Posted on by bdamage1
Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Gordon McKinley
Gordon Stanford McKinley was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1919. He began his pro wrestling career in 1944 and although an American southerner…portrayed a Scotsman in the world of professional wrestling. McKinley wrestled under the nickname of ‘The Flying Scotsman’ and also briefly wrestled under the moniker of ‘Jack Everhart.’
On January 18, 1958, McKinley wrestled a match in Youngstown, Ohio against Lenny ‘The Bull’ Montana. Lenny Montana would go on to greater fame for his portrayal of ‘Luca Brasi’ in the motion picture…’The Godfather.’ During the match, McKinley suffered chest pains and subsequently collapsed in the ring. He suffered a massive heart attack. Fans at the armory thought that McKinley collapsing was a part of the show and began booing him relentlessly. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but sadly did not survive. Gordon McKinley was just 36 years old at the time of his death.