Former WCW Star Van Hammer Passes Away at 66

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of former WCW talent Van Hammer, real name Mark Hildreth, who has passed away at the age of 66. The news was shared by longtime friend and fellow wrestler Marc Mero, who announced the passing on social media over the weekend.

Mero paid tribute to Hammer with a heartfelt message, remembering him as someone who faced life’s challenges head-on and never stopped pushing forward. He also noted that those close to Hammer are still awaiting more information regarding the cause of death.

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of our dear friend, Mark Hildreth, known to so many as Van Hammer. At this time, we are still awaiting answers regarding the cause, pending an autopsy.

Mark was a fighter in every sense of the word. Life threw its share of… pic.twitter.com/Tb7d0zQtJr

— Marc Mero (@MarcMero) April 19, 2026

The two shared a deep bond that went back to their earliest days in the business. According to Mero, Hammer once drove him eight hours to secure his first WCW contract—a moment that spoke volumes about their friendship. They trained together, lived together, and eventually worked side-by-side promoting WCW during their early careers.

Van Hammer was signed to WCW in 1991 by Dusty Rhodes and debuted with a memorable “Heavy Metal” rock star persona. He remained with the company through early 1995 before stepping away for a period. Hammer later returned in 1997 as part of Raven’s Flock, showing a different side of his character during one of WCW’s more unique factions.

His run with the group included a notable storyline where he defeated Perry Saturn in a “loser leaves the Flock” match—only to be ousted from the faction anyway. He later experimented with a short-lived hippie-style gimmick as his WCW run wound down. While Hammer challenged for the United States Heavyweight Championship during his time with the company, he never captured a major title.

Following his departure from WCW in 2000, Hammer continued wrestling on the independent scene, including a stint with Maryland Championship Wrestling and a tour with Big Japan Pro Wrestling in 2001. He remained active in the ring for several years, with his final match taking place in April 2009, where he picked up a win over Champ Champagne.

Van Hammer may not have held championship gold, but his contributions to WCW and the friendships he built along the way left a lasting impression. He is remembered by fans and peers alike as a resilient figure who stayed passionate about the business throughout his life.