8 WWE Stars That Passed Away During The Coronavirus-Tainted And Forgettable 2020

2020 is a forgettable year for most mainly due to COVID-19. However, there were casualties in the WWE and most are notable names.

For those who may not know these wrestling icons, here is a shortlist of who they were and how they were best known in the squared-circle.

8. Rocky Johnson

Rocky Johnson, aka Wayde Douglas Bowles, is best known to most as the father of actor and former WWE wrestler Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Not many from this generation know him that well, but Johnson did have his share of success. He was one-half of the world tag team champion alongside Tony Atlas.

They were the first black champions in WWE history. He retired in 1991 and died on Jan. 15, 2020.

7. Howard Finkel

Though he never really saw action in the ring, but Howard "The Fink" Finkel was considered the voice of the WWE.

He is the promotion's longest-serving employee and considered the greatest ring announcer of all time. He died on Apr. 16, 2020.

6. Shad Gaspard

Shad Gaspard was one-half of the tag team Cryme Tyme, better known as Shad. Though he hardly figured in major titles, he was known as a good man outside the ring.

Among his good deeds included foiling a robbery in Florida in 2016. Gaspard died from apparent drowning on May 17, 2020, when he and his son were among those caught in a rip current.

5. Kamala

Considered one of the WWE legends, Kamala or known in real life as James Arthur Harris was one of the popular heels who did the unthinkable. That includes seemingly devouring a live chicken on national television.

He was a force to reckon with during his prime. “The Ugandan Giant” passed away on Aug. 9, 2020.

4. Road Warrior Animal

Joseph Michael Laurinaitis is one-half of the famed tag team “Road Warriors” or “Legion of Doom.” Along with Road Warrior Hawk, both had more than their fair share of tag team success in the WWE and WCW.

He died on Sept 22, 10 days after his 60th birthday.

3. Pat Patterson

Most probably knew Pat Patterson as one of the minions of Vince McMahon. But during his prime, he was the first wrestler to win the WWE Intercontinental title.

He is also credited with the creation of the Royal Rumble. At 78, Patterson became the oldest person ever to win the WWE 24/7 belt. He passed away on Dec. 9, 2020, due to liver failure.

2. Zeus

Zeus, also known as Tommy D. “Tiny” Lister Jr., had a short run in the then-WWF and feuded with Hulk Hogan. He drew attention when he appeared in the movie “No Holds Barred” in 1989.

His last appearance was during the 1990 Royal Rumble to which he moved on to other promotions like the now-defunct WCW and Puerto Rico's WWC.

He passed away on Dec. 10, 2020, with coroners alleging he died from COVID-19 complications.

1. Brodie Lee a.k.a. Luke Harper

As mentioned in a previous post, the latest and hopefully last wrestler to pass away is Jon Huber. In the WWE, he was best known as Luke Harper who was part of the defunct Wyatt Family.

He holds the distinction of being a former WWE Intercontinental champion before moving to AEW as Brodie Lee.

Huber died of a non-COVID-19-related lung issue and was only 41. It appears he may have learned of it back in October when he lost the AEW TNT Championship and never returned to the outfit.