Lance Cade | Cardiomyopathy & Mixed Drug Intoxication

Lance Cade (real name Lance McNaught) was an American professional wrestler who competed in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He passed away at the age of 29 from heart failure caused by an accidental overdose of a mixture of drugs.

How Lance Cade Died

On August 13, 2010, Cade passed away in San Antonio, Texas from apparent heart failure. The medical examiner later revealed the cause of death was due to an accidental drug overdose involving various painkillers that created cardiomyopathy problems and resulted in heart failure.

About Lance Cade

Throughout his career, McNaught used Lance and Garrison Cade as ring names. Cade was born on March 2, 1981, in Caroll, Iowa. His career in wrestling began in 1999 during his time in San Antonio, Texas, at the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy.

That December, Cade visited Japan and worked with a tag team partner. Shortly after, Cade signed with the World Wrestling Foundation (WWF) which later changed to the WWE.

WWE

As a WWE wrestler, Cade competed in numerous tag team tournaments. Cade also participated in Ohio Valley Wrestling before teaming up with professional wrestler Mark Jindrak.

During the Tag-Team Turmoil Match, Cade and Jindrak faced the Dudley Boyz and Ric Flair. However, Jindrak was later drafted to Smackdown.

In 2004, Cade received a knee injury which was televised. Once he returned to wrestling, he formed a tag team with Trevor Murdoch.

Accolades & Titles

Throughout the 2000s, Cade received various accolades and tag team titles including and most notably winning the World Tag Team Champion title 3 times with Trevor Murdoch. Known as Cade and Murdoch, the tag team fought against opponents such as Triple H and Vince McMahon.

As winner of these matches, Cade gained superstar status among the likes of Chris Benoit, the Undertaker, and Eddie Guerrero. In 2008, Cade joined Chris Jericho, providing a new storyline within his wrestling career.

Unfortunately, he was dismissed from the WWE in October of 2008, but began appearing at the NWA Showcase. In early 2009, Cade once again visited Japan, participating in the main event match against Akebono. Still well-known in the pro-wrestling community, Cade wrestled with All Japan Pro Wrestling.

Lance Cade’s History Of Substance Abuse & Rehab

During his professional wrestling career in 2008, Cade had a seizure on a plane, requiring emergency care. Because of this prescription drug abuse, he was released by the WWE at the time.

In January 2010, Cade entered a rehab program. In addition to this, he completed a 30-day treatment program in February. Unfortunately just a few months later, Cade would return to drug use, leading to his accidental mixed drug overdose at the age of 29.

After Cade’s death, a discussion regarding the harmful physical effects of wrestling occurred, with wrestling compared to the National Football League (NFL) in terms of the number of concussions and injuries obtained.

Recovery Is Possible

Prescription drug abuse takes a toll on the body, and the death of Lance Cade serves as an important reminder that recovery is possible.

With professional treatment services, including medical detox and behavioral therapy, patients can overcome substance use disorder and live a healthy, fulfilling life. To learn about our addiction treatment services, please contact us today.