Eric "Butterbean" Esch, the boxing cult hero and former WWE entertainer, has an inspiring story of weight loss and a return to the ring after a dark period in his life. Once struggling with a weight of over 500 pounds and confined to a wheelchair, Esch, now 58, has transformed his health and is stepping back into the world of combat sports. This article explores Esch's weight loss journey, his career highlights, and his future aspirations.
Butterbean's Dark Days and the Turning Point
After retiring from professional fighting, Esch found himself in a downward spiral. He revealed in an interview with The Hannibal TV that he battled severe obesity and depression, which left him bedridden for almost a year. "When you can’t walk and you can’t walk into the store and get something to drink, you do get depressed," Esch said. "I was in bed for almost a year, not got out of bed, just to go to the bathroom. And I ate in the bed. I mean, I didn’t even leave the bed."
Weighing over 500 pounds, Esch's health deteriorated to the point where he needed a wheelchair for mobility. However, fate intervened when he encountered "Diamond" Dallas Page (DDP), the former wrestling star known for his high-energy and optimistic outlook on life and his DDP Yoga program.
DDP Yoga: A Life-Saving Transformation
DDP's unique approach to fitness and rehabilitation proved to be the catalyst for Esch's remarkable comeback. "When I was over 500 pounds, I was at the point where I’d do anything to make it work, even yoga," said Esch. "And that’s how DDP Yoga came about. If it weren’t for Dallas, I wouldn’t be where I am now. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my life without him."
With the help of DDP Yoga, Esch regained mobility, lost a significant amount of weight (over 200 pounds), and underwent hip replacement surgery. He credits DDP and his "Change or Die" system with reigniting his belief in himself. "I pretty much gave up on life," said Butterbean. "Now, I believe in myself again. Butterbean is back for one more fight!"
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From Boxing to Wrestling: Butterbean's Career Highlights
Before his weight struggles, Eric Esch, nicknamed Butterbean due to his chicken and butterbean diet during a local Toughman competition, captured the attention of fight fans nationwide. His unique appearance and memorable nickname, combined with his knockout power, made him a popular figure in the boxing world.
Boxing promoter Bob Arum set up shortened bouts for Butterbean, which increased his popularity dramatically. In 1997, he defeated Ed White for the IBA super heavyweight championship, defending the title five times before relinquishing it in 2000.
Butterbean's transition to professional wrestling was inevitable, given his entertainment background. In 1997, Vince McMahon brought him to WWE, where he defeated "Marvelous" Marc Mero in a Toughman match at D-Generation X: In Your House. He also had a memorable moment at WrestleMania XV in 1999, knocking out Bart Gunn in a boxing match. "Bart should have just slugged it out with me," said Esch. "But he trained and tried to learn to box. That was his biggest downfall. He should have come out swinging. It didn’t matter-I was going to win, but that would have been his best chance to land a couple shots."
The Comeback: One More Fight
Now weighing around 290 pounds, Esch is determined to make the most of his renewed spirit and physical condition. He wrestled at a show in South Bend, Indiana, last month, and on April 17 he faced Minoru Suzuki at WrestleCon’s Mark Hitchcock Memorial SuperShow during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas, with Dan "The Beast" Severn as the special guest enforcer. Despite having two hip replacements, Esch is excited to be back in the ring.
Esch also has aspirations for one more fight in the boxing ring. He has expressed interest in fighting Brock Lesnar, Mike Tyson, and Jake Paul. "I really want to fight Brock Lesnar-I would knock him out," said Esch. "I’d fight Mike Tyson, and I’d love to fight Jake Paul. I was with Mike two weeks before the Jake Paul fight. He couldn’t believe I got in such good shape. Jake Paul, we spoke after the Tyson fight. I said, ‘When are you going to fight me?’ He said, ‘I can’t-you’re a legend.’ I can’t figure that one out.”
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