10 Wrestler Deaths WWE Completely No-Sells

9. Johnny Grunge

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WWE

Johnny Grunge only had a cup of coffee in the WWE and that figurative mug of boiling liquid was smashed all over his face in during a drubbing from The Acolytes alongside partner Rocco Rock, but his links to the most controversial figure in the company's history were another reason why his passing was neither big in the moment nor discussed much after the fact.

Grunge (real name Mike Durham) was an Atlanta neighbour of Chris Benoit, and was said to have supported him in the initial aftermath of Eddie Guerrero's untimely passing, until he also died young just four months later.

Durham was just 39 when he passed away as a result of complications with sleep apnea. There were also suggestions he shared more than just an in-ring history and out-of-the-ring bond with Benoit - Durham allegedly also kept company with Dr Phil Astin, the medic who was later sentenced to 10 years in prison for illegally distributing prescription drugs as well as other charges.

 
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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. Within the podcasting space, he also co-hosts Benno & Hamflett, In Your House! and Podcast Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Podcast. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, Fightful, POST Wrestling, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett