WCW heavy metal-era wrestler Van Hammer passes away at 66

Mark Hildreth, the former World Championship Wrestling star known to fans as Van Hammer, has died at the age of 66.

Hildreth passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2026, with his cause of death not yet confirmed. An autopsy is expected to determine further details.

Best known for his run in World Championship Wrestling during the 1990s, Hildreth was closely associated with wrestling’s “heavy metal” era and also made appearances linked to WWE during his career.

Following news of his death, tributes poured in from former colleagues and friends, including wrestlers Marc Mero and Diamond Dallas Page, who both reflected on his life and legacy in heartfelt messages shared online.

Mero described Hildreth as a loyal and resilient friend, recalling their early days in wrestling and the bond they formed while chasing their dreams in WCW.

“Mark was a fighter in every sense of the word,” Mero said. “Life threw its share of challenges his way, but he always found a way to rise.”

He also shared memories of their early friendship, including a road trip that helped him secure his first contract with WCW, crediting Hildreth’s support as a defining moment in his career.

Diamond Dallas Page also paid tribute, remembering Hildreth as a physically imposing presence in the ring and part of a close-knit group of wrestlers who came up together during WCW’s early years.

“He was a beast of a man,” Page said, recalling their time working under wrestling icon Dusty Rhodes and bonding with other stars of the era.

Page also reflected on Hildreth’s personal struggles, including battles with addiction, and noted that the wrestler had worked in later years to rebuild his life and reconnect with friends.

“He cleaned himself up and reached out to me,” Page said. “I really thought he had made it to the other side.”