5 Wrestlers You Possibly Thought Were Alive, But Aren’t

Unfortunately in the world of professional wrestling, not every superstar makes it out of the sport alive.

Be it from a freak accident or years of drug and alcohol abuse. It’s a sad fact that many of the wrestlers we grew up with have lost their lives at a very young age.

Here are five wrestlers you, perhaps, thought we alive, but are no longer with us.

Brian Adams

Better know by his ring name ‘Crush,’ Brian Adams debuted as part of the extremely popular ‘Demolition’ tag team. He left the WWE (for the second time in 1998) for WCW (to become a member of the invading NWO) but would return later to WWE (after WCW was purchased) for a short run. Sadly, he was found unconscious by his wife on Aug. 13, 2007, at their home in Miami. He was pronounced dead by paramedics when they arrived.

Test

Andrew ‘Test’ Martin was a former Intercontinental Champion, European Champion as well as a Hardcore Champion and Tag Team Champion during his time with the WWE. Casting an imposing figure standing 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing 280 pounds. It's really no wonder he was so successful in the WWE. Unfortunately Martin was found dead in his home on March 13, 2009. His death was ruled an accidental overdose of the drug Oxycodone.

‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude

One of the greatest performers in the history of wrestling and the self-proclaimed "sexiest man alive," Rick Rude was a former Intercontinental champion, a title he won by defeating The Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania V. Featuring legendary feuds with the likes of Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, and even being a member of the first incarnation of D-Generation X, the ravishing one was a true legend of the sport. Rude died April 20, 1999, after suffering heart failure at the age of 40.

Umaga

Edward Smith Fatu, better known by his ring name Umaga, was one of the most imposing figures ever to compete inside a wrestling ring. Debuting as part of a tag team called 3-Minute Warning, he had moderate success. However, it wasn’t until he returned to the WWE as ‘The Samoan Bulldozer’ that Umaga's career took off. The brother of WWE legend Rikishi, Fatu became a two-time WWE intercontinental champion. Umaga was found not breathing on Dec. 4, 2009. He suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital, where he died later that day after suffering a second heart attack.

Bam Bam Bigelow

Bam Bam Bigelow was not only intimidating looking, with his bald head sporting an awesome flame tattoo. He was more than 6 feet tall and weighed almost 400 pounds. He was even more impressive in the ring, where he would show he was just as quick and agile as guys half his size. A true legend of the sport he had one of the most talked about matches in Wrestlemania history, where he fought former New York Giants NFL great Lawrence Taylor at Wrestlemania XI. Bigelow was found dead in his home on Jan. 19, 2007. Autopsy results showed Bigelow’s death was caused by drugs in his system including cocaine, and an anti-anxiety drug. He was only 45.