Summary

Mark Ty Hildreth, known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer, has died at the age of 66.

Marc Mero shared the news on social media. Van Hammer was best known for his run in WCW, where he competed from 1991 to 1995 before returning in 1997. During that stretch, he was also part of The Flock and Misfits In Action.

The source story states that Van Hammer made his WCW debut at Clash of the Champions in 1991 and last wrestled in 2009.

Van Hammer's WCW run

Van Hammer was one of the more recognizable names from WCW's 1990s roster depth. He first arrived during the promotion's early 1990s period, then resurfaced later in a very different version of the company as part of faction-based television.

That gave him a place in multiple eras of WCW history, from his initial push through his later work with The Flock and Misfits In Action.

What Van Hammer's passing means for WCW fans

Van Hammer's death marks another loss from WCW's generation of 1990s talent, and it is likely to resonate most with fans who remember how often he appeared during that era's roster changes. His career may not be defined by one single iconic run, but he remained a familiar part of WCW television across different periods of the promotion's history.

Sources

Marc Mero via X