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 World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed that two of its former stars died Sunday in separate incidents. 
 
 Brian Christopher Lawler, known as Grandmaster Sexay, died at age 46, and former wrestler Josip Peruzovic, who played beloved Soviet heel Nikolai Volkoff, died at age 70, it said. 
 
 Peruzovic was a member of a WWE tag team with the infamous Iron Sheik. Together, the two played villainous characters in battles against well-liked wrestling heroes like Hulk Hogan, Sgt. Slaughter and Bruno Sammartino. 
 
 Josip Peruzovic, aka Nikolai Volkoff, at Wizard World's Philadelphia Comic Con in Philadelphia in June 2011. Gilbert Carrasquillo / FilmMagic - Getty Images file 
 
 Peruzovic retired and joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 after an in-ring career that spanned nearly 40 years. His wife said that Peruzovic had heart problems and that she found that he was not responsive when she tried to bring him medicine, according to The Associated Press. 
 
 "As one of the greatest villains sports-entertainment had ever seen, Volkoff's infamous rendition of the Soviet National Anthem before his matches made him an instant icon in the eyes of the WWE Universe as a Superstar they truly loved to hate," WWE said in a statement. 
 
 In 2006, Peruzovic made an unsuccessful run for a House seat in the Maryland General Assembly, the AP reported. 
 
 Meanwhile, Lawler, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler, gained popularity playing his Grandmaster Sexay character. 
 
 As a wrestler for WWE, Lawler was a member of the "Too Cool" tag team and "competed during the height of the Attitude Era," according to the wrestling organization. 
 
 After leaving wrestling, Lawler had fallen into some legal trouble. 
 
 Corrections officers found Lawler attempting to hang himself in his jail cell, NBC affiliate WMC of Memphis, Tennessee, reported Sunday. Hardeman County jail records confirmed that Lawler was arrested July 7 on charges of DUI and evading arrest. 
 
 According to WMC, officers administered CPR until emergency services arrived, but Lawler died at a hospital on Sunday afternoon. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating. 
 
 WWE shared its sadness and extended their condolences to Lawler's his family, friends and fans. ||||| Former WWE wrestler Brian Christopher, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, died Sunday at the age of 46. (Photo courtesy WWE) 
 
 Former World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler Brian Christopher (real name Brian Lawler), died Sunday after hanging himself during an attempted suicide in a Memphis, Tennessee, jail, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer. Christopher, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, was 46 years old. Christopher was placed on life support and surrounded by his family at the time of his death, according to TMZ Sports. 
 
 “Corrections officers administered CPR until paramedics arrived,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. “Lawler was transported to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis where he died Sunday afternoon.” 
 
 “WWE is saddened to learn that Brian Christopher Lawler, who is best known in WWE as Too Cool’s Grandmaster Sexay, has passed away,” the WWE said in a statement. “Lawler, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, competed during the height of the Attitude Era. WWE extends its condolences to Lawler’s family, friends and fans.” 
 
 Why was Brian Christopher in jail? 
 
 According to TMZ Sports, Christopher was arrested on July 7 for DUI and evading Tennessee police officers. A 12-ounce can of alcohol was reportedly found open in his car’s center console and his bail was set at $40,000. In June, Christopher was arrested for allegedly not having the funds to cover a hotel bill at the Hampton Inn in Memphis, Tennessee, according to TMZ Sports. 
 
 Brian Christopher’s WWE run as part of Too Cool 
 
 Christopher went by Grandmaster Sexay, one-half of the Too Cool tag team along with Scotty 2 Hotty. The duo would eventually add Rikishi into the mix as the now trio were best known for their hip-hop inspired choreographed dance routines after matches. In 2000, Too Cool would win the WWE Tag Team titles for the first and only time, defeating Edge and Christian. 
 
 Story Continues 
 
 Brian Christopher was one of three deaths in the wrestling world 
 
 WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Nikolai Volkoff (real name Josip Nikolai Peruzović) died at the age of 70, the WWE announced on Sunday. Volkoff played a larger-than-life Russian villain and was one-half of a tag team with The Iron Sheik. Volkoff was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005 after a wrestling career of 40-plus years. 
 
 Brickhouse Brown (real name Fredrick Seawright) died Sunday at the age of 57 from cancer, according to the Wrestling Observer. Brown was best known for his time in the USWA, AWA and CWA. 
 
 Twitter reaction from the wrestling world on the deaths of Brian Christopher, Nikolai Volkoff and Brickhouse Brown 
 
 1st time I worked with Brian Christopher was in Louisville I told him "Nobody wants to work with u. Let's have a great match and show them u can. Trust me, please. I'm not out to bury you" He did and we had many great matches. He was at times misunderstood. #RIPBrianChristopher — Tom Prichard (@drtomprichard) July 29, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Condolences to Brian Christopher family and the family of Nikolai Volkoff. — Honky Tonk Man® (@OfficialHTM) July 29, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rest In Peace 
 
 Nikolai Volkoff 
 
 Brian Christopher 
 
 Brickhouse Brown 
 
 Each in their own way contributed to this world of wrestling that we inhabit, and have left memories that will last. — Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) July 29, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 Two men from different generations of wrestling industry both extremely successful careers have left us unfortunately. I knew Brian during my WWE years & shared lots of laughs with him. My deepest sympathies to the families & friends of #BrianChristopher & #NikolaiVolkoff – RIP — TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) July 29, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
 RIP Brian Christopher. I think I had every piece of Too Cool merch in 2000. — Zack Ryder (@ZackRyder) July 29, 2018 
 
 
 
 
 
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 • Is a Jimmer Fredette NBA comeback possible? ||||| Brian Lawler, son of Jerry "The King" Lawler and former WWE wrestler, is in critical condition at a Tennessee hospital. (Photo: Submitted photo) 
 
 Former WWE star Brian Lawler, the son of Jerry "The King" Lawler, died Sunday, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. 
 
 Brian C. Lawler, 46, had been held at the Hardeman County Jail on DUI-related charges and was found Saturday evening hanging in his cell. 
 
 "Corrections officers administered CPR until paramedics arrived," the TBI said in a statement. "Lawler was transported to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis where he died Sunday afternoon." 
 
 Reaction: Hulk Hogan, Triple H among many WWE stars mourning Brian Lawler's death on social media 
 
 Mark Davidson, the 25th District Attorney General, requested that special agents with the TBI investigate, and the investigation remains ongoing. 
 
 RIP Brian Christopher thank you for always stealing the show my brother only love HH — Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 29, 2018 
 
 Lawler's death comes less than a month after he was arrested and charged on July 7 with DUI, evading arrest and driving on a revoked license in Hardeman County, which is about an hour east of Memphis. 
 
 The Hardeman County Sheriff's Office confirmed Sunday that Lawler was being held on that case at the time of this incident. 
 
 Lawler spent several years in the WWE from 1997-2001. He was known as “Grandmaster Sexay” and was part of the Too Cool tag team with “Scotty 2 Hotty” that won the tag team championship in 2000. 
 
 Also Sunday, WWE announced that Josip Nikolai Peruzovic, a Hall of Famer who wrestled as Nikolai Volkoff for more than three decades, has died at 70. 
 
 Lawler's pro wrestling career began in the United States Wrestling Association, where he performed as “Too Sexy” Brian Christopher. 
 
 "RIP Brian Christopher," Hulk Hogan tweeted. "Thank you for always stealing the show my brother." 
 
 Lawler spent two years on TNA’s roster before making appearances on the independent circuit for more than a decade. He returned to the WWE in 2014 for a brief Too Cool reunion appearance. 
 
 He was arrested in June on a charge of failure to pay an $800 bill with a friend at the Hampton Inn in Downtown Memphis. 
 
 More:Jerry Lawler's son arrested, failed to pay hotel, police say 
 
 In February, he was hospitalized following a fight at an Indiana hotel room with former TNA wrestler Chase Stevens. 
 
 "WWE is saddened to learn that Brian Christopher Lawler, who is best known in WWE as Too Cool’s Grandmaster Sexay, has passed away," WWE said in a statement Sunday. "Lawler, who is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, competed during the height of the Attitude Era. WWE extends its condolences to Lawler’s family, friends and fans." 
 
 On Monday, Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen issued a statement saying Lawler was placed in a cell by himself because of how well-known he was. He also added Lawler was not on suicide watch because there was no indication the former WWE star was suicidal. 
 
 Brandon J. Shields of the Jackson Sun and Patrick Graziosi contributed to this report. 
 
 Read or Share this story: https://memne.ws/2LHR1U2 ||||| BALTIMORE (AP) — Josip Peruzovic, the former pro wrestler known for playing beloved villain Nikolai Volkoff, has died. He was 70. 
 
 His wife Lynn Peruzovic confirmed his death Sunday. She says he has had heart problems, and that when she went to give him medicine he was not responsive. 
 
 World Wrestling Entertainment says Peruzovic was "one of the greatest villains sports-entertainment had ever seen." He was known for singing the onetime Soviet Union's national anthem before matches and for his tag team alliance with another wrestler known as The Iron Sheik. 
 
 WWE says his career spanned the better part of 40 years and featured showdowns with wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan. 
 
 In 2006, Peruzovic made an unsuccessful run for a House seat in the Maryland General Assembly. ||||| The autopsy also determined her injuries were consistent with being hit with a stationary object about 12 to 24 hours before she died. The forensic pathologist at the time, Isidore Mihalakis, said a delay in getting her medical help affected the ability of the emergency room staff to save her life. 
 
 An autopsy determined she died of traumatic brain injuries and had suffered 39 cuts and bruises — a possible sign of "mate abuse" — on her head, ear, chin, arms, hands, back, buttocks, legs and feet. 
 
 Paramedics arrived at the motel — now the site of Home Depot along MacArthur Road and Route 22 — and found Snuka, a police officer and two wrestlers there, according to court records. Argentino was unconscious, barely breathing and her dilated pupils and rapid heart rate indicated she had a head injury and was likely in shock, court records say. 
 
 On May 10, 1983, Snuka was at a taping of a then-World Wrestling Federation event at the Allentown Fairgrounds. He returned to the George Washington Motor Lodge motel room to find Argentino, gasping for air and oozing yellow fluid from her mouth and nose, court records say. 
 
 Argentino had regularly traveled with Snuka on the burgeoning pro wrestling circuit, while he had a wife and four children in North Carolina. 
 
 "Knowing him as well as I should, it wouldn't matter what Jimmy Snuka's profession or employment was or anybody else for that matter," Martin said. 
 
 Martin, who was an assistant prosecutor at the time of the initial investigation but not involved in the case, defended William H. Platt, then the Lehigh County district attorney and now a senior judge with the state Superior Court. 
 
 "The grand jury and the evidence we were able to produce before the grand jury made the difference in what has happened today compared to what happened 32 years ago." 
 
 WWE issued a statement to PWInsider.com, saying the entertainment company "expresses its continued sympathy to the Argentino family for their loss. Ultimately this legal matter will be decided by our judicial system." 
 
 "I think that it's been a long road," Argentino-Upham said. "They did the right thing in the face of all the evidence." 
 
 Reached Tuesday by phone, Argentino's sister, Louise Argentino-Upham, said it's a relief that Snuka has been charged, especially since her mother turns 90 this year and may be able to see justice served. 
 
 The review also looked into Snuka's history of domestic violence against Argentino and a former wife. 
 
 The grand jury reviewed police reports, medical and autopsy evidence and the statements Snuka made in media interviews and in his 2012 autobiography about what happened to Argentino. In the book, Snuka wrote how his personal life began "getting a little crazy" in 1983 because of his frequent use of alcohol, steroids and cocaine. 
 
 Snuka was subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury, Martin said. He appeared with his lawyer, but didn't testify. 
 
 The decision to charge Snuka came after the grand jury listened to testimony and statements from 20 witnesses and Lehigh County Detective Gerald Procanyn, who investigated the case in 1983 as a Whitehall police detective and was there when Argentino was hurried to the hospital. 
 
 "I do not want to burden the taxpayers of Lehigh County with medical expenses, which would be extremely high and would have to be borne by them if he remained in Lehigh County Jail," Martin said. 
 
 In most homicide cases, defendants are not allowed bail. Martin said because Snuka is not facing a life sentence, is not considered a flight risk, has surrendered his passport and because of his life-threatening illness, bail was allowed. 
 
 Thirty years ago, Nancy Argentino was fatally injured and rushed from the wrestling superstar's hotel room in Whitehall. No charges were filed. 
 
 Martin and Judge Maria L. Dantos, who supervised the grand jury, approved the charges. Third-degree murder means a killing with malice. It carries a maximum sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison. Martin said the case didn't warrant a first-degree murder charge, which applies to a killing that is both willful and premeditated. 
 
 Snuka, who lives in Camden County, N.J., and is recovering from stomach cancer surgery, surrendered to Lehigh County authorities in Allentown and was arraigned by District Judge Robert Halal. He was sent to the county jail under $100,000 bail, which he later posted. 
 
 It is the coldest case Martin has ever taken before a grand jury, and also the oldest one to result in charges in Lehigh County. 
 
 Former Morning Call reporter Adam Clark speaks to The Today Show about the charges filed Tuesday against professional wrestling legend Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka. NBC's Gabe Gutierrez reports for TODAY. 
 
 Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin announced the charges at a news conference two years after the case was reopened. The grand jury probe was prompted by a 2013 Morning Call investigation that raised questions about the Argentino case 30 years after her death. The Morning Call story revealed a never-before-seen autopsy report that labeled the case a homicide. 
 
 "His assaultive acts and his failure to act to obtain medical attention resulted in her death," the grand jury wrote in a presentment July 17, recommending he be charged with homicide. 
 
 On Tuesday, Snuka, 72, was charged with third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter after a Lehigh County grand jury determined he repeatedly assaulted Argentino in May 1983 in the motel and then left her in bed to die. 
 
 "Superfly: The Jimmy Snuka Story" was meant to highlight his Hall of Fame career, but Lehigh County authorities say it also helped crack a 32-year-old mystery — the death of Snuka's 23-year-old girlfriend, Nancy Argentino, after she was found unconscious in a Whitehall Township motel. 
 
 In his 2012 autobiography, WWE legend Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka described himself as a free spirit who jumped off island cliffs in Fiji and Hawaii, and later off turnbuckles as one of pro wrestling's biggest names in the 1980s. 
 
 In the autopsy report, Mihalakis wrote the case should be investigated as a homicide until proved otherwise. Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim reviewed the autopsy findings for the grand jury and agreed the case should be ruled a homicide. 
 
 Besides the medical evidence, one of the biggest factors for the charges, Martin said, was Snuka's inconsistent statements. 
 
 Snuka originally told at least five people, including the responding police officer, he shoved Argentino earlier that day, causing her to fall and hit her head. He later told police those five people misunderstood him, and said Argentino slipped and hit her head when they stopped along the highway to urinate. 
 
 After Argentino died, though, Snuka spoke to a hospital chaplain and to Procanyn, giving both men different accounts of how she died. 
 
 "We believe it is important to note that James Snuka changed the location of the injuries in his discussion with the chaplain to happening on the highway traveling to [the George Washington Motor Lodge], but still admitted that she sustained her injury after he shoved her and she fell backward, hitting her head on the concrete," the grand jury wrote in the presentment. 
 
 He told the chaplain that Argentino told him she had a headache when they got to the motel and wanted to go to bed. He went to a diner and got them food, even though Argentino said she wasn't hungry. 
 
 "Snuka stated the victim passed out in the room and hit her head on the side of the chair or bed. He kept checking on her, and she was breathing OK," according to the presentment. 
 
 The wrestler said he left for work in the afternoon, came back, then left again to tape a television show. 
 
 "When he came back around 9 p.m., yellow stuff was coming out of her nose and mouth. He knew something was obviously wrong and called for help from [an] ambulance." 
 
 The presentment says Snuka gave seven versions of Argentino's death that night and morning, and the grand jury learned of "several additional versions and explanations" in the years since, from Snuka's autobiography and from two radio show podcasts. 
 
 "The grand jury believes it is important to note how James Snuka related in his autobiography the state of his behavior that '… in 1983, my personal life started getting a little crazy' especially in his frequent use of alcohol, steroids and cocaine." 
 
 In the book, Snuka also discussed his arrest on charges of assaulting Argentino on Jan. 18, 1983, in a hotel near Syracuse, N.Y. — four months before Argentino's death. Snuka's account differed from the official police account. 
 
 That day, two police deputies arrived and "observed the muscular James Snuka forcibly dragging the naked Ms. Argentino down the hallway by her hair as she was draped in a blanket and was shouting that she wanted to get away from Snuka." 
 
 Snuka was charged with assault, resisting arrest and obstruction, but later pleaded guilty to reduced charges and paid a fine that was donated to charity. Argentino was treated at a hospital for injuries to her head, back and scalp. 
 
 The grand jury also heard testimony from Snuka's former wife, Sharon Reiher Snuka, who is now remarried. She told the panel about "a series of beatings" she sustained during arguments with her husband in the fall of 1983 that resulted in her being hospitalized. 
 
 Snuka was the only person of interest in Argentino's death but was never charged. 
 
 The original Whitehall police investigation went cold June 1, 1983, after a follow-up interview with Snuka that was ordered by Lehigh Valley authorities and attended by WWF mogul Vince McMahon. The WWF has since been renamed WWE, or World Wrestling Entertainment. 
 
 In 1985, the Argentino family won a $500,000 wrongful death case against Snuka by default, but Snuka never paid because he claimed he was broke and couldn't afford a legal defense. 
 
 In his autobiography, Snuka maintained his innocence and said Argentino's death ruined his life. 
 
 "Many terrible things have been written about me hurting Nancy and being responsible for her death, but they are not true," he wrote. "This has been very hard on me and very hard on my family. To this day, I get nasty notes and threats. It hurts. I never hit Nancy or threatened her." 
 
 An investigative journalist and author who penned a 2007 book about Snuka and the death of Argentino said Tuesday he was gratified to hear of an arrest in the case. 
 
 Even before the Internet, the story of Argentino's death was circulated among underground wrestling newsletters, said Irvin Muchnick, who has reported on the world of professional wrestling for more than three decades. 
 
 Muchnick wrote about the discrepancies between Snuka's accounts of that night in his book, "Wrestling Babylon." On the 30th anniversary of Argentino's death, Muchnick published an eBook that donates proceeds to a charity selected by the Argentino family. 
 
 "I'm obviously very gratified to see this result in what I'm told is the longest cold case homicide in Lehigh County," Muchnick said. "I'd say this counts as a home run for the good guys today." 
 
 While Muchnick's book highlighted inconsistencies in the death investigation, he said the 30th anniversary piece published by The Morning Call "gave this thing the momentum it needed." 
 
 Lorraine Salome, Nancy's older sister, said she was surprised to learn that Snuka was being arrested after all these years. 
 
 "We thought they were giving us lip service. Even when they brought the grand jury, we didn't have much hope. We still thought they were giving us the runaround. But the grand jury really did its job and we're grateful. The doors of justice were slammed in our face 30 years ago, but better late than never, we have a chance of getting justice." 
 
 Salome, of Manhattan, said she told her mother that Snuka was being charged. The family had been shielding her from news of the investigation because of her age and poor health. 
 
 "She was very happy," Salome said. "That poor woman has been broken. She's still so sad. She has all of Nancy's pictures and things that she keeps around her." 
 
 manuel.gamiz@mcall.com 
 
 610-820-6595 
 
 Reporter Pamela Lehman contributed to this story. ||||| FILE - In this July 14, 1999 file photo, Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura is adorned with his signature feather boa and glitter sunglasses by professional wrestler Chyna, during a World Wrestling Federation... (Associated Press) 
 
 REDONDO BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Chyna, the WWE star who in the 1990s became one of the best-known and most-popular female professional wrestlers in history, has died, authorities said. 
 
 Police in Southern California said they were responding to a 911 call from a friend of former WWE wrestler Chyna when they found her dead in her Redondo Beach apartment. 
 
 A friend had gone Wednesday to check on Chyna, whose real name is Joan Marie Laurer, after she had failed to answer her phone for a few days, Redondo Beach police said in a statement. The friend told the 911 operator that Laurer wasn't breathing. 
 
 The 46-year-old Laurer was dead when officers arrived, police said. Several media outlets report that she was 45. 
 
 Neither police nor coroner's officials have released any cause of death. 
 
 A coroner's investigator was still at the location with the body late Wednesday night, according to Los Angeles County coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz. He said he had no further information on the death. 
 
 The tall, muscle-bound, raven-haired Laurer billed herself as the "9th Wonder of the World" because her wrestling predecessor Andre the Giant had already called himself the eighth. 
 
 She was a member of the wrestling squad that dubbed itself "D-Generation X," often wrestled against men and at one point was the WWE women's champion. 
 
 On her official website a statement posted Wednesday night reads, "Today we lost a true icon, a real life superhero. Joanie Laurer aka Chyna, the 9th Wonder of the World has passed away. She will live forever in the memories of her millions of fans and all of us that loved her." 
 
 Laurer was a native of Rochester, New York and graduated from the University of Tampa in Florida before taking up wrestling. 
 
 She joins a long list of WWE professional wrestlers who have died relatively young, including Rick Rude, Curt "Mr. Perfect" Hennig, the Ultimate Warrior and Owen Hart. 
 
 After leaving the WWE in 2001, Laurer posed for Playboy and appeared in adult films and on reality TV, including the shows "The Surreal Life" and "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." 
 
 ___ 
 
 This story has been updated to reflect that Laurer was 46, according to a police statement.
– The professional wrestling world lost two of its own over the weekend, including the son of WWE legend Jerry Lawler. Per Yahoo Sports and the Commercial Appeal, Brian Christopher Lawler, 46, was found hanging in his jail cell in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday evening and died the next day. "Corrections officers administered CPR until paramedics arrived," the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says in a statement. "Lawler was transported to Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, where he died Sunday afternoon." Lawler, who once performed for the WWE as Grandmaster Sexay on the Too Cool tag team, had been behind bars after being arrested on July 7 and charged with DUI, driving with a revoked license, and evading arrest. "WWE is saddened to learn that Brian Christopher Lawler … has passed away," the WWE said in a statement. "WWE extends its condolences to Lawler's family, friends, and fans." Big names in wrestling also paid their condolences, including Hulk Hogan, who tweeted, "RIP Brian Christopher thank you for always stealing the show my brother only love HH." The WWE also announced the death of "one of the greatest villains sports-entertainment had ever seen," per NBC News: that of Josip Peruzovic, known in the ring as Soviet heel Nikolai Volkoff. The AP reports that the wife of the 70-year-old Hall of Famer, who was once on a tag team with the Iron Sheik, found Peruzovic unresponsive when she went to give him medication he took for heart problems. The Iron Sheik paid an all-caps tribute to his former partner on Twitter, noting, "I MISS YOU FOREVER."