17 Pro Wrestlers Who Died From Health Problems [PHOTOS]

As the world comes to grips with the untimely passing of professional wrestling icon The Ultimate Warrior, it sheds light on an unfortunate trend of pro wrestlers who died too early for various health reasons.

The official cause of death for The Warrior–real name James Hellwig was “atherosclerotic/arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.” In other words, it was a heart attack brought on by heart disease. Albeit Hellwig was indeed less active in his retirement from the ring, years of heavy lifting and training surely had to be a positive contributor to his health, no? He was only 54-years-old.

Unfortunately the Warrior likely won’t the last–and he damn sure wasn’t the first gladiator to have internal problems force him into an early grave when the outward appearance seems like it was sculpted on Mt. Olympus.

Hip-Hop Wired has looked over the pro wrestler obituary files and found 17 other pro wrestlers who died due to problems under the hood. Take a look at the selections in remembrance.

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Photo: YouTube

Photo: YouTube

André The Giant

Died: Age 46
Photo: YouTube

Due to his enormous stature, André Roussimoff had been victim to numerous health issues his entire life. He died in 1993 of heart failure in his sleep.

Photo: YouTube

Macho Man Randy Savage

Died: Age 58

The wrestling legend had a sudden fatal heart attack while driving with his wife on May 20, 2011.

Yokozuna

Died: Age 34

Rodney Anoaʻi was 580 pounds at the time of his death in 2000. A prime contributor to the pulmonary edema that did him in.

“Flyin'” Brian Pillman

Died: Age 35

THe popular figure in all three professional wrestler circuits died from a heart condition

Chris Candido

Died: Age 33

Although he was a former WWF, WCW, ECW champion and otherwise a healthy pro athlete, Candido died from complications of pneumonia after destroying his leg in the ring during a 2005 cage match.

Billy Travis

Died: Age 41

Travis was making a name for himself in the United States Wrestling Association when he died from a heart attack in 2002.

Arthur Leon “Art” Barr

Died: Age 28

It was implied that Barr’s 1994 mysterious death was due to years of steroid seeing that his organs were abnormally enlarged, but it was never officially ruled.

Photo: YouTube

Big Dick Dudley

Died: Age 32

The former Extreme Championship Wrestling star was found dead in 2002 due to kidney failure. Long live that legendary name.

“Ravishing” Rick Rude

Died: Age 40

Rude passed away due to heart failure in April of 1999. It was discovered that there were a serious mix of drugs in his system per the autopsy.

Buzz Sawyer

Died: Age 32

Bruce Woyan died from heart failure when he overdosed on drugs and alcohol in 1992.

Photo: Carrie Devorah/WENN

Edward “Umaga” Fatu

Died: Age 36

The former WWF Intercontinental Champion suffered two heart attacks in December 2009; the day of his death.

Brian Hildebrand

Died: Age 37

The part-time wrestler spent most of his career as a pro referee and his body still gave way to stomach cancer in 1999.

CRUSH

Died: Age 43

The cause of death for famed wrestler Brian Adams was never discovered although it is widely speculated that habitual steroid use over the years played a mega role in his body’s organs breaking down.

Photo: Carrie Devorah/WENN

Eddie Guerrero

Died: Age 38

Acute heart failure claimed the life of the undeniably talented Guerrero on November 13, 2005.

Eddie “Hot Stuff” Gilbert

Died: Age 33

In 1995, Gilbert died from a heart attack when he was looking to elevate his career.

Gary Albright

Died: 36

During a 2000 World Xtreme Wrestling match in Pennsylvania, Albright collapsed in the ring and died of a heart attack.

Johnny Grunge

Died: Age 39

Michael Lynn Durham had been a longtime juicer and everything came to a close internally when he overdosed on steroids in February of 2006.