Chris Candido Dead!

[Booker Thee]

Latest Update on Chris Candido's Passing
Written by Paul Banker on April 29, 2005 at 02:01:34
-There is still no official word from the hospital regarding the cause of Chris Candido's death on Thursday night. His longtime girlfriend Tammy Sytch is at the hospital now getting information.

-There is talk right now that his death may either be the result of a staph infection or a blood clot. Chris Candido's brother, Johnny Candido, made the following statement in regards to his brother's death.

"I find it only fitting you hear the truth from me about the death of my bestfriend, brother, and soulmate. Chris died tonight due to a blood clot brought on by complications with his surgery. I just want to tell everyone that in their sorrow, find a way to be happy that he went out the way he wanted to...on top of the world, blonde, tan, and loving life up until the last minute. Every ounce of my brother loved this sport, and for him to go out 2 or 3 years ago wouldn't have been a fitting end to the life of such a determined, passionate, and benevolent human being. I truly view my brother as an angel as will all who knew him. Thanks to everyone for all your positive press, Chris went out a happy man and will forever live on as the (one of) greatest of all time. He would have had it no other way."

-Candido had been suffering from side effects from his surgery on Monday, including vomiting. There was concern because of the smell that something wasn't right.

-Candido wasn't given much pain medication at first because doctors saw the marks on his arms from years of drug use and didn't want to give drugs to a potential addict. Once he established that he was no longer a drug addict and had cleaned up his life, he got pain medication. He had been in excrutiating pain until then.

-Staph infections are a bacterium that can lead to relatively minor skin infections, but can be deadly for people recovering from major surgery, former drug users (especially injection drugs), and people whose immune systems are weakened due to steroid use, among other factors.

-TNAwrestling.com reported: "TNA Wrestling joins the entire wrestling world in mourning the untimely death of Chris Candido on Thursday night. TNA is deeply devastated by the loss of Chris, who touched the lives of millions of fans around the world during his successful career. We hope everyone will keep Candido's friends and family in their thoughts and prayers as we say goodbye to a friend. TNAwrestling.com will post a statement from Candido's family as soon as possible."

-Gabe Sapolsky wrote at ROHWrestling.com: "Well, I was holding out hoping it wasn't true. I just want to send my condolences to all of Chris' family and friends. This one definitely hits home with just about everyone in the business as he worked with just about everyone between TNA, the indies as well as ECW and WWE. Chris was always great to me even back in the ECW days when I was selling programs and he was involved in booking meetings. I don't think you'll find anyone that has one negative thing to say about him. There were talks at one point of bringing Chris into ROH to take Joey Matthews' spot in The Embassy. I'm sure he would have made his way in sooner or later. He also definitely would have made his way back down to FIP at some point. I'm sorry I'll never have the chance to work with him. I'll probably have more thoughts and share some memories about Chris later. Maybe I won't. I don't know. I'm just in shock."

[Booker Thee]

I remember the first time I saw Candido work. I had heard a lot about him on the internet and was surprised one day when he appeared on RAW to face, I believe, Rob Van Dam. In fact, I think it was an ECW vs Smokey Mountain match and RVD was managed by Jerry Lawler as Mr Monday night.

Many workers go down that slippery slope of drugs and abuse and we all pay our respects while pointing to the diffiulties of 'life on the road' and a 'fast and easy' life style.

Much like William Regal, Candido rose out of his abuse when his personal and business life really gave him the excuse to sink even lower. He also did it while standing by and supporting his girlfriend 100%. He deserves much respect for displaying true personal strength, unwavering loyalty and a courageous desire to be a better person.

His brother mentioned that had this occured 3 years ago it would be an even bigger tragedy because Chris would have been personally crushed to end his life at that period of his life and those that care about him can take some solace in the fact that Chris went out while on the upward rise of his personal and business life as a result of his own efforts.

The bigger picture is that this illustrates how skilled true professional wrestlers must be, how dangerous their job is and the hidden risks that come with the choice to dedicate your life to pursueing a dream in a business that has chewed up and spit out so many young men and women.

Everytime someone steps inside that ring, sometimes in front of sparse crowds for no money, they live a dream and risk a nightmare.

Chris Candito was an example of what can happen when the seedy side of the business takes hold of you. And he was an example of what can happen when performing the most routine match. But he was also an example of true strength and determination and will most certainly be missed.

RIP Chris Candito

[Showtime]

I remember that episode or RAW. It was Candido vs Brian Christopher.

I agree that at one time Candido was an amazing talent and was the most sought after guy on the indy scene. When he got hired by the WWF at age 21( I think ) that was huge.
I actually prefered his ECW work to that of his WWF stuff and was booked to work him on a TRCW show several years ago. Unforunatly he never showed and I never had the privilage of having that match.

RIP Chris Candido

[Booker Thee]

Yes, that was it. No wonder I thought Lawler was involved...

[cdewar19]

Lawler got involved. That was the match where Paul Heyman "revealed" that Christopher was lawler's son.