Another pro wrestler dies young...

Kind of surprising, but as I recall, he was pretty much persona non grata after the ECW thing. I remember him as being someone who hurt people, but there's no mention of it in the wiki article, and I'd forgotten he was part of the Invasion angle(mostly because I've blocked out the Invasion angle). He did have some legendary matches with Masato Tanaka, but ultimately I'll always remember him as "That 70's Guy" and the "Mad Fat Chick Thriller." I also didn't realize he was related to Hulk Hogan.


Former ECW world champion Mike Awesome, 42, has passed away. His real name was Mike Alfonso.

According to reports, Awesome was found dead on Saturday morning in the Tampa Area. Friends were coming to his home in Tampa to pick him up and go out Saturday night at about 10:30 p.m. and he never answered the door and found him hanging in the home. It is believed the death was due to suicide pending results of the autopsy.

In addition to working in the U.S., he also worked for FMW in Japan. He will probably be most remembered as the ECW champion that signed with WCW when he still held the title.

Tazz was brought in by WWE to take the title from him, as he jumped to WCW. Awesome announced his retirement from wrestling in early 2006.

Article from here.