North American fans may briefly recall Doc Dean from his brief stint with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in his final years of 1997 and 1998 (before retiring young due to head injuries sustained in the business), but he was a star in his native United Kingdom since the early 1980s. It was announced by peers today that the 48-year old Liverpool wrestler had passed away, although further details were not released.
RIP Ian Doc Dean. I met you in 1984, you were dressed in a Doctors coat, a pair of rubber boots and a helmet. From then on we drove down every road and sailed the 7 seas. The great times will always be with me forever. I shall miss you my dear friend. Forever with me.x pic.twitter.com/XyZsQQHBAW
— Robby Brookside (@RobbyBrookside) August 14, 2018
He got his start in 1984, and soon became a star with his hometown promotion, All Star Wrestling (ASW), where he spent the bulk of his career. Infamously known for being one half of The Liverpool Lads, with whom he partnered with NXT trainer and former UK legend Robbie Brookside, they were 2x ASW British Tag Team Champions. He even teamed with Brookside in the early months of their time in WCW, feuding with the likes of Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) and The Amazing French Canadiens (Jacques Rougeau & PCO). But it was in the UK that Dean truly made his mark.
While most remembered for his tag team work, Dean was also an accomplished singles wrestler as well. Twice he won the British Welterweight Championship in his time with ASW, and he was also a singles champion in Japan, winning the Michinoku Pro British Commonwealth Junior Heavyweight Championship. In 1997, Doc Dean was part of the field for the 1997 Best of the Super Juniors in NJPW, making it to the semi finals, competing against the likes of Chris Jericho, Dr. Wagner Jr., Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Koji Kanemoto. When The Liverpool Lads arrived in WCW, they were a continuation of WCW’s attempt at international representation, joining recently arrived UK wrestlers like Lord Steven (William) Regal (1993), “Squire” Dave Taylor (1995) and “Gentleman” Chris Adams (1997). Oddly, one of Dean’s final matches (and in WCW) was a tag match with himself and Dave Taylor facing recent WCW signees British Bulldog and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, who himself passed away this past Monday.
A look at some of the works of Doc Dean throughout his career.
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x67f27n
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWG01xzm688
UK wrestlers and peers around the world shared their condolences and memories of their fallen friend.
Very sad to hear of the passing of my old friend Ian “Doc” I’ve known him since 1986 and spent the next sew years traveling with him. He came to WCW , it didn’t work out, but he stayed in Orlando and made it his home.We had our ups and downs , unfortunately..
— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) August 14, 2018
Totally heartbroken @RobbyBrookside and Ian Doc Dean were such a huge part of my early career in the 90s, I managed the superflys against robby and Doc 2 days before I found out I was 7 months pregnant with @RealPaigeWWE thank you for all your help doc, love you always RIP 🖤
— Julia Hamer (@RealsarayaK) August 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/WWEMaverick/status/1029422208198828033
https://twitter.com/Shasamuels/status/1029424835112460289
https://twitter.com/Ligero1/status/1029423568738824193
https://twitter.com/RealAlexShane/status/1029419387797811201
https://twitter.com/JosephConners/status/1029466778278273025
