 October 5, 1997
"A Sad Day For The Wrestling World..."
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (Associated Press) -- Friends suspected that something was wrong with Brian Pillman the night before the 35 year old professional wrestler and former linebacker with the Cincinatti Bengals was found dead in his motel room.
Pillman, of Walton, Ky., was found dead shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, the day after a pay-per-view wrestling match (Note From Rob: It was actually just a house show. The PPV was on Sunday night) at the St. Paul Civic Center.
Brian Meltzer, editor of the Wrestling Newsletter, said Pillman wrestled Saturday in St. Paul and was to have taken part in a pay-per-view Sunday in St. Louis.
"The WWF (World Wrestling Federation) had a chartered plane that was scheduled to leave from Minneapolis at 1:30 p.m.," Meltzer said. "When Brian didn't show up for the bus ride, police were asked to check his room."
Known as "The Loose Cannon", "The Rogue Horseman", and "Flyin' Brian", he was a college football star at Miami University of Ohio and played in 1984 for the Bengals. He was playing linebacker for the Calgary Stampede when he started his wrestling career 11 years ago.
An autopsy was scheduled for today. A release from the Hennepin County medical examiner's office mentions "injury," but authorities would not say if they expected foul play.
Some people at Saturday night's match said that the World Wrestling Federation wrestler was acting strangely.
"I was at the matches with him," referee Eddie Sharkey told the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. "He came to the matches real early, and he seemed fine, but the last time I saw him, he was just staring into space."
Sharkey said that Pillman had been sleeping on the floor of the dressing room during the broadcast, "which was kind of unusual." Professional wrestlers often have a hectic travel schedule, Sharkey said, but they don't typically nap during matches.
"We were supposed to go out and have a few drinks and eat," Sharkey said. "He was supposed to come with me, but he just walked off, a real strange look to him."
Pillman had drug problems in the past. He was arrested for drunken driving and illegal possession of prescription drugs by Cincinatti police in 1993. The drug charges were later dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Pillman had also been plagued by an ankle injury he suffered when a Humvee he was driving overturned in Kentucky last year, leaving him in a coma for a week, according to Bruce Hart, who trained Pillman to wrestle in Canada.
Hart said that he thinks Pillman took painkillers after his car accident, but added: "I never knew him to take drugs recreationally, like heroin or cocaine. I never knew him to take those."
Pillman didn't show up for a scheduled bout recently, said Canadian promoter Bob "Doc" Holliday. Pillman had previously run afoul of the federation, which warned him after he waved a gun at another wrestler on live TV.
Brian Pillman Memorial Fund
1-B Quaker Ridge Road Suite 144
New Rochelle, New York 10804 WWF Summerslam
August 3,1997
Pillman states if he loses to Goldust, he will wear one of Marlena's dresses. Goldust (with Marlena) VS. Brian Pillman
During the match, Marlena hit Pillman with her purse (probably a brick in it). Goldust rolled him to a pin. After the match, Marlena but the manican with the dress beside Pillman
WINNER: Goldust (by pinfall)
Brian Pillman states that he is the real father of Dakota, Goldust and Marlena's daughter. Goldust is angered by this so much that he runs after Pillman. Brian then makes an offer for a match at the next pay per view. If Brian wins, he gets Marlena as his "personal assistant" for 30 days. However, if Goldust wins, Brian must leave the WWF forever. Marlena's comments on Ground Zero match from WWF Superstars:
"There is no doubt in my mind that Goldust will win this match. I pray to God that he does. But if he doesn't, I'm a lady of my word and if I go out there and say that's what I'm going to do, then that's what I'm going to have to do." WWF In Your House - Ground Zero
September 7, 1997
Louisville, Kentucky
If Goldust wins, Pillman leaves the WWF forever.
If Brian Pillman wins,he gets the serves of Marlena for 30 days.
Goldust vs. Brian Pillman
Brian Pillman defeated Goldust after Pillman hit Goldust with Marlena's purse. Pillman now has the "services" of Marlena for 30 days. Marlena kept trying to escape from Pillman, but he kept shoving her until they got backstage. While this was happening, Lawler pulled a brick out of Marlena's purse. It then showed Pillman throwing Marlena into his car and leaving.
Winner - "The Loose Cannon" Brian Pillman
Pillman changed Marlena's outfits from long, gold dresses to skimpy leather clothing and put her through 30 days of hell. |  |
Brian William Pillman
22/05/62 - 05/10/97
Height : 6'
Weight : 226lbs
Place of Birth : Norwood, Ohio
Hometown: Walton, KY
Children: 1 step-daughter, 1 step-son, 3 daughters, and 1 son
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