Wrestleview is sad to report the passing of former WWE star Darren ‘Droz’ Drozdov at the age of 54.
Drozdov signed with what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1998, and was notably shown in the documentary Beyond the Mat when he met with Vince McMahon.
Debuting on May 25 of that year, Droz would find himself aligned with the Legion of Doom over the next few months, before taking on a much different role as he teamed with Prince Albert.
Drozdov’s in-ring career ended suddenly when he suffered a severe neck injury during a match taped for SmackDown on October 5, 1999, and would spend much of his remaining days recovering from the toll it took on him.
Droz stayed on with WWE for quite some time after the accident, taking on a writer and columnist role. He would also make appearances on documentaries and other media both within WWE and outside of the company, such as Dark Side of the Ring.
WWE.com has released a statement on behalf of the Drozdov family:
We are sad to share our beloved Darren passed away this morning of natural causes. There are no words to convey the deep sense of loss and sadness we are feeling right now.
Darren, affectionately known as “Droz,” was involved in a tragic ring accident while wrestling for the WWE in 1999 that rendered him a quadriplegic. Nevertheless, Droz maintained a championship mindset and lived every day to the fullest even though he was unable to move from the neck down for the past 24 years. His own words sum up his relentless positivity in the midst of adversity: “There is always another day. Just because I’m paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair, doesn’t mean my life is over. I’ve learned to live again, and my life is far from over.”
We lived this journey with him over the past 24 years. We were always there through the good times and the bad, and provided him with our unconditional love. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone. All of his fans, teammates, colleagues, and friends for all the love and support he received over the years. You all gave him meaning, purpose and something to live for. He loved each and every one of you and cherished the conversations, notes and letters he received. His faith in humanity never faltered, so know that for all the love you’ve shown him, he loved you back.
We also would also like to thank WWE for treating him like family, and for all of their love, support and stepping up to make sure that Darren always had the proper care and treatment needed to live in his condition over the past 24 years.
He was a devoted son, brother, and friend who had always put others first, especially his family. He was kind, generous and was always there for his people. He was our guiding light who lit up our lives with infinite love and wonder. His smile was healing. His warmth, love, and laughter were infectious. We could always turn to him for wisdom and solace and his absence feels like a giant hole in our family and our hearts. Everyone who knew Darren was a better person because of it. He taught everyone so much about how to look at life: how to put things in perspective, how to overcome adversity, and how to show compassion for others. He would not want anyone to be sad at this moment and would want to this to be a celebration of his life, to be remembered for all the great things that he accomplished, the fun, the laughter, the great memories he shared with everyone.
Wrestleview extends its condolences to the friends and family of Darren Drozdov, wishing them all the best during this time.