Former WWE announcer Sean Mooney has spoken on the tragedies of pro wrestling over the years.
Mooney gained recognition as a backstage interviewer and play-by-play commentator for the WWE during the late 1980s and early 1990s. During a weekly feature called the ‘Event Centre’ he’d cut to pre-recorded promos and bring viewers up to speed on the latest WWE storyline developments as well as information on house shows around the country. Talking to Wrestling News Clips, the former presenter reflected on the number of young deaths in the business and how many of his colleagues are sadly no longer with us.
“Most of us are gone now (of that era). I’m one of the few remaining. There aren’t too many because you look back at how many are gone now and it’s just like, it’s mind-blowing to me. And they weren’t that old. Many of ’em gone in their fifties and sixties.”
Mooney also pondered on the nature of professional wrestling and how much of an effect it had on many.
“It just shows you how tough that business is, physically. It was a great time for them. They had the greatest fame they could have ever achieved but boy, did they pay a price. They really did.”
When asked if lifestyle choices affected the fatality rate, Mooney compared and made comparisons of the athletes of old with the wrestlers of today.
“I think these guys today obviously take much better care of themselves. I’m sure there’s some abuse or whatever. But back then, these guys were just trying to make a living. And you were an independent contractor and if you got hurt, you didn’t get paid.”
Mooney went on to talk about the demands of life on the road may have taken its toll on these individuals. How wrestlers would have to take care of themselves all whilst travelling to city to city and trying to stay in shape.
WWE Wrestler Deaths Of 2023
Inside The Ropes pays tribute to the wrestlers who are no longer with us. In 2023, a number of revered WWE Hall of Famers and prominent active wrestling stars passed away, leaving behind enduring legacies and a wealth of unforgettable memories for their global fan base, who had the opportunity to witness their remarkable performances both in person and on television.
H/t to TJRWrestling.net