10 Articles You Won't Believe WWE.com Once Posted!
3. Corporal Kirchner Isn’t Dead
Long-time performer Corporal Kirchner is most known to fans for his time in the WWF in the ‘80s where he competed at WrestleMania 2 in a Flag Match against Nikolai Volkoff and in Japan where he masked up and worked under the Leatherface gimmick.
Corporal Kirchner made the wrestling news in 2006 when it was reported he passed away. WWE.com posted an article and obituary for him which started with ‘Former WWE Superstar Thomas Spear, professionally known as Corporal Kirchner, passed away of natural causes Sunday in his home in White Marsh, Md. He is survived by his two sons, daughter and step-daughter, as well as two grandchildren.’ The only issue was Kirchner wasn’t dead in the slightest and is still alive to this day!
The confusion arose from Kirchner's actual real name, which was thought to have been Thomas Spear. There was a Thomas Spear who died in White Marsh, Maryland but was totally unconnected to Kirchner. In a later interview Kirchner has said when he first heard reports of his demise he was tempted to drive to WWE headquarters in Stamford and say, “Guess what guys? I’m still around.”
WWE were quick to take down the article from their website after Kirchner made it known he was still alive and kicking.