27 Wrestlers Who Have Died In 2021

20. Johnny DeFazio

Johnny DeFazio
WWE.com

'Jumping' Johnny DeFazio had quite the fascinating life and career.

Beginning his wrestling days working under Toots Mondt for Spectactor Sports, DeFazio became one of the early stars of Vince McMahon Sr.'s WWWF, often teaming with Bruno Sammartino. Johnny would go on to win the WWWF Junior Heavyweight Championship a record four times.

Following his wrestling days, DeFazio would move into local politics in his native Pittsburgh.

At age 80, Johnny DeFazio passed away on 26 February.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer and Presenter, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund and Eli Roth to Kevin Smith and the Russo Brothers, to Kevin Conroy and Frank Miller, to Bret Hart and Sting, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, and Brian Flynn, to many, many more. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is a long-standing season ticket holder and an FSA Award-winner for his time co-hosting the Fearless in Devotion podcast.