What happened to wrestler Jack Brisco?

Freddie Joe “Jack” Brisco (September 21, 1941 – February 1, 2010) was an American amateur and professional wrestler. As an amateur for Oklahoma State, Brisco was a two-time All-American and won the NCAA Division I national championship.

What happened to wrestler Jack Brisco?

Jack Brisco and his brother, Gerald were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2008. Over the final few years of his life, Jack suffered from bouts of pneumonia and back problems. He had been a heavy smoker. On February 1, 2010, Brisco died at the age of 68 from complications of open heart surgery.

Brisco turned pro shortly after and performed for various territories of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), becoming a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, and multi-time NWA Tag Team Champion with his brother Gerald Brisco.

Brisco is considered one of the greatest wrestlers of his era. Legendary champion Lou Thesz described him as “one of the toughest and most highly skilled wrestlers of the last 50 years”.

Don Leo Jonathan called him “probably the greatest champion of the 20th century.” In the late 1970s, the Brisco brothers discovered Terry Bollea, the future wrestling legend best known as Hulk Hogan, whom they introduced to Hiro Matsuda for training.