Chris Kanyon Found Dead

Machismo Fan

http://www.pwinsider.com/article/46437/former-wwe-and-wcw-star-chris-kanyon-found-dead.html?p=1

Former WCW and WWE star Chris Kanyon was found dead this morning. We are waiting on further details at this time. On behalf of everyone at the site, we issue our deepest condolences to Kanyon's family, friends and fans during this sad time.

RIP, it's said far too often but 40 is far too young.

Vince135792003

I really liked Kanyon. The poor guy had been suffering from alot of mental illness from what I can remember. Hopefully now whatever pain he was in is over. RIP.

Mr.Nice Guy

Yeah more on it here:

Chris Kanyon passes away
Chris Klucsaritis, who wrestled as Chris Kanyon, passed away last night from an overdose of pills at his apartment in the Sunnyside section of Queens, NY, last night. He was 40.

Klucsaritis' death is believed to be a suicide. He had been open about suffering from a bipolar disorder and had talked and threatened suicide many times in the past according to those who are close with him.

He had been talking about going through another bout with depression and taking his life earlier in the week. Because he had talked about it so often, it was

Klucsaritis was trained locally in New York by Bobby Bold Eagle, and later in Columbua, SC by Lillian "Fabulous Moolah" Ellison at her home gym in Columbia, SC, and developed into an innovative and underrated wrestler. He debuted in 1992, and wrestled the bulk of his career for WCW.

He started with Mark Starr as part of a tag team "Men at Work," and later developed the Mortis gimmick. His highest profile role, including holding the WCW tag team titles, came with Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow as the Jersey Triad.

During that period, he also worked in Hollywood on movie sets during a boom period for pro wrestling when the movie industry was interested in films, including on "Ready to Rumble" and a made-for-TV movie on Jesse Ventura.

He was a victim of the demise of WCW, as WWE wasn't really a good fit for him stylistically. Even though he was 6-3, he did not possess the kind of look they wanted. He was also plagued by injuries during that period and was finally released in 2004.

He attempted to get back into the major leagues doing a gimmick as the first openly gay pro wrestler, later admitting to be gay in real life. He tried to garner publicity claiming WWE fired him for being gay, but the publicity went nowhere. TNA was also not interested in the gimmick. He had wrestled sparingly in recent years, had announced a retirement, but still on occasion wrestled.

He was part of a lawsuit with Scott Levy and Mike Sanders against WWE for misclassifying wrestlers as independent contracts, but the suit was thrown out of court because the statute of limitations had expired on filing such a suit.

http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/12867

Very sad news. Seems to have been very troubled. Another victim of the business. RIP.

Bounty Hunter

it just never stops with PW and early deaths... RIP

D2D

Yet again the 3 letters I hate using are mentioned in the PW forum
R.I.P

Only 40:(:(:(

Gadge

R.I.P. Chris.

dlofnep

Shame. RIP.

waltersobchak

Yeah terrible news alright, Kanyon was bloody awesome during the Invasion period, RIP, another awful statistic

The Volt

Oh no loved Kanyon. RIP, will be sorely missed.

Dancor

Another one bites the dust

flahavaj

RIP, he was a very troubled individual indeed.

As a wrestler he was vastly underrated and underused and was one of the most innovative guys in WCW back in the day.:(

Penn

RIP

Handsome Bob

His story sounds very messed up, the stuff about the homsosexual angle and then eventually coming out as gay himself just comes across to me as a man who was very messed up. That more than anything was probably the reason why WWE and TNA passed on his pitch.

RIP

the flananator

LZ5by5 wrote: »

His story sounds very messed up, the stuff about the homsosexual angle and then eventually coming out as gay himself just comes across to me as a man who was very messed up. That more than anything was probably the reason why WWE and TNA passed on his pitch.

RIP

You think coming out as gay makes a person 'very messed up'?

Melion

Another one gone too young.

RIP
WHO BETTA THAN KANYON???

Handsome Bob

the flananator wrote: »

You think coming out as gay makes a person 'very messed up'?

No, I think pitching a story about being gay and THEN actually coming out as gay suggests that he was very messed up. In other words, that he was emotionally all over the place.

Podge2k7

Far too young,

RIP:(

Cactus Colm

Only know him from his work with WWE as part of the alliance. Thought he was a bright spark in a very ordinary angle.

It's a shame.

sky88

another one gone its hard to be a wrestling fan when so many wrestlers youve watched growing up die early terrible news

rip kanyon

Diabhal Beag

Terrible news. Always enjoyed his interviews.

R.I.P

Dean820

Very close to WrestleMania 26, too. He could of been watching and longing to be there, making his depression worse. Just a thought.

JP Liz V1

RIP

Icky Thump

another drug related death. albeit reports saying suicide.

sad day for wrestling yet again


rip mate

bigeasyeah

R.I.P. I remember him from WWE and was hoping they would keep him on.

Riddle101

My only memories of the guy seem to all involve Undertaker. I remember he was DDP's accomplise during the beginning of the Invasion angle and also during Undertaker's feud with Big Show and A-Train, Kanyon played a cameo as well. Other then that I don't remember him that much. Still RIP to the guy. WHO BETTER THEN KANYON

KrazeeEyezKilla

I remember hearing about him attempting suicide a few years ago. He was moved to a more "open-minded" town to try and help him.:( He was one of the better wrestlers in WCW towards the end.

El_Drago

Another sad state of affairs in the PW forum. Talented guy who was very underused and had alot of problems to deal with. He died forty years 40 years young.:(

RIP Chris "Kanyon" Klucsaritis

parker kent

I really liked him in WCW, such a shame to see yet another wrestler die young. As was said above, the three saddest letters in wrestling...RIP Kanyon

Handsome Bob

The following is from WWE.com:

Chris Kanyon passes

World Wrestling Entertainment would like to express its deepest condolences to Christopher Klucsaritis’ family and friends on his tragic passing. Klucsaritis was under contract with WWE from March 2001 until February 2004 and performed under the name "Chris Kanyon."

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/arti...s-kanyon-99599

D2D

LZ5by5 wrote: »

The following is from WWE.com:

Chris Kanyon passes

World Wrestling Entertainment would like to express its deepest condolences to Christopher Klucsaritis’ family and friends on his tragic passing. Klucsaritis was under contract with WWE from March 2001 until February 2004 and performed under the name "Chris Kanyon."

http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/arti...s-kanyon-99599

Fair play to the WWE for acknowledging his death.

Tribesmen7

Very sad news. But I don't think this sort of news surprises us anymore. Somthing that happens all too often.

RIP Chris Kanyon

Dean820

R.I.P's are used so much these days, they've become meaningless.

Degag

Dare_2_defy wrote: »

Fair play to the WWE for acknowledging his death.

Makes it even stranger that they didn't acknowledge Umaga's death - well they didn't on tv, did they on the website?

Jolt2007

Degag wrote: »

Makes it even stranger that they didn't acknowledge Umaga's death - well they didn't on tv, did they on the website?

They did http://corporate.wwe.com/news/releases_2009.jsp Dec 4th news.

Sad news about Kanyon.

starviewadams

So very sad to hear of another untimely death in the wrestling world,especially a guy who had so much to offer.

R.I.P. Chris.

McConnon

Aww no.

R.I.P. Kanyon

gimmick

I know very little of Kanyon, but I think he had a catchphrase which kind of spurned the Miz''s current one.

It was simply "Who better than Kanyon?" to which the crowd would reply "EVERYBODY"!!!!!!!

I hate threads like this.

Tricity Bendix

Just terrible. I remember Reading a Ross Report in which JR couldn't say enough about the man. Was surprised he was released not long after.

RIP

D2D

The following comments were posted on Twitter regarding the passing of Chris Kanyon:

- Becky Bayless: RIP Chris Kanyon. I'll always respect you for having the courage to be yourself in a world that doesn't always encourage that.

- Matt Hardy: Kanyon was always really cool to me.. Hate to hear the sad news. My best goes out to his family & loved one..

- Torrie Wilson: My bud Chris Kanyon died & my heart breaks for him. He was a good guy w/a big heart. so tired of my friends dyin like this. RIP cluster.

- Jeremy Borash: So many memories. Kanyon loved wrestling more than anyone and shared his knowledge helping many along the way. RIP to a longtime friend.

- The Hurricane: RIP Chris Kanyon. He was a good guy that helped a LOT of people in this biz. He struggled with a lot of problems though. It's a sad day ... struggle!! But at least his struggles are over. He was a nutcase, good and bad, but I'll miss him nonetheless. RIP my friend.

- Taz: Sad to hear about Chris Kanyon RIP. ...thoughts & prayers out to his family.

- Kevin Nash: R.I.P Chris Kaynon prayers to his family and friends.

- Billy Kidman: Saddened by the loss of my best friend...I've known him for almost 15yrs & we've been there for one another through thick & thin, we've both had demons & dealt with them together, and I love him like a brother...RIP Chris I will forever & always miss & love you & cherish the time

- Shannon Moore: RIP Chris Kanyon!!!

- Tara: Chris Kanyon was a great guy and wrestler. He will be missed by all.

Rud3Bwoy

funny part is he lived in queens i never knew that

i live in queens also

rip kanyon


WHO BETTA THAN KANYON!

Motley Crue

really liked this guy, his match with DDP against the Brothers of Destruction at Summerslam one year was the best memory I have of them...as I recall he was a US Champion and a Tag Team Champion.

May he RIP....too young, far too young

D2D

Just scary:eek::(

In light of Chris Kanyon's passing over the weekend, it's interesting to note that a total of twenty-two talents who performed for World Championship Wrestling in 1998 have since passed away - nearly equal to a 25-man MLB roster. Likewise, a total of six wrestlers who performed for the World Wrestling Federation the very same year have since passed on (Big Boss Man, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, Golga, Owen Hart, Road Warrior Hawk and Test). However, only two WWF performer deaths have been attributed to drug use while the WCW list is significantly greater.

In its entirety, here is the list of deceased talents who performed for WCW in 1998. With the exception of one performer, all deaths listed occurred before the age of 50.

» Bam Bam Bigelow - 2007 / 01 / 19 (45)
» Bobby Duncum, Jr. - 2000 / 01 / 24 (34)
» Brady Boone (referee) - 1998 / 12 / 16 (40)
» Brian Adams - 2007 / 08 / 13 (44)
» Chase Tatum - 2008 / 03 / 23 (34)
» Chris Adams - 2001 / 10 / 07 (46)
» Chris Benoit - 2007 / 06 / 24 (40)
» Curt Hennig - 2003 / 02 / 10 (44)
» Davey Boy Smith - 2002 / 05 / 17 (39)
» Eddie Guerrero - 2005 / 11 / 13 (38)
» Elizabeth - 2003 / 05 / 01 (42)
» Emory Hale - 2006 / 01 / 28 (36)
» Johnny Grunge - 2006 / 02 / 16 (40)
» Joey Maggs - 2006 / 10 / 15 (37)
» Kanyon - 2010 / 04 / 02 (40)
» Louie Spicolli - 1998 / 02 / 15 (27)
» Mark Curtis (referee) - 1999 / 09 / 08 (37)
» Randy Anderson (referee) - 2002 / 05 / 05 (42)
» Ray Traylor - 2004 / 09 / 22 (41)
» Rick Rude - 1999 / 04 / 20 (40)
» Renegade - 1999 / 02 / 23 (33)
» Rocco Rock - 2002 / 09 / 21 (50)

Additionally, six more talents who joined WCW after 1998 have since passed on - Chris Candido, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, Mike Awesome, Rhonda Singh, Sherri Martel and The Wall. All six deaths listed occurred before the age of 50.

On a final note, Kanyon's passing marks the fifteenth consecutive year in which at least one talent who performed for WCW between 1991 and 2001 has died.

rovert

Sorry to bump this thread but seriously here. Details from Kanyon's posthumous book:

When he returned, Kanyon was asked to dress in drag and sing like Boy George before a match against The Undertaker. Kanyon, who had a lengthy history of concussions, suffered another when violently whacked with a chair in a lopsided beat-down. Kanyon, who believes he was set-up by WWE management as a form of humiliation for being a closeted homosexual, was never featured prominently in WWE again. He was released in February 2004.

Kanyon's mental-health problems proved too much for him to overcome. Kanyon, who opened the book recalling an aborted suicide attempt in 2003 following The Undertaker incident, overdosed on prescription medication last year in his apartment in Queens, N.Y.

http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/marvez-wrestling-reality-tells-chris-kanyons-sad-tale

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nRNvyqVl9w

:rolleyes:

jaykhunter

I remember reading/hearing that he was really upset about Orlando Jordan's gimmick in TNA -- in that Kanyon wanted to be the first openly gay/pro-gay wrestler; and OJ's gimmick crushed him that he wasn't doing it. Also that he'd sometimes use his minority status to try to strongarm promoters into hiring him; kicking up a fuss that he was gay, even if it had nothing to do with it. think it was on Between the Ropes podcast.

In any case, knowing wrestling i'm sure he had more than enough legit ammo, wrestling's a closed, nepotistic, bigoted business; everyone's who's not a large, straight, white male is descriminated against in some fashion... Poor guy. I can't imagine how sad he must've been after being fired from WWE in such a horrible fashion.

FreezeUp

Quite sad really. Dude was a great pro wrestler, and as his WCW 2000 heel run proved, very entertaining also.

Edge stole his moveset in 1999 also. Neither here nor there, but worth noting.