RIP (for real) Chris Kanyon

RIP Chris "Kanyon" Klucsaritis
January 4, 1970 – April 2, 2010


Chris Klucsaritis, known by his in-ring names Chris Kanyon, and (earlier in his WCW career) masked as Mortis, was found dead Friday night in his Queens apartment, apparently of a drug-induced suicide. He was found with a pill bottle and several notes around his body.

Kanyon, who had been battling bipolar disorder, had threatened suicide many times in the past according to some of his friends, and reached out as recently as last Monday, saying he was battling another bout of depression and feeling suicidal.

Even though Kanyon had turned into something of a walking joke following his in-ring career, there's absolutely nothing funny about this. Depression is a vicious cycle, and in cases like this, a deadly one. If you or anyone you know is battling depression, bipolar disorder, or anything of the sort, I urge you to take notice and take it seriously. Hopeline is ready and waiting for your call, 24/7, at 1-800-SUICIDE or http://www.hopeline.com.

On a personal note... being a huge WCW mark during his heyday, I always fully enjoyed his "WHO BETTA DAN KANYON?" schtick. He (kayfabe) always expected the crowd to reply with "Nobody!" but we always answered with "Everybody!" and it drove him nuts. I always wondered if that was somehow planted, or if the fans just figured that out on their own. And though they were typically crapped on by the fans, I always fully enjoyed the Mortis/Glacier feud.

Good night, sweet prince.