February 22, 2021 Observer Newsletter: Death of Tom Cole, NXT TakeOver review

Tom Cole, a key name from one of the most sordid public pro wrestling stories, committed suicide on 2/12, at the age of 50.

Cole was a key accuser in the WWF ringboy scandal, which was part of coverage of the company that involved media heavyweights of the time including Phil Donahue, Larry King and Geraldo Rivera. It also greatly involved New York Post columnist Phil Mushnick (no relation to Irv Muchnick, who was also a reporter covering the same story, the nephew of Sam Muchnick, who was one of the most powerful figures in pro wrestling history as President of the National Wrestling Alliance during most of the period from 1950 to 1975).

Cole passed away due to his hanging himself. His older brother Lee, 60, who talked extensively to the media at different points and appeared on a number of radio shows in the early 90s on the topic, announced the news and immediately blamed Vince and Linda McMahon. Cole left behind a wife and three daughters.

Current subscribers click here to continue reading.