In sad news first broken by former wrestler Marc Mero on X, Mark Hildreth, best known as the eccentric WCW star Van Hammer, has died aged 66. As of writing, no cause of death has been reported, with an autopsy outstanding. The U.S. Navy veteran trained by Boris Malenko, Hildreth burst onto the scene in the early 1990s with his flamboyant heavy-metal-guitarist persona and was memorable as a member of Raven’s Flock and the Misfits in Action stable under the name Major Stash.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend, Mark Hildreth, known to so many as Van Hammer. At this time, we are still awaiting answers regarding the cause, pending an autopsy … My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and the fans who supported him throughout his journey. Rest easy, my friend. You will always be remembered.” – Marc Mero
Standing 6’6” and weighing around 280 pounds, Van Hammer looked set for wrestling stardom from the beginning, with his signature “Heavy Metal” gimmick. In 1992, he triumphed in Jesse Ventura’s Strongest Arms arm-wrestling tournament, though he never won a major title. Still, for WCW fans, he will always be fondly remembered for his imposing presence and versatility across multiple gimmicks in the unpredictable 90s wrestling landscape.
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