10 WCW Stars Who Died Too Young 4. Brian Hildebrand (1962 - 1999)

 
When Smoky Mountain Wrestling shut its doors, Hildebrand switched to refereeing in ECW before turning up in Atlanta under the name Mark Curtis. In October 1997, he was diagnosed with stomach and bowel cancer, and despite undergoing major surgery to combat the disease, he continued to officiate throughout his illness.

In the months prior to his death, a benefit event titled Curtis Goes Home was laid on in honour of the popular referee. Even at the height of the Monday Night Wars, stars from all three major national promotions came together in one of the largest independent supercards ever held in the United States.

Hildebrand lost his fight with cancer in September of 1999 at the age of 37, and the entire wrestling fraternity came together to mourn his passing.

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