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Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Jocephus
Joseph Hudson better known as ‘Jocephus’ to wrestling fans began training to become a pro wrestler in 2009. By 2010, he had began wrestling in his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee for an independent promotion called the United States Wrestling Organization run by ‘Cowboy’ Tony Falk and his family. Jocephus became an instant top star for the indie group based on his impressive size standing 6ft 3 in tall and weighing close to 300 pounds…as well as his all around natural charisma.
After the USWO folded, Jocephus made his way to Chicago, Illinois to wrestle for Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan’s first run as a wrestling promoter with Resistance Pro Wrestling. It was there where Jocephus formed a close friendship with Corgan and would serve him well for his career moving forward. Jocephus would land an acting role, where he was used to portray the late Bruiser Brody (a wrestler Jocephus truly admired) in an episode of Vice’s Dark Side of the Ring.
Jocephus would wrestle for the NWA and challenge NWA world heavyweight champion Tim Storm in a number of title matches including an empty arena match. NWA owner Billy Corgan not only booked Jocephus as a wrestler, but also utilized his creative mind behind the scenes. Jocephus really broke out as a star in the NWA once he donned a mask, called himself ‘The Question Mark’ and aligned with Aron Stevens. Their comedic timing really got over with NWA fans. Once the pandemic hit and the NWA went on a hiatus, many wrestlers jumped ship. One wrestler who remained loyal to Corgan during this hard time was Jocephus who stuck it out.
On February 24, 2021, Corgan announced the death of his good friend Joseph ‘Jocephus’ Hudson. On social media, Corgan wrote…“It’s with a heavy heart that I share that my friend and brother in wrestling, Joseph Hudson, has passed away suddenly from an as-yet undiagnosed medical issue. NWA fans would know him as Jocephus as well as The Question Mark; where thanks to the great fans at GPB Studios in Atlanta, Joseph was able to receive the kind support in the ring he’d always dreamt of. He is survived by a young son whom he loved dearly, and if anything would pain him about leaving this earth it would be not being able to be there for his boy. RIP Joseph, love to you and Godspeed.”
It was revealed later, that Hudson passed away due to a congenital heart defect that was undetected. Joseph Hudson left behind a wife and son. He was just 43 years old at the time of his death.