| Graduation Year | Class of 1969 |
| Date of Passing | Oct 23, 2010 |
| About | Kim Michael Porter Birth: January 14, 1951, Butte County, California Death: October 23, 2010, Hollywood, California From Slam Wrestling: http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling Former WWE Ring Announcer Kim Michael Porter Dies Former WWE ring announcer Michael Porter passed away on Saturday at his residence in Los Angeles, California. He was 59. The official cause is currently unknown, though he visited the cardiologist a few days ago. Porter, who was profiled by SLAM! Wrestling back in 2007, worked for the WWE from 1988-93, primarily as a ring announcer on the west coast. Porter is also known for his wrestling newsletter, Michael Porter's Wrestlebeat, and radio show Michael Porter's Wrestleshoot. He also was a professional singer and comedian. His official web page had the following:"We are deeply saddened by the sudden news of the passing of Kim Michael Porter. Porter was found dead at his residence in Los Angeles. He was 59." Besides working as a ring announcer, Porter worked for the WWE in other capacities, including working security at WrestleMania VII at the L.A. Sports Arena and on the ring set-up crew. He also was a ring announcer for several independent promotions, and hosted a short-lived TV show, UWA WrestleShoot TV. "I am deeply and truly saddened by this terrible news," write longtime friend and webmaster Mike Summers on Porter's website. "We are all in shock and sadness. My thoughts and prayers go out to the direct family of Michael. He will deeply be missed." "He was a great friend," Summers told SLAM! Wrestling. "Someone who had such a passion for the business, even after his days with WWE was over. I enjoyed seeing him in 1992 at a WWE house show in Chico, CA. Met him in 1997 and I haven't stopped being entertained since." There are no plans at the moment for a tribute show for Porter. More details will become available about his death at a later time. From Wikipedia: Michael Porter (professional wrestling) Michael Porter (born Kim Michael Porter, January 14, 1951-October 23, 2010) was an American professional wrestling ring announcer and internet radio host. Porter was born in Gridley, California, and began his career in 1969 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region working under the guidance of legendary promoters Roy Shire, Louie Miller and Terry Garvin. Porter was best known for working as a house show ring announcer for the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) from 1988 to 1993 (mostly on the west coast, including the historic Cow Palace in San Francisco, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena - now Oracle Arena - in Oakland and ARCO Arena - now Power Balance Pavilion - in Sacramento). He worked security at WrestleMania VII at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1991. He had announced for such independent feds such as the United Wrestling Alliance (Marysville, California) in 2002-2003, Pro Championship Wrestling (Oroville, California) in 2006 and Devil Mountain Wrestling (Martinez, California) in 2007-2008. Porter hosted a pro wrestling interview program Michael Porter's WrestleShoot, which started as a weekend radio show on Marysville, California, radio station KMYC-AM 1410 and aired there during 2004 and 2005. The show was later broadcast on on the internet radio network, Blog Talk Radio. Porter interviewed varying levels of talent from independent stars to members of the WWE Hall of Fame. He also co hosted the popular Cloverleaf Radio on the same channel. Porter remained close friends with many WWE stars like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Koko B. Ware, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Honky Tonk Man and Mean Gene Okerlund. Porter died on October 23, 2010, at his home in Hollywood, California. Wacko Bob & Rick Ryder would reunite with their old wrestling radio show The Dark Match and pay tribute to Michael Porter only a few days after his death with The Stro and Bill Apter as guest on the show. Career Highlights: World Wrestling Federation Ring Announcer/Security/Ring Crew (House shows, 1988-1993) United Wrestling Alliance UWA Commissioner (2003) UWA Hardcore Champion (2003) Pro Championship Wrestling Ring Announcer (2005) Devil Mountain Wrestling Ring Announcer (2007) |
