Professional Wrestling Champion Dies After Battle with Brain Cancer

Clear Facts

• Joe Doering, 44-year-old professional wrestling champion, passed away Friday after battling brain cancer
• Doering was a decorated competitor, holding six championships across All Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA Wrestling
• The wrestling community mourned the loss of a performer described as both commanding in the ring and wonderful as a person

Joe Doering, a professional wrestling champion who competed at All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), has died, the companies announced Friday. He was 44 years old.

AJPW and TNA each released statements honoring Doering’s memory and confirming his passing.

“Joe Doering, who had been battling a brain tumor, passed away at the age of 44,” All Japan Pro Wrestling said.

“Upon learning of Joe Doring’s passing, all players and staff of All Japan Pro Wrestling express their condolences and sincerely pray for his eternal peace.”

TNA Wrestling expressed similar sentiments in their tribute.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Joe Doering. A commanding in-ring performer and a wonderful person, he will never be forgotten. We offer our deepest condolences to his fans, his friends and his family.”

The professional wrestling community also paid tribute to Doering across social media platforms. Doering had been fighting brain cancer and entered hospice care earlier in the week.

Doering launched his professional wrestling career in 2004 with his debut for Border City Wrestling. He quickly moved through various promotions, making his first AJPW appearance in 2007 and joining TNA in 2005.

He also competed in WWE’s developmental program, Florida Championship Wrestling, in 2010, though he never advanced to WWE’s main roster.

During his accomplished career, Doering earned multiple championship titles. In AJPW, he captured the world tag team championship four times and the triple crown heavyweight championship twice. In TNA, he won the World Tag Team Championship on two occasions.

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