When your job requires constant travel at all sorts of odd hours to go from city to city like in WWE, the road could become dangerous. Fans have heard of Tony Candelo’s so-called “Death Road” in Canada. Furthermore, an accident can happen at any time or anywhere, unfortunately.
Over the course of wrestling history, superstars have traveled through hell and creation to go from city to city and deliver to the fans. Sometimes some of the worst accidents have occurred to prevent that from happening and reduce tragic careers and in some cases lives.
10/10 gary hart
Not one, but two nasty plane crashes happened in 1975. Both claimed lives and ended careers. The first on this list is the lesser known involving wrestlers Bobby Shane, Buddy Colt, Dennis McCord, and Gorgeous Gary Hart. The group was traveling from Miami to Tampa on a Colt Cessna plane when a storm hit. The plane got stuck in a cloud bank and forced it to descend into the waters of Tampa Bay. The plane crashed and broke up, forcing Hart, McCord, and Buddy Colt to come ashore. Unfortunately, Shane was unable to free himself from the seat belt and was killed in the accident.
9/10 shawn michaels
For many years, Shawn Michaels was considered nothing more than a pretty boy. So when the future Heartbreak Kid crashed his motorcycle in the summer of 1991, Vince’s first reaction was something like “Shawn rides?!”.
Unfortunately he broke his knee and required surgery. Go back and watch The Rockers take on Power And Glory at SummerSlam 1991, you’ll realize that’s why Hercules chain-pinned HBK and knocked him out of the match entirely.
8/10 kerry von erich
The Von Erich family had suffered tragedy after tragedy and nearly suffered one more when Kerry Von Erich was involved in a horrific motorcycle accident in 1986. His hip was dislocated and his leg was terribly broken. However, according to Kevin, the doctors were able to fix it. Only when Kerry tried to walk on him did he reinjure himself, forcing doctors to amputate him. Texas Tornado would spend the rest of his life wrestling with a prosthetic, something very few superstars knew at the time.
7/10 brian pillman
In early 1996, Brian Pillman was the hottest act in the entire wrestling industry, literally. He had created enough of a stir and chaos in WCW, that he orchestrated his release and ended up in ECW for a cup of coffee before signing with WWE.
Shortly before officially signing, The Loose Cannon had totaled his Hummer after falling asleep at the wheel. The accident left Pillman in a coma, and doctors had no choice but to fuse his shattered ankle into a permanent walking position. The accident significantly altered Pillman’s ability to perform in the ring.
6/10 harley race
Over the years, many stories have circulated of The King, Handsome Harley Race driving down the roads at high speeds regardless of the weather. Usually he would have a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other (one of those hands would also be on the wheel). Early in his career, the practice caused a car accident that killed Race’s pregnant wife and left him in the hospital. The doctors wanted to amputate his leg, but the future 7-time NWA Champion refused, giving credence that he truly was the toughest man to ever walk the face of God’s green earth.
5/10 joey marella
Gorilla Monsoon was never the same again after his son, Joey Marella, was killed in a car accident, and no one could blame him one bit. Unfortunately, the referee was traveling at night with Harvey Wippleman on the New Jersey Turnpike. He unfortunately fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a guardrail. Harvey was saved by his seatbelt, while Marella had not buckled up, and died on impact.
4/10 eddie guerrero
Eddie Guerrero was always one of the biggest superstars in the ring. Once he finally started turning his life around, that’s when his career really took off. However, before that, Latino Heat did what he wanted, when he wanted. Even if it was to the detriment of his own health. He was on the road on New Year’s Day and was involved in a car accident. It took me six months to rehab and get back on Nitro. Despite all the flak Bischoff received over the years for releasing guys when they were injured, he actually gave up on Eddie during this time.
3/10 magnum TA
Throughout Crockett’s territory in the mid-1980s, Magnum Terry Allen defined the words “Man” and “Cool.” Seems wise, Magnum had Tom Selleck’s face (hence Magnum’s nickname) and Hoganesque physique and not an iota of baldness. He was destined to become a huge megastar. But on a dark and stormy night in 1986, he sadly lost control of his Porsche and crashed into a telephone pole. His C4 and C5 vertebrae were shattered and there was little hope that he would ever walk again let alone fight. Although that was the end of his career, he was able to regain full mobility of his body.
2/10 Brutus the Barber Meat Pie
Some fans have joked over the years about how Brutus only had one career because of his friendship with Hulk Hogan. That friendship also saved his life. As the two held hands and pummeled in the waters off Lutz, Florida, the driver of his boat took off at the wrong time, pulling his friend’s knees hard into Beefcake’s face, completely crushing him.
More than 100 feet of wire and 32 screws reconstructed his face. Hogan stayed with him and visited as often as she could.
1/10 ric style
Until the last season of Dark Side, the only plane ride Ric Flair fans were familiar with was his big plane crash in 1975. The crash killed the pilot, paralyzed Johnny Valentine, and Flair broke his back in three spaces. and at the age of 26 he was told he never fought again. Clearly, that’s not what happened at all: After three months of intense physical therapy, Naitch returned to the ring to cement his legacy.