With the exception of my parents, the two things which have been in my life the longest are superhero comics and pro wrestling.
It’s pretty easy to see their shared appeal... Larger-than-life characters battling in inter-connected soap operatic morality plays. So it’s not surprising there’s quite a lot of shared fandom, including among professionals in both businesses.
We’re definitely being reminded of how many wrestlers are comic fans today, as they’ve taken to social media to mourn the death of Marvel Comics’ innovator and legend Stan Lee. Lee played a role in the creation of pretty much every character your associate with Marvel, from the Avengers to the X-Men and everything in between, and those heroes & villains have become an indelible part of the pop culture landscape - whether you read comics or not.
But we’ll leave retrospectives on Lee’s life and complicated legacy to the comics bloggers, reporters and scholars. We’re just here to offer an “Excelsior” after the 95 year old departed Midgard, and to pass along some of the memories, expressions of gratitude and condolences your favorite wrestling pros shared regarding the head of the Merry Marvel Marching Society:
RIP Stan Lee, part of my life since my 10 year monthly #Hulk subscription started in 1973. I loved talking to him at Comic Cons - Stan was a wrestling fan -
— Mick Foley (@RealMickFoley) November 12, 2018
and will always look forward to my children shouting out his @Marvel movie cameos. pic.twitter.com/0KV26dCv8f
Just heard about Stan Lee passing away. Sad to hear the news but extremely happy to have had the opportunity to enjoy his work. He brought smiles, entertainment, and hope to so many hearts and minds. His characters play a huge role in who I am today. Thank you for inspiring me.
— Austin Creed aka Death Reheated (@XavierWoodsPhD) November 12, 2018
One of the greatest humans in all of our existence. The legend will forever live on. RIP https://t.co/WZlMYSF3b6
— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) November 12, 2018
Rest In Peace, Stan Lee. Thank you for providing so much creativity & entertainment through Marvel Comics for so many across the world, including me.
— #WOKEN, yet #BROKEN, Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) November 12, 2018
What an amazing life Stan Lee lived & led, inspiring & entertaining a countless amount of people. #EXCELSIOR
RIP Stan lee ❤️ pic.twitter.com/YfizL9gJ6A
— PAIGE (@RealPaigeWWE) November 12, 2018
Excelsior
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan the man. #Excelsior
— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) November 12, 2018
My heart hurts right now! #RIPStanLee https://t.co/SmgxEBCxs2
— Ember Moon (@WWEEmberMoon) November 12, 2018
Grew up with Stan Lee. Thank u for the characters, storylines and the Marvel Universe. #Excelsior
— Konnan (@Konnan5150) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan Lee. Thanks for changing the world for the better.
— Gabe Sapolsky (@BookItGabe) November 12, 2018
There's a universe of characters and stories that have inspired so much of my output...decades of it. And that universe would not exist if not for #StanLee. He didn't write every story or create every character in that universe, but he was The Man. #excelsior pic.twitter.com/GVxVBgxosF
— Mike Quackenbush (@MikeQuackenbush) November 12, 2018
95 years, and a legacy that will be remembered forever. That's one hell of a run. #RIP https://t.co/cORZmsLNaM
— Lance Storm (@LanceStorm) November 12, 2018
Feel free to add any we might have missed, or your own memories of Stan The Man, below.