Remembering WWE Legends: Tragic Losses That Shook the Wrestling World

Over the years, wrestling fans have had to cope with the loss of many athletes, including Sara Lee and Brodie Lee.

In October 2022, Cory Weston finally spoke out about his wife's unexpected passing in a heartfelt tribute.

In an open letter shared via Instagram, he expressed his deep love for her from the moment he laid eyes on her. Describing her as an angel on earth, he praised her beauty, compassion, strength, and love, grateful for the three beautiful children they shared.

Acknowledging her roles as a motivator, best friend, sister, daughter, aunt, and the backbone of their family, he cherished her most as his wife. In the face of uncertainty, he found solace in the memories they created together, knowing that death could never erase their bond.

Amanda Huber, Brodie’s wife, surprised fans by confirming his death two years earlier. She expressed her grief in December 2020, stating, “My best friend passed away today. I never wanted to have to say those words. My heart is shattered. While the world knew him as the incredible @brodielee (formerly Luke Harper), to me, he was my best friend, my husband, and the most amazing father you could ever meet. No words can capture the love I have for him or the depth of my sorrow.”

Scroll through the gallery below for more heartbreaking WWE tragedies.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Shutterstock (3)

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Over the years, wrestling fans have had to cope with the loss of many athletes, including Sara Lee and Brodie Lee.

In October 2022, Cory Weston finally opened up about his wife's unexpected passing in a heartfelt tribute.

In an open letter shared via Instagram, he expressed his deep love for her from the moment he first laid eyes on her. He described her as an angel on earth - beautiful, compassionate, strong, and loving. She blessed him with three incredibly beautiful children.

Not only was she a wonderful mother, but she was also a motivator, best friend, sister, daughter, aunt, the backbone of their family, and most importantly, his beloved wife. In these uncertain times, he struggled to find the right words, but he knew that their memories together were untouchable by death.

Amanda Huber, Brodie's wife, surprised fans by confirming his passing two years earlier. (Brodie and Sara were not related.)

In December 2020, she shared, "My best friend passed away today. I never thought I would have to say those words. My heart is shattered. While the world knew him as the incredible @brodielee (formerly Luke Harper), to me he was my best friend, my husband, and the most amazing father you could ever meet. There are no words to express the love I have for him or the pain I am feeling right now."

Scroll through the gallery below for more heartbreaking WWE tragedies.

WWE Superstar Michael Virgil Jones Dead at 61

Credit: YouTube

Michael ‘Virgil’ Jones

Jones (a.k.a Virgil) passed away in February 2024 at age 61. His death came weeks after it was reported that he suffered “several strokes."

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Randy Savage

The Ohio native, who had six world championship reigns, died at age 58 after suffering a heart attack while driving his car in May 2011.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Casey Rodgers/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

James Brian Hellwig

Hellwig, who was known as The Ultimate Warrior, passed away in April 2014 just days after he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He was 54.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Dusty Rhodes

Rhodes passed away in June 2015 at age 69 from kidney disease.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Roddy Piper

The Canada native, who worked with WWE from 1984 to 2000, died following a cardiopulmonary arrest caused by hypertension at age 61. Us confirmed the news in July 2015.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock

Chyna

In April 2016, Chyna was found dead at her home at age 46. An autopsy later noted that she died of an overdose of alcohol combined with anxiety drugs and a sleeping aid.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock

George Steele

The former school teacher, whose real name was William James Myers, passed away due to kidney failure at the age of 79 in February 2017.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Joseph Marzullo/Wenn.com Newscom/MEGA

Johnny Valiant

Thomas Sullivan, also known as Valiant, passed away in April 2018 at the age of 71. He tragically lost his life after being struck by a truck while crossing a bustling street in Pennsylvania. The authorities classified the incident as an unfortunate accident.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Picture Perfect/Shutterstock

Bruno Sammartino

The WWE legend, who had been battling health issues, died at the age of 82 in April 2018. The two-time world champion shared twin sons, Darryl and Dan, with wife Carol Sammartino.  

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Leon White

After a two-year battle with congestive heart failure, the professional football player died in June 2018. He was 63.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Mediapunch/Shutterstock

Gene Okerlund

Gene Okerlund, the wrestling interviewer, tragically passed away in January 2019 at the age of 76. His son revealed that Okerlund had undergone three kidney transplants and had experienced a fall prior to his passing.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock

Ashley Massaro

In May 2019, Massaro died at the age of 39 after being found unresponsive at her home. The case of her death was not made public.  

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Rocky Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s father passed away in January 2020 at age 75. The Canada native, who was the first Black champion in WWE history, died of a pulmonary embolism.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock

Howard Finkel

The professional wrestling ring announcer died at the age of 69 in April 2020. Finkel's death came one year after he had a stroke.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Paul A Hebert/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Shad Gaspard

Tragically, in May 2020, Shad Gaspard passed away at the age of 39 after being caught in a powerful rip current. The Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguards discovered his body on the shores of Venice Beach.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Courtesy of Brodie Lee/Instagram

Brodie Lee

The wrestler, whose real name was Jon Huber, died in December 2020 from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The dad of two was 41.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Scott Hall

Scott Hall, also known as Razor Ramon during his time at WWE, was hospitalized in March 2022 after breaking his hip from a fall. Tragically, he was taken off life support later that month due to complications from a blood clot. He passed away at the age of 63.

WWE Tragedies Over the Years: The Saddest and Most Shocking Deaths

Credit: Courtesy of Sara Lee/Instagram

Sara Lee

At the age of 30, Sara Lee passed away in October 2022. She was a Texas native and leaves behind three children with her husband. Prior to her death, Sara had publicly mentioned suffering from a sinus infection, although the cause of her passing has not been disclosed publicly.

WWE Star Bray Wyatt Dead at 36

Credit: Tristan Reynaud/Sipa/Shutterstock

Bray Wyatt

Wyatt, who came from a wrestling family, died unexpectedly at age 36 in August 2023. 

Editor's P/S:

The article serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the impact that loss can have on families and loved ones. The stories of these wrestlers, who brought joy and entertainment to countless fans, are a testament to the human spirit and the enduring power of memory. Their legacies will continue to inspire and uplift those who knew them and those who will forever be touched by their contributions to the world of wrestling.

While the loss of these individuals is undoubtedly tragic, it is also important to celebrate their lives and the positive impact they had on others. Their stories serve as a reminder to cherish every moment and to strive to make a difference in the world, no matter how small.