Awesome was an international star.
There are big names in modern-day wrestling, names like Owen Hart and Hulk Hogan. But no mat personality was as unique as Mike Awesome.
The cousin of Hogan’s nephew, Horace, Awesome was born in Tampa, FL as Mike Alfonso. He went to King High School and trained at Stan’s Gym. In a career that spanned nearly twenty years (1989-2006), Awesome won many matches, appeared in video games, and had his own action figure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtIFHyRY7MQ
Awesome retired earlier than he might have done otherwise, citing issues with WWE as the reason.
Unfortunately, violence followed Awesome out of the ring. He physically abused his spouse and was jailed for the offense. Life spiraled down from there and, in 2007, he committed suicide. Awesome was only 42 years old.
If there’s a lesson we can learn from Mike Awesome it’s this: suicide is never, ever an option. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please encourage them to call National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255.
