Referee Sean Patrick O’Brien (SPO) Passes Away; Wrestling World Reacts
Rest in peace, SPO.
Unfortunately, the independent wrestling world lost one of its beloved members as referee Sean Patrick O’Brien, aka SPO, passed away on March 17, 2023.
In the wake of this news, several in the wrestling world have taken to Twitter to share memories of SPO, reflect on his life, and more.
You can see some of the responses below:
Sean was a great person. Hilarious to talk to and a great person to vent to. Rest in peace my friend –️—- #spo https://t.co/pFGVDe9e2D
— JUDI WRASSLER (@wrasslerjudirae) March 18, 2023
In the future Tonight’s #PFX16 event will be referenced by everyone as “The SPO show”.
We In Here!!!
TONIGHT will be one of the hardest & emotional shows we will ever run but it’s all for you @officialspo502
— dannydemanto (@dannydemanto) March 18, 2023
RIP SPO. —
this is awful. has me feeling sick to my stomach. was just busting balls with him a week or two ago. so sad. prayers up for his family.
— Campbell Myers (@CampbellMyers_) March 18, 2023
We were going to announce another match today, but it doesn’t feel appropriate knowing our friends and family are grieving the loss of referee SPO.
Today, we’re striving to be like SPO.
Tell your people you love them.
Take the photos.
Support indie wrestling. pic.twitter.com/NovTykEgfP— SUMMIT Pro (@SummitProIndy) March 18, 2023
The energy and good vibes all night on social media about SPO proves just one thing….
It’s proof of just how huge of an impact he made in all of our short lives.
This one will sting for a bit.
SPO is family —— https://t.co/hqJIlsGbLa
— Otis Cogar (@Otis_Cogar) March 18, 2023
Man no fucking way. Me and SPO used to smoke together every thursday at the Arena at IWA and always had the best conversations some i’ll never forget. Was such a great guy, great father, and loved this sport. I love you forever my friend– Rest easy. pic.twitter.com/6U4y5zzS9u
— Hunter Drake– (@the_hunterdrake) March 18, 2023
You left an impact & impression on people most wish they could leave behind. A true genuine person who was nothing but loving and would ride for all his friends. First hand got to watch me grow & every time would tell me how proud of me he was after a match. I love you SPO
— Chase Holliday (@ChaseHollidayX) March 18, 2023
SPO. —- pic.twitter.com/KnAI92Y3Yf
— TAIGASTYLE (@theleemoriarty) March 18, 2023
Tell those close you love them. We lost a wonderful human being in SPO. Spread as much love as you can. Call those friends and tell them you love them.
Forgive others. Be kind.— Vinny Pacifico (@VinnyPacifico1) March 18, 2023
RIP SPO
Such a loss for the community I don’t have any words https://t.co/ScpWiPk36W
— Dan the Dad ダン・ザ・ダッド (@ThanksDanTheDad) March 18, 2023
rest in peace spo. our different schedules didn’t allow us to see each other often but it was all love each time. you will be missed. https://t.co/QcDjl6JvyE
— emil (@TheEmilJay) March 18, 2023
Sean would come up to me before every show and say “let’s take a pic”. I would yell at him “Sean I’m working!” But he wouldn’t let me walk away without taking it. He believed in me and let me know it every time I saw him. I’m gonna miss you SPO. Rest easy big dog. pic.twitter.com/1MI9MYIm2L
— The Struggles (@TheStruggles23) March 18, 2023
You never know when you are going to see someone for the last time. We used to do IWA MS every week and we would joke and work together often, and over the years we saw each other less and less, but it was always nice to see you when we did
RIP Sean aka SPO
— WARHORSE (@JPWARHORSE) March 18, 2023
Fightful sends its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Sean Patrick O’Brien.
