Kerwin Silfies. Image via: WWE
Former WWE director Kerwin Silfies passed away this week at the age of 75, closing the chapter on one of the most influential behind-the-scenes careers in professional wrestling.
The news was first reported by PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, who noted that Silfies had been dealing with health issues prior to his death. He had been living in Florida and kept his health battle private.For more than three decades, Silfies helped shape how millions of fans experienced wrestling on television. From the WWF’s national expansion in the 1980s to WWE’s global growth, his fingerprints were on the broadcast style and presentation that defined modern wrestling programming.
Kerwin Silfies cause of death and WWE career
Kerwin Silfies’ cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, though multiple reports confirmed he had been privately battling health issues. He began working for WWE in 1985 and remained with the company until 2020, when he was furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He did not return and was later replaced as WWE Raw director by Marty Miller.Across 35 years, Silfies directed countless episodes of Raw and SmackDown, premium live events, and several WrestleMania broadcasts, including WrestleMania III and WrestleMania VI.
He also directed Saturday Night’s Main Event during its original run and oversaw WWE’s first broadcasts in Saudi Arabia.
Tribute pours in for Kerwin Silfies following his demise at 75
Tributes came quickly from across the wrestling world. Triple H wrote on X, “Today, the @WWE family lost one of our beloved members. Kerwin Silfies was a huge part of the company’s programming since the mid-1980s. Over his 35+ year tenure with WWE production, he directed countless episodes of Raw and Smackdown, PLEs, and of course WrestleMania.
With a dry wit and an unmatched passion for his work and his coworkers, Kerwin affected hundreds of employees and millions of fans.
Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.”
Adam Pearce shared, “Godspeed, Kerwin Silfies. When I started working on Raw and SmackDown back in 2015, you were so patient and accommodating as I found my way.Always a steady, calm voice with your trusty mini notepad in hand, ready to take note of what we had cooked up.
“Ok whaddya got, Adam?” you’d ask me as you went around the room, listening. Teaching.”
He added, “I learned to see what we do through your director’s eye, to understand camera placement in a way I hadn’t before, and I always wondered how you always stood so calm under intense fire. Cool as the other side of the pillow. Experience, red wine, talent? All of the above, I surmise. Thank you for letting a punk kid sit under your learning tree.
And though I’m no connoisseur, the next time I have a taste of the vino it’ll be in a toast to you.
Rest well, Kerwin. And thank you, sir”AEW also paused Dynamite to honor him. Commentators Tony Schiavone and Bryan Danielson praised his leadership. Taz added on X, “I can’t explain what a super person & great director Kerwin was, I worked with him for many years in WWE on the road and in studio. His passion for great TV in the wrestling biz was strong. This man once was working in the studio through an actually heart attack & kept working!! Very sad to hear this.
I hope they put him in their WWE HOF. He belongs. Prayers & support to his family. RIP.”Silfies earned respect in the wrestling communities, especially from those who have worked with him closely.
