Dark Side of the Ring's sixth season has covered it all, from the brutality of Hell in a Cell, to the highs and lows of legends like Big Van Vader and "Superstar" Billy Graham. This week's episode was about the life of "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert. If you're a younger or more casual wrestling fan, you might not know his name, but Gilbert wrestled everywhere, including in WWE and ECW. He wasn't just a wrestler either, but also a creative mind who would have gone on to do big things in the business had his life not come to an end at just the age of 33. Here are four things you need to know about Dark Side of the Ring's "'Hot Stuff' Eddie Gilbert".
Eddie Gilbert Broke His Neck In A Car Accident
Gilbert Was An Innovator Of Hardcore Wrestling
As a teenager, Eddie Gilbert was a ringside photographer in Memphis. At the same time, a young Jim Cornette was doing that as well in Louisville, which led to the two meeting and becoming friends. At 18, Eddie became a wrestler, teaming with his father, Tommy Gilbert. Eddie made a name for himself when he had a hardcore brawl in the stands with Ricky Morton. Hardcore wrestling, first popularized in Japan, was said to have started that night.
In the early 80s, Eddie Gilbert made it to WWE and wrestled in Madison Square Garden. However, before that, on the way to meet Vince McMahon Sr., Eddie was involved in a serious car accident that broke his neck. Doug Gilbert recalled a conversation with the doctors:
"They said he will never wrestle again. His heart was like Jell-O. It will never heal."
Three months later, however, Eddie Gilbert was back in the wrestling ring. It was here that he met Dr. George Zahorian, who was WWE's doctor. He supplied Eddie with all of the pain medication he wanted. Eddie wasn't into steroids and WWE's show business atmosphere though, so he left and went back to Memphis.
Eddie Gilbert Became A Booker For Bill Watts
Ric Flair Had Gilbert Removed From WCW's Booking Committee
Back in Memphis, the villainous "Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert, a cocky heel with blonde hair and sunglasses, was born. Gilbert idolized Jerry "The King" Lawler and got to work with him on many occasions. Gilbert wasn't satisfied with only being an in-ring performer. Soon he was booking matches for Bill Watts in Mid-South Wrestling at the age of 25. He booked a story where he turned heel on Watts, which led to him becoming an even bigger star. And as a booker, he was working with the likes of Sting, the Ultimate Warrior, and Rick Steiner.
Things were going well for Eddie Gilbert, but then Bill Watts sold Mid-South Wrestling to Jim Crockett Promotions. Gilbert made it to WCW's creative team, but he went from being in sole control to part of a committee. Ric Flair forced his way into the creative team, booking Ron Simmons to beat Eddie Gilbert in Memphis. Eddie refused, changing the finish so that he'd go over. Flair removed Gilbert from the booking committee and gave Jim Cornette his first shot working creative. Cornette said:
"I've heard it said by people close to him that that demotion broke his heart."
Eddie Gilbert Returned To Memphis Wrestling
Gilbert Was Married To Missy Hyatt And Madusa
Eddie Gilbert asked WCW for his release and went back to Memphis Wrestling, where he got his first full-time booking gig. Gilbert created cutting-edge angles, including when he hit Jerry Lawler with a car. It looked so real that fans at home called the police, and a man once ran at him with a knife. As successful as he was, Gilbert kept bouncing around from one promotion to another as a booker. During this time, Eddie started a relationship with WCW valet Missy Hyatt, eventually marrying her, but it only lasted about 18 months. He then moved on to Madusa, who he was also married to for a very short time. She spoke about how everything was great until painkillers took over and changed him. Madusa said:
"The pills had taken over Eddie. That isn't who Eddie was though. He wanted to get better. It just didn't happen."
After losing Madusa, Eddie Gilbert wanted to get clean, but he also needed a job. However, there weren't many territories left. But there was this one small place called ECW.
Eddie Gilbert Joined ECW
Gilbert Died Of A Heart Attack At Just 33
Eddie Gilbert was a successful heel in ECW, taking his character to another level. ECW founder Tod Gordon said that without Eddie there would be no ECW. The promotion is, of course, known for Paul Heyman, who Gilbert had known since Paul was a 13-year-old photographer following him around to learn about the business. Heyman called Eddie his best friend and one of the best bookers he'd ever seen. Six months into his ECW run, Eddie Gilbert's personality began to change, and he'd disappear. Painkillers were taking him down. Heyman said:
"This wasn't the same Eddie who had contributed so much to the business. So, it was falling apart for Eddie. Bad."
As ECW was going national, Eddie Gilbert stormed out, paranoid that he was being left behind. He apologized and came back, but he was replaced on a big show. Eddie asked to come to the show to thank the fans, but instead he got on the mic to give an angry promo about being screwed over. When his mic was cut, backstage Doug Gilbert was destroying everything with a bat. After that night, Paul Heyman and Eddie Gilbert never spoke again.
In 1995, Jim Cornette called Eddie Gilbert and brought him to Smoky Mountain Wrestling, but he didn't last more than one TV taping so he could go to Puerto Rico to be a booker. Cornette never saw Gilbert again because three weeks later he'd be dead. On February 18, 1995, Eddie Gilbert was found deceased in his apartment bedroom. The cause of death was a heart attack. Gilbert only lived to 33, but from his hardcore innovation, to his booking philosophy, he was a man ahead of his time.
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