Kurt Angle, known for his exceptional wrestling career in WWE, holds a prestigious status with four WWE Championship titles and a place in the Hall of Fame. However, during his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, Angle highlighted the importance of someone he called an “unsung hero.”
Steve James Bisson, professionally known as Steve Bradley, was once a highly promising talent in the world of WWE. Starting his wrestling journey at a young age of 15 in Boston, Massachusetts, Bradley quickly rose to prominence in various promotions along the East Coast.
Impressing the WWF with his skills, Bradley secured a developmental deal in 1998 at the age of 22 after a tag team match that caught the attention of senior figures. He trained alongside Kurt Angle at the WWF headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and both were sent to Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis to enhance their abilities.
In a significant match on August 7, 1999, Bradley defeated Angle for the PPW Heavyweight Championship, marking the start of a compelling rivalry that garnered praise from Pro Wrestling Illustrated as the “Underrated Feud of the Year.”
Despite high expectations, Bradley faced challenges in gaining momentum and moved between developmental organizations like Ohio Valley Wrestling. In 2002, his contract was terminated, and he ranked 84th in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s global wrestler rankings that year.
After struggling to achieve success independently, Bradley shifted his focus to coaching and opened the Top Rope Wrestling Academy in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2005. Sadly, at the age of 32, Bradley was discovered dead in the academy’s former car park, with the cause of death remaining undetermined by the police.
Angle credited Bradley for his rapid improvement in wrestling, emphasizing the significant role Bradley played in his success. Despite Bradley’s documented battle with drug addiction and legal issues, his impact on Angle and the wrestling world remained profound.
Bradley’s untimely passing left a void in the wrestling community, with Angle and others remembering him as a talented individual who could have achieved great heights in the industry.