As previously reported, former NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion Jax Dane passed away at the age of 48. Both TNA Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling have paid tribute to Dane on social media.
NJPW said in a statement:
“New Japan Pro-Wrestling is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jax Dane, a former NWA Champion who wrestled in NJPW in 2013 and 2014. He was 48.
Born in Tennessee, Dane trained under Bruce Pritchard and made his debut in 2009. Finding success in the NWA, his IronGodz tag team captured the NWA Tag Team Championships at Power Struggle 2013 in a three way match involving Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith as well as TenCozy.
The team held the titles until being defeated by TenCozy the following spring, but Dane would be a part of both the 2013 and 2014 World Tag League lineups alongside Conway. After wrestling his final match for NJPW in the 2014 World Tag League, he would become NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 2015.
The thoughts and deepest sympathies of all at NJPW are with Dane’s family, friends and fans.”
Meanwhile, TNA wrote on Twitter: “We’re deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jax Dane. We offer our sincere condolences to his friends and family.”
We're deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jax Dane. We offer our sincere condolences to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/dihk4xvsVw
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) December 27, 2024