Wrestling hero Van Hammer dead aged 66 Associated with wrestling's "heavy metal" era, Mark Hildreth - known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer - has died aged 66. 20 April 2026 Mark Hildreth, known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer, has died aged 66. Mark Hildreth, known to wrestling fans as Van Hammer, has died aged 66 The grappler, who performed for World Championship Wrestling and WWE and was best known for his time in WCW during the 1990s, died on Sunday (19.04.26), with his cause of death not yet known.