The information of Kevin Sullivan’s loss of life on August 9, 2024, realized by many as they have been waking up was not a whole shock, as Sullivan had been unwell since Might.
However for friends and colleagues, it was nonetheless an amazing loss. Many took to social media to share their recollections of the person who was at varied occasions a “Taskmaster”, a “Boston Battler” and “The Prince of Darkness” … or simply “Sully” to his buddies. Observe the number of names — wrestlers, bookers, promoters, main names and a few not.
Andrew Anderson, who was a real scholar of Sullivan’s, sitting at his studying tree for years, merely posted a damaged coronary heart on Fb. When Anderson obtained a Males’s Wrestling Award from the Cauliflower Alley Membership, he requested Sullivan to introduce him.
Gangrel David Heath on Fb: “Obtained a message 5:50am this morning, with that information 38 years of laughter, worry and studying classes, smiles and growls and appreciation of sunrises and sunsets and the great thing about smoke and mirrors and conducting a wrestling orchestra with stroke of his thoughts all rushed by means of my head and coronary heart however most of all of the kindness and true friendship you gave me! I’m actually heartbroken and eternally grateful and grateful for you being in my life! Say whats up to all and take straightforward on the massive man upstairs! RIP”
Triple H on X: “Kevin Sullivan had one of the vital distinctive minds within the historical past of our business, pushing artistic boundaries and creating among the most intriguing characters to step into the ring. He had an unwavering ardour for what we do. My ideas are together with his household, buddies & followers.”
Jacqueline Moore on Fb: “I woke as much as the information of the passing of my buddy Kevin Sullivan. He was a pleasure to work with within the wrestling enterprise. Relaxation straightforward my buddy.”
Sal Corrente on Fb: “I awakened this morning to a textual content from Andrew Anderson in regards to the passing of Kevin Sullivan. I used to be within the ring with Kevin many occasions as a referee. In 2005 he was a part of among the WrestleReunion occasions. I’m posting an image of Kevin and Abdullah from the inaugural occasion in Tampa January 2005. He was in a tag crew match with C.M. Punk and Abdullah the Butcher as his companions with Sir Oliver Humperdink as supervisor in our most important occasion. Dusty, Dustin and Mike Graham on the opposite aspect with Harley Race. As we get older the information of deaths comes a lot to usually and is way to related. R.I.P Kevin Sullivan.”
Billy Silverman on Fb: “I’m sadden to listen to in regards to the loss of life of Kevin Sullivan. I’ve identified Kevin since I broke in in 1985. I additionally labored for Kevin when he was the booker for WCW. Kevin was the perfect and all the time handled me properly. My deepest condolences exit to the household and buddies of the Activity Grasp Kevin Sullivan. There’ll by no means be anybody like him. God bless you, my buddy.”
Alex Pourteau on Fb: “I’m so sorry to listen to that Kevin Sullivan has handed away. Sending love and prayers to his household… I used to be solely 19 years outdated right here working as an additional for WCW, studying the enterprise the exhausting means. Kevin was one of many first man’s to legit work stiff with me. In a while it made me respect and be taught that the phrase ‘Alex go on the market and get your self over’ actually meant. He was additionally large expertise behind the scenes working within the workplace for a few years! He introduced me to Texas just a few years in the past to assist as an agent on the street… Thanks Kevin RIP my buddy!”
Neal Koloff on Fb: “Awakened this morning to listen to of the passing of my mentor, my buddy Kevin Sullivan. Kevin, I’ll all the time all the time all the time be glad about you mentoring me, believing in me, and serving to me by means of the years of this loopy enterprise/sport or ours. We’ve been abroad collectively, labored many reveals collectively, shared many laughs and plenty of recollections collectively. One I’ll always remember is the day you met my son, held him and he smiled at you. I’ll miss our conversations, the laughs, the data and I’ll undoubtedly miss you my buddy. The wrestling world misplaced a real legend and one of many biggest minds in wrestling. I really like you my buddy. RIP Kevin Sullivan (Sully, Taskmaster, Gamesmaster)”
Sheldon Goldberg on Fb: “RIP Kevin Sullivan. One of many high wrestling minds of his period, Kevin made frequent appearances for the late Tony Rumble and gave quite a few locals spots on nationwide TV. I thought of him a buddy and all the time loved seeing him the final couple of years at Cauliflower Alley Membership reunions. Deepest sympathies to his household and buddies.”
Gary Juster on Fb: “Kevin and I have been buddies from the primary day we met nearly 40 years in the past. A superb man who knew world historical past, politics, faith and baseball (notably the Crimson Sox). Kevin may converse intelligently on just about any topic as he was so properly learn. I’ll miss him and our frequent. conversations.”
Cary Silkin on Fb: “RIP Kevin Sullivan, my buddy thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge, your humor, and your love. They simply don’t make folks like this anymore. You’ll by no means be gone. You’re right here and all the time might be. You all the time gave me time speaking about life, love politics, baseball, the world, and clearly professional wrestling … I’ve to smile. Kevin was not a unfavorable individual, however I might usually hear him say once I would ask a query about present day life ‘Cary what’s fallacious with these folks.’”
Steve Corino on Fb: “For the previous few hours I used to be making an attempt to consider what I needed to say about Kevin Sullivan. Kevin was a mentor to me within the final stage of my in-ring profession after which turned an excellent larger mentor in life. He was like a second father to me and I think about there are a whole lot of pro-wrestlers that additionally noticed him as their second father. He was all the time there with recommendation and a narrative to go together with it. He taught me about perception and compassion. He helped ease my thoughts once I wanted it. And never simply with wrestling. As wonderful as he instructed his tales, he was an excellent higher listener. He taught me to not be afraid to make errors at work as a result of a mistake was an opportunity to be taught the appropriate means. He’d consult with Colby and Beck as his ‘grandsons’ in that Boston accent that all the time made me snort. I’ll miss that. Thanks Kevin for the affect you made in my life, beginning as a fan after which as a trusted buddy and mentor. My life is healthier as a result of I knew Kevin Sullivan.”
Les Thatcher on Fb: “So very unhappy to listen to of the passing of my pricey buddy Kevin Sullivan. A multi-talented man in our enterprise as a wrestler, booker, supervisor & extra. I’ve the pleasure of not solely working with him, however having fun with socializing with he & his household. Watching him squat 425 lbs. 26 occasions again within the late 70’s!!! You’ve fought the great struggle my buddy, go together with God & know that you may be remembered with a lot Love a respect!”
Eric Bischoff on X: “Woke as much as the information of Kevin Sullivans passing. This one hits exhausting. Final time we spoke, we talked about taking a fishing journey. Kevin cherished the water. Kevin was gifted, loyal, and had instincts that made him a beneficial accomplice. I’ll miss him. Respect all the time ‘Booker Man’.”
Rick Allen on Fb: “So very unhappy to listen to of the passing of my pricey buddy Kevin Sullivan. A multi-talented man in our enterprise as a wrestler, booker, supervisor & extra. I’ve the pleasure of not solely working with him, He gave me my first break in CWF reserving me in 1985 for TV Tapings and undercard matches. And on just a few abroad excursions through the years. I additionally having fun with socializing with him lunches and Dinners and on the bar after a match. You’ve fought the great struggle my buddy, go together with God & know that you may be remembered with a lot Love and respect! 🙏❤🥃😇 my condolences and prayers to the Sullivan Household.”
Joseph Cabibbo on Fb: “You have been the most effective buddies I’ve ever had. Thanks for the years of steerage and assist, you have been my father determine, my mentor, my professor, and my taskmaster. I’ll deeply miss you Kev.”
Pco Pierre Carl Ouellet: “R I P my good buddy Kevin Sullivan. I labored for Kevin when he was a booker in WCW, and with him once more in 2018 for MLW and he was a giant believer within the PCO Character. He had an amazing profession and paved the best way for thus many people.
God bless you Kevin! You’ll be missed by family and friends and by the entire Wrestling neighborhood.”
Jeffrey Wayne Bowdren on Fb:
So I obtained a textual content from Barry this morning telling me that we had misplaced Kevin Sullivan. In contrast to lots of people, my favourite recollections of Kevin weren’t because the “evil” chief of the Military of Darkness. My favourite reminiscence of him have been because the “Boston Battler” who teamed with Austin Idol towards the Freebirds in Georgia, or as Mike Graham’s tag crew accomplice again within the day. I additionally keep in mind at one in every of Barry’s Fanfests, the place Kevin was one of many featured friends. It was Sunday and plenty of the folks have been starting to depart for the airport or the drive dwelling. Kim was up in our room getting our stuff collectively, and I used to be the final one on the desk with Kevin. I figured he simply would need a while to himself and I received as much as depart. Kevin seems to be at me and says:
“Do it’s important to depart? Can’t you keep for awhile?”
And I keep in mind considering….are you fucking kidding? Kevin F’n Sullivan needs me to sit down and speak with him? Yep! So I sat with him for over half-hour, and didnt as soon as speak about wrestling. We talked in regards to the Crimson Sox and the Cubs, about baseball historical past, about our lives. Every thing however wrestling. I keep in mind considering, what an amazing man.
My buddies used to rib one another after we would go to the matches by faking a kick to the groin. We’d snort and say:
“Sully shot!”
At the moment, all of us received a Sully shot. Nevertheless it was a shoot.
R.I.P. my man.
TOP PHOTO: From left to proper, Jenni Santana, Andrew Anderson, “Cuban Murderer” Fidel Sierra, Kevin Sullivan and Fantasy on the 2022 Cauliflower Alley Membership awards banquet on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, on the Plaza Lodge & On line casino in Las Vegas. Photograph by Wayne Palmer
RELATED LINK