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.
“Moondog” Lonnie Mayne
Ronald Doyle Mayne was a second generation wrestler who followed in his father’s footsteps. After training under his father Ken Mayne, Lonnie’s career began in 1967. Mayne wrestled in various NWA territories including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Portland, Georgia and Canada. In 1973, Mayne ventured to the WWWF in New York. It was Vince McMahon Sr who dubbed Lonnie Mayne the nickname “Moondog.”
It was a name that he kept for the rest of his career. In total, Mayne won over 43 different titles for various NWA territories including three United States Heavyweight titles. Mayne was more of a west coast guy having been born and raised in California…so his stint with the WWWF was short lived. He wrestled the remainder of his career on the west coast for places like LA, San Francisco, Portland Oregon and Hawaii.
Many wrestlers who worked with Mayne said he loved to drink and party…but was as nice a human being that you have ever met. Some compared his style to that of Mick Foley. Moondog Mayne was fearless and a risk taker willing to take crazy bumps all for the entertainment of wrestling fans. It is perhaps that reckless style that have caused the incident that took his life.
After a show in California on August 14th, 1978, Mayne appeared beat up and drained. He began throwing up before getting into his car. Another wrestler asked if he was okay and Mayne said he was. He then drove off onto the freeway. It is believed that Mayne passed out and his car jumped a divider and went into oncoming traffic. Lonnie’s vehicle crashed head on with another car on the opposite side of the road. Mayne and the driver of another vehicle were killed instantly.
Some had speculated that Mayne was drunk, but that was not the case…it appeared he had suffered some internal bleeding in his previous match and a concussion. It is believed that his concussion may have lead to him going unconscious. ‘Moondog’ Lonnie Mayne was just 33 years old at the time of his death.