September 9th - Stabbed To Death outside San Juan

ah, this one fucking hurts.

Great song, very theatrical, captures the horror of the moment. But let's talk for a moment about Bruiser Brody, a man probably more responsible for modern wrestling than any other performer. A wildman of the old school with a new school sensibility. The model for Cactus Jack, Brodie Lee, Eddie Kingston and a hundred others. A gentleman of the sport, a trusted gaijin on Japan who was enough a part of the business that he travelled with the Japanese wrestlers.

And a man who was murdered. And whose murderer got away with it. And even made it a story. Who knows what he could have done as an an older guy in the business? He had a better wrestling brain than almost anybody, and knew at a bone deep level what worked and what didn't. And he never got the chance.

I've been thinking a lot about wrestlers who died too young Brodie Lee was just catching fire in AEW when respiratory issues took him away. Andy "The Butcher" Williams passed away this week from something that seemed accidental and avoidable. People who should have been around into old age, giving their expertise to the boys, playing with their kids, enjoying retirement. It's a tough business but it doesn't have to be

As a bonus, Andy Williams was the rhythm guitarist in legendary group Every Time I Die. If you get a chance, listen to some of their music. Map Change is great, so maybe start with that.