Former WWE Developmental Talent Steve Bradley Found Dead
Posted by Larry Csonka on 12.04.2008
An unfortunate death at the age of 32…
Steve Bradley, who was a WWE Developmental talent in the 90s, was found dead today at the age of 32. Bradley was found earlier today in a parking lot across the street from where he once operated a wrestling school in Manchester, NH.
Bradley wrestled on the Independent scene when he was 15/16 years old, and was signed to a WWE Developmental deal in 1998. He was assigned to the Memphis Territory and worked a lot with Kurt Angle during that time.
In 2002 Bradley was released, after never making the main WWE roster. During his time under contract, Bradley worked in HWA, OVW, Puerto Rico, other WWE Territories and the occasional dark match.
Bradley went on to operate a wrestling school after he release, which he shut down in the last 6-months. Reportedly Bradley had some personal issues over the last few years, and it was reported that he took the WWE up on the offer for rehabilitation as a former contracted talent. At this time the cause of Bradley's death is unknown.
Our condolences go out to the family, friends and fans of Steve Bradley during this difficult time.
Posted By: Kent Baker (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:30 PM
That is sad, and a very young age to.
Posted By: Tapp (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:38 PM
r.i.p. Steve we will miss you.
Posted By: Guest#0165 (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I loved his Memphis territory run with Angle. I know alot of people won't remember this but a decade ago. He was an incredibly hot prospect that people were calling "the next RVD". The guy was charasmatic and very talented. I was always thought that WWE missed a big opportunity by not bringing him up. This is sad, tragic news.
Posted By: Matt WG (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Rest in Peace Steve Bradley.
Posted By: Paul Bearer (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 03:54 PM
I remember seeing him on the indie circuit around new england as "Superbad" Steve Bradley. He put on good matches and I always thought he should've made it.
Posted By: EJ (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 04:00 PM
I once did a weekend "Fantasy Camp" at his pro wrestling school where you got to learn some basics and stuff and meet some of the wrestlers he knew from the area. He was a pretty cool guy that knew a lot of stuff. His promotion that he ran was also the best run indy fed i have attended in person. It's a real sad day.
Posted By: Dan (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I remember this guy now but I had to think about it for a sec. This is really too bad, especially considering how young he was.
Posted By: MrComicBook (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I went to college in New Hampshire and did a fantasy camp at Steve's wrestling school freshman year. He also ran a wrestling promotion called the Wrestling Federation of America. Both the school and promotion were shutdown lately. I only talked to him a few times, but he certainly seemed to be a very decent guy. This is a damn shame.
Posted By: Essa Rios (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 04:19 PM
we can expect a Marc Mero statement blaming Vince McMahon for this any day now
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Registered) on December 04, 2008 at 05:18 PM
i don't think this is what they mean by wishing them their best in their future endeavors
Posted By: guy (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 05:22 PM
too bad.
Posted By: The Rev (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 05:49 PM
r.i.p.
Posted By: deano (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Very sad news.. but its wrestling industry would we expect anything different... it is cursed.
Posted By: Andrew Barbarash (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Who the hell was the guy? Never heard of him.
Posted By: stonecoldstunner (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Thought a lot more comments would be sarcastic or down right mean. Glad that people are paying respects to Bradley. I never saw much of his work, but to die so young is always sad. Wrestling on the independent scene at 15 and opening your own wrestling school and promotion after you are released from your contract say, to me, that Bradley had a passion for the business. This is sad news.
Posted By: Matt Eli (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 07:42 PM
It's a shame this guy died so young, but he wrestled for numerous other promotions, why is he labled a "Former WWE Developmental Talent" and not a former HWA talent?
Even here, anything negative that happens to a young wrestler is linked back to the WWE...no matter how little time they spent there, or how long ago it was.
Posted By: dennett316 (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 10:47 PM
RIP MO'FO Steve Bradley
Posted By: dynadave (Guest) on December 04, 2008 at 11:15 PM
i remember bradley's run in puerto rico, he was an awesome talent...
Posted By: tdn (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 12:01 AM
If you don't know who Steve Bradley was, go to youtube and just type in MoFo Steve Bradley, I've posted quite a few MoFo videos on there. But, being one of the very few who got to see his wrestling promotion, WFA, the experience I will take to my grave. I've had the privledge to see MoFo wrestle 21 times, and playing him in many E-Feds. This news hit me hardcore, like almost losing a best friend. I've only gotten the chance to talk one on one with Steve once at the historical Littleton Opera House in Littleton, NH where WFA had their first show. He seemed like a very decent guy, and for all those who have talked to him have said the same thing. But, looking at him, you'd never know he had a "problem" that required rehab. I heard from a valuable source that he became severly ill and had to shut down WFA, but...sad news non the less. His matches with Alex Arion...WOW. Sad day, especially for WFA fans.
Posted By: James (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 02:33 AM
RIP Steve.. i trained under for a a little while and you taught me all the tiny little little things that make me a better wrestler.... Thank MO'FO maybe we can up a match someday?!?!?
Posted By: Ryan Bubar (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 03:09 AM
He srsly died like 5 mins away from my house o_O
Posted By: Kurgan (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 04:25 AM
I hate to say it, but sounds like some kind of suicide to me. The fact he was found accross the street from the building where he USE to run a wrestling school. My thoughts & prayers go out to his family, friends, and loved ones!
Posted By: Scott H. (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 07:20 AM
I had the priviliage of working with Steve down in OVw and some in HWA. He was very dedicated to this business, always showed a ton of respect for the little guys like me running camera, and was innovative to a fault. I always thought that big things were ahead for him. This is very sad news indeed... Thanks for the memories.
Posted By: Deadpoetic (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 08:25 AM
I just wanted to thank you all for the kind things you've said. My daughter and I knew Steve very well (she was his student), and this has been incredibly difficult for everyone who knew him.
Please keep Steve's family, friends, and students in your thoughts and prayers.
He was brilliant about the business, an amazing teacher, a superior wrestler, and someone who had a genuine passion for the wrestling world.
He will be missed.
Posted By: Caly's Mom (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Steve was a close friend of my family and he used to come to the house on a regular basis and all i can say is that it is a shame that he died im going to miss him very much
Posted By: jjj (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 01:01 PM
Manchester is a shithole. I bounced in Manch for the last 14 years. That city has a way of ruining good people. I only say that because they mentioned he needed rehab. Too bad...hate to hear when people pass from personal demons.
Posted By: 1212 (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 04:31 PM
i grew up with steve we were best friend for years we played baseball toghether i even wrestled in his barn were his father built him a ring i'm send my prayers to his mom dad bro and sister will miss you steve
Posted By: seth (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 05:08 PM
i am very sorry to here about steve bradley we went a lot of his matches. he was a grate wrestler he will be for missed. i met him at some of his matches he was a grate guy to talk to.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 08:09 PM
He's at peace now. God Bless him, and his family.
Posted By: austinrules243 (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 10:07 PM
I saw Steve Bradley wrestle a couple times in White River Jct., VT and he was a great "bad guy" as MoFo. I'm shocked to see he is gone. RIP Steve, you will be missed.
Posted By: Dan (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 11:05 PM
wow... steve is a great guy i had a great time with him in memphis at mcw in memphis. we had a great gorup down their it was the closest group i ever been around like a family. this hurts bad to see another one of my kids go away im speaking for all the guys from mcw in memphis we love you steve and we will never forget you . god help us all to be better than we are sometimes what we want is not what we need and what we want takes away everything we are. i miss all the crew and think of everyone all the time please stop a secods and remember steve for he left us all alot to think about.. YOU WILL BE MISSED STEVE AND WE ALL THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES PAL
Posted By: terry golden (Guest) on December 05, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Steve will be missed by alot of people. My son loved him as a wrestler and in person. R.I.P
Posted By: Lovely (Guest) on December 06, 2008 at 05:26 PM
I went to high school with Steve. Always talked about wrestling. I have to admit I thought he was silly. But he made it , from a small town , to where he was is amazing. It shows us our dreams can come true. It also shows us that sometimes we are given too much to handle. I hope this was an accident of some sorts and nothing else. To his family may your pain ease with remembering past memories.You can't ever lose those. He was a sweetheart. Steve hope your wings work good!!!!!
Posted By: Raymondite (Guest) on December 10, 2008 at 08:57 AM
