Former ECW wrestler Axl Rotten was found dead Thursday at a McDonalds in Baltimore … this according to his mother — who tells Pro Wrestling Sheet an overdose is suspected.



Axl’s mother Maria Leydig says an autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine the cause of death, but she believes “Brian lost his battle with his demon.”

Early reports indicated the 44 year-old wrestler died of an overdose inside of a motel room, but family sources tell us that’s not accurate. Axl was found dead in his car outside of the fast food chain.

One source says cops told family/friends Axl went into cardiac arrest, but no drugs or paraphernalia were found in the vehicle. Same goes for the McDonalds bathroom. There was a nearby motel as well, but no room was booked under his name.

Rotten was most famous for his various tag team runs in Extreme Championship Wrestling – first as a member of The Bad Breed with Ian Rotten … but most notoriously as a member of The Hardcore Chair Swingin’ Freaks with Balls Mahoney. In 2005, Rotten made appearances in WWE as part of the ECW revival. He also appeared in WCW and TNA throughout his career.

Axl Rotten’s mother Maria adds, “Wrestling was what Brian lived and breathed. He loved his fans. Please pray for him and may God hold him in his arms forever.”

R.I.P.

UPDATE: Despite what family sources say, an officer from the Anne Arundel Police who was on scene tells us Axl was found dead on the floor of the bathroom and emergency responders attempted to revive him for 25 minutes.