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'2020 is just awful': Wrestling world rocked by more tragedy

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·5-min read
Danny Havoc, pictured here with his wife and in the wrestling ring.
Danny Havoc died just months after his wife. Images: Twitter

The wrestling world has been rocked by more tragedy after independent star Danny Havoc died on Sunday.

Already mourning the loss of Shad Gaspard and Hana Kimura late last month, fans were faced with fresh devastation after news of Havoc’s death.

Real name Grant Berkland, Havoc was a fan favourite in Game Changer Wrestling and Combat Zone Wrestling.

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His death reportedly comes just months after wife Brianne Morrow died of heart failure in April.

“With a broken heart, the GCW family mourns the loss of Grant Berkland aka Danny Havoc,” Game Changer Wrestling said in a statement.

“Danny was an incredibly talented, intelligent, caring & genuine person.

“He was also an elite performer that entertained a generation of fans & inspired a generation of aspiring performers.”

Combat Zone Wrestling said Havoc’s death ‘cuts deep’.

“He was an inspiration to so many and a friend to all and our hearts go out to his family and loved ones,” CZW said.

“We can take a small comfort in knowing the entire wrestling community are sharing the same grief right now.”

Stars from WWE and AEW were among those to pay tribute on social media.

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Kimura and Gaspard died within days of each other in May.

Kimura, a Japanese pro wrestler who also appeared in the latest series of the popular reality show ‘Terrace House’ died at the age of 22.

Stardom Wrestling confirmed Kimura's death, saying details are still largely unknown and the group was co-operating in an investigation.

“We are very sorry to report that our Hana Kimura has passed away,” the organisation said in a statement.

Kimura was found dead at her home, Japanese media said.

The tragedy came just days after former WWE star Shad Gaspard drowned after getting in trouble while swimming at Venice Beach in Los Angeles.

Hana Kimura and Shad Gaspard, pictured here in Japan and WWE.
Hana Kimura and Shad Gaspard died within days of each other. Image: Twitter

Police confirmed Gaspard’s body had been found after he was caught in a rip current.

Gaspard went missing after he went swimming with his 10-year-old son, Aryeh.

The boy was rescued and several other swimmers made it out of the water safely, with Gaspard reportedly telling lifesavers to help his son first.

Gaspard, 39, gained prominence in the WWE as one half of the tag-team group Cryme Tyme, along with his partner, JTG.

After retiring in 2010, Gaspard has had small roles on TV and in movies, including the 2015 Kevin Hart comedy “Get Hard.”

He was about 50 metres from shore when he was last spotted by a lifeguard, police said.

A wave crashed over him and he was swept out to sea.

with Associated Press