Former WWE Creative Team Writer Passes Away, Samoa Joe, William Regal, Kazarian & More Comment on His Passing

May 16, 2015

Former WWE creative writer Joe Franciosi passed away from a heart attack on Friday.

Franciosi worked on the WWE creative team in 2010 and was responsible for pitching the William Shatner segment where Shatner performed his own version of WWE theme songs. He was most recently involved with creative for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood.

Below are some talent speaking on the passing of Franciosi:

Horribly sad news on the passing of Joe Franciosi. Thoughts are with his wife and kids.

— David Lagana (@Lagana) May 15, 2015

Sorry to hear of the passing of Joe Franciosi.I first met him in 2000 with a young Samoan Gentleman,a Swag and enjoyed a cigar.Good fella.

— William Regal (@RealKingRegal) May 16, 2015

Rest in Peace Joe Franciosi. I love you brother, see you on the other side…

— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) May 15, 2015

Joseph A. Franciosi was my brother. Was part of the “pro wrestling” story of so many. Godspeed, my friend. I love you.

— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) May 15, 2015

Man. Ugh… Lost another good brother WAY to early. RIP Joe Franciosi. Thanks for the more than 15 years of friendship.

— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) May 15, 2015

He was brutally honest in a business full of liars and thieves. Some faulted him for it. I admired it. RIP to a good friend, @SchmosEyeball.

— Joey Ryan (@JoeyRyanOnline) May 15, 2015

Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.

Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.

Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.

His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.