Dynamite D has passed away

[HybridProWrestling]

Someone just text me and said "D" died? I hope this isnt a sick joke

If its true, RIP D :(

Hes the man who trained me back in 2002. You will be missed

[Andrew]

I heard the same thing from someone else five or so minutes ago. Rick Knox mentioned that he wasn't doing well and was in the hospital.

[HybridProWrestling]

Yeap it is true. RIP D :(


I will try to get some benefit show going for him.


This sucks. :(

[SOCALSTRONGSTYLE]

That is very sad news. I first met D during the XPW days and he was always willing to give time to the fans. A very nice guy. He will be missed.

[DAREALGUMMY]

VERY sad news to hear. RIP D

[The Big Man]

Regardless of what it is, this sucks, but does anyone know a cause of death? Why was he in the hospital?

[emaxsaun]

RIP D :(

[Michael]

This is terrible and sad news as D was a great person. RIP D.

[Mercury_XXX]

Rest in Peace Darren!

It is an awful, awful feeling to know someone was taken from us way before they should have...

You will be missed,
Charles

[B.B.C]

I am very very sad to hear this terrible news.. I never had the pleasure of working a singles match with D, but I have been on many shows with him and he was always a gentleman with a great attitude and love for the business. My thought's and Prayers go out to his Family.
R.I.P D, you will be missed and will remain true a So Cal Legend in our hearts.


Bo

[Jonathan Barber756]

http://i18.tinypic.com/4bdrmaf.jpg

I miss you already, D.

[Furby]

R.I.P D....

[TheStepfather]

Someone just text me and said "D" died? I hope this isnt a sick joke

If its true, RIP D :(

Hes the man who trained me back in 2002. You will be missed

Yeah Johnny, it's true. D passed away wed.s evening. Got the call from one of the XPW workers late Wednesday and I'm in the process of passing the sad news to some of his other former students. D was a great teacher, one of the best. It's a huge loss to SoCal and to all of us blessed enough to have known him.

[CALIFORNIA OBSERVER]

D...true "OL SCHOOL"
Unreal.Too early
R.I.P

[caesaresp]

Prayers are with the D Family.

RIP The D

[SoCalFranchize]

R.I.P. D.

D was often the most entertaining part of XPW with the Mr. 80's gimmick. I know he was much much more than that, but that was the extent to which I came to know him, so thats all I feel qualified to comment on.

Only met the guy once or twice, and he seemed like a class act to me. Had the pleasure to call one of his matches for PCW. Was very underrated and underappreciated.

Tragic loss....thoughts and prayers.


Does anyone know cause of death? What happened that led him to be in the hospital in the first place?

Just curious.

[Old School Memphis]

Rest in Peace my brother. Too soon. Too fucking soon.

[filthylatinoheat]

R.I.P D i remember watching in the old xpw days to meeting u and working with u at GSCW. RIP brother u will be miss

[Favi Chulo]

D was always cool with me. Thats some sad news. If anyone knows of the funeral date or benifit show please post.............Favi

[Jason Bennett]

What terrible, terrible news. D was truly one of a kind. He came to a couple BiG Pro shows last year, and said some really nice things to me backstage. He really seemed to enjoy what we were doing, and encouraged us to keep up the good work. It was a helluva compliment and meant a lot to me. I can't help but laugh thinking about D taking on Da Bean head on here on the boards as well, that was some entertaining stuff right there. D, you will be truly missed my man. Rest in peace.

JB

[hero2none]

I had only known D for a bit of time. But every time we talked I learned something, big or small. I really don’t care what people feel about me but I really liked him and I was happy even for a bit of time to know the man. It’s very sad; I wish the best for his family and I will miss him.

[gurentai_pt1]

Sad to hear this.

D was first and foremost a really good guy. Also very good at explaining basics in the ring. Actually taught me my only two "manager bumps" that I know. Honored to have worked with him and also to have argued endlessly (yet cordially) about American style vs JPN style.

It never ceases to amaze me that so many assholes in the world roam free and nice people get clipped. Way too early.

RIP D :(

[Benjamin Tomas]

My thoughts and prayers are with D's family and friends. I didn't know him well, but I haven't heard bad things from anyone who did. I enjoyed his brief bit in Big Pro, when He was standing in our ring drinking beer and smoking a cigarette while I kept telling him to put it out.

[Billy Messiah]

If it was not for Darren there would be no "Messiah". I had my second match as "Messiah" with Darren in XPW. Because of what Darren and I did in that match my stock in XPW, and in Socal Wrestling rose. Darren made me that night, and I have never forgotten that. Darren was an incredible teacher when it came to pro-wrestling. He knew the mechanics of every move and he could tell you the history of the move as well. He was an incredible guy who had a passion and love for this business. I can't believe he's gone. I love and miss you D. You will always be the "World's Greatest Wrestler".

Billy "Messiah"


Paul T said
It never ceases to amaze me that so many assholes in the world roam free and nice people get clipped. Way too early.
I totally agree.

[Barry Shimauchi]

I read this on Joey Ryan's myspace. I thought it was interesting.



R.I.P. Dynamite D

I'm not going to sit here and say that I was good friends with him or even had a single conversation in person outside of a wrestling show, but Dynamite D was responsible for me going to my first indy show.

I was about 12 or 13 and Dynamite D was hosting a Cable Radio Network show called Wrestletalk. My brother and I used to listen to it all the time to get our wrestling scoops and often times even called in. Well through that show, my brother and I attended a Slammers event that D was promoting and were introduced to the world of indy wrestling.

It wasn't until years later when I was wrestling for RevPro that I actually got to meet him and he remembered me from calling in to his show. From then on when we'd see eachother at shows, we'd always make a joke reminiscing about the Cable Radio show. He always had a smile and was a pleasure to talk to. That smile will definitely be missed at shows.

My prayers go out to his family.

[Nick Marshall]

This is sad news indeed. D was always one of my favorite guys in XPW and one of the reasons I kept going to XPW for so long. I remember the match he had with Kaos at the TV title tourny as being one of the best matches XPW ever had. I was completely shocked when I logged onto scu today and see the top story on the front page about him dying. This is a sad day for Socal wrestling.

[Jason Bennett]

This is the first time a wrestler has passed that I actually knew and worked with.

D was a good guy and always very nice to me. I remember when I did my first PCW show in January of 03 and we had an angle where he and his manager were going to join my "Philly Connection" (until a wrestler named Mace and I double-crossed him). He was fun, he liked good music, and he was an all-around nice guy. I'm saddened by this loss and my thoughts go out to his loved ones, friends, and family.

RIP.

[Makavoll]

I worked with D in GXW that was my first break in the business. He didn't treat me like a young punk kid who didn't understand the business. He always listened to my ideas for storylines and at one point agreed to train me once he began working out again in the ring. I thank him for making me feel welcome. I thank him for taking time out on the phone even if he was too busy to speak. I think him for remebering my name instead of calling me "kid". I thank him for listening to my audio wrestling show when I know he could of been doing anything else. I wish I knew him more..I wish I could of picked his brain longer. But D will always be here thru the people he trained. And to the wrestlers and managers he's inspired. He will be missed.

Deshaun formerly Triple F

[childofthenight]

IT is sad when a great wrestler dies. but for someone to pass away so soon, that entirly diffrent. rest in peace dude. rest in piece.

[IGaveItFiveFarts]

I never got a chance to really interact with D outside of a show or two about a year ago, but all I know is that he contributed a lot more to the business than a lot of people realize, and from all that I've heard, was a class act if there ever was one.

R.I.P. D.

Way, way too soon.

[Jay Cal]

My condolences.

[WEBB]

My very first match was against Tyrone "Tiny" Little(Uncle Jess Hanson in UIWA/Sybil in XPW) in Bakersfield, and that debut was moved up a couple weeks before i was told it would happen. My first pair of boots weren't finished being made yet, so my teacher, my friend, my brother Dynamite D held up his own war-torn pair of boots and said, "see if these fit you." They fit perfectly, so i went to the ring, performing for about 40 people, getting my ass thoroughly squashed like a green-horn rookie is supposed to.....it's sad that it's so difficult to just say "thank you" or "i love you, ya big douche" to your friends on the regular when they're here for you everyday, and even if you do it's never enough; never as much as it should be.

When i saw him in the hospital a few weeks ago, i had no intention of saying "good-bye" to him. Had he been asleep at the time, anyone walking into that room would assume that he was on life support. When he was awake though, he left you with the impression that the only thing wrong was he got stuck with an uncomfortable bed. I'm just glad that i got to see him and watch his eyes light up when his friends came to visit him. His parents thank all of you who were able to visit. It meant a lot to him and to them, too.

[patrick hernandez]

darren: Thank you for your guidence and training into the world you loved so much the world of "professional wrestling". If it wasn't for you Kevin, Ed, Jess and Webb plus numerous others, i would'nt be the referee i am today. XPW would not have started if it wasn't for you, and i thank you for letting me be part of it. You truly are the "worlds greatest wrestler" and i know in heaven you are giving the giants of wrestling the match of their lives. Represent socal proud dynamite, i will miss you and i love you thank you for eveything you did for me.

rest in peace

[TheDuckman]

May you rest in peace, D. You'll certainly be missed.

[MPW ADRIAN]

Like Joey Ryan, my first exposure to D was through Wrestletalk. I remember it was on the preview channel and I would sit on the floor watching the scroll of channels while listening to the show. My first exposure to socal wrestling and "insider" information.

D was always entertaining in whatever capacity he was in, posting on this board, doing a promo, or in the ring. Dude seemed like he'd be around socal forever, popping up every once and again in whatever promotion needed a hand. It's a damn travesty that he won't be.

[thediesel]

I did not have the pleasure to really get to know D and really explore that brilliant wrestling mind that he had. But around a year ago when I was working in GXW with him, I was very nervous and shy because this was one of my first wrestling jobs. I didn't want to look dumb or say anything foolish around the workers so I kinda kept to myself and most of the workers stayed away from me.

D wasn't like that.

From day 1, D treated me with respect. He treated me like I was a 10 year veteran. I wasn't treated like a 'rookie' or a 'kid who wants to get into the business', he treated me like I was on his level. And that's something I will always remember about him: his kindness towards everyone.

Like I said earlier, I did not get the opportunity to spend a lot of time with him, but I'm honored to be able to say that I got to meet him and that I got the opportunity to work some shows in GXW with him.

R.I.P. D, you will be missed



Josh

'Christian Rosenberg'

[JRWilliams]

RIP Dynamite D.

[Jdog4200]

Regardless of what it is, this sucks, but does anyone know a cause of death? Why was he in the hospital?

Here's what the observer said about his death:

--Darren McMillan (Dynamite D), a Southern California indie wrestler of the 90s, passed away last night from complications from cancer. He worked with Wreslting Society X as the coordinator for the pilot episode, and used to host a radio show on wrestling on the Cable Radio Network. He was also the office manager at the old Slammers Wrestling School from 1990 to 1996 as well as at the old XPW school.

[David J. Getz]

Darrens family wanted me to pass along the following information.
Darren passed away Wednesday night from a rare cancerous tumor on his lungs. He recently had chemotharphy treatment and was released from the hospital to spend Easter with his family. He was taken back to the hospital Tuesday and sadly passed away on Wednesday night. I, along with his family was at his bedside durring his final hours and can tell you Darren was very peace full and not in any pain.
There will be a memorial service open to the public at 2 p.m. on Sunday April 22nd at Sunland Neighborhood Church 10632 Oro Vista Ave Sundland Ca 91040 (www.snchurch.com)
In lue of flowers the family will be setting up a memorial scholorshp for Darren's neices Caitlyn & Allison and his nephew Ethan, who meant the world to him. There will be more information at the service.
The family would like to make the memorial service a celebration of Darrens life. Please come and share your stories and photos with Darrens family and friends.
On a peronal note;
Dynamite D was old school and he was wrestling.
He loved the business, be it wrestling, promoting, teaching or working backstage, he was wrestling.
It didn't matter if he was curtain jerking, mid card jobbing, or working the main event, he was wrestling.
He knew the name on the marquee was wrestling, and if he was on the card you knew you where going to get an entertaining match.
It didn't matter if it was in hollywood, bakersfield, or in front of 50 people in a run down gym, he gave it his all.
He wasn't above putting over other workers and not worring about his spot. He did what was good for the business.
He got upset when people broke kayfabe, but eventually got over it. He appreciated all the fans who would come out to support wrestling.
Dynamtie D was wrestling and he was my best friend.

[Indy]

credit Wrestling Observer
Darren McMillan (Dynamite D), a Southern California indie wrestler of the 90s, passed away last night from complications from cancer. He worked with Wreslting Society X as the coordinator for the pilot episode, and used to host a radio show on wrestling on the Cable Radio Network. He was also the office manager at the old Slammers Wrestling School from 1990 to 1996 as well as at the old XPW school.
RIP DYNAMITE D :( :( :(

[SterYetness]

http://thexpw.com/

For friends, colleagues, and fans wishing to attend the funeral services for
Dynamite D, they will be taking place on Sunday, April 22.
According to his family, this will be a short ceremony followed by a
"celebration of Darren's life." Attendees will be encouraged to share their
stories and memories of D.

The service will take place:
Sunday, April 22nd @ 2:00pm
Sunland Neighborhood Church
10632 Oro Vista Ave.
Sunland, CA 91040
Church phone #: (818) 352-3186 (Call during the week if you need directions
as there is no receptionist on weekends)

Dress code: dress as you wish, casual or formal

[StAnger4Life]

Friend.Brother,Teacher.These are words that could describe three different men.Yet all were so poignantwhen describing a man named Darren.

Sure, he wasn't the biggest in the squared circle.But to limit his influence to just four corners of the squared circle would do a true disservice.He was much more than that. Even if he only knew you in passing, he was quick to say akind word or extend a warm handshake.That was just his nature.To those who traveled up and down the roads with him and built wrestling empires from virtual obscurity,he was "D".And the D stood for whatever positive adjective you could come up with:dedication,desire,dignity.I could go on for hours.In an era where style nearly outweighs substance, he was the benchmark for what a performer was all about.He brought out the best in his students,his fellow workers,his friends.And maybe we have forgotten what being a decent human being is all about and only now,in mourning,do we realize what we have all lost.Legend.Icon.These are words we toss around with no regard to whom we affix them to.

As I sit here and pen this piece,I can think of no more deserving person to bestow thos etitles to than Darren McMillan aka Dynamite D.Not because he's no longer with us.Not because he needs themJust because.And isn't that really enough.Take care my friend.You are truly dynamite

[Weapon]

Dynamite D trained me as "The Walking Weapon" at Slammers way back in the day. I had my first match with him during the tournament to crown the first-ever champion. He carried me through; his confidence and enthusiasm were contagious. It's been years since I last saw him (or pretty much anyone else in wrestling), but I still remember him as being a great performer in the ring and a down-to-earth guy out of the ring. Another case of one being taken too soon.

Godspeed, Darren.

Ben

[StAnger4Life]

If life is fair

Then why do I cry

As my friend ascends

Into the sky



I know I should be happy

I should feel no shame

Forever will he live

In the back of my brain



But at this moment

I cannot hold

My eyes well up

My heart you cannot console



I know he's entered the squared circle

Up in the sky

But still I ask

Why God Why



Perhaps I'll never know

And maybe that's best

But he passed with flying colors

Life's greatest tests



To one man a brother

To many a friend

This is just the beginning

This is not the end



He's the new kid

Up in that block

Showin' St. Peter

A figure four leglock



He was certainly a treasure

I think all would agree

You could not spell pro wrestling

Without the letter D

Scott A Abeyta

I dedicate this all those whose lives were touched by a man who was larger in life than we will ever know.Take care and God Bless my friend.Heaven is better for you.So are we

[phantomlord]

Patrick, Billy and Mace say it all. It still seems so surreal; D you will be missed.

Rest In Peace, I know you are not suffering now and pain free. The loss is ours and your family's, let's all send them thoughts as they grasp with this.

I never worked XPW, but our paths crossed doing shows like MPW, GSCW, PCW, SCCW, FCW, WSX. He was always someone you looked forward to seeing and talking with at the shows, he was always so happy and full of life. He was always smiling. That's probably what I personally will remember most about him, his grinny smile. There was a young worker or two on here who pointed out that D went out of his way to make you feel comfortable and welcome in the locker room; I, too, remember that feeling from him after I first started working outside of feds like UPW, EWF, and IWC and started finding myself in locker rooms with XPW guys whom I barely knew... D, was one of the boys who was always there, welcoming me, and smiling that grin I will always miss.

Fly Like An Angel

-R. Knox

[ErictheRef]

Not only was Dynamite D a class-act, he was also a friend & mentor to all. In the past 2-3 years that i have had the privilege of knowing D, he was always willing to help out. If it wasn't for guys like D, Patrick Hernandez, Rick Sadist, Alex Knight (& a few others) helping me out & offering me advice, i would just be some guy in a referee shirt with no clue on how this business really works.


Thanks for all the advice & memories .... you will be greatly missed!


RIP



- Eric Melikian (Referee)

[Haggard]

D was my trainer in XPW

He was always teaching me thing inside and outside of the ring.

I even had the pleasure of wrestling him.

Im speachless as I didnt even know he was sick.

I deeply regret not being able to pay him back in some way for all that he has done for me.

I remember when I first got the RCG gimmick, It was D who gave up his own singlet for me to use.
I still have it to this day, and will cheresh it deeply.

R.I.P

[sdfan]

My very first match was against Tyrone "Tiny" Little(Uncle Jess Hanson in UIWA/Sybil in XPW) in Bakersfield, and that debut was moved up a couple weeks before i was told it would happen. My first pair of boots weren't finished being made yet, so my teacher, my friend, my brother Dynamite D held up his own war-torn pair of boots and said, "see if these fit you." They fit perfectly, so i went to the ring, performing for about 40 people, getting my ass thoroughly squashed like a green-horn rookie is supposed to.....it's sad that it's so difficult to just say "thank you" or "i love you, ya big douche" to your friends on the regular when they're here for you everyday, and even if you do it's never enough; never as much as it should be.




I was lucky enough to be at that particular show. D was a really nice guy every time I came in contact with him. This is sad news on a lot of levels

[Negativeon61]

Back in 1998 I saw my first indy show. It was an SCCW show at Poly High School in the Auditorium. The stand out match from that night was Dynamite D vs. The Samoan Kid. They used a very simple angle that anyone could follow to build the match. D interviewed the Samaon Kid who attaked D halfway through the match prompting the match later in the night. It's simple wrestling Psychology 101 but it worked to a tea because when Darren was getting pounded the crowd including myself began to chant, "DDDYYYNNAAAMMIITTEE, DDDYYYNNNAAAMMIIITTTEE". D made his comeback and won the match to the joy of all 100 people in the building.

I talked to D about becomeing a wrestler and about 3 months later I dropped out of High School to train full time with both SCCW and IWF. Although it was Cincinnati Red that was my trainer, D was the wrestler that convinced me that if I was willing to take the bumps and the punishment I could be a wrestler someday. Keep in mind I was all od 5'9 and 135 pounds soaking wet.

I did my tour of duty in the wreslting business and enjoyed it very much. After I stopped wrestling I did something that to me was equally as much of a long shot. I became a police officer for the Los Angeles School Police Department. I've felt many times the direct connection that wreslting had with me being able to become a cop. I had learned that the best things in life require committment, and are by no means easy to achieve. You have to fight for what you want and not let anyone tell you that you're to small or to young or not strong enough.

Thank you Darren for opening perhaps the most important door I've ever walked through. Thank you for giving a 17 year old kid the oppurtunity to live his dream even it was just for a little while. Thank you for paying me $20.00 out of your own pocket when that skum bag promoter in antellope valley took off with the gate half way through the show. Thank you for explaining to me that a headlock has way more to it then just putting your arms around the other guys head and squeezing. Thank you for being Dynamite D.

I will miss you very much. I will carry you kindness in my heart and will be forever greatful for knowing you.

My patrol area ironically is the city of Sun Valley. The high school in that area is Poly High School. Every time I walk past the auditorium I will think of you and smile.

I love you brother, via con dios.

Sincerly,
Paul V.
also known for a short time as "Lethal" Logan X

[The No-Holds Bard]

I did not know Dynamite D personally. I heard about his passing and that he sometimes posted here as Ed Murphy. I do remember his '80s gimmick from the few XPW shows I attended but don't really recall much else of him. But I did take the time to read through this entire thread and it made me want to cry because of how so many people spoke so wonderfully about him. Suddenly I see so many new junior members coming here and creating an account probably just to post their stories of Dynamite D, and I find that remarkable. I felt deeply saddened for everybody because of D's untimely death as I read everybody's own personal, wonderful stories. My sincere condolences go out to the friends, family, loved ones, and all of you here who have remembered D so fondly and will miss him terribly.

[Diablo]

Sadly I will never get to shake D's hand again... just like I said I would. Rest in Peace sir. You will forever be remembered as a class act.

Back in the XPW days, it was always such a pleasure to go out to eat after the show... with the "boys". We had our favorite places (that Supreme would always pick of course), & one of them was a kick ass rock-n-roll diner- somewhere near the Grand Olympic. On more than one occasion I sat across the table from D, as him & the rest of the guys talked about that nights show... what went right, & what went wrong. There was always good laughs amidst the good food... & I lived for those moments as well as the live events themselves.

Supreme was my friend, & my mentor. I loved him like a brother... but 1st & foremost, I was his #1 "fan". Thru him I met alot of the XPW workers I admired- Dynamite D included. I lived from month to month to attend the live XPW events... & see the performers, who had become my "friends", bust their asses to put on some of the GREATEST shows I've ever been to.

As I got more involved in the "business"... helping Henry Luna start G.S.C.W. from the ground up- it was always a pleasure (& an honor) to see my XPW friends that I looked up to... guys like Kaos & Messiah. Dynamite D (along with Sylvia & myself)was a part of the backstage team that made G.S.C.W. the success it was, when we moved from the Anaheim Marketplace... to Newhall. Those were hectic & somewhat fucked up... but equally good times.

When I made the move to AWS... I eventually ended up working WITH my old XPW "friends" Supreme & Kaos- in an angle that eventually pitted us against their old rival Messiah & his CZW team. That fued culminated in a steel cage elimination death match... with me & Dynamite D on opposite sides OUTSIDE the cage. In one exchange he slammed my head into the cage- it was such fun! In another we traded blows back & forth, before he kicked my in the gut & threw me across the AWS arena floor (See the AWS "Halloween Slaughterhouse" DVD- it's ALL there!). It was my proudest day in AWS... but unfortunately, at that time, also my LAST. I haven't seen or spoken to Supreme or Kaos since then (I am however BACK in AWS... working in the store with Bart.).

Dynamite D was the first person I went to in the back after that show... apologizing for fucking up one of his spots, & for accidentally hitting him once too hard on the lip (he gave back as good he got though... watch the DVD. lol. ). We shook hands & laughed & he said "It's allright man... you're still green." I took that as the highest compliment from a guy I respected (Messiah on the other hand always thought I sucked... & along with Supreme & Kaos- hates me to this day I'm sure.). I will forever look at that day as my highest achievement, in a business I had hoped to continue working in.

Even though all of those above mentioned guys probably still think of me as nothing more than a "mark"... or worse still, an asshole... Dynamite D I believe knew there was nothing but GOOD feelings... & RESPECT between us. If I am wrong... may he forgive me in heaven.

I am extremely saddened to write all of these things here... after he is GONE. Never getting that chance to shake his hand & tell him personally- like he KNEW I would. I pray it will not be the death of any one of my other old "friends"... or myself, before we take a moment to think just HOW special we were to each other... & that we might all be able to be "friends" once again. If this teaches me anything...

It's that life is just to fucking short... & harboring regrets SUCKS. :(

[Mace the Ref]

When I heard from Kevin this past week that Darren was sick, so many things flew through my mind. Why somebody so young with such a great mind. Darren got me into this wacky world of wrestling back in '94. As many, I listened to Wrestletalk on CRN and was a regular caller. Even was a special guest in studio one time. When I turned 18, I enrolled at Slammers. D treated us all like brothers. He would have done anything for any of us. I finally had the pleasure of wrestling D outside of Slammer back in 2004 (?) for PCW. From SWF to SCCW to XPW, D was always like a brother and always ready to talk. I will miss you D, you were truely one of a kind. Rest in peace my friend.

Dave

[MachineGunMark]

well im no wrestler, but for the short time i worked in XPW D was always a super nice guy. he was always polite and knew what to say.

D, you will be missed in the SoCal scene.

RIP D!!!!!

[Photofreak]

My condolences to his family. RIP Dynamite D you will be missed

[unopeneddoor]

I only got to meet him face to face on one occassion, but he was a friend to a good friend of mine.

A class act and very passionate about wrestling.

RIP.

[steve hernandez]

It seems like only yesterday that I was listening to Dynamite D on Wrestltalk on the CRN while growing up in Sunland,Ca. I remember watching you prosper in the world of pro wrestling with Webb, Samoan Kid, Jess, Danny, Kris, Kevin and my brother Patrick, and it was truly an honor.While working security at XPW shows you always treated me like"one of the boys" and for that I thank you.I will remember the times we would go to a local restaurant in the valley and talk wrestling with the guys. You always treated my wife Evelyn and my children with respect and for that they thank you. You are truly an icon in this sport and you will be missed but never forgotten in my thoughts and prayers. We will meet again my friend. Rest in peace D.

[Adriana De Leon]

Nine years ago I had the honor of meeting the man who was to become the Legend of So Cal Wrestling. Thinking back to that time of being in the background of all the activity, Darren always made sure I was taken care of. His was the shoulder I leaned on when things would go horribly wrong and the one to celebrate with when all was right. For that and so much more, I am grateful. It goes without saying what a great void this will leave in our lives. We miss you.

[THeNeMeSiS]

Hey all,

I just found out the news last night..... and to be honest with you, I'm still having trouble digesting it. I must have been, 12 or 13 (I'm 25 now) when I first watched D wrestle in a little sweat box in Sun Valley that held maybe 100 people called Slammers Wrestling Gym. I remember D coming out as the manager for some little bald dude who ate toe jam called The Gargoyle. I still remember when I took my buddy Luis to a Slammers show (we were both about 13) and the second Dynamite D hit the ring, Luis was on his feet. He had never seen him before, but just the way that dude would get in there and work the crowd to the point of firing a massive snot-rocket towards the first row was f'n pricecless. If I remember it right.... there was once a heckler about 4 or 5 rows back and D just launched and snot-rocket that cleared the guy by about 4 or 5 feet.... and D was nearly 15 feet from him to begin with! Ahhhh, good times..... you were one of the greats in and out of the ring D, I'll miss you always...... R.I.P

"DJ"

[Big Bear Calhoun]

I first met Dynamite D in August-1994 after seeing a Slammers Show in Bakersfield Ca. I went to a tryout at the Slammers School at the time I was around 540 pounds soaking wet. And a lot of people were very negative about my chanches of ever making my dream of becoming a Pro Wrestler come true. D along with Bruce Bodine, Johnny Webb and Tiny Big Jess Little were on hand that first day and what a day it turned out to be. I was tested in every way. D never treated me in any way but professional. The fact that I was as big as I was never made a difference to him and if it did he never showed it. Messiah, Mace and Homeless Jimmy were all with me that day along with other dear friends that I have and will always keep close to my heart. D trained me along with Hombre de Oro AKA Carlito Montana and Jess. After leaving Slammers I went out working for many Indy Feds. Every time I worked and or went to a show in the LA area D was there and he always greeted me with a big smile, firm hand shake and or a hug. I could always count on D to be straight with me. He was a true Professional. After I suffered my leg injury I was not sure I would be able to return to the ring. D called me at home and talked to me and helped me through my recovery. I am saddend that I was not awaare that he had become ill. After speaking with Jess on Saturday night I was very upset and hesitant to go on this board today. But I feel it is important for me to show my most humble respect and sincere condolences for his family. My life was and forever will be different and may I say better for knowing D. As he looks down on us all I know he is smiling.



I may be fat, but I'm still all that!

[JuggalOutkAxt]

Dynamite D... I remember Leroy telling me about how D gave him the RCG singlet before and how D taught and trained him. I remember D being one of the nicest So. Cal Wrestling scene people EVER. It was fun taking pictures of and working with him during FCW, XPW, SCCW, etc.

This one moment I remember having with him was at an FCW show at The Grand Olympic...it was at the end...Me, D, Messiah, Supreme and Spyder Nate Webb were at the gate on the side of the GOA where fans were trying to get autographs...I was next to D with my camera and he was trying to calm everybody down and telling them to leave...it was some hilarious shit...because he was in a suit and looked as if he was a president or something surrounded by people, so he did the Richard Nixon hand gestures...I should upload the video on youtube or myspace one day....

my condolences go out towards the family and friends of D...
thanks for all the great XPW memories...I could never forget seeing you LIVE @ BAPTIZED in BLOOD 2 where you dressed up like The Million Dollar Man and had an actual WRESTLING MATCH with NEWJACK until he started using weapons! damn, man.. why do alot of these nice guys like you have to die so fuckin early!???
R.I.P. have fun up there in heaven entertaining everyone up there! much love and God Bless.
Amen.

-Glen C. :(

[Justin Crast]

Rest in peace, Dynamite D. All your wrestling accomplishments have been mentioned, but your contributions to the board helped liven up and make SCU interesting as well.

[RevProT]

Wow, I too heard from I think Rick Knox about his not doing well, but wow.

Everything's pretty much been said, but what sticks out in my mind from working with him and being around So-Cal for the last several years, is whenever you went into a locker room and went around and shook people hands, some just shake and barely said hi, D always took the time to truly welcome you and strike up a conversation. When some former star in wrestling goes we all feel it, but when it's so close to home, in the small little family we have here in So-Cal, it hurts.

D stood for what is missing in wrestling today and I for one hope that everyone remembers how much he loved this business for so many years, and how much he touched just about every person in the scene. I can just picture him walking through the gates up there, going around, and shaking everyones hand.

[SCOOTERLOWE35]

I had the pleasure of talking with Dynamite D on his old "WrestleTalk" show on CRN, which I got as part of my cable service. He sensed I was "old school" in my train of thought and he would go into riffs about the old school stuff that he really seemed to appreciate, and others would not.

He will be missed, no two ways about it.

Tragic -- plain and simple.

[corpseman up]

I would like to pay my respects to D. I had the honor to work with him a few years back and he was a really great guy. You will be missed D.

[Jonathan Barber756]

http://www.declarationofindependents.net/doi/pages/jbondobld.html

I only knew Darren McMillan for the final two years of his life, but I'm privileged and thankful to be able to consider him my friend based on that period of time.

When I think of Darren, two of the first words to come to mind are "thoughtful" and "genuine." Darren's great heart made him so easy to get along with. He was *genuinely* (that's the key word) concerned that whoever he was interacting with was having a good day.

I feel satisfied with my last conversation with Darren because it was a rewarding one. Darren seemed so flattered when I mentioned that I had spotted his name in the million-miles-per-hour scrolling credits at the end of a WSX episode.

But Darren, *I* should've been the one who was proud of *YOU*!

Speaking of WSX, one thing I can be happy about is that before he passed, Darren witnessed the first season of WSX unfold on MTV. It was a fitting last couple months of his life to be able to see so many of his buddies appear on national TV doing the thing they loved most in life. I know he was proud of them, and his getting credited as "Talent Coordinator" was just the icing on the cake.

Two other words that come to mind when I think of Darren are "fair" and "respectful." He treated everybody equally and respectfully in a business where such qualities are sorely lacking.

Even beyond his inexpressibly great character, Darren was a professional wrestler. He desired to fit into the "new breed" of wrestling, but at the same time, he also sought to *maintain* the old school roots under which he was trained---the guy who trained him, Verne Langdon, was introduced to the business by Lou Thesz, among other legends.

Darren accomplished this delicate balance. How, you ask? He did it by playing a character called "Mr. 80's," which entailed Darren wrestling traditional matches on cards that were filled largely with gore. It needs to be mentioned that although most people will probably never get the opportunity to see them because of their rarity on tape, his matches with Hombre de Oro/Carlito Montana represented truly *professional* wrestling as it is supposed to be.

"Mr. 80's" was one of the most likeable characters in XPW. The mark of a good wrestling babyface is when you can convince a whiny 2-year-old girl, a rowdy teenager, an upstanding middle-aged man, and a soft-spoken little old lady to cheer for you.

That's what "Dynamite D" did every night! D appealed to the cartoon nature that kids adore as well as to the old-time fans who saw him as delivering a dose of '80's nostalgia right into their laps, and even to the technical purists who desperately wanted to believe that XPW was more than just violence, and when D was in the ring, they were shown that indeed it was.

Darren took pride in portraying the "Mr. 80's" character. Some of the people he had plans to impersonate but never got the chance to for whatever reason include Paul E. Dangerously and The Junkyard Dog (both at Go Funk Yourself, but Rob Black turned him down…"One of [Rob's] many mistakes in my book and yet another one of my genius on-the-spot suggestions," he said.).

Darren knew that his portrayal of the "Mr. 80's" gimmick was something special when Sabu developed a routine of coming up to him before each XPW show to shake his hand before quickly asking which legend he was going to masquerade as later that night.

Darren's contributions to the wrestling business spanned more than 15 years. A large number of the wrestlers, referees, and managers on the So-Cal wrestling scene had their very first exposure to professional wrestling NOT through live shows, and not even though TV, but rather by way of Darren's Saturday night radio show "WrestleTalk." In fact, one can see many of the old "WrestleTalk" fans come out of the wood work by checking out this message board thread: http://www.socaluncensored.com/board/showthread.php3?t=12683.

After the WrestleTalk era, Darren continued to pass his knowledge down at both the Slammers Wrestling Gym and the XPW Aslyum. His trainees will testify to the fact that he *genuinely* wanted them to succeed in professional wrestling.

I am sure that Darren is in a better place now. I can see him kicking back in the company of his late XPW buddies such as Big Dick Dudley, Public Enemy, and Chris Candido in the skies above.

And every Saturday night…

maybe…

just maybe…

Darren is having…

among the company of other deceased wrestling talents…

the five-star matches…

that made "Dynamite D" so great.

Thanks, Darren.

Your friend,

Jonathan Barber

Contact: Piratez4v3go2@aol.com

[Jonathan Barber756]

Here are new, never-before-released photos of Darren “Dynamite D” McMillan with people such as Terry Funk - http://www.geocities.com/xpw5yearslater/dpics.htm

These are of a younger Darren before many of us fans saw him in XPW, but even then, just like he was up until the day of his passing, he was "THE WORLD'S GREATEST WRESTLER."

WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU, D, GOD BLESS!