38 Wrestlers Who Died In 2025
34. Eric Priest (22 February)
Once noteworthy independent wrestler Eric Priest, affectionately known as 'The Underwear Model', tragically lost his life on 22 February after being involved in a horrific motorcycle accident. He was 50 years old.
Born Mike Boehne, he fell in love with professional wrestling after witnessing Mr T's involvement at the first WrestleMania, and finally realised his dreams fourteen years later as he became Eric Priest. Floundering around the Midwest North American indies, Priest managed to bag a smattering of enhancement gigs for both WWE and TNA in the mid-noughties, the most noteworthy being a 47-second Masterlock-initiated loss to Chris Masters in 2006.
Away from the bright lights of the big leagues, 'The Gold Standard' also reigned as the AAW Heavyweight Champion for 29 days shy of a calendar year.