In light of Chris Kanyon’s passing over the weekend, it’s interesting to note that a total of twenty-two talents who performed for World Championship Wrestling in 1998 have since passed away – nearly equal to a 25-man MLB roster. Likewise, a total of six wrestlers who performed for the World Wrestling Federation the very same year have since passed on (Big Boss Man, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Golga, Owen Hart, Road Warrior Hawk and Test). However, only two WWF performer deaths have been attributed to drug use while the WCW list is significantly greater.

In its entirety, here is the list of deceased talents who performed for WCW in 1998. With the exception of one performer, all deaths listed occurred before the age of 50.

» Bam Bam Bigelow – 2007 / 01 / 19 (45)
» Bobby Duncum, Jr. – 2000 / 01 / 24 (34)
» Brady Boone (referee) – 1998 / 12 / 16 (40)
» Brian Adams – 2007 / 08 / 13 (44)
» Chase Tatum – 2008 / 03 / 23 (34)
» Chris Adams – 2001 / 10 / 07 (46)
» Chris Benoit – 2007 / 06 / 24 (40)
» Curt Hennig – 2003 / 02 / 10 (44)
» Davey Boy Smith – 2002 / 05 / 17 (39)
» Eddie Guerrero – 2005 / 11 / 13 (38)
» Elizabeth – 2003 / 05 / 01 (42)
» Emory Hale – 2006 / 01 / 28 (36)
» Johnny Grunge – 2006 / 02 / 16 (40)
» Joey Maggs – 2006 / 10 / 15 (37)
» Kanyon – 2010 / 04 / 02 (40)
» Louie Spicolli – 1998 / 02 / 15 (27)
» Mark Curtis (referee) – 1999 / 09 / 08 (37)
» Randy Anderson (referee) – 2002 / 05 / 05 (42)
» Ray Traylor – 2004 / 09 / 22 (41)
» Renegade – 1999 / 02 / 23 (33)
» Rick Rude – 1999 / 04 / 20 (40)
» Rocco Rock – 2002 / 09 / 21 (50)

Additionally, six more talents who joined WCW after 1998 have since passed on – Chris Candido, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Mike Awesome, Rhonda Singh, Sherri Martel and The Wall. All six deaths listed occurred before the age of 50.

On a final note, Kanyon’s passing marks the fifteenth consecutive year in which at least one talent who performed for WCW between 1991 and 2001 has died.

– TNA star Mick Foley has updated his MySpace.com blog with more thoughts on the tragic death of former WWE & WCW wrestler Chris Kanyon. With yet another young life lost, Foley once again shines a light on the less-than glamorous transition from wrestling superstar to everyday civilian.

“Unfortunately, suicide is a solution that far too many wrestlers have opted for. I really wish there was some kind of emotional crash pad for wrestlers to land on when the bright lights dim, or when injuries take their toll, or when one is finally forced to face the fact that the next big break just might not come around.”

– TNA founder Jeff Jarrett tells Kentucky’s Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper that TNA looking to change their strategy concerning live events. Many of TNA’s bigger names currently do not appear at the live events, leading many fans to notice a major difference in the product they see in person compared to the household names they see on television.

“The issue you’re talking about of the (Kevin) Nashes of the world not making it, we are graduating or progressing so that won’t be the case by the end of the year,” Jarrett said. “What you see on TV will match the live events.”

Jarrett admitted that TNA is not financially able to “load up a card with up to 20 superstars,” but that’s allowed them to keep the talent budget low and as a result, the shows have been profitable.

– NXT rookie David Otunga will be the guest host for tonight’s WWE RAW. No matches have been announced for the show, but WWE is promoting an appearance by new World Heavyweight champion Jack Swagger. The dark match main event being promoted on the arena website lists John Cena vs. Batista.

– Some of the members of the RAW crew had flight troubles in getting to tonight’s RAW in Moline, Illinois.

– NOLA.com has a new article up on the coming soon WWE movie Big Red, which will feature Randy Orton, talking about how the various tricks they did to turn back the clock to 1965, the time when the movie takes place. The article notes that Big Red has a $5 million budget.

– MVP teamed with Joe Hennig to defeat the team of Big Show and Carlito at Thursday night’s WWE developmental show at the Miami-Dade County Fair in Miami, Florida. The Rock’s mother, Ata Johnson, sat at ringside to support some of the FCW talents.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety (and find some great BBQ products) at JRsBarBQ.com. In this update, Ross shared his thoughts on the unfortunate passing of Chris Kanyon as well as Jack Swagger’s World Heavyweight title win on Friday’s SmackDown. Some highlights:

Kanyon’s Death: Ross wrote, “The death is being investigated as a suicide as those close to Chris say that he has been battling depression for quite some time. … Chris was an innovative wrestler who always sought new maneuvers and holds to utilize in his matches and was a really good teacher and helped many of today’s stars with a variety of in ring techniques. Chris was a guy who seemingly wanted to be a pro wrestler most of his life and embraced the fact that he made it but obviously had issues after leaving the ring. Chris Kanyon will always be considered an underrated star in my eyes and I sincerely wish his many friends and his family our heartfelt condolences during these challenging and heartbreaking times.”

Jack Swagger’s World Heavyweight Title Win: Ross congratulated the fellow Oklahoma native for his big win and noted that Swagger was his final recruit as the head of WWE’s talent relations several years back. Ross wrote, “I’d love to see Swagger be able to establish his Championship reign over an extended period of time but wish him the best nonetheless. We had a great, private conversation after Wrestlemania at the hotel and he knows what I personally expect of him and what he potentially can do in WWE if he catches a break, conducts himself as a professional, and works harder than any one on the roster night in and night out.”

Ross also put over Swagger’s amateur wrestling credentials as a key factor in his potential in WWE.  “Amateur wrestlers more often than not [possess] an uncanny work ethic that is generally beyond reproach and any one who thinks that world class athletes who survive successfully in the world of amateur wrestling and who possess charisma can’t be successful pro wrestlers are kidding themselves. Granted many of these amateurs need coaching and time to reach the level one would ideally like but that’s the function and responsibility of those who are training these men. ”

– HonkyTonkMan.net, which initially broke the news of The Nasty Boys’ departure from TNA Wrestling, notes that Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags weren’t initially informed they had been let go. An upset Sags reportedly found out he had been let go via news reports online. One company source confirms that Eric Bischoff was instrumental in their release from the company and that neither him nor management contacted the duo to inform them they had been let go.

-Jimmy Hart, who was brought in to manage Knobs and Sags, is still with the company.

— Orlando Jordan’s on-screen female companion is an independent women’s wrestler by the name of Santana G. currently training with the Orlando-based “I Believe in Wrestling” promotion. She is the daughter of St. Louis-based High Voltage Wrestling promoter TNT Kenny G. Santana was trained by former IWA-MS Heavyweight Champion Dingo.