The wrestling world was shocked and saddened to learn that 58 year old wrestling legend Tracy Smothers passed away earlier today. WWE released the following statement in regards to Smothers’ passing:
Tracy Smothers passes away
WWE is saddened to learn that Tracy Smothers passed away today at the age of 58.
A native of Springfield, Tennessee, Smothers teamed with Steve Armstrong, as his career began in Florida Championship Wrestling. The duo competed in WCW as The Southern Boys and The Young Pistols and were engaged in a long rivalry with The Fabulous Freebirds tandem of Michael Hayes & Jimmy Garvin.
After another stint on the independent wrestling circuit, Smothers began wrestling in WWE as Freddie Joe Floyd. Smothers shared the ring with icons such as Triple H and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin during his time with WWE. Later, the wrestling veteran had a memorable run with ECW.
WWE extends its condolences to Smothers’ family and friends.
WWE is saddened to learn that Tracy Smothers passed away today at the age of 58.
WWE extends its condolences to Smothers’ family and friends. https://t.co/wdclVdB1n0
— WWE (@WWE) October 28, 2020
Many wrestlers from around the world took a moment to remember and reflect on the impact Tracy Smothers had on their lives and wrestling careers, respectively. You can check out some of their tweets below:
Tracey Smothers was always an absolute pleasure to be around in ECW. Always smiling and laughing. A good brother.
RIP. pic.twitter.com/uvbtGAqW3L
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) October 28, 2020
Smother Fucker.. sad day.
😢 RIP TS— #nZo (FKA Enzo Amore) (@real1) October 28, 2020
I just heard the news about Tracy Smothers. In my early years as a wrestler myself and @SexyChuckieT got to spend a lot of time with Tracy. He always knew how to put a smile on peoples faces.
Rest In Power my friend.
You will be missed. ❤️
— Pretty Ricky (@KingRicochet) October 28, 2020
It didn’t matter where you were In your career… anytime you ran into Tracy, he put a smile on your face and gave you amazing advice. He was a friend, a mentor, and will be missed so much.
Love ya.
RIP Tracy Smothers. pic.twitter.com/W6pNA7rGxN
— ₮ⱧɆ ĐⱤ₳₩ (@TheSamiCallihan) October 28, 2020
Entertainer. Mentor. Father. Friend.#RIPTracySmothers pic.twitter.com/c6e13zpIIt
— OVW Wrestling (@ovwrestling) October 28, 2020
Another member of the wrestling community gone. RIP Tracy Smothers. Never heard a bad word about him. I toured Ireland with him in 2007 & was struck by how, even after so many years in the game, he was just so down to HAVE FUN wrestling. We’re better for having had time with him.
— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) October 28, 2020
Sorry to hear about the passing of Tracy Smothers. I saw him last about a year ago. He was so happy in the ring. He was a good man. RIP Tracy.
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) October 28, 2020
If every veteran of wrestling and life were as kind, giving, and patient with rookies as Tracy was, wrestling and life would be much better places.
There will never be another like him. I could watch his mid-match impromptu heel promos all day. https://t.co/0lhczcJhJp
— Bryce Remsburg (@dabryceisright) October 28, 2020
This is very sad. Tracy was one of the nicest guys I’ve met in wrestling. He liked to hang out, joke around and help out all the young guys. RIP https://t.co/Pn6bXB218Q
— John Silver (@SilverNumber1) October 28, 2020
So very sorry to hear that we lost a sweetheart of a guy, and great worker…Tracy Smothers…RIP my brother!😢😇
— Terri Runnels (@TheTerriRunnels) October 28, 2020
Just now hearing about the passing of #TracySmothers. I had the privilege of sharing a locker room with him on a few occasions. He was a really good, genuine worker in the wrestling business who was always willing to help anyone that he could. Rest in peace! pic.twitter.com/XBXCLMfdcj
— 🇺🇸👊🏻Bramley the Manly👊🏻🇮🇱 (@bramleythemanly) October 28, 2020
#Wrestling Trivia: Tracy Smothers was the winner of the only LOSER LEAVES EARTH MATCH in history…. defeating Oderus Urungus @TheRealOderus of GWAR @gwar pic.twitter.com/7b1PY3fvwx
— Joel Gertner (@StudMuffinSays) October 28, 2020
Ladies and Gentleman, it is with a heavy heart that we share the news that "The Wild-Eyed Southern Boy" "The Main Man" Tracy Smothers has passed away after his bout with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Tracy's family and loved ones at this time.
— UCWPRO (@UCWPRO) October 28, 2020
He was a great man. He truly knew what paying it forward meant. I will miss him. 3/3
— Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) October 28, 2020
he drove us to make the next town so we could eat our next meal. He found floors, couches or other talent who had spare space in their hotel rooms for us to sleep. On those drives he dispensed his knowledge. Always with a laugh and a twinkle in his eye. And we soaked it up. 2/3
— Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) October 28, 2020
Tracy Smothers took two young kids from Canada trying to “tour” the southern United States, with $1.50 a day to spend on food, saw a dilemma we put ourselves in to try and get experience, and took us under his wing. He knew we wanted it. Because of that, and his huge heart, 1/3
— Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) October 28, 2020
Rest In Peace Tracy Smothers.
One of the very few truly good people in that world. It was an honor to be around him for a few years in ECW. My condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/Rai1LguYxa— Harry Slash (@harry_slash) October 28, 2020
RIP to “The wild eyed southern boy” Tracy Smothers!
Caused a classic scene With him in Nashville at @GCWrestling_ I’m sure a lot of people will remember that! pic.twitter.com/XABKZa77jX
— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) October 28, 2020
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Tracy Smothers.
Tracy was a true icon. He was a wrestler, a teacher, a friend. We will never forget him.
Our condolences to his friends and family. #RIPTracySmothers
— CZW Combat Zone Wrestling (@combatzone) October 28, 2020
Rest in power, Tracy. pic.twitter.com/dk6v6nEZab
— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@AliWWE) October 28, 2020
There’s an empty place in the Wrestling family today ….. it will eventually stay filled with the best and greatest thoughts and memories of an amazing, kind-hearted, legend of a man https://t.co/XAiDYaf75I
— Joel Gertner (@StudMuffinSays) October 28, 2020
RIP Tracy Smothers. He was so much fun to be around. He was an influence to so many people that he traveled the roads with. What a performer he was. He could turn a crowd in seconds, and loved doing it. He will be missed.
— Bob Ryder (@brydertna) October 28, 2020
Rest in Peace, Tracy Smothers. Gone too soon. pic.twitter.com/sWwY7gAgkF
— The World Famous Monster Factory (@4MonsterFactory) October 28, 2020
Tracy was the first name I ever worked. He taught me so much just that first night, and continued to do so for years. He loved working shows full of young kids and always helped share his knowledge. Always asked if I was swimming and eating cans of tuna. 1/5
— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 28, 2020
