MARK THOMAS SMITH

We regularly pay tribute to Mark on our show as he was a great friend to me & Russ "Buddy Sotello" Jackman from his earliest APW matches in front of people, on thru his Noah/Japan and Pro W Iron promotional days. But last Sunday, Russ brought his name up becaude the anniversary date was upon us, and we spent more time talking about what a great guy he was to us all & how much he's still missed by everyone. Dr Mike Lano, [email protected]. We Miss U, Bison! Combate Kurosai

I managed Mark Smith as Super Destroyer 2000 in APW when my career started as Buddy Sotello Esq. I also went on to be his "mortal enemy" in Pro Wrestling Iron, managing against him in many matches. I always looked forward to working shows with Mark; he helped me realize my dreams working with such a positive professional. Mark was more than that; he was a noble knight in a profession that doesn't always value that quality. He was always honest, hard working and the ultimate professional...

very cool cat and fun to hang with.....i know i will think of the few fun memorys i got to have with him....you will be missed BISON....god speed to your family and trust he is with his maker and booking great stuff! much love to the smith family and our deeepest condolences.....

---The Ripps'
Jimmy Ripp
TJ Ripp (son)
Becky Ripp (Wife)
Nikki Ripp (daughter)

Mark, or Bison as I knew you from wrestling. I will be forever grateful for the time and attention you took out of your busy schedule to respond to emails and myspace messages years ago to provide me answers to questions and valuable tips about making it in pro-wrestling in the US, Puerto Rico and Japan. You were even gracious enough to provide me with your personal address to send a tape of my work which you personally critiqued. I will never forget it and just wish I could of had the...

Mark was always a great friend to us in wrestling. I'm a long-time photographer/columnist and shot pictures of Mark training before he broke in at APW and then his first match in front of an actual audience there. He was managed by a legit friend of his early on there(Buddy Sotello) and they stayed pals to this day, and during the move to IRON. Mark became a huge indie star and then an int'l one in Japan, Puerto Rico, ROH and we all suffered this loss. He was taken from his loving family...

Mark was always a great friend to us in wrestling. I'm a long-time photographer/columnist and shot pictures of Mark training before he broke in at APW

May your memories of the wonderful times you shared with your loved one comfort you and your family, today and always.

To say that I'm still saddened and shocked by Mark's death would be an understatement. I miss him a lot.

He had an old-school mentality when it came to earning respect and treating people the right way. He genuinely loved his job and his family. One of the wrestlers he faced in his final match in Japan recounted that before their bout, he was showing them pictures of his family and just talking about how happy he was with the way things were going.

I extend my best...