Another dead wrestler - former ECW champ Mike Awesome
When will it ever end? Yet another wrestler gone way too early - this time former “Gladiator” Mike Awesome, age 42. No official cause of death yet determined, as reported by the Wrestling Observer, although suicide is suspected. Friends found the grappler hanging inside his home after arriving at his residence Saturday night. Awesome (real name Mike Alphonso), whose matches with Masato Tanaka will go down in hardcore history as some of the strongest, most-brutal ever, also made a mark in the waning days of World Championship Wrestling as “That 70s Guy” in addition to his days in Japan, World Wrestling Entertainment and Extreme Championship Wrestling. He had most-recently retired to his Florida home. All of us at WrestlersRamblings.com send out our sympathies to the Alphonso family.
For what it’s worth, Mr. Mal always thought Awesome was an incredibly-agile big man who really should have gotten over more in the WWE. Something about that b.s “WWE-style” that guys supposedly cannot adapt to or whatever (ask Tazz about that) no doubt affected Awesome’s push — or lack thereof — with the company. It’s too bad. He was one powerful performer, not afraid to take-some to give-some. I was honestly looking for him to make a comeback at some point, some time, some where . . . I pray his soul finds the solace it evidently lacked here in this world. Rest in peace, Mike.
-Mr. Mal