29 Wrestlers Who Died In 2019

24. Les Thornton (1 February)

Ashley Massaro
WWE

Les Thornton, one of the finest junior heavyweights to come out of the British Isles, peacefully passed away in early February at the age of 84.

The itinerant Englishman, born in Salford on 9 April 1934, broke into the business at the age of 23 after switching disciplines from rugby. A student of Billy Robinson, Thornton eventually migrated to the States in 1970, where he became a prominent performer in Calgary's Stampede Wrestling and a number of NWA territories.

Thornton claimed titles in every region he wrestled in, and was one off the few talents retained by WWE when they bought out Georgia Championship Wrestling in 1984. Though his in-ring work began to wind down, the company used Thornton's vast experience to help run business in international territories including Saudi Arabia and Australia.

Thornton retired in 1990, opening a gym in Calgary where he'd settled down with his second wife.

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.