January 17, 2000 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Death of Gary Albright, Observer awards, more

Gary Albright, a former world class amateur wrestling star and headliner on many big shows as a pro in Japan, died after collapsing in the ring at an independent show in Hazleton, PA before about 100 fans on 1/7. He was 36.

The preliminary reports from the corner attributed the death of the 6-foot-4, 340-pound powerhouse to a heart attack, technically speaking a combination of severe atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus and acute pulmonary edema. Albright was a known diabetic for years. Funeral services were scheduled for 1/14 in Pensacola, FL, where he had resided for many years.

He was a current regular with All Japan Pro Wrestling, where he was scheduled to return on 2/12 after being given the current tour off. Since he had time off, he decided to take a vacation in Pennsylvania where many members of the Anoia family had moved, and work a few shows while there.

The peak of his pro wrestling fame was in the mid-90s as the monster foreigner with the now-defunct Union of Wrestling Force International (UWFI) promotion and the beginnings of his stay with All Japan. He was wrestling along with several members of his family on the first of two weekend shows for his father-in-law, Afa Anoia of Wild Samoans fame, and his promotion called World Xtreme Wrestling. On the fifth match of the card at the local American Legion building, during a match against Lucifer Grimm, real name Bill Owens of Wilkes-Barre, PA, he collapsed after receiving an Ace crusher, a move somewhat similar to a stone cold stunner or a diamond cutter. He apparently suffered a heart attack at that point. Owens, who is said to have idolized Albright, told the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader that he sensed that Albright lost power. Since he sensed something was wrong, and knew he was supposed to lose the match, Owens rolled to his back, and Albright instinctively put his arm on top of Owens. Owens told the ref to count to end the match, and then he started yelling for help. Albright was reportedly still breathing at this point.

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