Wrestlers Who Sadly Died In 2024 So Far

This year has already seen its share of excellent wrestling, debuts, and stars jumping between companies. It has also seen its fair share of scandals thus far. But, some of the most tragic news to come out of 2024 are the deaths of so many wrestlers already. From legends like Ole Anderson to extremely young stars gone too soon like Japanese wrestler Asahi at just 21 years old, this year is already shaping up to be a tragic one in the professional wrestling sphere. We're remembering the performers who have died so far in 2024, all while still thinking of those we lost last year.

The "Macedonian Madman" Chris Markoff died at 85 years old on February 10 after suffering a stroke at the beginning of the year. Markoff, whose real name was Risto Zelevarov, wrestled from the 1960s through the early 1980s. His death was announced by long-time Minnesota announcer Mick Karch, who knew Markoff for almost 60 years.

Born in Yugoslavia and raised in Minnesota, Markoff began his career in the American Wrestling Association. He appeared in the ring under multiple names, including Chris Jelevarov, Chris Markov, Chris Zeleurov, and Harry Madison. He also wrestled for the World Wrestling Association, where he won tag team gold alongside Angelo Poffo. Markoff would also go on to appear in NWA, as well as the Japan Wrestling Association. In 1981, he joined Jim Crockett Promotions, where he tagged with Nikolai Volkoff in a team called "The Imperial Russians." Markoff won gold in any promotion he competed in during his career before retiring.

Harold Hogue, also known as Ice Train and M.I. Smooth in the ring, died at the age of 56 on January 23. His cause of death is currently not known and "Diamond" Dallas Page announced his death on social media. The real-life Harold Hogue, Sr. was best known for his work with WCW. He debuted as Ice Train in the company in July of 1993 on an episode of "WCW WorldWide."

Hogue became a member of The New Blood and was re-named M.I. Smooth in mid-2000. He was feuding with Kanyon at the time WWF bought WCW, and he retired from wrestling shortly after the purchase in 2001, leaving the feud unresolved. Hogue did come out of retirement 18 years later at 52 years old. His last match was on December 21, 2019 for European Wrestling Promotion, where he fought Dave Taylor, and the match ended in a no contest.

Joshi wrestler Asahi died at just 21 years old on February 1 following a reported car accident. She was best known for her time with Ice Ribbon and Actwres girl'Z (AWG). She made her wrestling debut for the former at just 14. Asahi's contract with Ice Ribbon ended in 2023 and she joined AWG on a "three to six month loan," but ended up becoming a full-time part of the promotion. AWG confirmed her death on social media, posting "We would like to inform you that Asahi, a member of our company, has passed away due to an unexpected accident." An AWG show on February 9 was rescheduled following Asahi's death. 

Tributes poured in for the wrestler after her death, with fans and colleagues calling her "a ray of sunshine." Asahi's last match was at a January 31 event for the promotion in a tag team victory. Asahi temporarily stepped away from wrestling to focus on school in 2020, but made her comeback the following year.

Florida wrestler Frankie "Francisco" Ciatso, a veteran on the independent scene, died at the age of 48 on January 21. His cause of death has not been released publicly. He wrestled for many promotions during his career, including NWA, TNA, NWA, and more. He was also known by many names, such as "Journeyman," "The Shotcaller," and "The Southeast Gangster." He was also the subject of a 2019 documentary titled "Journeyman" that depicted his career. Barry Rose, a Florida promoter, shared the news of Ciatso's death in a Facebook post, sending condolences to his family and friends.

Ciatso began his career in 1996. He debuted for NWA Florida in May of 2001. He also appeared in Deep South Wrestling and appeared for WWE on episodes of "WWE Heat" and even wrestled Tatanka in May 2006 on an episode of "WWE Velocity." He was most recently a trainer for the World Wrestling Network, a NWA-affiliated promotion.

One of the four founding members of the original Four Horsemen and one-half of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, Ole Anderson, died at the age of 81 on February 27. His cause of death has not been revealed as of this writing, but it was reported in 2007 that he had been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The real-life Alan Robert Rogowski founded the Horseman alongside Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard, and the group was managed by J.J. Dillon. Anderson also teamed with his kayfabe brother Gene Anderson.

Anderson notably worked as a booker for Georgia Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions following his wrestling career. He would go on to be part of WCW's executive team and booking committee, forever hating Vince McMahon and the then-WWF for his takeover of the territories. Anderson was fired from WCW when Eric Bischoff took over, and he retired from professional wrestling in 1996.

Mike Jones, better known to wrestling fans as WWE's Virgil, died peacefully at a hospital on the morning of February 28 at the age of 72. His death was announced on Facebook by referee Mark Charles III. Charles noted in a previous interview with SlamWrestling.net that Virgil had two strokes last year, as well as confirmed dementia as of 2022. He also had been battling stage II colon cancer. Prior to his health issues, Virgil was often seen at comic and wrestling conventions throughout the country.

Virgil began his wrestling career as Soul Train Jones in the Championship Wrestling Association in 1985, before moving on to the then-WWF in 1986. He was best known as the bodyguard of Ted DiBiase, but also made it on his own, winning DiBiase's Million Dollar Championship in the process. Virgil was also known to fans in WCW as Vincent, a member of the New World Order. 

WWE Hall of Famer Sika Anoaʻi — one half of the Wild Samoans alongside his brother, Afa — died on June 25. In addition to his contributions in the world of professional wrestling, he was also the father of Roman Reigns and late WWE star Rosey.

Following in his brother's footsteps, Sika began training in the early 1970s and made his Stampede Wrestling debut in 1973. The Wild Samoans made their way to the WWF in 1980, managed by "Captain" Lou Albano, and became two-time Tag Team Champions during their initial run. While away from WWF for a few years, The Wild Samoans spent time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Mid-South, and Georgia Championship Wrestling.

Upon returning to WWF in 1983, Afa and Sika regained the WWF Tag Team Championship and reigned for several months that year. Sika returned three years later as a singles wrestler before teaming up with Kamala, a partnership that ended when the latter left WWF in 1987. His last televised WWF match was a battle royal at WrestleMania IV, his first pay-per-view appearance.

The wrestling world lost the other half of the Wild Samoans, Afa Anoa'i, to a heart attack at age 80 on August 16, not even two months after his brother, Sika, died on June 25. Anoa'i trained with Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia and had his first match, teaming alongside his brother, in 1971. The pair went on to wrestle in WWE, NJPW, Mid-South Pro Wrestling, and more companies, though they are arguably most remembered for their stints in WWE.

Anoa'i had a solo stint in WWE that began in 1992 where he managed Rikishi, Samu, and The Headshrinkers. He wrestled his final match in 1994, but as many wrestlers do, he returned for an odd bout here and there following his retirement. His final match happened in 2014, when Anoa'i was aged 71, in his own promotion, World Xtreme Wrestling. The Wild Samoans' legacy lives on through The Bloodline and the wrestlers they trained after opening the Wild Samoan Training Center in Minneola, Florida.

Sumo and wrestling star Akebono Taro, who was born as Chadwick Rowan, died at age 54 on April 11. Reports from Japan claimed he died of heart failure, as the former NJPW star had been battling heart issues that caused him to be unable to walk. He also reportedly suffered from partial memory loss and was unable to remember his time in professional wrestling.

Akebono changed his name upon moving to Japan from Hawaii. He became a successful sumo star in the country in the '90s, becoming the first non-Japanese wrestler to achieve the title of "yokozuna," the highest rank in the sport. Akebono's first WWE match after entering the professional wrestling world came in 2005, and he wrestled three times for the promotion, including a infamous WrestleMania 21 bout in which he defeated Big Show in a sumo match.

Following his work with WWE, Akebono continued to wrestle and spent time in AJPW, NJPW, Pro Wrestling Zero1, and Dragon Gate. He was a two-time Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion in AJPW. Akebono retired from wrestling in 2017 due to health issues.

Kevin Sullivan, known as "The Taskmaster," died following complications from emergency surgery on August 9. He was 74 years old. Sullivan reportedly suffered an accident in May while at a Florida autograph signing. He underwent emergency surgery that saved his leg at the time, but suffered sepsis and encephalitis.

Sullivan started off his career as an amateur wrestler in the Boston area, but was never trained professionally. He was the leader of the Three Faces of Fear and the Dungeon of Doom, both stables that caused problems in the ring for Hulk Hogan in the '90s. Prior to his time in WCW, he wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida and worked with Mike Rotunda and Rick Steiner in Jim Crockett Promotions.

Sullivan was also known for being involved heavily in backstage politics in WCW, feuding both personally as well as professionally with Chris Benoit and Brian Pillman. His final match was fittingly against Brian Pillman Jr., know known as Lexis King in "WWE NXT," in 2019.

Sid Vicious, also known as Sid Justice and Sycho Sid throughout his time in professional wrestling, died at age 63 on August 26. He had been battling cancer for several years, according to his son, who announced his father's death on Facebook. Vicious died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, but had previously battled atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

Vicious, real name Sid Eudy, was a multiple-time champion in both WWF and WCW. After his passing, many WCW stars, including Ric Flair and Sting, paid tribute to Vicious on social media.

Vicious debuted in 1987, and by the time he retired, was a six-time World Champion. He won the WWE Championship twice, as well as the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions. Vicious headlined WWE WrestleMania in 1992 and 1997, as well as WCW Starrcade in 2000. He began his career in Continental Championship Wrestler in 1987, initially wrestling under a mask as Lord Humungous. His final match came on August 5, 2017 when he defeated Paul Rosenburg in Canada for Great North Wrestling. His final WWE match was in June 2012 when he returned as Sycho Sid to defeat Heath Slater.

AJPW veteran Yutaka Yoshie passed away following a match after suddenly falling ill in the locker room on March 10 at 50 years old. The news was announced by All Japan Pro Wrestling, which said Yoshie was participating in a tournament before he died. Following his death, his family confirmed he died of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The family made sure to let fans know Yoshie's death had nothing to do with the match in their statement. At the time of his passing, he was wrestling on a freelance basis, something he had been doing since 2006, beginning in Pro Wrestling Zero1.

Yoshie had a background in judo and began his career in the NJPW dojo in 1994. He debuted at the end of the that year, but broke his leg in his second match. Yoshie's first major match came in January 1998 in the Tokyo Dome. The legend held many championships throughout his career, including the NWA Intercontinental Tag Team Championship in Pro Wrestling Zero1 and the IWGP Tag Team Championship in NJPW.

Canadian professional wrestler Paul "The Butcher" Vachon died on February 29. The adoptive father of the late Luna Vachon suffered from colon and throat cancers throughout his life, as well as diabetes. He passed at the age of 86, after having a brain tumor removed in 2023. Even through his later-life struggles, Vachon kept in touch with his fans on his official Facebook page, often sharing health updates.

Vachon started in the business in 1957, playing a heel and taking up the "butcher" moniker. He spent time in the AWA, WWE, NWA, and Georgia Championship Wrestling, before it became WCW. Notably, he won the AWA World Tag Team Championship alongside his brother, "Mad Dog" Vachon.

Vachon retired from wrestling in 1985. Following his retirement from the ring, he joined the New Democratic Party and ran as a federal candidate numerous years. He and his wife also ran a therapeutic magnets and traveled to fairs to sell their products.

British wrestler James Castle died on June 15 at the young age of 35 years old following a long battle with acute myeloid leukaemia. A stalwart of the British independent scene, Castle wrestled for RevPro, debuting in a tag team known as The Revolutionists in 2013. He and tag team partner Sha Samuels won RevPro's Undisputed Tag Team Championships in June 2015 and held on to the gold for the next year. 

He also wrestled for other companies, such as IPW, X Wrestling Alliance, and The Wrestling League, before his career ended in 2019 when he received his initial cancer diagnosis. He held the latter promotion's Wrestling League's Heavyweight Championship on one occasion. 

"The Anarchist" was one of the first students to train at the RevPro Portsmouth School, and the first wrestler trained from scratch to get featured on the promotion's main shows. Castle revealed in January that the leukaemia had returned, and doctors told him that it was terminal.

Empire Wrestling Federation's Liger Rivera died at the age of 37 on October 22, just days away from his 38th birthday. Details of his death were sparse, but he was reportedly hospitalized and in a medically induced coma prior to his passing.

The cruiserweight debuted in the professional wrestling scene in 2001 and retired in 2018. He held the EWF American Championship in 2010, as well as the promotion's Cruiserweight Title and the EWF Tag Team Championship alongside TJ Perkins. Riva also wrestled under a mask using the ring name Bat Manuel in another California-based independent promotion, Hoodslam.

EWF put together a YouTube tribute that was shared around and Rivera's peers and colleagues paid of their own to the independent wrestling legend, including "WWE Raw" General Manager Adam Pearce, who posted it was always a pleasure to share a locker room with Rivera. EW partnered with the NWA for a series of shows spanning 2006 to 2012, which Pearce and Rivera both worked.

All Pro Wrestling announced the death of its former Universal Heavyweight Champion "Shooter" Tony Jones on April 14. He was 53 years old at the time of his passing.

Jones wrestled in Ultimate Pro Wrestling and Xtreme Pro Wrestling, in addition to APW. He also had stints with WWE, first in 1998. He appeared in March 2007 on an episode of "WWE Heat," where he faced Eugene. Jones wrestled again in WWE four months later, losing once again, this time to Gene Snitsky.

Jones was a notable NCAA collegiate wrestler before entering the professional wrestling word, and even competed in several tournaments with Kurt Angle. Jones was, however, best known for his appearance alongside tag partner, Mike Modest, in "Beyond the Mat." In addition to appearing the in documentary, Jones and Modest won the APW Universal Tag Team Championships together, and were named the promotion's Tag Team of the Year in 1998.

"Bad Bones" John Klinger died of a heart attack on May 20 at the age of 40, just days following his final match on May 11 against Flash Morgan Webster. The German wrestler's death was announced by Westside Xtreme Wrestling on social media.

Klinger started his career with wXw in the early 2000s and was set to retire in September before his passing. He wrestled almost 450 matches in a wXw ring and competed in various other promotions in the United States and Japan, including PROGRESS, ICW, and Evolve.

"Bad Bones" held multiple titles throughout his career, including the wXw Unified World Heavyweight Champion and European Heavyweight Championship. He also made appearances in TNA in 2011, 2014, and 2017, facing the likes of Christopher Daniels, Samoa Joe, and ECIII. Klinger won the January 2011 edition of TNA Gut Check in London, something the promotion highlighted in its social media tribute to the independent star after his passing.

Anthony Gaines is another wrestler who passed away at a very young age. The independent star died on February 24 at the age of just 30, but the cause of death has yet to be revealed at the time of this writing. The heartbreaking news was announced on X (formerly Twitter) by Empire State Wrestling, a promotion where he gained much of his popularity.

"We are devastated to hear of the passing of Anthony Gaines," the statement read. "He was a remarkable performer in the ring who also touched the hearts of many lives outside of it. You will always be loved and never be forgotten. Without a doubt, you were authentically "None of a Kind."

Gaines, whose real name was Anthony Nicomenti Jr., went by the nickname "None of a Kind" in the ring. He debuted on the scene in 2014 with Upstate Pro Wrestling and worked for other promotion such as Revenge Pro Wrestling, Toronto's Smash Wrestling, and Pro Wrestling Rampage. He rose to viral fame in 2018 at an ESW show when he took a pounce from the much larger Ace Romero and flew right out of the ring.

"Big Cat" Scott Henson, a veteran of the wrestling scene in British Columbia, died at the age of 40 on June 16. The news of his death was confirmed by Canadian Apex Wrestling, who credited the former Tag Team Champion as a driving force behind the careers of many.

Henson's career started in backyard wrestling in 2000. As he got older, he wrestled in Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling and became the Solid Steel Champion in the 3-2-1 Battle! promotion in 2016.

Henson started wrestling in October 2002 and was known for coming out to the ring wearing gloves that looked like paws. In addition to being heavily involved in the Pacific Northwest wrestling scene, Henson was also a podcaster and gamer, appearing on "The Worst Year of Our Lives" podcast alongside his tag team partner, Sarian Soft Paws. Their podcast started with reviewing every episode of the final season of "WCW Nitro" and evolved into covering movies and commentary on current events.