21 Wrestlers Who Died In 2018

6. Dick Slater (18 October)

Dick Slater Obit
WWE, Courtesy of Pro Wrestling Illustrated

On 18 October, WWE released a short statement announcing that Dick Slater had passed away at the age of 67. No cause of death was given.

Slater, born Richard Van Slater in Florida, was an industry veteran with over three decades in the business. A star of the Mid-South, Georgia and Memphis territories in the '70s and '80s, Slater is best remembered for his partnership with 'Cowboy' Bob Orton and bitter feud opposite future WWE star Jake Roberts.

Slater had a brief spell working for Vince McMahon, before touring Japan ahead of a stint in WCW. A severe back injury forced him to hang up his boots in 1996.

After retiring, Slater experienced a tumultuous personal life. He was arrested in 2003 for stabbing then-girlfriend Theresa Halbert multiple times. He pleaded he was intoxicated by opiates at the time of the stabbing. A year later, he was sentenced to a year's house arrest and two years probation.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

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.