All WWE Superstars Who Passed Away In 2023

The sports entertainment industry was left in pieces with the demise of some very prominent names. Professional wrestling has undergone significant evolution over the years, with wrestlers attaining the status of idols and capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. These athletes invest their all in the ring, striving to entertain and bring joy to their followers. Yet, there have been instances where wrestlers have evoked tears of sorrow from the global community as the ultimate separation—death—claims them. This compilation presents the WWE superstars who departed in 2023.

Bray Wyatt

A beloved figure with an extensive global fanbase, Bray Wyatt was among the most renowned WWE superstars. His accomplishments include clinching the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship. Distinguished for his imaginative narratives and chilling personas, he last competed at the 2023 Royal Rumble. However, his televised appearances ceased due to illness. On August 24, 2023, at the age of 36, Bray Wyatt passed away due to a heart attack stemming from COVID-19 complications.

Terry Funk

An esteemed WWE Hall of Famer who left an indelible mark during his tenure with WWE and WCW in the 1980s and 1990s. His professional wrestling career spanned over five decades, with a notable inclination towards a hardcore wrestling style. Recognising his contributions, WWE inducted him into the Hall of Fame Class of 2009. After retiring from in-ring competition after his 2017 match, he grappled with dementia, leading to a life of assisted care from 2021 onwards. Terry Funk’s journey concluded on August 23, 2023, at the age of 79.

The Iron Sheikh

Also recognised as Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, this legend stands as a prominent Iranian-American wrestler who thrived in the WWF and WCW during the 1980s and 1990s. As a heel wrestler, he engaged in an iconic feud with Hulk Hogan during the ‘80s, propelling his popularity. His entry into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 celebrated his legacy, and he retired in 2010. On July 7, 2023, The Iron Sheikh passed away at the age of 81 due to cardiac arrest accompanied by congestive heart failure and hypertension.

Droz

Born Darren Adrian Drozdov etched his name in the annals of American professional wrestling through his stint with the WWF in the late 1990s as Drozdov, or Droz for short. His time in the ring was curtailed by a devastating neck injury in 1999, temporarily robbing him of movement below his neck. Remarkably, he regained some mobility and transitioned into a writing role with WWE. On June 30, 2023, Droz’s journey concluded at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Centre, with his passing occurring at the age of 54.

Peggy Lee Flower

Known by her wrestling monikers Peggy Lee Leather, Lady X, and Thug, she left an imprint on American professional wrestling, particularly in the WWF and WCW. Having secured the WWF Women’s Championship, she held a significant position within multiple wrestling promotions before retiring in 2013. On May 22, 2023, Peggy Lee Flower breathed her last at the age of 64.

Superstar Billy Graham

 Eldridge Wayne Coleman Jr. embodied the essence of American professional wrestling and bodybuilding. His era in the WWF, WWF, and WWE was punctuated by his reign as the WWF Heavyweight Champion during the 1970s. He continued his association with WWE under a Legends contract from 2015. Battling numerous health issues, including a January 2023 hospitalisation for ear and skull infections, his condition deteriorated. On May 17, 2023, he succumbed to sepsis and multiple organ failure at the age of 79.

Jerry Jarrett

An American professional wrestler, he etched his legacy in CWA, WWF, WCW, and as the co-founder of NWA: TNA. Alongside his son Jeff Jarrett, he played an influential role in the wrestling landscape, earning the moniker “Wrestling Genius. Jerry Jarrett’s journey concluded on February 14, 2023, at the age of 80, when he succumbed to a heart attack while undergoing esophageal cancer treatment.

Bushwhacker Butch

Hailing from New Zealand, he secured his place in WWE’s Hall of Fame. His tenure with WWF during the late 1980s and early 1990s solidified his reputation. After retiring from active wrestling in 2001, his involvement continued in various capacities. On April 2, 2023, he passed away while in Los Angeles, California, for the WrestleMania 39 festival.