Christopher B. "Chris" Candido (March 21, 1972 – March 28, 2005) was an American professional wrestler whose career spanned regional promotions, national television and international tours. He performed under his given name for much of his career and used the ring name Skip during a prominent run in the World Wrestling Federation. Candido combined technical skill with traditional southern wrestling influences and was known for working in both singles and tag team divisions.

Overview and ring identities

Candido was a versatile performer who could be presented as a high-energy singles competitor or as part of a tag team. He is widely associated with the ring name Chris Candido and with the WWF persona Skip, a fitness-themed character featured alongside a partner and a valet. His career saw him appear for major companies in North America and abroad, including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), World Wrestling Federation (WWF), and several regional promotions such as Smoky Mountain Wrestling. For match listings, career summaries and archival records see a professional profile and related resources: professional profile and archival listings here.

Early career and regional work

Candido began wrestling in regional circuits and made his early reputation in the southeastern United States. He worked in Smoky Mountain and other independent promotions where he developed his ring psychology, fundamentals and tag team work. These formative years helped him gain bookings on national and international cards and provided a foundation for the variety of creative roles he later undertook.

Major promotions and accomplishments

  • World Wrestling Federation: achieved mainstream exposure as Skip, the more visible half of the fitness-themed tag team known as The Bodydonnas; that stint included television appearances and pay-per-view competition.
  • Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling: featured on national television programs, where he engaged in both singles and tag-team storylines and showcased a blend of technical and high-energy wrestling.
  • International work: toured and worked matches in Japan for New Japan Pro Wrestling, adapting his style to stronger, more physical opponents and different match pacing.
  • Independent and regional contributions: continued to compete and to help develop younger talent on the independent scene while also serving in behind-the-scenes roles in various promotions.

Style and reputation

Candido was respected for a compact, fast-paced style that combined technical holds, timely offensive bursts and tag-team awareness. Colleagues noted his ring intelligence and ability to work comfortably in multiple roles—heel or face, singles or tag—making him a reliable performer for promoters. He also worked as a trainer and mentor at times, passing on fundamentals to newer wrestlers.

Personal life and death

Candido was married to Tammy Lynn Sytch, a prominent wrestling valet best known by the ring name Sunny. In March 2005, shortly after his 33rd birthday, Candido underwent surgery to repair a broken leg. He developed postoperative complications, including a pulmonary embolism, and died on March 28, 2005. His passing prompted tributes from peers, promotions and fans who remembered his work ethic and in-ring contributions.

Legacy

Chris Candido is remembered as a dependable in-ring performer who successfully moved between regional promotions and larger international companies. He left a legacy as both a tag team specialist and a credible singles competitor, and he is often cited for his adaptability and professionalism. Memorial shows, tributes from former colleagues and references in promotion histories have kept his memory alive among fans and within the wrestling community.

For further reading and archived match information, consult promotion histories and wrestler databases: professional profile, archives and summaries here, and promotion pages such as WCW, ECW, NJPW, and WWF.