The wrestling community mourns the loss of former WCW talent Harold Houge, AKA Ice Train. His longtime friend, Diamond Dallas Page, announced the unfortunate news this afternoon on Instagram.
Page shared photos of them in the post and a heartfelt tribute to Houge.
“It was so Sad to hear that one of my closest brothers is gone. Harold Houge, aka H, aka Ice Train, aka Smooth, was a warrior and one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” wrote Page.
DDP also reflected on a time when he and Houge helped those in need during Christmas in the past, and that is one of his fondest memories of their time together.
He shared that he would release a tribute video next week and ended the post by writing, “RIP my brother! You will be missed but never forgotten!
Much Love & Respect.”
Houge passes away at age 56. As of now, it is unclear what is his cause of death.
Ice Train WCW Career
Houge began his WCW career in 1993, pushed by the company as a powerhouse “babyface.” He would appear on WCW Worldwide and Saturday Night, winning dominantly. In a short period of time, he would make his pay-per-view debut, defeating Shanghai Pierce swiftly at WCW Fall Brawl on September 9, 1993.
Two months after his PPV debut, he also found himself in a WCW Tag Team Championship opportunity with Ron Simmons against The Nasty Boys. Although Houge and Simmons would lose, Houge displayed his power and had the crowd behind him.
Unfortunately, he was unable to continue the momentum heading into 1994. He suffered his first singles loss to Simmons at WCW Clash Of The Champions on January 27, 1994. Houge’s next big run in the company would happen when he began to team with Scott Norton as Fire and Ice in early to mid-1996.
More On Ice Train Career in WCW
Both Houge and Norton were featured as a powerhouse tag team that wrestling fans still remember today. They weren’t able to capture the WCW Tag Team Championship, but there was a tag team that fans enjoyed watching be physical with the rest of the division, including the Steiner Brothers(Rick and Scott Steiner).
Fire and Ice started to split by the Summer of 1996, and they ended up feuding against each other. Both stars would have several matches culminating in a submission match at Fall Brawl on September 15, 1996. Houge was victorious by defeating Norton and ending their rivalry.
While he got the big win over Norton, WCW couldn’t continue Houge’s momentum for the remainder of his time in the company. Although Houge’s never won a title, he was a fan favorite to WCW fans growing up and will be remembered.
SEScoops sends their condolences to Houge’s family and friends.
