16 Wrestlers Who Died In 2017

5. Smith Hart (2 July)

Jimmy Snuka 2
WWE

In January 2016, Smith Hart, brother to Bret and Owen, was diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer. The disease became terminal after spreading to his hip, and Smith entered hospice care before dying in July at the age of 68.

Smith Hart was born in Long Beach, NY, the eldest of legendary Canadian wrestling promoter Stu Hart's twelve children. As with all of the dungeon master's sons, Smith laced up the boots, largely working for his father's Calgary based Stampede, interspersed with spells in Japan and for Carlos Colón's World Wrestling Council.

Amongst WWE fans, Smith will be best remembered for his occasional involvement with brother Bret in the company, most notably when he came to his younger sibling's aid during his blood feud against Mr. McMahon at WrestleMania XXVI.

Up until his death, Smith was involved with Calgary's Hart Legacy Wrestling promotion alongside his son Matt. In 2014, he attempted to draft Chris Benoit's son David in as a tag partner for Chavo Guerrero, only for the plan to be nixed when it emerged David had absolutely no wrestling training whatsoever, despite claims to the contrary. Smith's nephews Teddy Hart and Davey Boy Smith Jr. have both appeared as regulars for the company.

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Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.