The professional wrestling community is once again in mourning, grappling with a succession of recent losses that have cast a pall over the final weeks of 2025. The question "what pro wrestler just died" unfortunately has multiple answers as the year draws to a close. As of this weekend in mid-December 2025, the most recent figure connected to the wrestling world to pass away is Jack "Johnny" Bigger, whose obituary confirmed his death on December 11, 2025, at the age of 83. His passing follows the confirmed loss of former WWE enhancement talent Ralph Mosca and the recent public announcement regarding the passing of NWA legend "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal, reminding fans of the fragile nature of life, even for those who seem larger than life.
This article serves as a tribute and a definitive, up-to-date look at the wrestling figures who have recently left us, detailing their biographies, career highlights, and the legacy they leave behind in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment.
The Most Recent Loss: Jack "Johnny" Bigger (October 24, 1942 – December 11, 2025)
The most immediate and fresh news of loss in the wrestling world is the passing of Jack "Johnny" Bigger, who died on December 11, 2025, at the age of 83. While his name may not be immediately familiar to casual fans of the WWE or AEW, his dedication to the sport’s foundational elements and community is a powerful example of the deep roots of professional wrestling.
- Full Name: Jack Bigger
- Ring Name/Nickname: Johnny Bigger
- Born: October 24, 1942
- Died: December 11, 2025
- Age at Death: 83
- Hometown: Davison, Michigan
- Noted Affiliation: Owosso Public Schools Wrestling Team (His obituary requested donations be made in his name to the team, highlighting his deep connection to the sport at the amateur and community level.)
- Cause of Death: Not publicly disclosed in the initial reports.
The passing of individuals like Jack Bigger, who contribute significantly to the sport's infrastructure and the development of future generations, is a quiet but profound loss for the wrestling ecosystem. His legacy is one of community support and a lifelong passion for the mat.
Ralph Mosca: A Tribute to the Enhancement Talent (Died November 10, 2025)
Just weeks before Bigger's passing, the wrestling world lost a veteran who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and in the ring to make the stars shine. Ralph Mosca, a former WWF/WWE enhancement talent, passed away on November 10, 2025, at the age of 55.
Mosca, who also competed under the name Ralph Lemieux, was a longtime independent veteran whose career spanned decades. His role as an enhancement talent, often referred to as a "jobber," was crucial. These wrestlers are the unsung heroes who make the main event stars look formidable, athletic, and dominant. Every major wrestling promotion, from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) to World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), relied on the skill and professionalism of wrestlers like Mosca.
Mosca’s Career and the Professionalism of the Ring
Mosca's passing was first shared by fellow wrestler Fidel Sierra on social media, leading to a wave of tributes from those who worked with him. While his WWF appearances were often brief, his body of work on the independent circuit, where he also secured championship victories, cemented his status as a respected figure. His death at 55 is a stark and somber reminder of the physical and personal toll the wrestling lifestyle can take, even on those who do not achieve mainstream superstardom.
The term "enhancement talent" is often misunderstood. It requires a high degree of skill, trust, and ring psychology to safely and convincingly sell an opponent's offense. Ralph Mosca embodied this professionalism, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and hard work in a demanding industry.
The Recent Announcement of "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal
Another prominent name recently brought into the public eye is Steve Regal, famously known as "Mr. Electricity." While the announcement of his death by the NWA was made on December 8, 2025, it was later revealed that Regal had actually passed away months earlier, on July 30, 2025, at the age of 73.
The delay in the public announcement is not uncommon in the wrestling world, particularly for older legends who have retired from the spotlight. However, the news still resonated deeply with fans and peers who remembered his career, especially his time in the NWA.
- Ring Name: "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal
- Born: August 25, 1951
- Died: July 30, 2025 (Announcement made December 8, 2025)
- Age at Death: 73
- Notable Accomplishment: Former NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion
- Cause of Death: Not publicly disclosed.
Regal was a true veteran of the territorial days of wrestling. His work as the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion showcased his technical skill and athleticism, making him a standout performer in an era defined by regional excellence. The NWA, in its statement, honored his contributions, ensuring that his legacy as a champion and a respected figure is preserved.
A Sad Year for Wrestling: Other Notable Losses in 2025
The recent string of deaths—Jack Bigger, Ralph Mosca, and the announcement of Steve Regal—adds to what has been a particularly difficult year for the professional wrestling community. Several other notable figures have passed away in 2025, each leaving an indelible mark on the industry:
- John Klinger (The Bad Boy): The German professional wrestler died suddenly at the age of 40 in May 2025. Klinger was a prominent figure on the European independent scene and his death shocked the international wrestling community.
- Jaka (Jonathan Echevarria): The former EVOLVE wrestler and independent scene standout passed away at the young age of 39 in September 2025, just a week after wrestling his final match.
- Gran Hamada: The legendary Japanese wrestler, a pioneer of the Lucha Libre style in Japan, passed away in February 2025 at the age of 74.
- Ralph Mosca (Ralph Lemieux): The former WWF enhancement talent, as detailed above, passed away in November 2025.
These losses, from influential international stars like Gran Hamada and European figures like John Klinger, to promising young talents like Jaka, and dedicated veterans like Ralph Mosca, highlight the wide-ranging impact of death on the wrestling world. The collective grief demonstrates the tight-knit nature of this unique fraternity, where even those from different eras or promotions share a common bond forged in the ring.
The Enduring Legacy of the Fallen: Topical Authority and Tributes
The passing of any wrestler, whether a main-event WrestleMania star or a dedicated independent talent, sparks a powerful outpouring of grief and remembrance across social media platforms like Twitter (X) and Facebook. The tributes often focus on the person behind the gimmick—the dedication, the road travel, the sacrifices, and the genuine camaraderie shared backstage. The loss of figures like Ralph Mosca, who worked the punishing schedule of an enhancement talent, or the community-focused life of Jack Bigger, serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of the entertainment we consume.
For fans, the best tribute is to remember their work. Seek out the matches of "Mr. Electricity" Steve Regal to appreciate the technical side of the NWA. Look up the independent career of Ralph Mosca to understand the backbone of the industry. These recent deaths underscore the importance of supporting and celebrating the legends of the past while they are still with us, and honoring the memory of those who have contributed to the history of the sport.
As the year 2025 concludes, the wrestling world continues to mourn its fallen heroes. The recent passing of Jack "Johnny" Bigger, Ralph Mosca, and the public acknowledgment of Steve Regal’s death serve as a collective moment of reflection on the lives and careers of those who dedicated themselves to the squared circle.
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