wrestling / News

CM Punk, Taz, The Blue Meanie And Others Pay Tribute To Tracy Smothers, WWE Issues Statement

October 28, 2020 | Posted by Joseph Lee
Tracy Smothers

UPDATE: WWE.com has also issued a statement and tribute on the passing of Tracy Smothers, which you can read below:

Tracy Smothers passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that Tracy Smothers passed away today at the age of 58.

A native of Springfield, Tennessee, Smothers teamed with Steve Armstrong, as his career began in Florida Championship Wrestling. The duo competed in WCW as The Southern Boys and The Young Pistols and were engaged in a long rivalry with The Fabulous Freebirds tandem of Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.

After another stint on the independent wrestling circuit, Smothers began wrestling in WWE as Freddie Joe Floyd. Smothers shared the ring with icons such as Triple H and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin during his time with WWE. Later, the wrestling veteran had a memorable run with ECW.

WWE extends its condolences to Smothers’ family and friends.

Other wrestling promotions and people within the industry have also released comments and statements on Smothers on social media, including Eric Bischoff, Ricochet, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray (aka Bubba Ray Dudley), WWE Hall of Famer Edge, Mustafi Ali, and more. You can view their comments on Smothers here:

The Highspots Wrestling Network also released the following tribute video for Tracy Smothers:

ORIGINAL: As we unfortunately reported earlier today, Tracy Smothers passed away at the age of 58 following a battle with lymphoma. CM Punk, Taz, The Blue Meanie and others have paid tribute to Smothers on social media.

Punk wrote: “Tracy was the first name I ever worked. He taught me so much just that first night, and continued to do so for years. He loved working shows full of young kids and always helped share his knowledge. Always asked if I was swimming and eating cans of tuna. His shadow boxing to warm up is legendary. I can hear it now if I close my eyes. I watched him try to take a guys eye out once, then immediately start brushing his teeth. One time he grabbed nachos from a fan and I was so terrified he was going to dump cheese all over me and I’d have to drive home from kentucky covered in concession stand nacho cheese (no showers in IWA) but he said, “block it, hit me with the cheese, kid”. He wrestled bears. He was in the greatest tag match of all time with Brad vs the Midnights. He was a THUG.

T is for terrible, H is for hell, U is for ugly and G is for jail because a thug can’t spell! I can recite his SMW promo vs Candido from the coal miners glove match by heart. Most IWA shows he would look out the curtain and say“well if they riot, we got em out numbered boys!” Fresh from a shower, covered in soap and barely holding a towel to his body he fought police dogs during a riot in ECW. He was one of a kind.The Wild Eyed Southern Boy, and he left his mark on the wrestling business. I love Tracy Smothers. Rest in power Tracy, watch the cheese.”

Taz added: “Very sad to learn that Tracy Smothers passed. He was a great wrestler and an even better person. He was always cutting up and busting chops in the locker room…just a fun talented dude always smiling. A spectacular career wrestling everywhere you could imagine over his years!”

Blue Meanie wrote: “I’m trying to process this one. I saw it coming but it still doesn’t HURT any less. Myself and a lot of wrestlers owe their careers to Tracy Smothers. He was a leader and a teacher who gave more than he received. Rest in peace Tracy. I love you more than words can convey.”

You can see these and other similar posts below.

More Trending Stories

article topics :

Tracy Smothers, Joseph Lee

More Stories

loading