Why do professional wrestlers seem to die too young?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 19:48:40 -0400

Rowdy Roddy Piper is dead at 61 from a heart attack. Dusty Rhodes died less than a month earlier. If these guys are true athletes, if they are...why do they seem to die at young ages? Early 60's is young, but maybe not for wrestlers. What say you?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Aug 1 at 2015 7:49 PM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 19:49:44 -0400

Steroids?

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Aug 1 at 2015 8:13 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:13:34 -0400

I'm not sure what led to the heart attack that caused the death of Rowdy Roddy Piper, but I think a valid point is presented here as it does seem that some of iconic wrestlers of the 80s and 90s have met premature demises over the past couple of years. The Warrior died of similar circumstances last year after Wrestlemania. Dusty Rhodes passed last month. Could it be steroids or other PEDs? Perhaps. Maybe their bodies were put through the wringer one too many times. It was a different era back then and the issues within professional wrestling weren't in the spotlight like they were in the late 90s and early 2000s.

It's a shame to lose characters like Rhodes and Piper. Maybe further research is needed to monitor the long-term affects on the health of these athletes/entertainers.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2015 8:26 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 20:26:44 -0400

61 not that young considering the abuse he put his body throught.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 1 at 2015 9:02 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 21:02:21 -0400

I hate to be callous, but "product of their times & careers."

Many of them came about during a "drug charged era" where both steroids and cocaine were prevalent. Although they are athletes, you can only put so many "miles" on a car, and you can only "redline" it so often before the engine is destroyed. Even the great Arnold Schwarzenegger had a heart a attack.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 2 at 2015 12:49 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 00:49:38 -0400

Most have nailed it. HGH, steroids, etc. are very hard on the heart, hence you see a lot of that with wrestlers who start dying in their 40s. That Rowdy made it to 61 tells me he didn't get into it as much as his peers or he's one tough dude. Most of wrestler early deaths are heart attacks.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 2 at 2015 12:49 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 00:49:53 -0400

Steroids?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2016 6:37 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 18:37:30 -0400

If you research it most of them are on pain killers and alcohol. Brock Lesnar is the Most recent WWE superstar to open up. I always thought that the tattoo with the sword going too his throat was ridiculous. Well come to find out there was a purpose he did that. He was on Pain killers and drinking heavily (vodka). He said he was in a dark place and was thinking about suicide. He said that he felt like there was a sword always on his throat. So that may help.

Response by Joseph Dunn made Jun 21 at 2016 9:23 PM

Joseph Dunn — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 21:23:00 -0400

It's the steroids. Their bodies just can't handle all the stress put on them when they take Steroids. They want the quick (shortcut) to an awesome body but, in reality the body just can't handle it.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2021 12:58 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 12:58:38 -0500

Rough and tumble sport, and steroids.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2021 2:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 14:06:05 -0500

Steroids. Brain damage from injuries and the constant assualt on their bodies.