Eric Priest, an experienced Midwest independent wrestler who debuted in the early 2000s before later also picking up a career as a trainer, has passed away at 50.
Priest, real name Mike Boehne, reportedly died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, per a report from Slam Wrestling.
Growing up as a fan of wrestling, Priest started to train to become a performer himself during his 20s. The Detroit, Michigan-born wrestler was trained by Ace Steel and Danny Dominion, allowing him to debut by 2000.
Priest was a frequent wrestler in Illinois, Minnesota, and Indiana. With trips to promotions like IWA Mid-South, AWA, and SPCW, he gained prominence in the scene as an active and reliable wrestler. Among his early matches was an appearance against 19-year-old Colt Cabana, and 21-year-old CM Punk in 2000.
Priest’s activity in the scene earned him work as enhancement talent in WWE, TNA Wrestling, and ROH. He made an appearance on a 2006 episode of Monday Night Raw after Wrestlemania 22, facing Chris Masters in a singles bout.
While Priest stepped away from wrestling in 2008, he had a second run from 2015 to 2020. He wrestled his last match in early 2020 as part of a Kaiju Attack Wrestling card.
The wrestling world has mourned its loss since news of Priest’s passing first emerged on Sunday.
“Godspeed, Eric Priest,” wrote Adam Pearce, a wrestler who worked the Midwest scene in the 2000s and now holds an on-screen role in WWE. “From your first days at the Domain as a kid, I got to know you and watch you grow into a tremendous professional wrestler. I’m heartbroken and don’t quite have the words. I’m really glad we kept in contact over the years. Rest well, brother.
“Priest was a staple of Chicago wrestling for many years and ruled the early 2000s and THE guy in Chicago,” wrote AAW, a promotion who booked him many times. “He helped so many along the way and helped shape what pro wrestling in the Chicagoland area is today.”
Priest is survived by his son, Max. A GoFundMe has been launched by relatives who hope to help support the son following his father’s sudden passing.
