29 Wrestlers Who Died In 2019

18. Dick Beyer (7 March)

Ashley Massaro
WWE.com, via Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Legendary masked wrestler Dick 'The Destroyer' Beyer passed away peacefully at home on 7 March, surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Beyer was best known for his pioneering work in Japan throughout the '60s and '70s. He debuted in the country in '63, wrestling North Korean puroresu trendsetter Rikidozan in Tokyo. The bout is largely credited with sparking the Japanese wrestling boom, and drew a monstrous TV rating, with 64% of the country's viewers tuning in for the spectacle.

A significant cross-cultural star, 'The Destroyer' is considered a forerunner for foreign TV personalities appearing on Japanese variety shows. Wrestling-wise, he is best known for the Rikidozan bout, plus legendary clashes with Giant Baba and Mil Mascaras in All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he'd work the majority of his most famous matches.

The '80s and '90s saw Beyer work as both a wrestling promoter and physical education teacher. He worked his last bout in July 1993, teaming with Baba and his son, Kurt, to face Haruka Eigen, Masanobu Fuchi, and Masao Inoue, before slipping into retirement.

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.