December 12, 2005 Observer Newsletter: WWE begins exploiting Eddie Guerrero's death, drug testing policy coverage

There's something about death and pro wrestling that brings out both the best and worst in the business.

The best is that many promotions run benefit shows for families of the deceased. The highest profile ones were the annual Brian Pillman shows put on by Les Thatcher in Cincinnati. They were considered the biggest independent shows of the year, and some of the biggest names in history, including Ric Flair, Steve Austin, Chris Benoit, Ricky Steamboat, Kevin Nash, Eddy Guerrero, Dean Malenko, Rey Mysterio, Konnan, Road Dogg, Vampiro, Raven and countless others did the events, all without pay.

Most of the shows raised more than $30,000. In their heyday, it was the lone night of the year that WWF, WCW and ECW performers appeared in the same ring. Their ending a few years back was not pretty, as Thatcher no longer had the time to do them after signing a WWF deal to run a developmental territory, leading to a falling out with Melanie King, Pillman's widow.

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