This week, legendary wrestler and commentator Lord Alfred Hayes passed away at the age of 76. I have so many fond memories of him commentating matches with the late Gorilla Monsoon and making me laugh on the wrestling talk show Tuesday Night Titans. Since I learned of his death – I have been thinking about how many wrestlers I either watched or interviewed that have passed away – and the number both astounds and saddens me.

I have been watching wrestling since I was six years old, and I have been interviewing wrestlers since the mid 1990s. In that time, I have seen hundreds of wrestlers either in person or on television – and it seems as if as time goes on – they are all starting to fade away. From Andre The Giant, to The British Bulldog, to Ravishing Rick Rude, to The Big Bossman, to The Junkyard Dog, to Yokozuna – to Lord Alfred Hayes – so many wrestlers have lost their lives either to old age, disease – or, sadly – drugs.

Besides the wrestlers I grew up with, many I have stood next to and interviewed have gone to the big wrestling arena in the sky. Names like Rocco Rock, Big Dick Dudley, Classie Freddy Blassie, and Chris Candido have passed away since I was lucky enough to talk to them on camera. One night, I went backstage at Madison Square Garden and interviewed five wrestlers: Owen Hart, Brian Pillman, The Road Warriors Hawk and Animal – and The Rock. Of those five wrestlers that I interviewed that night – three are now dead – Hawk, Pillman and Owen Hart. I remember asking the same final question to every wrestler that night, which was, “Do you have a message for your many fans.” Eerily, Pillman’s answer, six months before he died was, “Go to Hell – I’ll see you there soon.”

Personally, I find it very sad when a wrestler passes away. They have given their lives for the entertainment of myself and millions of fans who adored them – and now they are gone. Thankfully, each wrestler that we lose leaves behind a legacy of matches, interviews and history that each and every wrestling fan can look back on with fond memories – and remember those champions that are no longer with us.

Rest in peace…and thanks for the memories.