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Mark Ty Hildreth (born November 1, 1959) is an American retired professional wrestler, best known for his tenures in World Championship Wrestling under the ring name Van Hammer.[1]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Before becoming a wrestler, Hildreth joined the United States Navy after graduating from high school and traveled around the world while on tour.[2][4]

Professional wrestling career

[edit]

Early career (1991)

[edit]

After being trained by Boris Malenko and Dan Spivey, Hildreth made his debut on July 19, 1991, as "The Hammer", teaming with "Iceman" King Parsons to defeat Billy Travis and Khris Germany in a tag team match for the North Georgia Wrestling Alliance.[6] The referee for this match was Hildreth's brother, Dwayne Hildreth. Hildreth had expected to wrestle on the independent circuit for at least a few years.[5] The promotion was booked by Dusty Rhodes, who also served as the booker for World Championship Wrestling. Despite having wrestled just one match, Hildreth was invited to be the opponent for fellow Malenko trainee Marc Mero for the latter's tryout match for WCW.

World Championship Wrestling (1991–1995)

[edit]

Marc Mero was brought in to WCW for a tryout match in 1991, and Hildreth was his opponent. Then booker Dusty Rhodes liked both and signed each of them to contracts, with Hammer signed to a $156,000 deal.[5] In September 1991, Hildreth joined World Championship Wrestling as "Heavy Metal" Van Hammer, a rock star gimmick. He made his debut for the promotion at Clash of the Champions XVI, where he squashed Terrance Taylor in 39 seconds.[6] He immediately was thrust unto the house show circuit, defeating Taylor in multiple rematches as well as defeating Oz and Cactus Jack. He made his WCW television debut on the October 15 episode of Saturday Night, defeating Paul Lee.[6] Twelve days later, he made his pay-per-view debut at Halloween Havoc, defeating Doug Somers.[6] On November 3, he gained a non-title victory over WCW TV Champion Steve Austin at a house show in Charleston, West Virginia.[7] Hammer would go on to amass a 42–0 record competing on both house shows and television before finally having his streak ended when he lost a match to Cactus Jack at Clash of the Champions XVII.[6] At Starrcade, Hammer teamed with Big Josh in a losing effort to Steve Austin and Rick Rude.[6]

After briefly continuing his tag team with Big Josh, Hammer returned to singles competition and faced Steve Austin for the WCW World Television Championship on the January 12 episode of Main Event, but was unable to win the title.[8] After the loss, Hammer competed sporadically throughout the rest of the spring (including a brief feud with J. T. Southern) before returning full-time in August 1992. Hammer would fall to Greg Valentine and Nikita Koloff before his push began to accelerate. In September he went on a ten match winning streak, defeating Dallas Page, Vinnie Vegas (Kevin Nash), and Super Invader (Hercules Hernandez). He received a US title shot against Rick Rude on the September 12[9] episode of WCW Worldwide, where he sustained a knee injury. Upon his return he teamed with Erik Watts at Halloween Havoc and was victorious against The Vegas Connection.[10] For the remainder of October and November he was strongly pushed, going 19–2 in a streak that included victories over Tony Atlas, The Barbarian, and Mustafa Saed. He would also team with Brad Armstrong in a brief feud with Page and Vegas.

On the November 21 episode of WCW Worldwide, Hammer was entered into the Jesse "The Body" Ventura Strongest Arm Tournament and defeated Vinnie Vegas. On the December 12 episode, Hammer upset Big Van Vader to advance to the finals against WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons. The following week Hammer defeated Simmons to win the arm wrestling challenge.

Hammer teamed with Sting and was victorious in a tag-team match on the November 21 episode of WCW Saturday Night, defeating Rick Rude & Cactus Jack via disqualification. On a November 26 house show at the Omni in Atlanta, Georgia, Hammer was given a broken nose by Rick Rude during an eight-man tag-team main event match held in a thunderdome cage match.[5] Rather than take time off he instead took a Sharpie, inserted it into his nose, and straightened it out.[5] Despite the injury he missed no dates and continued to be victorious on the house show circuit. Hammer made his second Starrcade appearance, where he and his trainer Dan Spivey defeated Cactus Jack and Johnny B. Badd to qualify for the Battlebowl.[8] In the main event, The Great Muta defeated both Hammer, Spivey and five other wrestlers to win the Battlebowl.[8]

On January 2, 1993, Van Hammer lost to Tony Atlas in the quarterfinals of a tournament for the vacant WCW United States Heavyweight Championship on Saturday Night.[8] A day later he lost to World Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader on a house show in Bristol, TN, after which he took time off to have surgery to repair the broken nose that he had been wrestling with, causing him to miss the Thunderdome match at the Clash of the Champions XXII on January 13.[11] He would be out for a month before returning on the February 9 taping of WCW Power Hour. Hammer continued to be a mainstay on Saturday Night, winning the majority of his matches.[8] At the first-ever Slamboree pay-per-view, Van Hammer lost his match with Sid Vicious in only 35 seconds.[8]

Despite the quick loss Hammer continued to be pushed, defeating Vinnie Vegas on a house show in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 3. He was victorious as well against Tommy Angel and Vladimir Koloff as well that month, although he sustained a defeat to Rick Rude. On July 3, Hammer defeated Lord Steven Regal at a house show in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His final WCW match came on July 11 in Tower City, Pennsylvania, when he pinned Wrecking Crew Fury. Due to WCW's lengthy tapings that began that month, he continued to appear much later in the year. On the September 11 episode of WCW Worldwide (taped July 7 in Orlando, Florida) he teamed with 2 Cold Scorpio and Marcus Alexander Bagwell in a losing effort against Sid Vicious & Harlem Heat. His final television appearance came on the November 6 episode of WCW Worldwide (taped July 10 in Orlando, Florida), Hammer attempted to defend his Jesse Ventura's Strongest Arm championship but was defeated by The Equalizer in the first round.[12]

In addition to making a television appearance in November 1993 (due to the pre-taping in July) in the Jesse Ventura arm-wrestling challenge, Hammer's name was also mentioned on the January 4 episode of WCW Main Event in a segment with Diamond Dallas Page. The heel randomly drew names out a fishbowl, and Hammer's name was one of the selections. He returned November 29, 1994, and was defeated by Dick Slater at a television taping.[13]

On the January 21, 1995, episode of WCW Pro (taped on December 4, 1994, in Dalton, Georgia) another challenge was made by Diamond Dallas Page, this time a call to defend his arm wrestling title. Van Hammer made a surprise appearance to accept the challenge and Page faked an arm injury and called it off.[13] One month later, on the February 25 episode of WCW Pro, Page defeated Hammer in an arm wrestling match after Max Muscle interfered.[14] Hammer took a hiatus from wrestling.

World Wrestling Federation (1993)

[edit]

On July 26, 1993, Hildreth received a tryout match at a WWF Superstars taping in Utica, New York. Wrestling as Van Hammer, he worked as a heel and was defeated by Virgil.[12] The following day working as a babyface at a Wrestling Challenge taping in Plattsburgh, New York he was defeated by Damien Demento in another dark match.[12]

World Championship Wrestling (1997–2000)

[edit]

The Flock (1997–1998)

[edit]
Main article: The Flock

In November 1997, Hildreth returned to WCW, where he was placed in Raven's stable The Flock.[1] Despite being an undercarder, much like the rest of The Flock's members, he was granted a title match against the United States Heavyweight Champion Diamond Dallas Page on the February 23, 1998, episode of Monday Nitro, but was unsuccessful in winning the title.[8] On the March 2, 1998, episode of Nitro, Hammer lost to Page via disqualification in a title rematch.[8]

Singles competition (1998–1999)

[edit]

Hammer began jobbing to several top stars before winning a Loser Leaves The Flock match against fellow Flock member Perry Saturn on a special Friday episode of Nitro on May 4.[8] Despite the win, The Flock attacked Hammer after the match and he was thrown out of the group. In his first match following his expulsion from The Flock, Hammer faced the new United States Heavyweight Champion Goldberg for the title the following night on Saturday Night, but lost.[8] He then abandoned the grunge-related attire he had while with The Flock and became a face by adopting a hippie gimmick. After spending the rest of 1998 and January 1999 jobbing, he became a heel again and changed his gimmick to that an anti-pacifist and returned to using his full Van Hammer name. Following this, he began a short winning streak over the next few weeks before losing to Bam Bam Bigelow on the February 22, 1999, episode of Nitro.[15] Van Hammer quickly rebounded and began another winning streak over the following weeks on Nitro, Thunder, Saturday Night and even on pay-per-view at The Great American Bash on June 13 by defeating Mikey Whipwreck.[15] Hammer's winning streak was ended a few weeks later as he lost to Rick Steiner in a title match for Steiner's World Television Championship on July 11 at Bash at the Beach.[15] On the October 11 episode of Nitro, Hammer lost to Sid Vicious in a match for the United States Heavyweight Championship.[15]

Misfits In Action (2000)

[edit]
Main article: Misfits In Action

On the May 2, 2000, episode of Thunder, Hammer participated in a 41-man battle royal to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship, which was ultimately won by Ric Flair.[15] Soon afterward, Hammer joined the Misfits In Action and was renamed Major Stash so as to fit in with the stable's military gimmick. He was originally to be named Private Stash, as an inside joke to marijuana, but balked at being given the lowest rank in the stable, leading him to being "promoted" to "Major".[1] Stash's tenure with the Misfits was short-lived, as he wrestled what turned out to be his final match in WCW, a loss to The Demon on the July 12, 2000, episode of Thunder,[15] as he was released from his contract shortly after.

Late career (2001–2003, 2009)

[edit]

After leaving WCW, Hildreth took a brief hiatus from wrestling. On March 16, 2001, under his Van Hammer ring name and rock star gimmick, he lost to Thrasher in a match for Maryland Championship Wrestling.[15] He returned to MCW on June 9, and defeated Dino Devine.[15] On December 16, he teamed with Cowboy to defeat Devine and Chad Bowman.[2] In October 2001, Hammer went to Japan to wrestle a tour for Big Japan Pro Wrestling. On February 16, 2002, Hammer teamed with Cowboy in a rematch against Devine and Bowman, which he and Cowboy lost.[2] After a year long hiatus, Van Hammer returned to MCW on July 16, 2003, at MCW's annual Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup, where he won an eight-man tag team match alongside Gillberg, Thrasher and Kelly Bell against Brock Singleton, Genesis and The Holy Rollers (Earl the Pearl and Rich Meyes).[15]

In 2009, Hildreth attended an MCW show where wrestler Champ Champagne performed a promo calling Hildreth "washed up" and comparing him to Randy "The Ram" Robinson, the character played by Mickey Rourke in the film The Wrestler. In response, Hildreth entered the ring, but Champ Champagne fled before a fight could break out. On April 11, 2009, at MCW's event Xtreme Measures, Hildreth - wrestling as "Van Hammer" - came out of retirement for one night to defeat Champ Champagne.[15]

[edit]

On January 26, 2020, Hildreth was arrested in Palm Beach County, Florida, and charged with DUI and first degree felony hit and run.[16] Hildreth was reported to be driving at 58 mph in a 35 mph zone when he hit a 5-year-old child who was riding a bicycle. The child reportedly flew on to the hood of Hildreth's car and suffered internal injuries, but ultimately survived.[17] In May 2020, Hildreth pleaded guilty to both charges, and as a result was sentenced to one year of probation, one year of driver's license revocation, and he is now required to have an interlock device placed in his vehicle at all times.[18]

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Van Hammer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Van Hammer is the of Mark Hildreth (born November 11, 1959), an American retired best known for his tenures with (WCW) throughout the 1990s. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm) tall and weighing 280 pounds (127 kg), Hildreth debuted in professional wrestling on July 19, 1991, after training at the under instructors including and being scouted by . Hildreth adopted the "Heavy Metal" Van Hammer persona, inspired by rock culture, complete with , bandanas, and entrance music videos, which positioned him as a powerhouse babyface in WCW's roster. His career featured multiple character shifts, including turns as an all-American tough guy, a outcast, a member of Raven's Flock in 1997, and later as Major Stash in the Misfits in Action military parody group from 2000 to 2001. Notable matches included bouts against in 1999 and , where he earned respect for his in-ring resilience despite frequent booking as a mid-card enhancement talent. Although he never captured a championship title, Hildreth won the 1992 Jesse Strongest Arms Tournament and utilized signature moves like the Flashback (a double-leg wheelbarrow slam) and Cobra Clutch Slam. Following his release from WCW in 2000, he wrestled sporadically on the independent circuit until 2009, after which WCW was sold to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 2001, due to physical tolls like injuries and extensive travel (200-250 days per year on the road). In his post-wrestling life, based in , he has run a windows and siding called Madaris Windows and Siding, achieved , remarried in 2013, and reflected on wrestling as a "great ancient spectacle of good versus evil" while assisting others in recovery.

Early life

Childhood and education

Mark Ty Hildreth, better known by his ring name Van Hammer, was born on November 11, 1959, in , . Hildreth was raised in , where his family had deep ties to military service; his father was aboard the USS Nevada during the in 1941. Little is documented about his immediate family, though he had a brother, Dwayne Hildreth. He had a brother named Dwayne Hildreth, who later served as a in one of his wrestling matches. Hildreth completed his high school education in , during which he was not involved in as a fan or participant. Specific details on his high school athletics or physical activities are not widely recorded, though he later developed a robust physique through dedicated workouts in his late 20s. There is no verified information on early personal interests in music or heavy metal culture prior to his adult years. Following high school, Hildreth enlisted in the U.S. Navy, a decision that shaped his subsequent path.

Military service

Mark Hildreth, professionally known as Van Hammer, enlisted in the immediately after graduating from high school around 1977 or 1978. During his service, he worked as a , performing mechanical duties that honed his technical skills in a structured environment. Hildreth's Navy tenure provided him with exposure to global travels aboard ships, allowing him to visit various international ports and experience diverse cultures, which broadened his before returning to civilian life. The and physical rigor of military life contributed to his mental resilience and foundational fitness, supporting his later development into a towering wrestler standing 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) tall and weighing approximately 280 lb (127 kg). He was discharged after several years of service, marking a pivotal shift toward pursuing as he entered his late 20s.

Professional wrestling career

Debut and early training (1991)

In early 1991, Mark Hildreth, standing at 6 feet 6 inches and weighing 280 pounds (127 kg), began training in , under retired wrestler , who ran a demanding program intended to eliminate uncommitted trainees through intense daily physical workouts and technical drills. Hildreth trained alongside future wrestler in this environment, focusing on building endurance and basic in-ring fundamentals to prepare for the physical demands of the industry. He supplemented his preparation by working with , a veteran performer known for his own powerhouse style, which helped refine Hildreth's approach to leveraging his size for dominant performances. Hildreth made his professional debut on July 19, 1991, in the , competing as "The Hammer" in a match where he and "Iceman" defeated and Khris Germany. This initial outing highlighted his emerging powerhouse wrestling style, characterized by overwhelming strength-based maneuvers such as slams and presses that capitalized on his imposing physique to overpower opponents quickly. In subsequent independent matches during the summer of 1991, Hildreth continued to develop this approach, securing victories in squash-style bouts that emphasized raw power over technical finesse, allowing him to build confidence and ring presence before transitioning to larger stages. As interest grew from major promotions, Hildreth adopted the "Heavy Metal" Van Hammer gimmick, portraying a rock star persona complete with an entrance featuring an electric guitar and a large foam hammer prop used to accentuate his aggressive, hard-hitting persona. This character, inspired by heavy metal aesthetics, aligned with his powerhouse foundation by integrating theatrical elements that amplified his intimidating presence without altering his core reliance on physical dominance. The buzz from his independent run and this distinctive quickly led to a WCW contract in September 1991.

First WCW stint (1991–1995)

Van Hammer debuted in (WCW) on September 5, 1991, at XVI: Fall Brawl in , defeating Terrance Taylor by pinfall in 1:07. This quick victory launched his initial push, as he remained undefeated on WCW television for approximately two months, securing wins over jobbers like Zan Panzer on September 14, 1991, and at on October 27, 1991, by pinfall. His rock star gimmick, featuring leather pants, a , and an entrance with an , positioned him as a heavy metal persona inspired by musicians, complete with and rock-themed music. The undefeated streak ended on November 19, 1991, at XVII: Thanksgiving Thunder in , where Jack defeated Van Hammer by pinfall in a singles match. The rivalry with Jack () intensified, leading to a falls count anywhere match at XVIII on January 21, 1992, in , which Jack won after a brutal brawl that spilled into a nearby area. Van Hammer also challenged WCW World Television Champion "Stunning" Steve Austin on the March 7, 1992, episode of , but Austin retained the title via pinfall following interference from manager Paul E. Dangerously. At on December 29, 1991, Van Hammer teamed with Big Josh in the Lethal Lottery tournament, losing to Austin and by pinfall. In 1992, Van Hammer's booking shifted toward multi-man matches and novelty contests, including a tag team victory with Tom Zenk over Richard Morton and Vinnie Vegas at on February 29, 1992. He participated in the inaugural Jesse "The Body" Ventura Strongest Arm Tournament, advancing by defeating Vinnie Vegas on November 10, 1992, on December 12, 1992, and in the finals on the December 19, 1992, episode of , winning by armwrestling submission. This accomplishment highlighted feuds with top heels like Vader and Simmons, though a scheduled armwrestling rematch against the tournament's prize opponent at XXII on January 13, 1993, was canceled due to Van Hammer's injury, with substituting and losing to Vinnie Vegas. Van Hammer teamed with to defeat and Vinnie Vegas in a dark match at on October 25, 1992, and competed in an 8-man at on December 28, 1992, where he was eliminated early. Van Hammer's momentum waned in 1993 amid WCW's creative changes under , culminating in a loss to by pinfall at on May 23, 1993. During this period, while under WCW contract, he received a tryout match with the World Wrestling Federation on July 26, 1993, at a Superstars taping in , facing in a dark match. His evolved sporadically from the rock star image to more generic roles, including brief stints as a and outcast character, but failed to recapture early buzz. By 1995, following inconsistent mid-card positioning and underwhelming storylines, Van Hammer departed WCW after four years, marking the end of his initial run with the promotion.

WWF tryout (1993)

In 1993, while actively performing for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Van Hammer was granted a brief tryout with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), consisting of two dark matches during television tapings. On July 26, 1993, at a WWF Superstars of Wrestling taping held at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York, Van Hammer competed as a heel character and lost to Virgil via pinfall. The following day, July 27, 1993, at a Wrestling Challenge taping in the Crete Memorial Civic Center in Plattsburgh, New York, he was defeated by Damien Demento in another dark match. These tryout bouts did not result in a contract offer from the WWF, and Van Hammer was not signed to the promotion. He subsequently returned to his WCW schedule without significant disruption.

WCW return and factions (1997–2000)

After departing WCW in 1995, Van Hammer returned to the promotion in November 1997, debuting on the November 10 episode of Monday Nitro where he was introduced as a member of Raven's Flock stable under the shortened ring name Hammer. As part of the grunge-themed group led by Raven, which included wrestlers like Perry Saturn, Sick Boy, and Reese, Hammer adopted a disheveled appearance to fit the faction's portrayal of societal outcasts and misfits. He participated in several Flock-related angles, including interference in Raven's matches and intra-stable conflicts, contributing to the group's midcard presence on WCW programming throughout late 1997 and early 1998. The Flock storyline culminated in internal strife, with involved in a "Loser Leaves the Flock" match against Saturn on the April 20, 1998, episode of Monday Nitro, which he lost via pinfall after 4:16, effectively ending his tenure in the . The faction itself disbanded later that year at on September 13, 1998, when Saturn defeated in a stipulation match, granting freedom to all members from 's control. This marked a shift for , contrasting his earlier undefeated streak in WCW with a more diminished role. Transitioning to singles competition in late 1998 and 1999, Hammer was positioned as an undercard talent, frequently jobbing to established stars to elevate them in non-title bouts. Notable encounters included losses to on the January 7, 1999, episode of Thunder (4:25 via pinfall) and to in a match on November 7, 1999 (4:51 via submission). He also competed in multi-man matches, such as a 20-man on March 7, 2000, alongside Booker T, where emerged victorious, underscoring Hammer's relegation to enhancement talent amid WCW's creative turmoil. These feuds and defeats highlighted his struggle for momentum, often limiting him to short, decisive losses on weekly shows like Nitro and Thunder. In April 2000, Hammer joined the newly formed Misfits In Action (MIA) stable, re-gimmicked as Major Stash to align with the group's satirical theme, which mocked the through exaggerated ranks and antics. The faction, featuring members like General Rection (Hugh Morrus), Lieutenant Loco (), and Corporal Cajun (), focused on competition and comedic skits, with Major Stash participating in matches such as a win over The Jung Dragons on May 7, 2000. This run emphasized group dynamics over individual pushes, including joint appearances on Worldwide and Thunder that played up the parody elements, though the received limited television time due to WCW's declining ratings. Hammer's final WCW appearance occurred on the July 12, 2000, episode of Thunder, where he lost to The Demon via pinfall as Major Stash, shortly before his release from the promotion amid its financial struggles leading to the sale to the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001.

Independent promotions and retirement (2001–2009)

Following his departure from in 2000, Van Hammer made sporadic appearances on the independent wrestling circuit in the United States, primarily with Championship Wrestling (MCW). In early 2001, he secured victories over opponents such as Reed on January 13 and Dino Divine on June 9, showcasing his power-based style in singles competition. He also participated in multi-man matches, including an August 9 bout where his team fell to Adam Flash, , and Thrasher. Additional outings included a loss to Thrasher on March 16, 2001, and a defeat alongside The Cowboy against Chad Bowman and Dino Divine on February 16, 2002, all under MCW banners. Beyond MCW, Hammer competed in other regional promotions, such as a win over at NWA Jersey's Great American Brawl For It All on July 5, 2002. In October 2001, Hammer briefly ventured internationally for a tour with Big Japan Pro-Wrestling (BJW), engaging in hardcore deathmatches that aligned with his hard-hitting persona. On October 20, he and Zandig defeated Jun Kasai and Wifebeater in a Fluorescent Light Tubes & Barbed Wire Board Death Match. Hammer notched a singles win over Wifebeater on October 21. Teaming with John Zandig, he defeated Ruckus and Wifebeater on October 25 in a standard tag match, but lost to Madman Pondo and Wifebeater on October 27 amid light tube violence. Hammer's activity tapered off after 2003, with his last regular appearance being an eight-man victory alongside Gillberg, Thrasher, and Kelly Bell over Brock Singleton, Genesis, and The Holy Rollers at MCW's Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup on July 16. He then entered a prolonged hiatus from in-ring competition lasting from 2004 to 2008, during which he stepped away from the spotlight without documented returns to major or independent promotions. Hammer emerged from retirement for a single farewell match on April 11, 2009, at MCW's Xtreme Measures event in , where he defeated Champ Champagne in a non-title singles bout. This victory marked the official end of his wrestling career, concluding a journey that began in the early .

Later life

Post-wrestling career

After retiring from , Mark Hildreth, known by his Van Hammer, relocated to , in 2013 following a period of personal challenges. There, he established Madaris Windows and Siding, a company specializing in exterior remodeling for southeastern , which he ran after moving to the area. He married Diane Stokes on March 2, 2013, in a simple ceremony at a local restaurant, though she filed for divorce in January 2018. By 2020, Hildreth had advanced to the role of of operations and sales manager at Paradise Exteriors, a Boynton Beach-based firm. As of 2025, he continues in a role at Paradise Exteriors, where he concentrates on marketing strategies and to expand the company's reach in Florida's exterior remodeling market, including windows, doors, and coatings. Hildreth and Stokes enjoyed a honeymoon on a transatlantic cruise to followed by time in in —their first vacation in over two decades. He maintains community involvement by supporting others in achieving , offering guidance through personal outreach via email, drawing from his own experiences overcoming and the physical toll of his wrestling career. Reflecting on his health, Hildreth has openly discussed the long-term effects of use during his wrestling days, which contributed to physical strain and emotional struggles, including instances of performing through severe injuries like a broken without immediate medical intervention. He credits resilience built from such experiences, combined with releasing his ego and embracing , for enabling a stable post-wrestling life and avoiding further downward spirals. The 2020 DUI incident represented a challenging moment, but he has since focused on professional growth and personal well-being. On January 26, 2020, Mark Hildreth, known professionally as Van Hammer, was arrested in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida, following a crash in which he allegedly struck a 5-year-old boy riding a bicycle with training wheels while driving at 58 mph in a 35 mph zone. Hildreth left the scene, but a witness followed him to his home, where police found him on his front steps, emitting an odor of alcohol; he refused a Breathalyzer test. He was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) causing property damage or injury and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. The incident occurred more than a after Hildreth's full retirement from in 2009. In court proceedings, Hildreth initially pleaded not guilty but later entered a guilty on April 29, 2020, to one count of DUI causing and injury as part of a plea agreement; he was also found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, while a speeding charge was dismissed. On May 18, 2020, he was sentenced to one year of (with credit for four days served in jail), a one-year suspension of his , and a one-year requirement to install an on any vehicle he drove. He was additionally ordered to attend a victim's impact session. The child involved sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was reported to be recovering, with victims notified of the proceedings but not seeking restitution. No public personal statements from Hildreth regarding the incident or its aftermath have been reported in available records.

Achievements

Championships

Throughout his professional wrestling career, Van Hammer did not win any major singles or championships in (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), or various independent promotions. No verified title reigns or minor championships from independent circuits are documented in reliable wrestling databases. Despite receiving an early push in WCW upon his 1991 debut, booking decisions did not lead to any opportunities.

Other accomplishments

Van Hammer achieved notable recognition early in his WCW career for maintaining a 42–0 undefeated streak from his 1991 debut until his first loss to Cactus Jack in a falls count anywhere match at XVIII on January 21, 1992. This run highlighted his power-based style and positioned him as a rising force in the promotion. In December 1992, Hammer won the inaugural Jesse "The Body" Ventura Strongest Arm Tournament, advancing by defeating in the semifinals before claiming the title against in the finals on the December 19 episode of . The victory underscored his physical strength and added to his reputation as a formidable competitor in non-standard contests. Throughout his WCW tenure, Hammer competed in several flagship pay-per-view events, including his debut at Halloween Havoc 1991 where he defeated Doug Somers, a tag team appearance at Starrcade 1992 alongside Dan Spivey in the Battlebowl format, and a singles match against Sid Vicious at Slamboree 1993. These high-profile outings showcased his versatility across various match types and storylines. Hammer's heavy metal rock star gimmick, introduced upon his WCW signing in September 1991, innovated character presentation by blending wrestling with elements of 1980s hard rock culture, complete with entrance attire and persona emphasizing rebellion and intensity. He further earned acclaim for his resilience, continuing to perform effectively in grueling matches despite recurring injuries that tested his durability throughout the early 1990s.

References

  1. https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/lifestyle/2014/11/20/ex-pro-wrestler-shares-behind-the-scenes-look-at-profession-and-how-he-learned-to-let-go/112274116/
  2. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/van-hammer
  3. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles_old/v/van-hammer.html
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0383927/
  5. http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/bios/hammer.html
  6. http://wrestlingepicenter.com/results/GWF/1991.html
  7. http://evolutionofwrestlingfanboys.weebly.com/blog/archives/06-2016
  8. https://itrwrestling.com/features/6-wrestling-guitar-gimmicks/
  9. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/803707-50-more-suck-tacular-gimmicks-in-the-history-of-professional-wrestling
  10. https://www.blogofdoom.com/2017/08/05/wrestling-observer-flashback-08-02-93/
  11. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=42351
  12. https://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=shows&show=42352
  13. https://officialfan.proboards.com/thread/587066/wwf-1993-dark-match-outs
  14. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/van-hammer/
  15. https://www.thesportster.com/wcw-weirdest-moments-raven-the-flock-stable-we-completely-forgot-about/
  16. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=98&page=4
  17. https://whatculture.com/wwe/raven-39-s-flock-where-are-they-now
  18. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=98
  19. https://www.thesportster.com/wcw-misfits-in-action-stable-facts-trivia-things-to-know/
  20. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=29&nr=186
  21. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=35846
  22. https://www.nwfdailynews.com/story/news/crime/2020/01/27/ex-pro-wrestler-charged-with-dui-striking-5-year-old-on-bike/42018535/
  23. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/destinationmotivation_destinationmotivation-salestraining-homeimprovement-activity-7355570978363482114-NTNx
  24. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2020/01/27/former-pro-wrestler-accused-of-hitting-boy-5-on-bicycle-and-fleeing/
  25. https://www.pwinsider.com/article/133331/former-wcw-star-van-hammer-arrested-for-dui-after-striking-five-year-old-boy.html
  26. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2020/01/27/driver-flees-scene-after-striking-boy-5-on-bicycle/
  27. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/05/former-wcw-star-van-hammer-sentenced-in-dui-case-670477/
  28. https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/van-hammer-sentenced-one-year-probation-dui-case
  29. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/van-hammer-589.html
  30. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/wwe/top-stories/mick-foley-and-van-hammer-reunite-reflecting-on-their-intense-wcw-rivalry/articleshow/113654204.cms
  31. https://3countthursday.com/the-desk-of-intern-mark-archives-2017/
  32. https://capricorncity.com/cactus-jack-vs-van-hammer/
  33. https://www.ilxor.com/ILX/ThreadSelectedControllerServlet?boardid=65&threadid=136
  34. http://www.profightdb.com/wrestler-ppv/van-hammer-589.html
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1C8k8r2ttP0
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