By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

Mike Bell, who wrestled briefly for WWE several years ago, was found dead on Sunday at a Newport Beach, Calif. rehab home where he had been clean of substance abuse for 60 days. He was 37 years old.

"He had decided it was time to clean up his act," Chris Bell, of the "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" documentary, told Phil Strum in the Poughkeepsie Journal. "He was 60 days clean and sober and that was a first for him. For our family, it was a big accomplishment for him."

In the "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" documentary, Mike was a focal point for trying to find happiness in life through unhealthy levels of competition while trying to do anything possibly to make it as a wrestler.

Mike's history included prescription painkiller and alcohol abuse to cope with injuries and trying to push himself to be successful.

"He was always wrestling, he was a personal trainer, he was always pushing his body to the max," Chris Bell told the Orange County Register.

Asked whether wrestling should be blamed for contributing to his brother's death, Chris said, "You can't really blame wrestling, but it's kind of the lifestyle. You have a couple of painkillers to get to the next match, have a couple drinks night to night, and it gets out of hand."

WWE issued a statement earlier this week, which read: "Although Mr. Bell was never under a WWE contract, WWE extends its deepest condolences to the Bell Family."

Links: Poughkeepsie Journal article with Chris Bell interview and Orange County Register article.

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