Former WCW Personality Ralphus Has Passed Away
John Riker passed away sometime last year, Chris Jericho reveals.
John Riker, known to wrestling fans as WCW's Ralphus, has passed away.
Chris Jericho broke the news during the latest episode of his Saturday Night Special YouTube series. "I just found out he passed away like last year," the AEW wrestler said of his former sidekick. "God bless John Riker. That was his real name."
One of the hosts of the Wrestling Club with Darren and Brett is Ralphus' nephew and confirmed that Riker died in February or March of last year, saying that "his health really took a turn in the last couple of years." The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Debuting in 1998, Ralphus worked a stint as "Jericho's Personal Security" in WCW, having previously served as a truck driver for the promotion. Jericho recruited Ralphus as his personal bodyguard but Riker was taken off television when 'Y2J' jumped ship to WWE in 2000. Later, Ralphus returned to join forces with Norman Smiley.
Used primarily as a comedy character through his run, Ralphus actually wrestled four matches for WCW, all of them for the Hardcore Championship in 2000. He was unsuccessful on every occasion, falling to the likes to Terry Funk.