Chris Candido was a talented and charismatic professional wrestler who had a successful career in various promotions such as WWE, WCW, ECW, and TNA. He was also the real-life partner of Tammy “Sunny” Sytch, one of the most popular divas in WWE history. However, his life was cut short at the age of 33 due to a tragic and unexpected complication following a surgery. In this article, we will explore how Chris Candido’s cause of death stunned the wrestling community and left a lasting legacy.
Contents
Chris Candido’s Early Career and Rise to Fame
Chris Candido started wrestling at the age of 14, training at Larry Sharpe’s Monster Factory in New Jersey. He made his debut in 1986 and soon began working for independent promotions in the area. He met and fell in love with Tammy Lynn Sytch in high school, and the two became a lifelong couple. Sytch would later become his manager and valet under the name Sunny.
In 1993, Candido joined Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he formed a stable called “The Suicide Blondes” with Johnny Hotbody and Chris Michaels. He won the ECW Tag Team Championship twice with them under the Freebird Rule. He also caught the attention of Jim Cornette, who invited him and Sytch to join his Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW) promotion. There, Candido won several titles, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, which he held for three months in 1994.
In 1995, Candido and Sytch signed with WWE, where they were given the names Skip and Sunny, respectively. They portrayed a fitness guru duo who mocked other wrestlers for being out of shape. They were also joined by Tom Prichard as Zip, forming the tag team The Bodydonnas. The Bodydonnas won the WWE Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XII in 1996. However, Candido’s time in WWE was overshadowed by Sunny’s popularity and infidelity rumors. He also struggled with drug addiction during this period.
Chris Candido’s Stints in ECW and WCW After Leaving WWE
In 1997, Candido left WWE and returned to ECW, where he reunited with Sytch, who had also left WWE due to personal issues. He became one of the top heels in ECW, feuding with stars like Lance Storm, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer, and Shane Douglas. He also won the ECW Tag Team Championship again with Storm in 1998.
In 2000, Candido joined WCW, where he was part of The New Blood faction that opposed the veterans. He won the WCW Cruiserweight Championship in his debut match against The Artist Formerly Known as Prince Iaukea. He also formed a tag team with Bam Bam Bigelow called The Hard Knocks. However, his run in WCW was short-lived as the company was bought by WWE in 2001.
Chris Candido’s Final Days in TNA Wrestling
In 2005, Candido signed with TNA Wrestling, where he became a member of The Naturals’ faction along with Andy Douglas and Chase Stevens. He also reconciled with Sytch, who accompanied him to the ring. He seemed to have overcome his drug problems and was ready for a fresh start.
However, on April 24, 2005, Candido suffered a severe injury during a steel cage match against Sonny Siaki and Apolo. He broke his tibia and fibula and dislocated his ankle. He underwent surgery and had titanium plates and screws inserted into his leg. Despite the injury, he appeared on TNA’s pay-per-view event Lockdown the next day, managing The Naturals from a wheelchair.
On April 28, 2005, Candido became seriously ill and was rushed to the hospital. His brother Johnny reported that Candido died due to a blood clot that traveled from his leg to his lungs, a common complication from surgery. However, according to Wikipedia, the autopsy revealed that the cause of death was acute pneumonia caused by a sleep aid he received against doctor’s orders.
Chris Candido’s Legacy and Impact
Chris Candido’s death shocked and saddened the wrestling world. Many wrestlers paid tribute to him on social media and in interviews. TNA dedicated their next pay-per-view event Hard Justice to him and retired The Naturals’ faction in his honor. WWE also acknowledged his passing on their website and aired a video tribute on Raw.
Chris Candido is remembered as one of the best technical wrestlers of his generation and a passionate performer who loved the business. He had a charismatic personality and a great sense of humor that endeared him to fans and peers alike. He also influenced many wrestlers who followed him, such as CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, and Dolph Ziggler.
Chris Candido’s cause of death was a tragic and unfortunate event that robbed the wrestling world of a talented and beloved star. However, his legacy lives on through his matches, his stories, and his fans. He will always be a part of wrestling history and a legend in the industry.
