“Gigolo” Jimmy Del Ray (real name, David Ferrier) has passed away at 52-years-old, according to PWInsider.com, after what is presumed to have been a heart attack.
Update: There may be conflicting reports surrounding Del Ray’s death. Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com is reporting that he was driving his car Saturday night and went over the shoulder for an unknown reason, and crashed. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Del Ray grew to popularity in Smokey Mountain Wrestling as one half of The Heavenly Bodies, the second incarnation of the team alongside Tom Prichard. Managed by Jim Cornette, the trio came to WWF in 1993, making their pay-per-view debut at SummerSlam in a match with the Steiner Brothers for the World Tag Team Championships. They worked the 1993 Survivor Series pay-per-view against The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, as well as a dark match prior to WrestleMania X. They also wrestled as members of The Million Dollar Team at the 1994 Survivor Series prior to being released.
Both Del Ray and Prichard worked in ECW sporadically as The Heavenly Bodies, and Del Ray has a brief singles run in WCW as Jimmy Graffiti until a career-ending knee injury forced him to retire in 1997. He has been living in Tampa, Florida operating a wood flooring company, and making occasional wrestling-related appearances. Del Ray, Tom Prichard and Jim Cornette reunited for one final autograph signing earlier this year, at the Mid-Atlantic Legends Fanfest.
KILLAM: Our thoughts and condolences go out to Ferrier’s family and friends. If you want to relieve some of his moments, there is quite a bit of content on the WWE Network under “Jimmy Del Ray”. There’s a few solid Heavenly Bodies matches and even a gem from ECW on there. Rest in peace, Jimmy.
