20 April 2026<\/time>\n <\/p>\nMark Hildreth, known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer, has died aged 66.<\/p>\n
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Mark Hildreth, known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer, has died aged 66<\/p>\n
\nThe grappler, who performed for World Championship Wrestling and WWE and was best known for his time in WCW during the 1990s, died on Sunday (19.04.26), with his cause of death not yet known.<\/p>\n
\nMark, associated with wrestling\u2019s \u201cheavy metal\u201d era, was remembered by friends and former colleagues including Marc Mero and Diamond Dallas Page, who shared tributes online. <\/p>\n
\nAn autopsy is expected to determine the cause of death. <\/p>\n
\nMark built a reputation during his career as a physically imposing performer and later remained connected to the wrestling community through friendships formed during his time in the industry.<\/p>\n
\nMarc Mero said: \u201cIt is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend, Mark Hildreth, known to so many as Van Hammer.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cAt this time, we are still awaiting answers regarding the cause, pending an autopsy. Mark was a fighter in every sense of the word. Life threw its share of challenges his way, but he had a resilience about him\u2026 he always found a way to rise, to push forward, to keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMarc also described their early friendship, saying: \u201cI have so many incredible memories with him that I\u2019ll carry forever. We first met while he was vacationing in Venice, Florida, working out at a local gym.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cNot long after, I got the call from Dusty Rhodes to come to his office the next day. Mark didn\u2019t hesitate, he drove me eight hours so I could sign my very first contract with World Championship Wrestling.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMarc continued: \u201cThat\u2019s the kind of person he was loyal, selfless, and always there when it mattered most. We went through wrestling school together, chased the same dream, and before long, he earned his own contract.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nHe also added: \u201cWe even lived together in Atlanta, training, grinding, and building a life around the passion we both shared.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDiamond Dallas Page said: \u201cWith a heavy heart, I want to send my sincere condolences to the family of my brother, Mark Hildreth \u2013\u00a0aka WCW\u2019s \u2018Van Hammer\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cI first met Hammer when I was managing the Fabulous Freebirds. He was a beast of a man \u2013\u00a06\u20194\u201d, 285 \u2013\u00a0he was shredded, I remember Dusty taking one look at him and hiring him on the spot. Hammer was green as grass at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDiamond also described their shared experiences, saying: \u201cBack then, Hammer, Marc Mero Johnny B. Badd, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Mick Foley, Scotty Levy, Erik Watts, and myself bonded quickly. We were a band of brothers.\u201d <\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cA lot of time spent together in those early years \u2013\u00a0inside the ring, on the road, and yeah, plenty of nights in the clubs.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDiamond also spoke about Hildreth\u2019s later life, saying: \u201cH, like many of the boys, battled addiction. Truth is, I don\u2019t know how he made it through some of those years. But a little over a decade ago, he cleaned himself up and reached out to me.\u201d He added: \u201cHe still had his struggles here and there, but for the most part, he got a handle on his demons. I still don\u2019t know the cause of death. All I know he was doing so well. I really thought, he had made it to the other side. I\u2019m grateful we found our way back into each other lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
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