Pillman found dead
By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM!
Sports
Real life tragedy overshadowed the fantasy world of professional
wrestling Sunday when it was announced that young grappler, Brian "The Loose
Cannon" Pillman, was found dead in a Minnesota hotel room hours before the
WWF's Badd Blood pay-per-view took to the airwaves.
WWF President, Vince McMahon Jr., conveyed the news during Badd Blood's Free
For All segment saying that Pillman's body was discovered at 5:00 p.m.
Sunday night. The evening before, Pillman had wrestled at a WWF house show.
During the pay-per-view, McMahon also stated that law enforcement officials
investigating the case do not believe foul play was the cause of Pillman's
death. Autopsy results will be available some time this week.
Pillman learned his trade at Stu Hart's world famous wrestling school in
Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Along with Bret "The Hit Man" Hart and The British
Bulldog, Pillman began his career in Stu's Stampede Wrestling, a popular
wrestling promotion based in Western Canada.
Known then as "Flying Brian", the blonde-haired heartthrob gained notoriety
in World Championship Wrestling with his graceful, top rope acrobatics as a
face then turned heel teaming up with "Stunning" (Stone Cold) Steve Austin
as the successful tag team: The Hollywood Blondes. The highlight of
Pillman's WCW stint was a position in Ric Flair's esteemed Four Horsemen
gang.
A former Cincinnati Bengal in the NFL, he switched to the rival World
Wrestling Federation this year but has been plagued by an ankle injury which
virtually eliminated his once high-flying style. Pillman was scheduled to
battle Dude Love and possibly Goldust tonight at the Badd Blood
pay-per-view. Two matches were added in its place.
