Edge, CM Punk among those with great stories about Tracy Smothers
Unfortunately, we do a lot of these “wrestling world remembers” posts. I honestly can’t remember one like this, though.
Tracy Smothers, who died recently at age 58, was a name I knew. I have fond if not particularly distinct memories of his late 90s work, and knew a little of his history before becoming a mid-card comedy guy in the then-WWF and ECW.
Mostly though, I’d read quotes and heard stories from my favorite indie wrestlers of the aughts about what a great guy he was. That’s certainly born out in the remembrances below.
But that’s just one group of lives Smothers touched. As John Pollock put it while sharing his excellent Post Wrestling obituary for the man, Tracy was “a rare link from the ‘80s territorial system right up to the modern independent scene.” It seems like everyone I’ve ever watched wrestle has worked The Wild-Eyed Southern Boy at one point or another. And they all loved the man.
Smothers career – his life – is a reminder that no matter where we find ourselves or what role we’re given, we can have an impact on those around us by being generous with whatever we have to share, even if it’s “only” a kind word or a laugh.
We’ve tried to capture as many of the posts about Tracy as we could below, but they just keep coming. Enjoy these, remember a good man, and if we can all aspire to treat others the way he did, maybe we’ll be alright.
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
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
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
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
His shadow boxing to warm up is legendary. I can hear it now if I close my eyes. I watched him try to take a guys eye out once, then immediately start brushing his teeth. One time he grabbed nachos from a fan and I was so terrified he was going to dump cheese all over me and 2/5
— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 28, 2020
I’d have to drive home from kentucky covered in concession stand nacho cheese (no showers in IWA) but he said, “block it, hit me with the cheese, kid”. He wrestled bears. He was in the greatest tag match of all time with Brad vs the Midnights. He was a THUG. 3/5
— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 28, 2020
T is for terrible, H is for hell, U is for ugly and G is for jail because a thug can’t spell! I can recite his SMW promo vs Candido from the coal miners glove match by heart. Most IWA shows he would look out the curtain and say“well if they riot, we got em out numbered boys!”4/5
— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 28, 2020
Fresh from a shower, covered in soap and barely holding a towel to his body he fought police dogs during a riot in ECW. He was one of a kind.The Wild Eyed Southern Boy, and he left his mark on the wrestling business. I love Tracy Smothers. Rest in power Tracy, watch the cheese5/5
— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 28, 2020
View this post on InstagramTracy vs a Bear! Reposted from @prowrasslingalaxy Tracy Smothers vs Victor The Bear. One of the very few wrestlers that got to say they wrestled a bear. #TracySmothers #VictorTheBear
RIP Tracy pic.twitter.com/Sg2GqUKDil
— Eddie Kingston #BlackLivesMatter (@MadKing1981) October 28, 2020
RIP Tracy Smother pic.twitter.com/mG3MiKruZX
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) October 28, 2020
This really sucks.
Tracy Smothers was the man, plain and simple.
I wish I had had the chance to be around him a lot more.
My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) 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
Tracy Smothers spent the better part of his life getting people to despise him in the ring, because if you knew him outside of it, you could not help but love him. Hope you’re making towns in the hereafter. https://t.co/st0XozOjAS
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) October 28, 2020
Very sad to learn that Tracy Smothers passed. He was a great wrestler and an even better person. He was always cutting up and busting chops in the locker room…just a fun talented dude always smiling. A spectacular career wrestling everywhere you could imagine over his years! pic.twitter.com/L0RERBn7ve
— taz (@OfficialTAZ) October 28, 2020
In this world, it’s hard to think of ANYBODY who SOMEONE doesn’t like.
Tracy Smothers might have been THAT man.
I was blessed to know and learn FROM him, and laugh WITH him, as were SO many. He left this business better than he found it.#RIPTracySmothers
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) October 28, 2020
My great friend Tracy Smothers has passed, it is with a heavy heart that I share the news. Lots of great times with Tracy, I had just spoke with him last week RIP my friend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Tracy’s family and loved ones at this time. Ricky Morton pic.twitter.com/FMFYSTv1sw
— School of Morton (@RealRickyMorton) October 28, 2020
I’m saddened to hear the passing of dear friend Tracy Smothers. Thanks for the years of friendship. Tracy & I had been checking in w each other every couple days regarding the health situation both of us are going through. This is another hard loss in the sport of pro wrestling. pic.twitter.com/APy9F7ifSY
— Bobby Fulton (@TheBobbyFulton) 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
RIP Tracy Smothers….a legit man’s man who just passed and with courage and dignity.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) October 28, 2020
Tracy Smothers will probably never get enough credit for how much he shaped future generations of pro wrestling. If you were on a show with him, he was dying to help you get better. If you get advise from someone from my era, we’re probably quoting him. #RIPTracySmothers
— Gran Akuma (@__AKUMA) October 28, 2020
Tracy Smothers passed away today, and it breaks my heart.
I was lucky to be on shows with him from a young age and even luckier to have him as a friend.
His wild-eyed spirit lives on in rasslers like me and @eddiekingston81. We will make him proud tonight. @AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/fOvl7jFUYl
— Matt Sydal (@findevan) October 28, 2020
I remember giving Tracy a bottle of ‘Absinthe’ as a gift to take back to America & he was convinced I’d given him a bottle of ‘abscess’
I really adored every moment I spent with Tracy Smothers. He lit up every room. I hope he knew what he meant to people#RIPTracySmothers pic.twitter.com/Dos4GXfQAE
— DRAKE MAVERICK (@WWEMaverick) October 28, 2020
At the end of every single interaction I ever had with Tracy Smothers, I left with a smile on my face. Without exception. We lost a good one today.
Godspeed, Tracy, and echoing the voices of countless brothers and sisters:
THANK YOU.
Rest well, my friend.
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) October 28, 2020
Tracy was a light in every locker room. He was a veteran who got what the younger guys were trying to do and helped us along the way. His spirit in this world will live on in every wrestler he taught and inspired. pic.twitter.com/VSz8vHGNVG
— Christopher Scoville (@JimmyJacobsX) October 28, 2020
A sad sad sad days. I have more Tracy stories than I can remember.
Today, I’ll be thinking about his memory, family, legacy, spirit & everything in-between. https://t.co/v6aigNCNKZ— Colt Cabana (@ColtCabana) October 28, 2020
I just heard the sad news about Tracy Smothers passing. We lost a good one today – a great worker who made everyone he worked with better. Tracy was a good friend for 30 years – we worked together in CWF, WCW, ECW, WWE, IWA Japan, and countless indies. #RIPTracySmothers pic.twitter.com/kjap5FEFQw
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) October 28, 2020
The wrestling world suffered a big loss
I will miss my friend
Tracey Smothers #ECW #FBI pic.twitter.com/X1NRfkqG2I— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) October 28, 2020
Rip Tracy smothers thank your for all the knowledge you taught me and everybody else in the business!!! U helped everybody you came across!! U will be missed!! https://t.co/VXZ0gAUk6O
— James Maritato (@nunzio_guido) October 28, 2020
Hearing the news of the passing of Tracy Smothers is incredibly heartbreaking. Tracy was one of the kindest and happiest guys I’ve ever known in this business. I can’t recall ever hearing a bad word about him. He’s gonna be missed by a lot of people. RIP my friend.
— Hurricane Helms (@ShaneHelmsCom) October 28, 2020
Damn… my ❤️ literally sank and I got chills.
Tracy Smothers meant alot to myself and many people I keep in touch with in wrestling.
TY Tracy for being the best to every STEEL DOMAIN person you encountered and for showing me what a true pro is inside the ring. You helped us all pic.twitter.com/3O58FYGzYC— Ace Steel (@acesofsteel) 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
In tears as I write Tracy Smothers touched me w his kindness, acceptance, humbleness & knowledge. It made my night when we were on the same shows. I love you Tracy. Your legacy in wrestling & as a human will NOT be forgotten. Now, I think I have to go wrestle a bear in ur honor! pic.twitter.com/VBbudAVD14
— REBEL not reba (@RebelTanea) October 28, 2020
RIP Tracy Smothers. A great wrestler and a kind soul always willing to lend a hand or drop some knowledge. Very blessed to have known him. A credit to our business. Godspeed
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) October 28, 2020
Rest In Peace Tracy Smothers. A true gentleman who never failed to bring a smile to my face.
— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) October 28, 2020
Blast this out loud for Tracy Smothers! I heard this song every night Tracy and I wrestled. Every dance off Tracy and I had. This song brings back great memories. Let’s celebrate the man.#RIPTracySmothershttps://t.co/f7Wi011jYh
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) October 28, 2020
RIP Tracy Smothers…
1st time I met Tracy I was 14 and he was 19…at the Nashville Fairgrounds and he was getting trained by Tojo Yamamoto and I was allowed to watch the training sessions every Sunday…
Great talent and even better human being!#HighFive#HotterThanPopcorn
— Jeff Jarrett (@RealJeffJarrett) October 28, 2020
Tracy Smothers was a sweetheart in every interaction I’ve ever had with him
He’d always ask if I was keeping busy & doing well.
He truly loved wrestling but more importantly the wrestlers
My heart goes out to his family & friends …. trust me, he has a lot ❤️
R.I.P. Tracy pic.twitter.com/krC9MaSDx0
— Ethan Page played by Julian (@OfficialEGO) October 28, 2020
I’m not gonna say anything “nice” about Tracy Smothers.. he’d be pissed at me for breaking kayfabe
But understand this. He was a real one! Looked out for me and helped me multiple times on his own kindness.
So quit with the negative BS
On today of all days Ffs! RIP TS❤️— Nyla Rose (@NylaRoseBeast) 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
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
There are no words to describe how saddened I am to learn of the passing of Tracy Smothers. He was my friend and mentor for years. Last year I roomed w/ him over WM weekend, something I always enjoyed because nobody could tell stories like he could. Devestated. #RIPTracySmothers
— Shark Boy (@SharkBoy24_7) October 28, 2020
There will never be another Tracy Smothers. He was the epitome of keeping pro wrestling fun. You couldn’t be around him for more than two minutes without coming away with a hilarious “Tracy story” or two…or three…or four.
He will be profoundly missed. #RIPTracySmothers
— Marek Brave (@MBrave13) October 28, 2020
RIP Tracy Smothers. You were ALWAYS willing to help ANYONE & EVERYONE. Loved to laugh and stir things up. I remember numerous times he’d watch my match and offer advice. An all around great guy. Sad day for sure. #HoldMyWatch pic.twitter.com/EYnpwluD3i
— Mikey Whipwreck (@mikeywhipwreck_) October 28, 2020
I didn’t know Tracy well, but I never met anyone that had a bad thing to say about him. Whenever you crossed paths, he always made you feel like you belonged.
RIP Tracy Smothers pic.twitter.com/mOlWl3WJF7
— Allysin Kay (@Sienna) October 28, 2020
I’m deeply saddened to hear the passing of friend and pro wrestling legend Tracy Smothers. I was blessed to have known him and wrestled with Tracy in WWE & WCW. He was always smiling and had some of the funniest stories he would share in the locker room. RIP brother pic.twitter.com/EPvjW3dHAE
— Marc Mero (@MarcMero) October 28, 2020
TRACY: “Y’all remember Stone Cold Steve Austin?”
ME: “YEAH!” *EXPECTING A LONG ASS STORY*
TRACY: “He was Awesome” *WALKS AWAY*
RIP TRACY SMOTHERS, YOU WERE AWESOME
— WARHORSE (@JPWARHORSE) October 28, 2020
Every time I shared a locker room with Tracy Smothers he would always tell me I knew how to put a smile on his face. RIP
— FAYEDRA SHARKEISHA JACKSON (@fayejackson419) October 28, 2020
Tracy Smothers was a total sweetheart every time we crossed paths. Which is amusing, because he *LOVED* being the bad guy.
“You staying busy, maaaan? Doing well? Good good good. I like to hear that, brother.”
My heart goes out to his friends, and family. ❤️#RIPTracySmothers pic.twitter.com/pqSzA48MUi
— Arik Cannon (@arikcannon) October 28, 2020
Sad to lose Tracy Smothers. What a great guy to know. RIP
— Rob Van Dam (@TherealRVD) October 28, 2020
Such a great night…
RIP Tracy Smothers pic.twitter.com/sRD2ldnzBr
— Santana / Proud & Powerful (@Santana_Proud) October 28, 2020
I want to write something fit for a guy like Tracy Smothers, but my heart hurts right now. He was the first name I ever worked, and he gave to me so selflessly. I’m glad I got to tell him that I loved him before he left.
There will never be another Tracy. #RIPTracySmothers pic.twitter.com/GPuysFyzmz
— Gregory Iron (@GregoryIron) October 28, 2020
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