During this time, Vctor Quiones' group Puerto Rican Army overturned W*ING and Lethal Weapon to become the top villainous group in FMW and Quinones was luring away members of both factions into his Puerto Rican Army, which led Gladiator to turn fan favorite for the first time in his career. After Bash at the Beach in July 2000, his gimmick was tweaked, with him becoming infatuated with heavyset women and calling himself "The Fat Chick Thriller" and feuded with Scott Steiner and Lance Storm for the WCW United States Championship. The match had the fans chanting This match rules., On his website, StormWrestling.com, Lance Storm said that Tanaka-Awesome stole the show at the initial One Night stand. it was sad to here that mike is dead.i miss him from wcw days when wwe taken over that time in india the both shows were stopped.i really missed him and his move which was carrier killer.awesome rest in peace He was born on March 17, 1946 to the late Walter and Helen (Patterson) Simon in Toledo, Ohio. Alfonso attended King High School in Tampa, Florida and trained at Stan's Gym, an old school muscle gym, on 56th Street. The ECW toy series manufactured by Original San Francisco Toymakers released a Mike Awesome action figure in 2000. On Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019, Demetrius Malik Smith was called home at the age of 47. Loving father and buddy of Lillian. After training at Steve Keirns Pro Wrestling School of Hard Knocks, the 6-foot-6, 292-pound wrestler made his debut in 1989. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. While he was still in jail, his wife visited him and told him that she was going through with the divorce and taking their two children. After Sabu started working for ECW, he returned to Japan and told Michael about the promotion and how he should work there. Eventually, a compromise was reached. [8], In 1993, Alfonso appeared in NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW) for a short period (as "Awesome" Mike Awesome), he was convinced to do so by Sabu, whom he befriended during their time in Japan. #295 Tampa, FL 33634. Gladiator won a rematch at Summer Spectacular, before finally losing to Titan on September 7 to end the rivalry. Michael J. Lawler, 56, passed away on December 22, 2021 at Witham Health Services in Lebanon, Ind. During the course of his 17-year career, the heavyweight won the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice and the WWF Hardcore Championship . (Getty Images) Archbishop Justin Welby told the 2,000 mourners in Westminster . A Celebration of Life for Laura Shaw will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at the Seed and Supply Church in Las Animas, Colorado with Pastor Rod Coulter officiating. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Professional Wrestler. About. But there was never heat.. A feud with The Filthy Animals led to Awesome challenging Billy Kidman to a Hair-vs-Hair match, on January 15, however before the bout could take place, Team Canada attacked Kidman backstage, leaving him unable to compete. height: 350,
For Awesome, the victory was a vindication of sorts. texasyosh wrote on 05.06.2022: [ 8.0] "Mike Awesome is a fantastic powerhouse and probably one of the more underrated wrestlers of his time. Born and raised in Tampa, Fla., Alfonso married his high school sweetheart and fathered two children. I saw Mike Vs SpikeWas ok. And then I witnessed a brutal matchMike Vs Tanaka. [1] His TNA in-ring debut was on April 16, 2003, where Awesome defeated Perry Saturn by DQ when The Sandman and New Jack interfered. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec.18, at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. In 2001, he won the WWF Hardcore title and was the first wrestler to be presented on television as the World Championship Wrestling star. Mike Awesome commits suicide. They later divorced. Aged 11. Michael R. Sonksen President Bob Bergthold Vice President. Here you have a WWF wrestler wrestling a signed WCW wrestler on an ECW event for the ECW title. [22] From here Awesome's push diminished and he began appearing mostly on WWF's b-shows, before being sidelined with an injury in November 2001. The 6-foot-6, 292-pound Awesome debuted in 1989. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Hal married Kathryn Piersel and had two children, Lance and Danette (deceased). But if you guys really look up to him, use his death as a lesson. A celebration of Michaels life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2007 at Serenity Meadows. i just want to say,i am sad for the loss of mike awsome to the wrestling world,to me he was my second fav wrestler next to the god of hardcore,bruiser brody,and what made me like mike awsome was the fact he reminded me of brody when he was in the ring,violent and brutal,awsome was refreshing to see in action cause he could do almost anything,at the time he was ecw champ he was the best champ in the world at that time and just like brody he found great sucess in japan.for anybody who knows wrestling prior to 2001,knows what im talking about,wrestling was a non-mcmachon controlled sport and not entertainment, and it was excellent,and right now with nwa-tna,wrestling is comming back and sports entertainment is dying and i love it.if you are a fan, go to http://www.you tube and watch bruiser brody matches and compare them to the state of wrestling right you will see what im talkin about. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He was booked to win the Grand Slam Tournament in September, in which he defeated Hayabusa in the tournament final on September 26 to win the company's top title, the vacant Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Championship and cemented his place as the company's top villain. Gladiator and Titan were defeated by Sambo Asako and Mr. Gannosuke at Summer Spectacular. I was so happy when I was told I was gone". However, following the match, he delivered an Awesome Bomb to Tanaka over the top rope through a table set up on the outside. Gladiator would then resume his feud with the returning Atsushi Onita as the team of Gladiator, Terry Funk and Cactus Jack was defeated by Atsushi Onita, Masato Tanaka and W*ING Kanemura at 8th Anniversary Show on April 29. ALFONSO, Michael Lee, 42, of Tampa, passed away on February 17, 2007. [10] Awesome's hardcore reign came to an end a few weeks later on the July 12 edition of SmackDown! Prior to his untimely death by hanging, Alfonso worked as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in Tampa. awesome!!!!! Michael was a lifelong Clinton County resident, 1984 graduate of Clinton Central . Mad Dog Vachon - Dead at 84. On April 10, 2000, Awesome made a surprise appearance on WCW Monday Nitroaiding The New Blood by attacking Kevin Nashwhile still reigning as ECW World Heavyweight Champion. Mike was a 1964 graduate of Oakwood High School. He would then tour with ECW, where he became a two-time World Heavyweight Champion. Oops, something didn't work. I understand the guy was a hero to most but why did he coward out and kill himself. Fearing for her life, his wife called the police, and Alfonso was arrested and charged with domestic abuse. Thats so f*ck up. R.I.P AWESOME. live: true,
When Thompson committed suicide in 2005, Johnny Depp funded a crazy, awesome funeral in the writer's honor. you are a fanstic wrestler but u dont under stand why you hung your self well R.I.P. The match that transpired only lasted minutes long and . PatrickMcMullan.com. background: '#000000',
On May 14, Awesome competed in his final TNA match where he lost to Mike Sanders in a Tables Match. Gladiator had lost his significance as a main event competitor after losing the Double Championship despite being the longest reigning champion and became a mid-card member of ZEN. A 46-meter (150 ft) tower was built replete with the shape of a fist clutching a peyote buttona symbol Thompson had used during an unsuccessful bid for sheriff in Pitkin County, Coloradoand a cannon mounted on top. features: {
Burton was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, to George and Blanche (Christianson) Knutson on August 13, 1934. Michael Lee Alfonso (January 24, 1965 - February 17, 2007) was an American professional wrestler.He was best known for his appearances with the American professional wrestling promotions Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment under the ring name Mike Awesome and for his appearances in Japan with Frontier Martial-Arts . Later at the event, Mr. Pogo turned on W*ING Alliance by blowing a fireball on Yukihiro Kanemura after Pogo and Kanemura lost their match, which led Gladiator, Boulder and Hisakatsu Oya to follow Pogo and join Lethal Weapon. Later that night, Gladiator attacked Hayabusa after ZEN members defeated Hayabusa's team in the main event and then Gladiator raised the flag of ZEN and joined ZEN, which marked the first time in his career that he had become Atsushi Onita's ally after having feuded with him for the past seven years. He passed away on Monday, February 14, 2022. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. a pussy. Riley 16, Brady 12, Colby 10, and Eleanor 8 years old. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Mother-in-law of Brett and Karen. Actor: WCW Monday Nitro. I was crying when i found out that he was dead but you will be missed and you were AWSOME Rest In Peace. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Mike Eugene Kubena of Caldwell, Texas, who passed away on February 24, 2023, at the age of 65, leaving to mourn family and friends. Steve Asadoor Lead Funeral Assistant. Alfonso debuted in FMW as a monster villain on September 20 in a street fight with Mr. Pogo against Atsushi Onita and Jimmy Backlund, which Alfonso's team won. > Books
Laura Shaw - April 13, 1976 - February 9, 2023. He and I grew up together. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Mike Awesome (17991309)? Michael A. Start the day smarter . Sorry! (foreshadowing Awesome's unexpected real-life death 20 months later), but by the end the crowd were chanting "this match rules!" Later at the event, Atsushi Onita lost a match to TNR member Kodo Fuyuki, which forced Onita to end ZEN. > Canadian Hall of Fame
We talked about it, and it got me interested in it., On the Coldwell Banker real estate site, where Awesome sold real estate under his real name, he addressed his wrestling career in his biography: I wrestled the majority of my 17 years in Japan, as The Gladiator. His matches with Masato Tanaka were always fantastic. He relocated to Tampa, Florida as a teenager with his mother and younger brother. He graduated in 1953, from Blooming Prairie High School. Then in February 2006, he suddenly announced that he was retiring from wrestling. On December 11, 1996, Awesome defeated Wing Kanemura for the FMW Independent World title, holding it nine months before dropping it to arch rival Masato Tanaka. Bigelow's funeral in New Jersey was paid for by WWE owner Vince McMahon, while a second funeral in Florida was funded by several local wrestlers. You have no idea what he was going though when he made the choice to end his own life. Coldwell Banker real estate salesman Michael Alfonso. In September 1998 at UltraClash, Awesome tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a bout with Balls Mahoney; he did not wrestle again until September 1999. SPIERS, Troy Daniel. In WWE (then still the WWF), Awesome won the Hardcore title in June 2001 from Rhyno after sneaking into the building and later was part of the WCW/ECW-WWF invasion storyline. Its not your job to do. Since 1904 Warren-McElwain Mortuary has been locally owned and operated. theme: {
Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. A celebration of Michael's life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 23, 2007 at Serenity Meadows. In 1990, he debuted in the Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling league Japan and at 6'6 290 pounds, became known as The Gladiator. He would combine doing that with doing Hindu squats by doing a squat between each push. Michael was a loving father and son. Flowers are . Although Awesome had other matches with Sabu that year, the match with Smith will long be remembered for Awesome over the top rope dive onto Smith, nearly snapping his back into two over the guardrail. The entire Lethal Weapon attacked Fuji and turned on him to join Terry Funk's new group Funk Masters of Wrestling, which led Gladiator to turn into a villain again. Date: Notify me of follow-up comments by email. [7] He gained a new manager, Judge Jeff Jones, who managed Awesome to the top of winning the ECW World Heavyweight Championship twice in 1999. Dear brother of George Oakes. Her husband Mike Langen passed away suddenly on Oct 20, 2022. Heyman, an astute follower of international wrestling, had been following Awesomes career in the Far East, first brought Awesome to ECW on February 5, 1994 when he wrestled J.T. Alfonso wrestled as The Gladiator for a brief period in All Japan Pro Wrestling in 1998 and 1999. Mike married the love of his life, Donna Louise Bratton, on January 25, 1969. Michael had a successful 17 year career as a professional wrestler in Japan and the United States. Alfonso was trained to wrestle by Steve Keirn, debuting on February 26, 1989, at the Eddie Graham Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Flowers are accepted, however, those who wish may donate in memory of Michael to The American Diabetes Association 4902 Eisenhower Blvd. He was 42. photo: wwe.com. The following day, on April 30, Gladiator surpassed Atsushi Onita's fourth reign of 337 days to become the longest reigning Brass Knuckles Heavyweight Champion by having reigned for 338 days at that point. You still the greatest. Gladiator successfully defended the title against Leather in a rematch on September 1. And Im happy I did it., Tazz insisted that there wasnt any bad blood between him and Awesome. Add to your scrapbook. Gladiator became a free agent after ZEN's dissolution on May 5. He held the title for nine months before losing it to his arch rival, Masato Tanaka. 0 cemeteries found in Great Falls, Cascade County, Montana, USA. Although Awesome eventually closed the deal with WCW, a federal injunction prevented him from appearing on their TV shows with the ECW belt. > Collectibles
Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Try again later. BRING ON THE AWESOME BOMB!!!! He was best known for his time with World Championship Wrestling in 1992-2001 and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2005-2009. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. He was a member of two separate stables Team Canada in both FMW and WCW. [29] He enjoyed mountain biking and would ride frequently at Alafia River State Park in Florida, close to his Tampa home. He is survived by his wife, Delisa, son; Casey, daughter; Carissa, his father; Tony and mother; Sharon, along with his brother, Rick. It's a great contrast to the cookie cutter obituaries you see in the newspaper everyday. 's tertiary show, for the next few months jobbing to wrestlers such as Faarooq, Bull Buchanan, Mark Henry and Funaki. Michael was born on February 3, 1959 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Karl and Virginia Heim. He was additionally given a bus that resembled the one featured on The Partridge Family to drive into arenas as part of his entrance. The plot is located at Row 2, Plot #6. He is from United States. Thats history, and Im a part of that. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Michael Francis Heim (Mike) age 63, of Ocean City, New Jersey (formerly of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania) passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Under Review. Born Michael Alfonso, he broke into the business in the 1980s learning his trade in the Pro Wrestling Federation. [18], After the March 2001 purchase of WCW by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Awesome became part of The Invasion storyline in the WWF. No BS. He will be missed greatly by all of his family and friends. On October 21, Super Leather and The Gladiator lost a match to their former teammates Hisakatsu Oya and Mr. Gannosuke, after which Gladiator attacked Leather and officially ended Funk Masters of Wrestling. I became emerced in the Japanese culture and even speak some of the language. shell: {
Mike Awesome was an interesting character, as many thought he could've gone a lot further than he did in the business. Michael Neal James. The following month, Gladiator and Big Titan defeated Sambo Asako and Ricky Fuji in a street fight stretcher match at the 2nd Anniversary Show. The WWE placed a tribute article about the wrestler on their website. He spent a year as an iron worker to save up for college, and helped build several . He reminds me of the legendary don muraco, when he was in his wwf prime. Smith when he performed a high-risk dive to the outside of the ring. [10], On the September 6, 2000, edition of Thunder, Awesome's gimmick was changed to "That '70s Guy" (a reference to the TV series That '70s Show), for which he dressed in 1970s-inspired attire and hosted the "Lava Lamp Lounge" interview segment. He was one of Professional Wrestling's biggest and brightest stars. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. 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