Johnny Grunge passes away in Atlanta

[Scott Joyce]

Johnny Grunge of the popular tag team in ECW PE passed away this morning in Atlanta. He was said to have been gasping for breath at a friends house and died on the way to the hospital. They believe the cause of death was from sleep apnea. Man thats both members of PE that died of a young age . RIP PE.

[mohammad2403]

Never seen much of him but this is still sad news, nonetheless. He was only like 39. RIP Johnny Grunge.

[simoneaton]

RIP

[Diabolo]

R.I.P Johnny. I'll never forget how wwe tried to tarnish the public enemy's value with that crappy storyline

[Dr. Wrestling]

I met Johny at the Hardcore Homecoming event in Pittsburgh and Johny was really cool talking to the fans. RIP Johny Grunge.

[Amber]

OMG, that is so horrible. May he RIP.

Now, I don't know if this is true or not, but freshman year, my physical science teacher, who no longer teaches at my school, overheard me talking about going to see RAW, which I was overexcited about because it was my first show. He laughed because he didn't think I looked like the wrestling type, but he said it was still pretty cool and that his wife's brother or brother-in-law or something had been a pro-wrestler. It took him a minute before he could remember the name, but he told me his name was Johnny Grunge. Up till that point, I had never heard of him and was skeptical, but I looked him up and was a bit surprised.

I never did ask him if he was telling the truth or not. He liked to joke around, but he sounded serious.

It really is sad. I hate how they all go so young... RIP Johnny Grunge

[Amber]

"February 23, 2006
Reported by Mika Highsmith

Ken Fletcher was with Mike Durham the first time he steeped in the ring, back in Sulphur, over 20 years ago. Fletcher says, "He found out that there were some guys training for professional wrestling, and he wanted to be one. Next thing you now he was training with us."

A couple years later, Durham made it big, as "Johnny Grunge" of "Public Enemy," a four time tag team wrestling champion. Fletcher says, "When he walked into an arena there was just something about how he could just turn on a crowd, and light up the world."

And as Fletcher surfs the web, he's reminded of his friend's rough wrestling techniques -- often with props. "He could turn the world upside down just by walking into the room," recalls Fletcher.

But it's the sad reality that his friend is now gone after suffering from complications with sleep apnea at the age 39, that he can't get out of his mind. Fletcher says, "I'm constantly wondering what he could have done a week ago or months ago. It's tough, I'm beating myself up. My heart is just broken, Mike was just in town to visit, and I didn't get to see him. I was very upset."

Even more upsetting, Mike's mom is ill with cancer, but it's the news of Mike's death that's most painful. Fletcher says, "He got to come home and visit his mother. She is totally devastated, you don't expect your child to go before you. He was just a classy person, and I love him dearly. He's just awesome, and I will remember him forever."

A legacy that will live on. Visitation for Mike Durham will be held this Saturday from 2 PM. to 9 PM. and Sunday from 9 am. to 9 PM., at Hixon's Funeral Home in Sulphur. His funeral will be also be held at Hixon's Funeral Home at 10 am. on Monday."

Well, after reading that, I know that he was telling the truth.

That sucks so bad... I hate... gosh... makes me want to hit something everytime a thing like this happens.

But it is my belief that he is in a better place, God rest his soul.

[Scott Joyce]

Really a sad deal for his friend and his ill mother who already is going through a tough time as well. I could not imagine the pain these two must feel and I really feel for both of them. RIP Johnny Grunge.