38 Wrestlers Who Died In 2025
16. Knuckles Madsen (11 July)
On 11 July, it was reported that Knuckles Madsen had been shot and killed by his ex-wife, Amanda Penny, and her new boyfriend, Michael Hogue. He was just 41 years old.
Madsen, born Kevin Nikel on 31 January, 1984, had a stunted career start, wrestling only sporadically before he was snapped up by WWE as if life were a game of Hungry Hungry Hippos. Becoming Knuckles Madsen, he was predominantly reserved as the stereotypical powerhouse for NXT's house show loops, his lone televised match being a Battle Royal in May 2013. Instead of superstardom, Knuckles stared up at the lights, as Kassius Ohno, Jason Jordan, Mojo Rawley, CJ Parker, and many, many others stood above him.
Following a seven-year absence from pro wrestling, Madsen, who resumed in-ring duties in 2021, began staging shows in Arkansas under the Ozark Mountain Wrestling banner.