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I have just been informed of another unfortunate passing in the world of pro wrestling.
Ed Chuman, a longtime promoter in the NWA, passed away on January 15 at the age of 62.
In addition to his promoting and work with Reggie Parks Championship Belts, Ed also worked in the business as “Dr. Sidney Hack,” a chain-smoking, alcoholic physician for Carmine DiSpirito’s Mid-American Wrestling in Milwaukee and worked with Steel Domain Wrestling when it was open.
"He was a great guy," said National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) attorney Robert Trobich in a release. "He's one of those guys, who in a frustrating business, who made it fun. He was a character in every sense of the word."
"For those who didn't know Ed Chuman, he could come off as being gruff and rude; a real old codger," recalled former NWA President Howard Brody. "But for those who really knew the guy, they knew that beneath his eccentricity was a person who not only told it like it was, but really who had a good heart. Ed was genuine and not afraid to tell you what was on his mind and if he disagreed with you, he'd tell you -- in spades!"
Who else could portray the manager "Dr. Sidney Hack," a chain-smoking, alcoholic physician for Carmine DiSpirito’s Mid-American Wrestling in Milwaukee? Or wrestle a bear? Or work as the mysterious manager Doctor X?
"He was a good guy. I have a lot of interesting/ funny memories
about him when I was working indies in Wisconsin," "Mr. Kennedy"
Ken Anderson wrote in a Twitter posting.
Born November 4, 1947, Chuman always had showbiz in his blood.
Based out of Chicago, he would promote many different events. When the NWA starting growing again in the late 1990s, he joined the organization, and his territory included Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. He would have satellite promoters everywhere.
"When the late Dennis Coralluzzo and I first appeared on RAW as part of the NWA angle in 1998, Ed was one of the first promoters to step up and inquire about joining the organization," recalled Brody. "There were many times over the years that Ed wanted to quit the NWA and quit promoting and until I left the organization in January 2002, I had to talk Ed off the ledge a few times. Over time he took my advice on how to promote under the NWA banner (getting other promoters to use the name and pay the expenses) and in the end I think Ed ran more shows than any other NWA member.
For the last number of years, Chuman had been ill. His wife was an executive, "making decent money," in his words.
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Announcement of Funeral Services For Ed Chuman
Salerno’s Rosedale Chapels
450 W. Lake Street
Roselle, IL 60172 (630) 889-1700.
Wake: Wednesday Jan. 20th 3:00pm – 9:00pm
Funeral: Thursday Jan. 21st at 9:30 am
