SEScoops

Tag: Obituary

  • Longtime WWE Director Kerwin Silfies Passes Away

    Kerwin Silfies, the longtime director behind the vast majority of WWE\’s television programming and special events for over three decades, has passed away at the age of 75.

    Per PWInsider.com, who first reported the news, Silfies had been dealing with health issues privately and passed away on Tuesday night. He had been residing in Florida in recent years.

    WWE Career

    Silfies joined the WWF in 1985 and went on to become one of the most important behind-the-scenes figures in the company\’s history. He served as director on an almost incomprehensible range of programming :from the Saturday Night\’s Main Event specials of the 1980s to WrestleMania, and even WWE\’s first broadcasts in Saudi Arabia. He was at the helm for some of the most iconic moments in professional wrestling history, helping to shape the visual identity of the product that an entire generation grew up watching.

    Bruce Prichard has publicly credited Silfies for his exceptional eye for character vignettes, specifically citing the vignettes used to establish Curt Hennig as Mr. Perfect in the late 1980s — one of the most effective character introductions in WWE history.

    https://x.com/otd_in_wwe/status/2024192022848868386?s=46

    Silfies\’ run with the company came to an unexpected end during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was among those furloughed by WWE. He never returned after the furlough, a departure that was widely seen as shocking by those who knew of his decades-long contributions. Marty Miller, who currently directs Raw, stepped in to replace him.

    Career Outside Wrestling

    Outside of wrestling, Silfies directed The Last Full Measure, a Stacy Keach-narrated documentary on the Battle of Gettysburg released in 2007. He also holds an unusual distinction in WWE lore: his first name served as the inspiration for the Kerwin White character portrayed briefly by Chavo Guerrero in 2005.

    Though he deliberately stayed out of the spotlight throughout his career, Silfies did appear in the recent Peacock documentary covering WWE\’s WrestleMania IX.

    Silfies leaves behind a legacy that is difficult to overstate. For nearly 35 years, he was the eye behind the camera for WWE\’s most significant moments. His influence on how professional wrestling was presented to the world cannot be understated.

    SEScoops extends its condolences to his family, friends, and all those who worked alongside him throughout his remarkable career.

  • Ring Announcer Brett Wolverton Passes Away Suddenly

    Brett Wolverton, an acclaimed professional wrestling ring announcer and longtime Fox Carolina News chief video editor, has passed away suddenly in Greenville, South Carolina.

    A fixture of the Carolinas independent wrestling scene for decades, Wolverton lent his distinctive voice and enthusiastic presence to promotions including NWA Anarchy, PWX, APW, and UCW Greenville, among others. He earned multiple Ring Announcer of the Year honors and the deep respect of fans and peers throughout the region.

    Outside the ring, Wolverton devoted more than 20 years to Fox Carolina News, where he was celebrated as a meticulous storyteller behind the camera and a mentor to countless colleagues in the newsroom. Fox Carolina confirmed his sudden passing in a statement on social media, with co-workers describing him as one of the best in the business.

    Known for his kindness, professionalism, and unwavering support of the talent he introduced, Wolverton left an indelible mark on both regional broadcasting and independent wrestling. Tributes have poured in from promotions and wrestlers across the Carolinas and beyond.

    SEScoops sends our deepest condolences to Brett Wolverton\’s family, friends, co-workers, and the wrestling community he championed.

  • Wrestling Legend Bobby Duncum Sr. Passes Away at 81

    WWE has announced the passing of territorial wrestling legend Bobby Duncum Sr. at age 81.

    The rugged cowboy from Austin, Texas, was one of the most feared villains of the territorial era. A graduate of West Texas State University—the same institution that produced Dusty Rhodes and the Funk Brothers—Duncum was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1967 NFL Draft and played four professional games in the NFL in 1968 before transitioning to wrestling.

    Duncum became infamous for his brutal street fights and high-profile feuds against WWE Legends Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund. In the AWA, he achieved championship success as one-half of the tag team with Blackjack Lanza, winning the AWA World Tag Team Championship in 1976. Both wrestlers were members of the iconic Heenan Family, managed by WWE Hall of Famer Bobby \”The Brain\” Heenan.

    Duncum is the father of the late Bobby Duncum Jr., who passed away in January 2000 at the age of 34. The younger Duncum achieved recognition in WCW as a member of the West Texas Rednecks stable.

    WWE extended its condolences to Duncum Sr.\’s family, friends, and fans.

  • \”Mr. Electricity\” Steve Regal Dead at 73

    Former AWA star Steve Regal, known as \”Mr. Electricity,\” has passed away at the age of 73.

    Regal died on July 30, 2025, in Greenwood, Indiana, according to his obituary. PWInsider reports his passing was not widely known within the wrestling industry until recently, with promoters still attempting to contact him for convention appearances.

    The National Wrestling Alliance issued a statement on his passing: \”The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion \’Mr. Electricity\’ Steve Regal. Defeating Denny Brown for the title, this flashy and charismatic grappler reigned atop pro wrestling\’s junior heavyweight in 1986.\”

    Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Regal began his career in 1977 and found his greatest success in the AWA during the mid-1980s. He defeated Buck Zumhofe for the AWA Light Heavyweight Championship on March 25, 1984, holding the title for 613 days.

    While still Light Heavyweight Champion, Regal teamed with \”Gorgeous\” Jimmy Garvin to defeat the Road Warriors for the AWA World Tag Team Championship on September 29, 1985. The duo lost the titles to Scott Hall and Curt Hennig in January 1986.

    Regal later won the NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship from Denny Brown, making him the only wrestler in history to hold both the AWA Light Heavyweight and NWA Junior Heavyweight titles simultaneously.

    He was the son-in-law of wrestling legend Wilbur Snyder.