Former WWE Star Darren Drozdov Passes Away at 54: Important Facts to Understand

Former WWE star Darren Drozdov, known as 'Droz,' has died at 54 from natural causes. Drozdov had a successful career in the WWE before a serious neck injury in 1999 left him paralyzed. He was a former NFL player and is remembered as a devoted son, brother, and friend. Tributes poured in from celebrities and fellow wrestlers mourning his loss.

On June 30, 2023, the world received the heartbreaking news of the death of former WWE star Darren Drozdov, known by his ring name 'Droz'. The announcement was made by his family, who expressed their profound sense of loss and sadness in a statement. They also took the opportunity to express their gratitude to Droz's fans, teammates, colleagues, and friends for the love and support he had received throughout his career.

According to his family, Droz passed away from "natural causes." While mourning the loss of this wrestling icon, it is important to remember and celebrate his life. Here are five things to know about Darren Drozdov:

1. Droz rose to fame as a WWE star in 1998, making his official debut in the wrestling world. He initially wrestled under the nickname "Puke," a nod to his tendency to vomit during his previous career in football. Eventually, he adopted the moniker "Droz" and carried it throughout his career. Born on July 4, 1969, in Mays Landing, NJ, Droz also had a background in football, having attended the University of Maryland.

2. Unfortunately, Droz's wrestling career was tragically cut short in October 1999 when he suffered a severe neck injury during a match against D'Lo Brown, who was 52 years old at the time. The injury left Droz paralyzed from the neck down. However, he showed remarkable resilience and regained movement in his arms and upper body. Despite this progress, he still relied on a wheelchair for mobility for the rest of his life. It is worth noting that Droz did not hold any ill feelings toward D'Lo Brown for the accident, and they remained friends for many years.

3. Before his time in the WWE, Droz played as a defensive tackle in the NFL for one season, specifically with the Denver Broncos from 1993 to 1994, as stated in his ESPN bio. Toward the end of his football career, he made the decision to transition into professional wrestling full-time. TMZ reports that he played in the NFL for three seasons.

4. Darren Drozdov passed away on June 30, 2023. In the family's statement, they emphasized their unwavering support for him through both the good times and the bad. They described him as a devoted son, brother, and friend. Droz never married nor had any children, but he was surrounded by unconditional love throughout his life.

5. Following the news of Droz's passing, countless individuals took to social media to express their grief. Among them was actor and former wrestler Dwayne Johnson, also known as 'The Rock,' who shared his condolences on Twitter. Johnson reminisced about their time together in the ring, highlighting Droz's great personality and wrestling talent. He also mentioned their shared interests in football and fishing. Another wrestler, Brian Heffron, known as 'The Blue Meanie,' honored his late friend with a series of photos on Twitter, describing Droz as a sweetheart of a man and expressing his sorrow.

The wrestling community and fans worldwide mourn the loss of Darren Drozdov, a talented athlete and beloved figure. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through the memories and impact he left behind. Rest in peace, Droz.

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