24 Wrestlers Who Died In 2020

Canadian Steve Gillespie, a journeyman who appeared in his home country, WWF and Japan, most prominently under the name 'Dr. Hannibal', died on 18 January 2020 of a heart attack. He was 56.

Hailing from Calgary, Gillespie trained under the wing of British legend Les Thornton, working his way across the country's independents before finally alighting in the Canadian promised land of Stampede in 1989 - only for Stu Hart's outfit to close down four months later.

Gillespie continued to work around the territories north of the border, before WWE enlisted him for an enhancement position whilst taping a series of shows throughout the country. Across two sessions, Gillespie stared at the lights for emerging industry greats Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon, legendary heel Kamala, and Papa Shango. Five years later, he was a footnote to another WWE taping, registering a victory in the dark portion of Shotgun Saturday Night.

It was in Japan where Gillespie reached the height of his fame. Under the moniker Dr. Hannibal - named for the liver-eating serial killer - he ripped up opposition in Atsushi Onita's bloodthirsty FMW.

After calling it a day in 2013, Gillespie stayed close to the business, helping promote Hart Legacy Wrestling in his hometown.