Independent wrestler “Cauliflower” Chase Brown, a South Carolina native who competed for Ring of Honor and became the subject of a New York Times documentary about professional wrestling, has died at 41.
His death was announced Wednesday by fellow wrestler Cheeseburger, who remembered Brown as a hardworking performer with an unusual sense of humor. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
Brown, who was from Easley, South Carolina, began wrestling in 2012 and competed for several independent promotions, including Premiere Wrestling Xperience, Full Impact Pro, and NWA Mid-Atlantic. He also made appearances for Ring of Honor, where he initially worked on the ring crew and attended tryouts in hopes of earning a spot on the roster.
“He was a guy coming around working his ass off trying to earn a spot,” Cheeseburger wrote in an Instagram tribute reported by Fightful.
Brown eventually developed a character built around his guitar, original music, and a giant cauliflower that he carried to the ring and occasionally took bites from. Cheeseburger recalled that wrestling legend Terry Funk may have given Brown his nickname because of his cauliflower ear.
Brown wrestled Joey Daddiego at ROH’s Aftershock event on July 8, 2016, at the William J. Myers Pavilion in Baltimore. He also appeared on ROH television and faced wrestlers including BJ Whitmer and Silas Young.
His match against Young at an August 2017 ROH television taping in Atlanta was featured in a National Public Radio story examining professional wrestling as a form of theater. The report described Brown’s use of cauliflower as a source of strength during matches, comparing it to Popeye eating spinach.
His interests extended beyond the wrestling ring. Brown earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, and wrote and produced three concept albums.
In 2017, Brown was featured in The Aria of Babyface Cauliflower Brown, a short documentary directed by Tim Grant and published through The New York Times’ Op-Docs series. The film examined professional wrestling as an art form, with Brown discussing the storytelling and performance involved in the business.
The documentary was screened at the Palm Springs International ShortFest and was also featured in a New York Times Op-Docs program at the IFC Center in New York.
Outside wrestling, Brown founded Briarcliff Sessions, a venture dedicated to bringing musicians together. According to his professional biography at Music & Arts in Rock Hill, he organized hundreds of music events, including open mic nights and album release shows. He also worked to connect aspiring musicians with instructors.
South Carolina wrestling journalist Mike Mooneyham was among those who paid tribute to Brown following news of his death.
“So saddened to hear of the passing of ‘Cauliflower’ Chase Brown. Talented, great personality, and way too young,” Mooneyham wrote on Facebook.
Mooneyham also recalled Brown’s tag team with Pete Kaasa, known as Nuclear Kaasarole, which competed for Full Impact Pro.
Former South Carolina wrestler and promoter Cole McAbee also remembered Brown on Facebook, describing him as talented, intelligent, and creative.
“He was as fantastic of a person as he was a professional wrestler and, I would dare say, easily one of my favorite people to share the ring with,” McAbee wrote.
McAbee offered condolences to Brown’s wife, Aleeia, and their young daughter.
Cheeseburger recalled how Brown entertained his fellow ROH ring crew members by playing guitar during long television production days. He said the crew was particularly excited when Brown finally got his opportunity to wrestle for the promotion.
“I remember all of us on ring crew being so insanely hyped when Chase finally got his first ROH match!” Cheeseburger wrote.
He also expressed regret that the two had lost touch in recent years.
“Truly a one of a kind professional wrestler and a legitimate genuinely good person in this crazy business,” Cheeseburger wrote.