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, which deals more with the seedier side of wrestling, like arrests, murders, and suicides. The Grappling with Tragedy series looks more at particular tragic incidents that have, in some instances, altered pro wrestling in a way.
Maxx Justice
Mike Raybeck was born in San Jose, California. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing over 300 pounds, it was only natural that Raybeck would enter the world of professional wrestling. He was trained by Mike Modest and made his professional debut in 1994. He wrestled under the monikers of ‘Mike Diamond’ and his most known wrestler name of ‘Maxx Justice.’
Raybeck was a fixture in California’s independent scene wrestling for such promotions as APW and Pro Wrestling Iron. As Maxx Justice, he also wrestled for Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan and in Mexico. Raybeck wrestled several tryout matches with both WCW and the WWF under the name of Mike Diamond…at times teaming with his mentor Mike Modest losing to the Godwinns and in singles matches losing to Barry Horowitz and Freddie Joe Floyd.
Raybeck was also featured in the wrestling documentary Beyond the Mat and hid his identity under a mask where he revealed secrets of pro wrestling in the TV special called ‘Exposed: Pro Wrestling’s Greatest Secrets.’
Mike Raybeck eventually called it a career and retired from the wrestling business in 2002. Raybeck would go on to work for the city of Hayward, California as a utilities maintenance mechanic. In May of 2025, Raybeck was riding his bicycle to pick up medication in Hayward, when he was struck by a vehicle and sadly died from his injuries. The Hayward City Council had a moment of silence and lowered their flags at half staff in his memory. Mike ‘Maxx Justice’ Raybeck was 63 years old at the time of his death.
To read other Grappling with Tragedy stories…click here.
David Fullam
Another killed by car. Damn.