend and wrestling superstar Sid Eudy (Sid Vicious & Sid Justice) has passed away at 63 years young from cancer,” Mero wrote. “He was one of the first wrestlers I wrestled when I was trying out for WCW. What a great guy. My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and his millions of fans.”
Eudy was a towering, musclebound and intense character at 6-foot-9, 317 pounds. He first came to fame in the late 1980s in WCW as a member of “The Skyscrapers” along with Danny Spivey. Then, in the WWE in the early 1990s, he famously feuded with the likes of Hulk Hogan in the early 90s.
He was the WWE Champion twice and he was also the WCW Heavyweight Champion twice. He also held the WCW United States title.
Virgil
Former WWE and WCW star Virgil died in February, and he saved one final swerve for fans.
At the time it was reported by multiple outlets that he was 61-years-old.
But, apparently, Virgil, whose real name is Mike Jones, had one final swerve up his sleeve. Because, according to a report by Tom Leturgey and OSW review and confirmed by Fightful.com’s Sean Ross Sapp, Jones was actually 72-years-old. He reportedly told people his birthday was June 13, 1962 when it was actually April 7, 1951.
“Even after passing, he’s still working,” OSW review wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “God bless you Virgil.”
Ross Sapp reposted that and wrote, “I confirmed with Virgil’s management team that this is accurate. Virgil was actually 40 when he won the Million Dollar Title in 1991.”
The wrestler said in 2022 that he had been diagnosed with dementia and had also suffered several strokes. He also announced that he had been diagnosed with Stage II colon cancer.
Jones was a native of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. After playing college football at Virginia Union, his wrestling career also got its jumpstart in Pa. when he met Tony Atlas in a Pittsburgh Gym. The wrestling legend pointed Jones toward pro wrestling, and he began his career in 1985 and retired in 2019.
His most famous stint came in the WWE where he worked as the personal assistant for “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. He spent eight years working for the WWE before moving on to the WCW where he was a part of the popular nWo faction which was led by “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
Yutaka Yoshie
Yoshi was a legend in Japan after making the move from Judo to pro wrestling, per Sports Illustrated.
SI said Yoshi died in the locker room on March 10 following a match.
He was 50.
The site said Yoshie “won numerous championships in AJPW, New Japan and Pro Wrestling Zero1.”