Corporal Kirchner passes away

~~Hacking is a Felony~~ · 10-19-2006, 09:23 PM

Former WWE Superstar Thomas Spear, professionally known as Corporal Kirchner, passed away of natural causes Sunday in his home in White Marsh, Md. He is survived by his two sons, daughter and step-daughter, as well as two grandchildren.

A Vietnam veteran, Kirchner is known for defending his country in the ring as well as out. He is not only revered as one of sports-entertainment’s toughest competitors, but also one of its greatest patriots.

In the early 1980s, Kirchner was a close protégé of another patriot, former WWE Champion and Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter. Perhaps one of Kirchner’s most celebrated victories took place at WrestleMania 2 where he defeated WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff in a Flag Match. Click here to see Kirchner in action in the Flag Match from WrestleMania 2.

ken77 · 10-21-2006, 08:00 PM

I just read an article that Corporal Kirchner is, in fact, still very much alive. His real name is Mike Kirchner not Thomas Spear. Kirchner is not sure how WWE fouled this up. He said he has no idea who Thomas Spear is or why WWE confused him with Spear. The news has spread through the internet community and Kirchner said his mother is suffering the most, receiving many calls asking her how she is doing now that her son passed away.

~~Hacking is a Felony~~ · 10-21-2006, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the info Ken .. they sure did mess that up.

I just found an article on this after reading your post:

Earlier this week WWE.com put up a statement that Cpl. Kirchner had died on Sunday of natural causes.

That story has turned out to be false as Cpl. Kirchner (real name Mike Kirchner) did an interview with SLAM! Wrestling talking about the fact that the story was false.

PWInsider then posted the following statement from Kirchner's mother:

My name is Jean Kirchner and I'm Cpl. Kirchner's mother.

While I thank you for your condolences, they aren't necessary because Mike (a.k.a. Cpl. Kirchner) is alive and well.

Who Thomas Spears is, I haven't a clue, and my condolences to his family. He was never the "Corp" and I assume this is some kind of mix-up in the WWE database since the information came from them.

I called them as soon as my brother-in-law told me about the article and they removed it.

All I can tell you is that I wrote the book and my son is, thankfully, alive and well.

Jean Kirchner
a.k.a. G.M. O'Callaghan

WWE.com has since pulled the story from their website.

AYung · 10-21-2006, 11:18 PM

Was surprised when I heard about that mistake. Glad to hear he's still alive and running.

10-19-2006, 09:23 PM	#1
~~Hacking is a Felony~~ I destroy property Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,105 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Corporal Kirchner passes away Former WWE Superstar Thomas Spear, professionally known as Corporal Kirchner, passed away of natural causes Sunday in his home in White Marsh, Md. He is survived by his two sons, daughter and step-daughter, as well as two grandchildren. A Vietnam veteran, Kirchner is known for defending his country in the ring as well as out. He is not only revered as one of sports-entertainment’s toughest competitors, but also one of its greatest patriots. In the early 1980s, Kirchner was a close protégé of another patriot, former WWE Champion and Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter. Perhaps one of Kirchner’s most celebrated victories took place at WrestleMania 2 where he defeated WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff in a Flag Match. Click here to see Kirchner in action in the Flag Match from WrestleMania 2.

10-21-2006, 11:18 PM	#4
AYung IMPC Contestant Join Date: May 2005 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Canada Posts: 2,289 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 41	Was surprised when I heard about that mistake. Glad to hear he's still alive and running. __________________ Clean Bulking Journal http://www.ironmass.com/showthread.php?t=9546 Max Lifts Bench: 155 x 6 Deadlift: 315 x 6 Squat: 245 x 6 1 Rep Max Lifts Bench: 180 - Tested Deadlift: 365 - Tested Squat: 285 - Estimated TOTAL: 831 @ 156lbs Eddie Guerrero (1967-2005, R.I.P.) You'll always be loved and remembered.

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10-21-2006, 08:00 PM	#2
ken77 Amateur Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 31 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	I just read an article that Corporal Kirchner is, in fact, still very much alive. His real name is Mike Kirchner not Thomas Spear. Kirchner is not sure how WWE fouled this up. He said he has no idea who Thomas Spear is or why WWE confused him with Spear. The news has spread through the internet community and Kirchner said his mother is suffering the most, receiving many calls asking her how she is doing now that her son passed away.

10-21-2006, 08:06 PM	#3
~~Hacking is a Felony~~ I destroy property Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,105 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Thanks for the info Ken .. they sure did mess that up. I just found an article on this after reading your post: Earlier this week WWE.com put up a statement that Cpl. Kirchner had died on Sunday of natural causes. That story has turned out to be false as Cpl. Kirchner (real name Mike Kirchner) did an interview with SLAM! Wrestling talking about the fact that the story was false. PWInsider then posted the following statement from Kirchner's mother: My name is Jean Kirchner and I'm Cpl. Kirchner's mother. While I thank you for your condolences, they aren't necessary because Mike (a.k.a. Cpl. Kirchner) is alive and well. Who Thomas Spears is, I haven't a clue, and my condolences to his family. He was never the "Corp" and I assume this is some kind of mix-up in the WWE database since the information came from them. I called them as soon as my brother-in-law told me about the article and they removed it. All I can tell you is that I wrote the book and my son is, thankfully, alive and well. Jean Kirchner a.k.a. G.M. O'Callaghan WWE.com has since pulled the story from their website.