The wrestling world is mourning the loss of three of it’s former stars, who all passed away on the same day from unrelated causes.
Brian Christopher, who wrestled with WWE; Nikolai Volkoff, a WWE Hall of Famer and champion; and Brickhouse Brown, who wrestled with the United States Wrestling Association all passed on Sunday. All three former wrestlers were popular in their own right and all have been mourned by fans since their deaths were announced.
There is confusion surrounding Christopher’s death more than the other two. Christopher reportedly attempted to hang himself in a jail in Memphis, Tennessee and was put on life support before ultimately passing with his friends and family around. Yahoo Sports reported that Christopher was arrested for drunk driving and evading arrest on July 7 and was in jail waiting for a trial.
Shortly after Christopher’s death was announced, WWE announced that Volkoff had passed as well. Volkoff, whose real name is Josip Nikolai Peruzović, was a WWE Tag Team Champion as a part of The Iron Sheik.
Volkoff was 70-years-old and is believed to have passed from natural circumstances. The WWE released a statement announcing their sadness at his passing shortly after his family announced the news.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Josip Nikolai Peruzović, known to WWE fans as Nikolai Volkoff, has passed away at age 70,” WWE wrote. “Best known for his dastardly, WWE Tag Team Championship-winning union with the Iron Sheik, Volkoff’s in-ring career spanned the better part of 40 years…WWE extends its condolences to Peruzović’s family, friends and fans.”
The wrestling world also mourned Brickhouse Brown, whose real name is Fredrick Seawright, never competed with WWE but was popular among USWA fans in the 80s. Seawright was being cared for at a hospice in Mississippi when he passed from prostate cancer Sunday night.
Featured Image via: Wikimedia Commons
