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DDP, DAN MCDEVITT AND MORE PAY TRIBUTE TO VAN HAMMER, MARK HILDRETH

Following Marc Mero's announcement of the passing of former WCW star Van Hammer, Diamond Dallas Page took to social media to pay tribute:

"With a heavy heart, I want to send my sincere condolences to the family of my brother, Mark Hildreth—aka WCW’s “Van Hammer.” I first met Hammer when I was managing the Fabulous Freebirds. He was a beast of a man—6’4”, 285— he was shredded, I remember Dusty taking one look at him and hiring him on the spot. Hammer was green as grass at the time. Back then, Hammer, @MarcMero (Johnny B. Badd), @RealKevinNash, Scott Hall, Mick Foley, Scotty Levy (@theraveneffect), Erik Watts, and myself— bonded quickly. We were a band of brothers. A lot of time spent together in those early years—inside the ring, on the road, and yeah, plenty of nights in the clubs. I’ve included an old photo in this cluster of me and Stunning @steveaustinBSR at Hammer’s dad’s house. I gave his dad the nickname “Sledgehammer.”

As the years went on, like it does, we all went our separate ways. H, like many of the boys, battled addiction. Truth is, I don’t know how he made it through some of those years. But a little over a decade ago, he cleaned himself up and reached out to me. He was working as the Sales Manager for Paradise Exteriors Premium Impact Windows and Doors in Boynton Beach Florida. H was a great salesman. No bullshit he could sell ice to the Eskimos. He still had his struggles here and there, but for the most part, he got a handle on his demons.

Over those 10 years, we found our way back and grew close again—especially these past couple of years. We were texting and or talking on a weekly basis. I still don’t know the cause of death. All I know he was doing so well. I really thought, he had made it to the other side. I’m grateful we found our way back into each other lives. I’ll carry those memories with me always my brother. Rest easy, I’ll see you in Valhalla RIP DDP"

MCW owner Dan McDevitt also paid tribute:

"I was 18 years old, working the front desk at Powerhouse Gym in Linthicum, Maryland. Fresh out of high school. No college plans. Just one goal become a professional wrestler. I took that job because I knew guys from WWF and WCW trained there when they flew into BWI. Truth is… I would’ve worked there for free. One day, November 12, 1993, in walks a guy I instantly recognized—Van Hammer from WCW. I’m six or seven months into training at this point, and I’ve got my pro debut coming up in two days November 14, 1993, at Kenwood High School in Baltimore. So what do I do? I break every rule of wrestling etiquette and start telling him all about it. Like a dumb, excited kid chasing a dream. But here’s what shocked me… He didn’t brush me off. He kept coming back up to the desk between sets, asking questions. Where I trained. What the show was. Who was running it. Before he left, he grabbed a pen and paper and said, “Where’s the show? Leave me a ticket at the door.” Now keep in mind this is 1993. No cell phones. No social media. No way to follow up. And in my head? No chance he’s actually showing up. I figured he was just being nice. So I didn’t tell the promoter, Didn’t leave a ticket, Didn’t think twice about it. Then I’m backstage before my debut… And someone walks up to me and says: “Hey… Van Hammer is here. He brought his family to watch you wrestle.” I couldn’t believe it. That moment turned into something way bigger than I ever expected. Because that wasn’t just “Van Hammer.” That was Mark Hildreth.Over the years, he became one of the most loyal, genuine, and caring friends I’ve ever had. We went from me being an 18-year-old kid looking up to him on TV… To real friends. Mark battled addiction, but he never hid from it. He helped me more than he’ll ever know guiding me, connecting me with the right people, and showing me how to help others going through it. To this day, I still rely on those same connections when someone I care about needs help. Around 2009–2010, he even lived with me for a while. That’s when I really got to know him. And I’ll tell you this…He was the greatest salesperson I’ve ever seen. No exaggeration. The kind of guy who could have nothing… get a sales job… and within six months be the top guy in the company with money in the bank. It was unreal. But more than that he took care of his people. Years later, after he moved to Florida, he’d still pop into MCW shows. Never needed the spotlight. Just watched, talked to the younger talent, helped where he could and many times scheduled his flights up to see his mom around MCW shows so that he could swing in and see me and watch the show. Then three years ago, he got that itch again. Came up, got in the ring as a guest referee… and you could see it—he was happy. Truly happy. Just being back in front of a crowd, hearing that reaction. The older I get, the more I realize how fast this all goes. And when it’s all said and done… it’s not the matches or the moments in the ring that matter most. It’s the people. Mark Hildreth was a great human being. A loyal friend. A guy who showed up when it mattered. I’ll always be grateful for the time we had, the laughs we shared, and the impact he had on my life. Love you, Mark. Rest in power"

Additional tributes:

 

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