Vladimir Abouzeide, WWE’s only officially recognized superfan and the subject of the WWE documentary Superfan: The Story of Vladimir, has been hospitalized in New York City after suffering a fall that resulted in a major concussion and bleeding on the brain.
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported the news with permission from Vladimir’s sister, who asked that fans keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
“This past week, Vlad was walking with his sister when he suddenly fell, striking his head on the concrete,” Johnson wrote. “He suffered a major concussion and there was concern about bleeding on the brain, but we are told that he is believed to be out of imminent danger when it came to the bleeding. Vlad will, however, remain hospitalized in NYC for some time to come. There is no timetable for his release.”
Johnson noted that the fall is a by-product of Parkinson’s Disease, which Vladimir has been battling for several years. The disease causes severe balance issues that contributed to the fall. Johnson, who described Vladimir as one of his dearest and closest friends for decades, asked the wrestling community to send their best wishes.
For decades, Vladimir was one of the most recognizable faces in all of professional wrestling without ever lacing up a pair of boots. Born in Haiti, he moved to Manhattan as a child and quickly became devoted to the WWF, eventually becoming a fixture in the front row at Madison Square Garden for more than 30 years. Anytime WWE erected a ring inside MSG, Vladimir was there.
His most famous moment came in October 1986 when Roddy Piper, during an edition of Piper’s Pit, invited him into the ring and asked his opinion on who Hot Rod should team with. Vladimir jumped onto the apron and immediately declared Hulk Hogan, drawing a massive pop from the crowd. Vladimir appeared at countless WWE shows over the years and was regularly seen in the front row at PPV and TV events.
The COVID-19 pandemic hit Vladimir harder than most. With arenas closed and his mother passing away during that period, he found himself without the community that had defined his life for 30 years. He disclosed in the WWE documentary that he made three suicide attempts during the pandemic before seeking therapy. When WWE resumed live events, Vladimir was among the first to return. At WrestleMania 37 in 2021, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon presented him with a plaque and named him WWE’s first officially certified superfan.
WWE released Superfan: The Story of Vladimir on Peacock and the WWE Network in October 2023. The documentary, which took more than two years to film, featured interviews from The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Bruce Prichard, Jeff Jarrett, and Jimmy Hart, among others.
Vladimir’s sister is asking for prayers and well wishes as he recovers. Updates will be provided as they become available.
