Michael Durham, better known to wrestling fans as Johnny Grunge of Public Enemy, passed away yesterday morning at the age of 39. Durham, who was said to suffer from sleep apnea, was having trouble breathing and was taken to an Atlanta hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Along with the late Ted “Rocco Rock” Petty, the Public Enemy were a major attraction during the pre-PPV era of ECW, with them holding the tag team championship on four occasions. They later worked for WCW (where they held the tag belts once) and WWE. Following their last WCW run, they continued to work on the independent scene, although Grunge became less and less active in the ring. Petty passed away on September 21, 2002 at the age of 49 when he suffered a heart attack while travelling between independent shows.
In recent years, Grunge made occasional independent appearances, and took part in several of the “Hardcore Homecoming” events last year.