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.
Buck Weaver
Ralph ‘Buck’ Weaver was a standout football player and amateur wrestler from the University of Indiana. After graduating college, Weaver transitioned into becoming a professional wrestler. His career lasted from the 1930’s until the 1950’s. During his run as a pro, Weaver was one of the premiere light heavyweight wrestlers across the country. This Buck Weaver is not to be confused with the baseball player of the same name.
On July 16, 1956, while Weaver was wrestling in Toledo, Ohio…he suffered a heart attack. The heart attack was caused due to Uremic poisoning which was toxins in his bloodstream. He had an undiagnosed kidney condition. Buck Weaver was just 50 years old at the time of his death.