WCW’s Van Hammer Passes Away at 66

Mark Hildreth, known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer, died over the weekend at the age of 66. A native of Hebron, Maryland, the news circulated through former colleagues, including Marc Mero, with the cause of death not yet publicly confirmed.

In a post following his passing, Diamond Dallas Page wrote, “With a heavy heart, I want to send my sincere condolences to the family of my brother, Mark Hildreth—aka WCW’s ‘Van Hammer.’” He recalled first meeting Hildreth while managing the Fabulous Freebirds and said Dusty Rhodes hired him immediately after seeing him, even as “Hammer was green as grass at the time.”

For MCW Pro Wrestling co-owner Dan McDevitt, the connection began before his own debut. He remembered meeting Hildreth in 1993 while working at a gym near BWI. “So what do I do? I break every rule of wrestling etiquette and start telling him all about it. Like a dumb, excited kid chasing a dream.” Instead of dismissing him, Hildreth stayed engaged. “He kept coming back up to the desk between sets, asking questions… Before he left, he grabbed a pen and paper and said, ‘Where’s the show? Leave me a ticket at the door.’”

McDevitt did not expect him to follow through. “Then I’m backstage before my debut… And someone walks up to me and says: ‘Hey… Van Hammer is here. He brought his family to watch you wrestle.’ I couldn’t believe it.” He said that moment led to a long friendship. “That wasn’t just ‘Van Hammer.’ That was Mark Hildreth… one of the most loyal, genuine, and caring friends I’ve ever had.”

Hildreth debuted in World Championship Wrestling in 1991 with a heavy metal persona and was featured early on television. He later appeared under the name Major Stash and was part of The Flock alongside Raven.

Both Page and McDevitt referenced his struggles outside the ring. Page wrote, “H, like many of the boys, battled addiction,” and added that he later “cleaned himself up.” McDevitt said, “Mark battled addiction, but he never hid from it,” and described how Hildreth helped others dealing with similar issues.

McDevitt also described his later years and continued connection to wrestling. “Years later, after he moved to Florida, he’d still pop into MCW shows. Never needed the spotlight… just watched, talked to the younger talent, helped where he could.” He added that a return appearance as a guest referee showed his comfort being back in that setting. “You could see it, he was happy.”

“Mark Hildreth was a great human being,” McDevitt wrote. “A loyal friend. A guy who showed up when it mattered.”