Chris Candito

Death

On April 24, 2005 at the TNA Lockdown PPV, Candido fractured both his tibia and fibula and dislocated his ankle when Sonny Siaki landed awkwardly on his leg while performing a leg lariat. He underwent surgery on April 25 to have steel plates and screws inserted into his leg. He was expected to be out of action for approximately six to eight weeks, but that did not stop him from appearing at the taping for the April 29 episode of TNA iMPACT! on April 26. There, he helped The Naturals defeat America's Most Wanted to regain the NWA World Tag Team Championships.

Related Topics:
April 24 - TNA Lockdown - PPV - Tibia - Fibula - Sonny Siaki - Leg lariat - April 25 - April 29 - TNA iMPACT! - April 26 - The Naturals - America's Most Wanted - NWA World Tag Team Championship

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The image of him holding the Tag Team belts for The Naturals would prove to be his final TNA appearance. On April 28, 2005, Candido passed away at the age of 33. The cause of his death was complications from the surgery, leading to a blood clot. TNA gave a ten-bell salute for him at TNA Hard Justice. They also created the Chris Candido Memorial Tag Team Tournament to commemorate him. WWE recognized his death by publishing a full-page photo of him in the July 2005 issue of SmackDown! Magazine.

Related Topics:
April 28 - Blood clot - Ten-bell salute - TNA Hard Justice - Chris Candido Memorial Tag Team Tournament - July 2005 - SmackDown!

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At Hard Justice, The Naturals brought a yellow towel out with them to symbolize Chris Candido. They gave the towel to Candido's family at TNA Unbreakable when they came to watch the winners of the Candido Tournament fight in a four-way tag-team match for the Tag Team Championship, which The Naturals successfully defended.

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