Chris Kanyon found dead.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

FORMER WWE AND WCW STAR CHRIS KANYON FOUND DEAD<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->

<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="Author" -->By Mike Johnson (mike@pwinsider.com) on 2010-04-03 11:01:58<!-- InstanceEndEditable -->
<!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="article content" --> Former WCW and WWE star Chris Kanyon was found dead this morning. We are waiting on further details at this time. On behalf of everyone at the site, we issue our deepest condolences to Kanyon's family, friends and fans during this sad time.

Source: pwinsider.com (http://www.pwinsider.com)

:( R.I.P. Chris

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Fuck.

R.I.P Chris</font> :(

[Loose Cannon]

if you type his name into google and look at the news reports, they are saiyng it was an overdose of pills/suicide. wow, does it stop?

[ron the dial]

RIP :(

but how long until the first AIDS joke?

[The Franchise]

Damn. RIP :(

[CSL]

Ric Flair did it

[The Show Off]

Who better than Kanyon?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I remember back in WCW when he'd say "Who's better than Kanyon?" and the crowd would yell "EVERYBODY!" to Kanyon's chagrin.

So then one time he zinged the crowd by saying "Who's NOT better than Kanyon?" and the crowd still yelled "EVERYBODY!" and Kanyon laughed at them.</font> :(

[Savio]

:(

[IRodC]

May he rest in peace.

I'm gonna Kanyon Cutter random people in his honor

[Jeritron]

Judy Bagwell on a forklift match

[Xero]

God damn. :-\

RIP

[Jeritron]

It's a damn shame

[OssMan]

Who deader than Kanyon?

[Joesgonnakillyou]

FUCK! not another :(

RIP Kanyon

[The Franchise]

Who deader than Kanyon?

lol :(

[Xero]

This news is gay.

[Skippord]

What a drag

Rest In Peace

[Kapoutman]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/blAHjuUhADE&hl=fr_FR&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/blAHjuUhADE&hl=fr_FR&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Xero]

Sort of an obituary from PWInsider:

A New York native, Chris Kanyon (real name Christopher Klucsaritis, 40) trained under Bobby Bald Eagle in NYC and broke into the business in the early 1990s. Kanyon grew up a huge WWF fan and often told a story of being in Atlantic City during Wrestlemania IV, finding a door to the Atlantic City Convention Center ajar late at night. He entered the arena and jumped into the ring before taking a turnbuckle as a keepsake, promising himself one day he'd wrestle for the WWF. Whether the story is true or simply a wrestler's tall tale, it always made for a great magical story.

In a minor piece of trivia, he actually worked the first-ever match at the infamous Elks Lodge in Queens, NY that would later become known as ECW's Madhouse of Extreme, losing to the late Billy Firehawk. He later went on to do some additional training under The Fabulous Moolah as well. During those early days, he worked just about every local independent in the NYC area that one could find and was a regular for Tommy Dee's UWS promotion.

After working enhancement for the early days of Eastern Championship Wrestling, Kanyon signed with World Championship Wrestling during the Monday Night Wars era. He initially worked under a mask as Mortis, one of the "collection of oddities" managed by James Vandenberg (Jim Mitchell). Later, he worked without the mask as Kanyon, using the catch phrase, "Who's better than Kanyon" during which he went out of his way to innovate a lot of unique original offensive maneuvers as a member of Raven's Flock.

During the latter days of WCW, Kanyon received the biggest push of his career as one-third of the Jersey Triad with the late Bam Bam Bigelow and Diamond Dallas Page, holding the WCW World Tag Team championships. When that group broke up, he feuded with Page under the "Positively Chris Kanyon" moniker, a play on Page's personality.

Kanyon never received a strong singles push in WCW beyond the DDP feud, but was liked enough that he was sent to work and prepare celebrities like Jay Leno for their wrestling appearances and worked as a stunt coordinator on the WCW "Ready to Rumble" feature film. He later parlayed that into additional Hollywood work as well.

After WCW was absorbed by World Wrestling Entertainment, he was among the talents who's contracts were taken over by the company, but never fit into the WWE world. He held the WCW United States title after an angle where Stephanie McMahon, the head of the Alliance, asked Booker T to hand it to Kanyon. He and DDP reformed their team and held the WWE Tag Team belts briefly as well.

Over time, Kanyon found himself among a number talents who suddenly found themselves without an ally in the creative side of things. In WWE, it's often said you have to make Vince McMahon your fan in order to get attention and with the huge influx of talents, getting the chance to stand out during that time period was near impossible. Kanyon suffered knee and shoulder injuries and when he was able to come back, he was lost in the shuffle and delegated to doing jobs on Velocity and similar shows. He was eventually released after months of not being used in a main role because the company had nothing for him. He wasn't alone in that regard. In fact, of all the talents that were brought to WWE after WCW was purchased, only Chavo Guerrero has remained.

When Kanyon decided to publicly come out, he claimed that his sexual orientation was part of why he never received a big break in the company. At the time, given the long tenure of Pat Patterson for WWE, it wasn't considered something that was a credible claim. Once Kanyon came out, he made a number of appearances on the Howard Stern show and at one point, had been working on a book on his life and career. The book was up for pre-orders on Amazon.com and other online retail outlets but was never released.

After his WWE release, Kanyon made limited appearances for TNA and worked the "6:05 Reunion" PPV, losing to Diamond Dallas Page. During that appearance, Kanyon came out before the crowd on the taped PPV as well. He never returned to a national role on a regular basis after his 2004 WWE release, something that friends say haunted him as all he ever wanted was to wrestle.

Kanyon had publicly claimed retirement, but still made occasional independent wrestling appearances, including a recent one for the NYWC in Long Island. He was one of the plaintiffs in the dismissed lawsuit against WWE (Raven and Mike Sanders were the others) that was brought against WWE for misclassifying wrestlers are independent contractors. The suit ended up dismissed before it went very far. While there was talk of the suit being re-filed at the time, it never happened.

In speaking to a number of wrestlers that were friends with Kanyon this morning, all noted that he was a giving person who was truly a lifelong fan of pro wrestling, to the point that when he was let go by WWE and there was obviously no other outlet for him to live his dream, he was never really the same. A number of his friends noted he had been dealing with depression off and on for quite a long time as well.

[Xero]

From that last part, I'm thinking it was suicide.

:(

[Jordan]

That sucks, he had some great matches in WCW.

[XL]

Not gonna come out and claim I was a huge fan of the guy (like a lot do when someone passes) but I did appreciate his in-ring stuff. He was as innovative as he has billed to be.

R.I.P.

[HBPunk]

he was a giving person who was truly a lifelong fan of pro wrestling, to the point that when he was let go by WWE and there was obviously no other outlet for him to live his dream, he was never really the same. A number of his friends noted he had been dealing with depression off and on for quite a long time as well.

why didnt he try tna? no sympathy if its suicide, cowardly act

[Rammsteinmad]

Cowardly? No. Selfish? Yes.

Sometimes people just got too many problems than they know how to cope with. :(

R.I.P Kanyon. Was never my favourite or anything but definitely liked him, especially in WCW.

[Wishbone]

never really liked the guy but damnit I hate to see another wrestler go R.I.P. :'(

[Schlomey]

Never was a fan....But now I feel bad for cutting him down in a thread yesterday. Ironic.



And the poster who asked "when does it end".......I wonder the same thing all the time :(


RIP

[roach21]

Another tragic loss indeed.

[Fox]

Sad news. Only DDP remains from the Jersey Triad, and he'll probably live forever.

http://www.guresmania.net/pics/bambam/03.jpg

[KIRA]

Its weird and sad that its almost guaranteed that a wrestler will die a premature death every year

R.I.P Kanyon

[Xero]

Sad news. Only DDP remains from the Jersey Triad, and he'll probably live forever.

Yoga would do that.

[KIRA]

Sad news. Only DDP remains from the Jersey Triad, and he'll probably live forever. forever and ever those bonus yrs with good health are no joke

[kareru]

what the fuck?
i was just watching him last night during his 'positivly kanyon' gimmick
this is shit

[Indifferent Clox]

RIP

[Xero]

Kanyon as Jimmy King:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g122/sandman3g/82187098-d8efd77d20208ce76591657627.jpg

[Favre4Ever]

RIP Kanyon

:nono:

[Cool King]

Damn. :(

R.I.P

[St. Jimmy]

Sad. Suicide is a cowards way out, but I still feel for him.

[St. Jimmy]

Also, WHO DEADER THAN KANYON?

FIRST.

[Xero]

Also, WHO DEADER THAN KANYON?

FIRST.


Who deader than Kanyon?

Second.

[Exyle]

RIP

[kareru]

'chris kanyon' number 1 searched for on google trends today

[Xero]

Probably because no one knows who the fuck this dead guy is.

[St. Jimmy]

GODDAMMMMIT ASSMAN

[Perry Saturn]

:(

[Xero]

At least we found you.

[Crazy Nick]

RIP

[Executioner]

He's Kanyon Cutting the rest of the guys up in the heavens. RIP Chris.

[The Fraze]

WHO BETTA!?

R.I.P. Kanyon

[Corporate CockSnogger]

Was a big fan of the Jersey Triad and I liked Kanyon a lot.

R.I.P :(

[XIII]

Very underrated mortis was the shit... kanyon, bigelow, and ddp's jersey triad was pretty cool too... soo underrated... wwe fuckin wasted him... very sad

r.i.p. champagne

[ClockShot]

Sad day. Didn't think it was that bad for him.

R.I.P.

[VSG]

Well he did have a bipolar syndrome, and that tends to affect stuff a bit more..

[AngryMidjit]

the only thing about this that i laughed at was douchenozzle clark saying he used to speak to kanyon throughout his "reporting" career.

[Hanso Amore]

Well he did have a bipolar syndrome, and that tends to affect stuff a bit more..

DEEP

[kareru]

holy crap, kanyon was gay?

[owenbrown]

holy shit RIP

[Fignuts]

Was a huge Kanyon mark back in the day. I used to say he was the heavyweight rey mysterio because like rey, every match you'd see something that you've never seen before. Guy busted out so many cool moves.

[redoneja]

He's Kanyon Cutting the rest of the guys up in the heavens. RIP Chris.

Gays get in to heaven? :?:

[redoneja]

But seriously, I was at the Great American Bash '98 and saw Kanyon face Saturn in a great match. RIP

[dronepool]

I wasn't a big fan, but I remember him. This sucks that he decided to do that :-\

RIP

[RGWhat316]

Wasn't much of a fan, but still sucks to hear about another wrestling death. RIP

[Blitz]

Damned shame. Kanyon was always a severely underrated worker, and Positively Kanyon remains one of my favourite gimmicks to this day. I remember some interview where Kanyon just ran through the background and Kanyon Cutter'd some random. Laughed so hard at that stuff.

[KayfabeMan]

Damn.

Kanyon was always one of the most underrated.

Big fan of the guy, and have almost all his WCW footage from back in his 'Men At Work' gimmick, through Mortis, through being just Kanyon, to the end of WCW. Also a shame that (as was mentioned) Page is only member of the Triad left. Goddamn.

Sorry it had to end this way for him. What a sad situation, and a horrible year it's been for the wrestling business with these losses.

RIP.

[AKin3D]

RIP Chirs :(

[Juan]

loved Kanyon in WCW, even as Mortis.

RIP

[Heyman]

RIP

[FourFifty]

Wow, just.... goddamned wow.

Rest in peace.... and please, give Jesus a random Kanyon Cutter.

[LoDownM]

Was a huge Kanyon mark back in the day. I used to say he was the heavyweight rey mysterio because like rey, every match you'd see something that you've never seen before. Guy busted out so many cool moves.

This.

[Shaggy]

WOW...I am shocked. Kanyon was one of my favorite WCW wrestlers...and who today still doesnt say "WHO BETTER THAN KANYON?" every once in a while.

R.I.P

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sn7Z-gzRpfw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sn7Z-gzRpfw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Shaggy]

Just told my cousin about this...and how Kanyon mentioned to his friends about wanting to commit suicide and this was his reaction...

"Well if anyone was to commit suicide..Who Better than kanyon?"

I shook my head at him.... :nono:

[HBPunk]

Wow, just.... goddamned wow.

Rest in peace.... and please, give Jesus a random Kanyon Cutter.

Wow, what a douche.

RIP
'Who betta than Kanyon' . . . well Chris, pills betta. . pills betta

[KayfabeMan]

no sympathy if its suicide

Wow, what a douche.

[HBPunk]

Ya i have no sympathy with people who commit suicide. iv just despised that little Kane masked freak for ages, some people just clash.

[LoDownM]

WOW...I am shocked. Kanyon was one of my favorite WCW wrestlers...and who today still doesnt say "WHO BETTER THAN KANYON?" every once in a while.

R.I.P

<object height="385" width="480">


<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sn7Z-gzRpfw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></object>

I yell out WHO BETTA THAN LODOWN when I'm kicking my friends ass' in games :(

[justoosweeet2001]

sad story to hear...highly underrated performer. The "Innovator Of Offense" will be missed. I went to the same high school in Queens as Kanyon, missed him by a year..

[Tazz Dan]

Wow, RIP.

It's Easter morning here and I just flicked onto the page for a quick update. Shocking stuff. Oh well, time to go eat more chocolate easter eggs.

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

R.I.P Kanyon

[XCaliber]

Wasn't really a fan of his but he was a good worker nonetheless and I didn't realize he was the one who played Jimmy King in Ready to Rumble lol anywho RIP Kanyon/Mortis/CCK.

[Juan]

Wasn't really a fan of his but he was a good worker nonetheless and I didn't realize he was the one who played Jimmy King in Ready to Rumble lol anywho RIP Kanyon/Mortis/CCK.

I think that was just a Halloween costume.

[Xero]

I think that was just a Halloween costume.

He was Platt's stunt double.

[Juan]

o i c

[XCaliber]

He was Platt's stunt double.

That would explain it.

[Outsider]

Fuck shits.

He'll forever be one of those stars who could have been massive.

RIP.

[DLVH84]

I always liked Chris. He always had some unique and innovative moves.

[Jura]

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DjQ4Ko-8vD0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DjQ4Ko-8vD0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g8tWKOIpiQ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g8tWKOIpiQ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xiM8cT7s0VY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xiM8cT7s0VY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/baCK0DXwkZU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/baCK0DXwkZU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Droford]

Im shocked at the lack of a Rigor Mortis joke yet.

[kareru]

Im shocked at the lack of a Rigor Mortis joke yet.

i've been waiting for a certain joke all day and im surprised and happy it hasn't happened.

very tactful indeed tpww :y:

[Fignuts]

i've been waiting for a certain joke all day and im surprised and happy it hasn't happened.

very tactful indeed tpww :y:

Casual Forum

[Lock Jaw]

Damn. RIP.

I actually am a huge Kanyon mark. Not just saying that cause he is dead. Loved him in WCW, as well as what little he was in the WWE.

Always played as him in WCW/NWO Revenge too.

[Zeeboe]

R.I.P. to a very talented wrestler.

[Mr. JL]

R.I.P.

[The Franchise]

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/03/whobetterthanaustin.jpg

Good times Mr Canyon

[asphyXy]

Damn. To this day, whenever someone in my circle of friends does something awesome, we say "Who betta than Kanyon?" This fucking sucks.

[tjmidnight420]

The man was great... even when he was faux botching the diamond cutter...

RIP

[PorkSoda]

FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

I was a Kanyon mark.

RIP.

[Kane Knight]

Cowardly? No. Selfish? Yes.



Cowardly, yes.

[FourFifty]

WHO BETTA THAN KANYON!?!?!?!?!?

[FourFifty]

Ya know, aside from the people that didn't kill themselves.

But seriously, once again, rest in peace.

[Emperor Smeat]

:wavesad: Kanyon.

Loved his Mortis costume in WCW since it looked cool even if the hyped feud with Glacier didn't end up being good in the long run. His feud with DDP over who has the best Cutter was great, especially with all the random cutters Kanyon did to random people.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I normally don't post in these sort of threads. A lot of the time the guys are ones I never really saw perform, and what is there really to say? R.I.P.? Sure; but the amount of times one would have to say it in this business would get tiring. I see someone has died, and I am sad, and remember what they did to entertain me if I did see them perform.

There is something about the passing of Chris Kanyon that has driven me to say something, though. Even though I didn't see him in WCW; I did see him during his "Alliance MVP" run, and I remember being so entertained, even despite still being new to the business and not appreciating good heels as much as I do now. Even though Kanyon was meant to be playing an annoying worm, he was just so positively entertaining that I became a mark for him. It's rare to find a guy who is not only good in the ring, but fun to watch wrestle (he is well known for being "The Innovator of Offense") and entertaining to hear cut a promo or dance on his way to the ring.

Kanyon is one of those guys that I very easily could have gotten behind as someone I would have loved to have seen pushed to the top in a different universe. He very easily could have been a guy who with longetivity and some classic matches, could have won a World Title in today's day and age.

Unfortunately, the dude obviously had some issues. This breaks my heart, as apparently he was a nice guy defeated by demons. When I think of Kanyon, I will always think of a genius at war with himself, and potential lost. R.I.P. Chris Kanyon.

[Jordan]

Wrestlers React to Kanyon's Death
Posted by Chris Lansdell on 04.04.2010

Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg, Chris Jericho and more chime in...

Several wrestlers took to Twitter to express their feelings over the loss of Chris Kanyon:

Chris Jericho: God bless you Chris. We had some great times and you helped me alot during the WCW yrs. I never forgot...and I never will. Who better than Kanyon? Not many...

Jeremy Borash: "So many memories. Kanyon loved wrestling more than anyone and shared his knowledge helping many along the way. RIP to a longtime friend."

Shannon Moore: "RIP Chris Kanyon!!!"

Kevin Nash: "R.I.P Chris Kaynon prayers to his family and friends."

Taz: "Sad to hear about Chris Kanyon RIP. ...thoughts & prayers out to his family."

Matt Hardy: "Kanyon was always really cool to me.. Hate to hear the sad news. My best goes out to his family & loved one.."

Jim Ross: "Too bad about Chris Kanyon. Troubled, talented guy. Sad."

Gregory Helms: "RIP Chris Kanyon. He was a good guy that helped a LOT of people in this biz. He struggled with a lot of problems though. It's a sad day. When Kanyon "came out" he texts me with "I'm gay, that bother you?" My reply, "I'm not, does that bother YOU?" We laughed & stayed friends. He was unique that's for sure, we'd just texted a lil bit last week and he spoke again of his ups and downs with depression. That is a tough struggle!! But at least his struggles are over. He was a nutcase, good and bad, but I'll miss him nonetheless. RIP my friend. After being released fr WWE, Kanyon went to Vince & asked if Vince would do the "You're Fiiiiired" thing. Lol I believe at the Mania party."

Ken Anderson: "RIP Chris Kanyon. Hurricane Helms told me a very funny story involving him once. "are you wearing PANTS?!!!!"

Dixie Carter: "On behalf of everyone at TNA, our deepest sympathies go out to the family of Chris Kanyon."

Steve Austin: "yes i was sad to hear about chris. very nice guy. way too young to die."

Bill Goldberg: "Sad to hear about Chris...RIP"

[Droford]

i've been waiting for a certain joke all day and im surprised and happy it hasn't happened.

very tactful indeed tpww :y:

Was it a "Hell MVP" shirt because thats the 2nd one that ran through my head.

Kinda odd they got all those people to comment but not the one Id be most interested to hear comment: DDP.

[Poit]

RIP Chirs :(

[HBPunk]

RIP Chirs :(

C H R I S

Jesus dude its 5 letters.
RIP KANYON

ROT IN PIECES BENOIT

[XIII]

its like dead wrestler of the month club anymore, horrible

[Beauser]

Yuck. Seriously probably one of the highest death rated industry.

Fucking sad, I remember the Mortis role, the match with Saturn, DDP, fuck....

[Xero]

C H R I S

Jesus dude its 5 letters.
RIP KANYON

ROT IN PIECES BENOIT

You know what he meant. Don't be a grammar nayzee.

[The Mackem]

One of those guys that seemed to have everything and it would have just taken that one angle to push him on. I always thought it was his injury that ruined his WWE chances but that Jim Ross comment probably shows that they were never going to push him even with his talent because of his 'troubles'.

RIP 'The Innovator of Offense'

[HBPunk]

You know what he meant. Don't be a grammar nayzee.

surely id be a spelling Nazzzzzzeee

[HBPunk]

Ya know, aside from the people that didn't kill themselves.

But seriously, once again, rest in peace.

asshole again, your avatar is worse than hitler

[CSL]

lol

[HBPunk]

lol

Isnt it though? like who is that retard in the kane mask? its always annoyed me, he looks like such a loser

[CSL]

You should ask him, 450 knows all about Kane masks

[Mooияakeя™]

RIP man.