Professional wrestling has long been a sport shadowed by premature deaths, with stars succumbing to heart attacks, overdoses, and suicide. This trend, appearing to be a significant cost of stardom in the ring, has been linked to a demanding lifestyle, the use of performance-enhancing drugs, and severe physical trauma.
A 2014 study by Eastern Michigan University revealed that wrestlers between the ages of 25 and 49 were 4.5 times more likely to die than the general population. The study found that cardiovascular issues were the leading cause of premature deaths among wrestlers, with drug abuse identified as another major contributing factor. Both are often tied to the extreme physical toll and grueling schedule inherent in professional wrestling.
Wrestlers, particularly those at the highest levels, face a demanding schedule often exceeding 300 days on the road annually, subjecting their bodies to relentless physical stress. This demanding career path has led many to sustain chronic pain and multiple injuries. Hulk Hogan, for example, reportedly underwent 25 surgeries in the decade leading up to 2024 to address pain from decades of injuries, including spinal fusion surgery, knee and hip replacements, and repairs to his shoulders, biceps, and abdominal muscles.
To cope with injuries and maintain performance, many wrestlers have resorted to cocktails of steroids and painkillers. Hogan himself admitted to Joe Rogan that wrestlers often turn to pills and alcohol to keep going, stating, "Guys start drinking too much, popping pills to keep going… it messes with your heart, your head, everything." He also detailed a period of dependence on painkillers, including opioids, often consumed with alcohol. Hogan testified in 1994 that he regularly used anabolic steroids throughout the 1980s, not only for physique but also to heal injuries and continue competing, noting it was common practice among wrestlers at the time. The health risks associated with steroids include high blood pressure, blood clots, and heart problems.
Diamond Dallas Page, a wrestler from the 1980s and 90s, acknowledged that his generation partied heavily outside the ring to cope with in-ring trauma. He described a dangerous practice of combining alcohol with muscle relaxers and painkillers, a habit that could severely impact cardiac health. Page observed that many current wrestlers adopt a "straight edge" lifestyle, abstaining from drugs and alcohol.
Beyond drug use, traumatic brain injuries sustained from repeated blows to the head and continuing to compete through concussions have emerged as a significant concern. Chris Benoit's 2007 double murder-suicide was followed by tests revealing his brain had the characteristics of an 85-year-old Alzheimer's patient due to countless concussions. Former wrestler Marty Jannetty described instances of continuing matches with no memory of how they finished due to head trauma. Chyna's 2016 death from a drug overdose was tentatively linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a concussion-related injury, though test results were not made public.
Lawsuits filed in 2018 by over 50 wrestlers alleged that WWE failed to adequately protect them from repetitive head injuries leading to brain damage. Though these lawsuits were eventually dismissed, CTE has become an increasing concern among athletes in contact sports. Repeated head trauma is associated with cognitive decline, depression, and a higher risk of suicide.
Furthermore, the 2014 study noted that 98 percent of wrestlers had a BMI ranging from overweight to morbidly obese, a factor significantly associated with the hazard of death. Morbidly obese wrestlers were identified as being at particular risk.
While past decades suffered from a lack of understanding regarding medical practices, health insurance, and injury oversight, industry practices have evolved. Modern promotions have implemented stricter wellness programs, including drug and performance-enhancing substance testing, and improved medical monitoring. WWE established a Talent Wellness Program in 2006, incorporating cardiovascular and brain function testing, along with substance abuse testing.
John Cena, speaking in 2023, noted the significant changes in the industry, stating, "The talent are better taken care of. They're more professional. They're more understanding. They're not as wasteful, they're a lot smarter. They're a lot healthier." Despite these improvements, the long-term effects of the past generation's grueling lifestyle and substance use continue to impact the health of many former wrestling stars.