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ED 'HAVOK' TOSCANO PASSES AWAY

PWInsider.com is sad to report the passing of Ed Toscano, who performed in the Northeast independent scene as Havok, one half of The Solution tag team alongside Dimitrious Papadon before retiring in the late 2000s.  While details are not confirmed at this time, PWInsider.com can confirm Toscano's sudden passing.

Originally trained by Afa Anoa'i in Pennsylvania in 1997 and then continuing on at the LIWF Doghouse in Brooklyn, NY by Homicide and Laithon the Tower of Torture, Toscano linked up with Papadon as The Solution and at the time, quickly became one of the top teams in the New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey area from 2001 - 2006. 

Managed by John Shane, the team were regulars for JAPW, ICW, USA Pro, JCW, NYWC, WXW and NWA Cyberspace, among a number of other promotions that ran regularly during that time period.   An old school team patterned in many ways after The Hart Foundation, Havok would provide the power while Papadon would bring the finesse.  The pair would work regularly with teams like The Boogie Knights, The Christopher Street Connection, The Dirty Rotten Scoundrelz and All Money Is Legal, among others, across a number of promotions.

Mike Tobin of The Boogie Knights paid tribute to Toscano this afternoon, writing, "I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of Ed Toscano.  How many times Drake and I had the honor of wrestling Papadon & Havok The Solution over the years. Then when You, Dimitrios Papadoniou and John K Shea took me in as part of the crew we had so much fun every time we were together in and out of the ring. It was always an honor to know you Ed. All of our thoughts are with your family and friends right now. We are all better for having known you. Till we meet again."

As a single, Havok won the NWA Cyberspace Heavyweight Championship, but as The Solution, the team racked up a ton of tag team titles, including the LIWF, JCW, NYWC and the JAPW Tag Team Championships.  In LIWF, Havok was a Triple Crown title holder, winning the promotion's Heavyweight title and TV titles as well.

In 2006, Toscano made the decision to step away from pro wrestling full time.  He would remain in contact with those from the business but always turned down overtures to return, even part-time for fun.  

In all my dealings with him, Havok was a great, classy guy and someone who truly loved wrestling and getting to perform.  On behalf of everyone associated with PWInsider.com, I'd like to express our deepest condolences to the Toscano family as well as his friend and fans.  He truly was a hell of a nice guy.

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