21 Wrestlers Who Died In 2018
1. Bill Fralic (14 December)
Bill Fralic, a four-time NFL Pro Bowl winner, and a competitor in WrestleMania 2's 20-man WWF vs. NFL Battle Royal, died on 14 December following a battle with cancer. He was 56-years-old.
Fralic enjoyed a glittering career on the gridiron, becoming a three-time first-time All-American during his college days, before excelling at the Atlanta Falcons after turning professional, where he picked up the 1986 and 1987 All-Pro accolade.
At the peak of his prowess, Fralic joined nine other NFL stars in the Rosemont Horizon for the Chicago leg of WrestleMania 2 as part of the WWF vs. NFL Battle Royal. The bout was ultimately won by André the Giant.
Fralic returned to the company seven years later, amidst a throng of hopefuls looking to bodyslam Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid's 'Stars and Stripes Challenge'. The timing of Fralic's return was somewhat interesting; in 1989, he had strongly testified against the rampant steroid abuse in professional football, advocating a more rigorous testing procedure. When he was invited to try his hand upending WWF's champ Yokozuna, the wounds of the company's own steroid trial were still very much open.
After retiring from action, Fralic worked as a colour commentator, whilst also running his own insurance service.