Dr. Death is dead
American pro wrestler and All Japan Pro Wrestling veteran Steve “Dr. Death” Williams has passed away:
Most readers will probably be most familiar with Williams for his brief tenure in the WWE, where he competed in their ill-fated 1998 Brawl for All tournament. A shoot-boxing event, Williams was expected to win and was slated for a major push off the back of it. However, he was injured, and lost to Bart Gunn and was never afforded much opportunity upon his return.
Williams also appeared in WCW, primarily as a tag team competitor, but is best remembered for his work in Japan. There, he was one of the most successful Gaijin of all time, holding his own at the top of the card in All Japan during their glorious period in the Nineties where the company was artistically, untouchable.
Williams produced bonafide classics against the likes of Kenta Kobashi and Mitshuharu Misawa, and was a regular partner of Johnny Ace. He also was honoured in 1994 with a Triple Crown reign.
Williams continued to wrestle into this year, finally retiring in October, appropriately enough, working a match in Japan.
Check out The Wrestling Daily for a good tribute post and some YouTube links of Dr. Death battling Japanese pro wrestlers.
- Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
- Dannychoo.com – Your portal to Japan (Subscribe)
