Herb Abrams | Cocaine-Related Heart Attack

On July 23, 1996, Herb Abrams died of a cocaine-related heart attack in New York City. He was 41 years old. 

How Herb Abrams Died

On July 23, 1996, Herb Abrams reportedly drunk alcohol and abused cocaine to the point of paranoia or delusion. Abrams likely vandalized his own office with a baseball bat, prompting a witness to call the police.

According to B. Brian Blair, Abrams was naked and covered in baby oil at the time of his arrest. UWF manager Marty Yesberg suggested Abrams only removed his clothes while already incarcerated. 

Abrams died of a heart attack shortly after, while in police custody.

No Coroner’s Report

There may be no public autopsy or coroner’s report on Abram’s death. Abrams’ coworkers and friends told slightly different stories about Abrams’ overdose death many years later. Many of them recalled Abrams’ cocaine use and problem drinking around the time of his death.`

About Herb Abrams

Before his death, Abrams was a professional wrestling promoter and founder of the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF). Abrams, also known as Mr. Electricity, founded the UWF in 1990 in the hopes of surpassing Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF). 

Although Abrams hired established talent such as Bruno Sammartino, Dr. Death Steve Williams, B. Brian Blair, and Andre the Giant to boost revenue, the UWF folded shortly after Abrams’ death.

The circumstances of Abrams’ death have been told in biopics and biographies such as Dark Side of the Ring, Cocaine and Cowboy Boots, and Tortured Ambition. 

In these books and TV specials, Abrams is depicted as drawn to the fast-paced nature of fame, a desire that may have contributed to his death.

Herb Abrams’ History Of Substance Abuse

According to the biography Tortured Ambition: The Story of Herb Abrams and the UWF by Jonathan Plombon, Abrams founded the UWF in 1990 out of a love for pro wrestling. 

His rise to fame may have given him access to a glamorous Hollywood lifestyle, where he could abuse cocaine and hire prostitutes. While promoting and overseeing the UWF, Abrams prioritized an indulgent lifestyle. 

Cocaine & Paranoia

On an episode of VICE’s Dark Side of the Ring, coworkers and friends recalled Abrams’ egregious cocaine habits and life choices. Some accounts suggest his cocaine abuse led to severe paranoia later in his life.

Abrams’ substance abuse problems may have affected his ability to run the UWF. 

UWF’s pay-per-view main event Blackjack Brawl in 1991 had an audience of only 600, despite occurring in the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which can house over 17,000 people. Despite the star power of the UWF, the pro wrestling organization would only last until 1996.

Did Herb Abrams Try To Get Help?

According to Plombon’s biography, Abrams suffered a cocaine overdose in 1993, before his fatal overdose in 1996. In 1993, Abrams exhibited similar paranoia and violent behavior as the overdose that would take his life 3 years later.

After his 1993 overdose, Abrams may have joined Alcoholics Anonymous and enrolled in social support services. However, his cocaine addiction and high-risk tendencies continued until his death.

Recovery Is Possible

An illicit drug addiction can be life-threatening, especially without access to professional help. However, effective treatment can help you stop taking illicit drugs and get your life back on track. 

Contact us today for addiction treatment programs that could work for you or your loved one.