Yesterday at 6:10 p.m. at a hospital in Canada, William J. Hawkins III, otherwise known as Billy Firehawk, passed away from complications of diabetes. He was only 40 years old. Billy was a great wrestler who had a dream of becoming the best in the industry. He was well known for his ring personality and for his creation of the Cyberspace Wrestling Federation – an organization that recently merged with the NWA. He is survived by his wife Daisy and his daughter.

To most wrestling fans who only knew Billy as the person he was inside the ring, the story ends there – but not for me. Billy was a very dear friend of mine, and someone I spent quite a long time with both inside and outside of the ring. We have been to each other’s homes, we have worked on both the same and opposite sides of the ring, I have interviewed him countless times, I helped him in the early stages of the CSWF, he gave me the ECW World Heavyweight Championship belt as a gift for helping him – and he has given me my share of beatings in various arenas throughout the tri-state area.

When I woke up this morning and read a wrestling website for the latest industry news, I saw a header for a link that said, “NWA Cyberspace Promoter Billy Firehawk Passes Away.” I immediately let out a gasp as soon as my mind absorbed what I had just read. Then, my brain began to flood with memories of the times I spent with Billy. Sure, his character was one mean guy – but Billy had a heart of gold and always wanted to put wrestlers over rather than promote himself – something that is very rare in the wrestling business – and that is what made him stand out and rise above the rest.

His wrestling career was second to none. He had won many titles throughout the independent circuit, and gave another good friend of mine, Duke “The Pitbull” Snyder, a serious challenge for his Heavyweight Taped Fist Wrestling Championship. I recall one particular match where Billy fought Duke for the belt. I was in Duke’s corner and my friend Bradd was in Billy’s. We taped the pre-match training vignettes for my show Ring Fever in my house. Duke brought his belt and his daughter Jeannie – and Billy brought his lovely wife Daisy – who was the perfect match of beauty for his brawn. I can only imagine the pain and sorrow she is feeling now and my heart truly goes out to her.

As a promoter, he was perfect. Having a true passion for the industry and an extensive knowledge of all its aspects – he brought the CSWF from an idea in his head to a well-known entity and later a wing of the direct competitor to the WWE, the NWA. I remember when he came over my house with all of the belts he had designed for his new federation and the proud look on his face when he showed them to me. Right then and there, I knew that he would take this dream of his to the top of the mountain – and that he would take young greenhorns and make them stars. Having worked in the business as long as I have, I know several promoters who only make themselves or those they like champions – but not Billy. He knew that the key to success was to shape new talent and put them at the forefront of his company, which would bring everyone involved success – and it worked.

I was honored to help him in the beginnings of the CSWF. I did press releases for him, took photos of his entire roster of superstars – and even did ring announcing, commentary and backstage interviews at some of his tapings. One of the greatest moments of working with Billy was when I commentated a match with the legendary Larry Zybysko. That was a true honor for me and I have Billy to thank for that – as do many wrestlers who were lucky enough to be taken under his wing and taught the ins and outs of the industry by one of its true leaders and teachers.

One very fond memory I would like to share of Billy goes all the way back to February of 1995. I was still recovering from reconstructive sinus surgery when I did interviews at a wrestling card in Brooklyn. I interviewed Billy and during the interview, he got mad at a question I asked and gave me a DDT – in which he drove me face first into the mat with all of his weight on top of me. As I was falling toward the canvas, I remember saying to myself over and over again, “Not the nose, not the nose.” Needless to say, I was not injured due to Billy’s ring expertise – and it was a moment I will never, ever forget.

Billy Firehawk was a man that has left an indelible mark on the wrestling business. While he may not have won the WWE Championship – his passion for the business and desire to make it better as both a talent and a booker is what will make him a legend. I feel that thanks to what he has given to both the fans and the industry – the future of wrestling is better because of him. Thanks to his vision and the people who worked with him at NWA Cyberspace, both the show and his dream will go on and his legacy will carry it into the future. There are many wrestlers and commentators – including myself – that will forever be indebted to Billy for what he has done for us – and will be better people because we had the honor of knowing him.

My sincere condolences go out to Daisy, his daughter and the rest of his family. I heard he will be cremated according to his wishes, but his soul will no doubt go up to the big wrestling ring in the sky – and his memory will live here on Earth forever.

God Bless you Billy Firehawk. God Bless you.