Posted on by bdamage1
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.
Ted McGinnis
‘Terrible’ Ted McGinnis began his pro wrestling career in 1933 and wrestled up until his death in 1951. McGinnis wrestled under several aliases including Max Eldridge, Max Martin and ‘Singer’ Terry Martin. He was a two time NWA Hawaiian heavyweight champion.
McGinnis had suffered a minor heart attack and his doctors recommended that he retire from the squared circle. McGinnis refused and after rehabilitation returned to wrestling a full time schedule after getting clearance from the California Athletic State Commission. On March 31, 1951…while training in the ring in Santa Monica, California…McGinnis began to feel light headed and decided to call the practice and take a shower.
After which, McGinnis began complaining of chest pains and eventually collapsed…hitting his head on the concrete floor. McGinnis was pronounced dead at the gym and a later autopsy revealed that he had suffered a massive heart attack. Ted McGinnis was just 41 years old at the time of his death.