Former WCW Wrestler Van Hammer Passes Away

Mark Hildreth, best known as former WCW star Van Hammer, has passed away at the age of 66.

The news was announced by his fellow former WCW star Marc Mero, who paid tribute to his late friend in a post on social media.

No cause of death has yet been established, with Mero noting that they were awaiting autopsy results.

After serving in the Navy, Hildreth began training for a career in professional wrestling with Boris Malenko in Tampa, Florida.

Despite his relative inexperience, he was signed to WCW by Dusty Rhodes in 1991 and given a substantial push as 'Heavy Metal' Van Hammer. Rhodes reportedly saw Hammer as a potential main event superstar due to his look.

As part of his initial push, WCW filmed an expensive music video to promote him and booked Van Hammer to go on a winning streak. He subsequently fell down the card and left the company in 1993.

Hammer returned in 1997, where he became a member of Raven's Flock. Following that, he became a member of the Misfits in Action stable (as Major Stash), before being released in 2000.

Hammer dabbled in the independents and did one tour of Big Japan Pro-Wrestling in 2001 before retiring in 2003.

Hildreth suffered with substance abuse issues throughout his life and was arrested for DUI in 1985 and 2004. In 1995, Hildreth was arrested on two charges of possession of illegally prescribed drugs.

In January 2020, he was arrested with DUI and first degree felony hit and run after he hit a five-year-old boy riding his bicycle. He pleaded guilty to the charges, receiving one year of probation and having his license revoked.