On December 29, 2023, the wrestling world was shocked by the passing of Kurtis “Mad Kurt” Chapman. The British professional wrestler was just 26 years of age. Revolution Pro Wrestling confirmed his death shortly after, calling his passing a “massive loss to the UK wrestling scene”.
Following the sad news, a plethora of tributes poured in from both Chapman’s fans and peers. He was a rising figure in the world of wrestling who touched the lives of many in such a short space of time. So, in honour of his name, here is a look at the life and career of Kurtis “Mad Kurt” Chapman.
The Rise of a Wrestling Icon
Kurtis Chapman was born on December 19, 1997, in Portsmouth, England. He began his wrestling career in 2014, and quickly gained recognition for his light-hearted ring style and athletic prowess. Despite not being built like your typical wrestler, Chapman’s slenderness proved to be an advantage, allowing him to showcase his speed and agility in the ring. His unique physicality and athleticism earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative wrestlers in the UK. With his eccentric mannerisms and boisterous ferocity, he soon took on the nickname “Mad Kurt”.
Over the years, Chapman competed in various promotions across the country, including PROGRESS Wrestling, IPW, and more. In 2018, he achieved a notable milestone by winning the RevPro British Cruiserweight Title, which he held for six months. His impressive career culminated in June 2023, when he successfully defended his Resurgence Arthouse Championship title in his final match.
How Did Kurt Chapman Die?
In the initial reports of Kurt Chapman’s passing, his cause of death was listed as unknown. Since then, no further details have been announced. As of the time of writing, many have speculated his death may have been a suicide – but there is no confirmation to this and this is just purely widespread speculation. However, this notion seems to have stemmed from an interview with Eddie Kingston, an American professional wrestler.
When featuring on the ESPR Wrestling Podcast, the conversation turned to the topic of mental health, particularly in regards to the wrestling world and other contact sports. Kingston said: “It’s overlooked in the world. Not just the wrestling world. It’s looked over in any sport.” He then added: “We just recently lost a friend in Britain named Mad Kurt. Rest in peace. None of us thought anything was wrong because he was such a funny dude, such a bringer of life in the locker room, you know what I mean? You don’t see the struggle or the war people are having inside and people usually think they can do it on their own, or they’re gonna be looked down upon if they speak on it.”
Kurt Chapman’s Presence in the Wrestling World Was Evident From a Wave of Tributes
At only 26 years of age, Kurt Chapman worked himself to a prestigious position in the wrestling world. He showcased tremendous work ethic and became one of the most renowned wrestlers in the UK. Furthermore, his presence began to be felt across the world, with larger wrestling promotions praising him for his personalty and skills in the ring. In the wake of his passing, tributes poured in for the late athlete.
As mentioned, Revolution Pro Wrestling were the first to break the devastating news to the public. Taking to their Twitter page (now X), they wrote: “We, at Revolution Pro Wrestling are absolutely heartbroken to report the loss of our dear friend Kurtis Chapman. We watched Kurtis grow from a child to a young man who loved professional wrestling and continued to excel in all aspects of his life. One of the most gifted technical wrestlers, charismatic characters and magnetic personalities. He will never be forgotten.”
Further tributes from the wrestling world quickly followed. Iconic wrestler ‘Big Wavy’ Roy Johnson took to his Twitter page, writing: “Awful news. Kurtis was such a character and so fun to be around. RIP.” Soon after, ATTACK! Pro Wrestling posted a picture of Chapman with the caption: “Rest in peace, Kurtis,’‘ and TNT Extreme Wrestling wrote: “Everyone at TNT extends their deepest condolences to the loved ones of Kurtis Chapman, better known as Mad Kurt. Kurtis was not just a well-respected performer but a dear friend. We will miss not just him but the laughter and light he brought to all of us dearly.” Want to read more about the world of wrestling? Here’s our breakdown of The Iron Claw, the iconic yet heartbreaking story of the Von Erich family.
Follow Us
