Ten-bell salute
Encyclopedia
In professional wrestling
, a ten-bell salute is given to honor a wrestler that has died
, especially when that wrestler is a current member of the promotion
or a distinguished former member of the promotion. It is the professional wrestling equivalent of a 21 gun salute.
It is typically given at the beginning of a card, with the current members of the promotion either in the entranceway, in the ring or around the ring. Both wrestlers and audience observe a moment of silence
during the tolling of the bell.
(and its predecessor, the World Wrestling Federation), several such salutes have been televised over the past ten years. Some of the honorees have included:
A ten-bell salute was also given at WWF events following the September 11, 2001 attacks
, to honor those who were killed in the attacks on New York City
and Washington, D.C.
.
On June 25, 2007, Chris Benoit
, along with his wife Nancy and his son Daniel were found dead in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia
. However Benoit did not get a ten-bell salute after it was discovered to be a murder-suicide
.
On May 23, 2011, "Macho Man" Randy Savage
who had died three days prior of a suspected heart attack was given a tribute on WWE Raw, but was not given a salute.
at least thrice in WWE history (see worked shoot
). The most recent instance was in June 2007 for Mr. McMahon (WWE chairman Vince McMahon's on-screen persona), as part of an angle where he was inside a limousine that exploded, and was presumed dead.
In 1988, Harley Race
was "honored" with ten bells as part of a promo by Bobby "the Brain" Heenan
, wherein Heenan accused Hulk Hogan of causing serious injuries to Race. This angle grew out of a match where Race was legitimately injured during a match vs. Hogan, due to a mistimed move, and was forced to take a hiatus.
On a Raw is War
broadcast shortly after the Royal Rumble
in January 1998, Paul Bearer and Kane tolled the bell ten times in ring to mock the Undertaker, with whom they were feuding at the time. Their actions grew from an incident at the Royal Rumble where, in the storyline, Kane and Bearer had locked the Undertaker in a casket and set it ablaze, presumably killing the Undertaker.
is the salute given to Chris Candido
at TNA Hard Justice
in May 2005. Candido had died of a blood clot
due to a complication of leg surgery, on April 28 of that year.
There was also a ten-bell salute at a TNA event in Amsterdam, NY, on May 20, 2011, in honor of "Macho Man" Randy Savage
, who had died that morning.
, at their Cyber Slam 1998 event, the ten-bell salute was given in remembrance of Louie Spicolli
, who died from an accidental drug overdose on February 15, 1998.
to honor a departed boxer, where it is known as the "final ten-count."
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
, a ten-bell salute is given to honor a wrestler that has died
Death
Death is the permanent termination of the biological functions that sustain a living organism. Phenomena which commonly bring about death include old age, predation, malnutrition, disease, and accidents or trauma resulting in terminal injury....
, especially when that wrestler is a current member of the promotion
Professional wrestling promotion
A professional wrestling promotion is a company or business that regularly performs shows involving professional wrestling. Promotion also describes a role which entails management, advertising and logistics of running a wrestling event...
or a distinguished former member of the promotion. It is the professional wrestling equivalent of a 21 gun salute.
It is typically given at the beginning of a card, with the current members of the promotion either in the entranceway, in the ring or around the ring. Both wrestlers and audience observe a moment of silence
Moment of silence
A moment of silence is the expression for a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have recently died or as part of a commemoration ceremony...
during the tolling of the bell.
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
In World Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
(and its predecessor, the World Wrestling Federation), several such salutes have been televised over the past ten years. Some of the honorees have included:
- André the GiantAndré the GiantAndré René Roussimoff , best known as André the Giant, was a French professional wrestler and actor. His best remembered acting role was that of Fezzik, the giant in the film The Princess Bride...
(1993, heart failure). - Brian PillmanBrian PillmanBrian William Pillman was an American football player and professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the World Wrestling Federation, Extreme Championship Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling....
(1997, heart failure). - Rick Rude (1999, heart failure).
- Owen HartOwen HartOwen James Hart was a Canadian professional and amateur wrestler who worked for several promotions including Stampede Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling , World Championship Wrestling , and most notably, the World Wrestling Federation , where he wrestled under both his own name, and ring name The...
(1999, ring accident). - Gorilla MonsoonGorilla MonsoonRobert James "Gino" Marella , better known by his ring name of Gorilla Monsoon, was an American professional wrestler, play-by-play announcer, and booker...
(1999, heart failure). - "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy SmithDavey Boy SmithDavey Boy Smith was a British professional wrestler, better known as "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith, who was born in Golborne in North West England, United Kingdom. Smith is known for his appearances with Stampede Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling...
(2002, heart attack). - Lord Alfred Hayes (2005, complications from a stroke).
- Eddie GuerreroEddie GuerreroEduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions...
(2005, heart failure).
A ten-bell salute was also given at WWF events following the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, to honor those who were killed in the attacks on New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
On June 25, 2007, Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit
Christopher Michael "Chris" Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler whose career and life ended in a murder–suicide...
, along with his wife Nancy and his son Daniel were found dead in their home in Fayetteville, Georgia
Fayetteville, Georgia
Fayetteville is a town in Fayette County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,945. The city is the county seat of Fayette County. Fayetteville is located approximately 22 miles from the city of Atlanta....
. However Benoit did not get a ten-bell salute after it was discovered to be a murder-suicide
Chris Benoit double murder and suicide
The Chris Benoit double murder suicide occurred over a three-day period ending on June 24, 2007. World Wrestling Entertainment professional wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife, Nancy Benoit, strangled his seven-year-old son, Daniel, and subsequently committed suicide by hanging. Autopsy results...
.
On May 23, 2011, "Macho Man" Randy Savage
Randy Savage
Randall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a...
who had died three days prior of a suspected heart attack was given a tribute on WWE Raw, but was not given a salute.
Tenbell salutes within WWF/WWE storylines
While ten-bell salutes have typically been reserved for real-life deaths, it has been used in kayfabeKayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
at least thrice in WWE history (see worked shoot
Shoot (professional wrestling)
A shoot in professional wrestling is a term that refers to any unplanned, unscripted or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event. Contrary to popular belief, the name does not originate from "shooting in" for a takedown, as in amateur wrestling - rather it is a carny term shortened from...
). The most recent instance was in June 2007 for Mr. McMahon (WWE chairman Vince McMahon's on-screen persona), as part of an angle where he was inside a limousine that exploded, and was presumed dead.
In 1988, Harley Race
Harley Race
Harley Leland Race is a retired American professional wrestler and current promoter and trainer. During his career as a wrestler, he held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship 7 times...
was "honored" with ten bells as part of a promo by Bobby "the Brain" Heenan
Bobby Heenan
Raymond Louis "Ray" Heenan , better known as Bobby "The Brain" Heenan , is a former American professional wrestling manager and color commentator, best known for his time with the American Wrestling Association , World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation...
, wherein Heenan accused Hulk Hogan of causing serious injuries to Race. This angle grew out of a match where Race was legitimately injured during a match vs. Hogan, due to a mistimed move, and was forced to take a hiatus.
On a Raw is War
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
broadcast shortly after the Royal Rumble
Royal Rumble (1998)
Royal Rumble was the eleventh annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation . It took place on January 18, 1998 at the San Jose Arena in San Jose, California....
in January 1998, Paul Bearer and Kane tolled the bell ten times in ring to mock the Undertaker, with whom they were feuding at the time. Their actions grew from an incident at the Royal Rumble where, in the storyline, Kane and Bearer had locked the Undertaker in a casket and set it ablaze, presumably killing the Undertaker.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
The most memorable instance of this honor in Total Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
is the salute given to Chris Candido
Chris Candido
Christopher Raul Candito was an American professional wrestler better known by his ring name Chris Candido...
at TNA Hard Justice
TNA Hard Justice
Hardcore Justice is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event held by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. The first event was held in May 2005 and since 2006, they have all been held in August...
in May 2005. Candido had died of a blood clot
Thrombosis
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel is injured, the body uses platelets and fibrin to form a blood clot to prevent blood loss...
due to a complication of leg surgery, on April 28 of that year.
There was also a ten-bell salute at a TNA event in Amsterdam, NY, on May 20, 2011, in honor of "Macho Man" Randy Savage
Randy Savage
Randall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a...
, who had died that morning.
Extreme Championship Wrestling
In ECWExtreme Championship Wrestling
Extreme Championship Wrestling was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1992 by Tod Gordon and closed when his successor, Paul Heyman, declared bankruptcy in April 2001...
, at their Cyber Slam 1998 event, the ten-bell salute was given in remembrance of Louie Spicolli
Louie Spicolli
Louis Mucciolo, Jr. was an American professional wrestler. He performed in Mexico under the ring name Madonna's Boyfriend, for the World Wrestling Federation as Rad Radford, and in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling in the 1990s as Louie Spicolli...
, who died from an accidental drug overdose on February 15, 1998.
In boxing
The ten-bell salute is also used in boxingBoxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
to honor a departed boxer, where it is known as the "final ten-count."