Longtime Impact Wrestling executive Bob Ryder has passed away. The bit of news was reported by PWInsider (as well as Dave Meltzer via Twitter); details are still sketchy.
“Bob Ryder was found dead at his home in Nashville by police today," Meltzer tweeted. "We don’t know more but he had fallen yesterday and was on advanced chemo. Impact officials couldn’t get in touch with him and went to his home and he never answered, police were called and found him dead.”
Previously: Impact's "Phenomenal" Surprise Was Hornswoggle Dressed As AJ Styles
Ryder was believed to be unwell for some time and was battling cancer. He was given 3-6 months to live back in 2012 but managed to outlive that significantly, having beaten it into remission - it returned, however. He was known to be on chemotherapy before passing away.
Ryder was reportedly in contact with Impact on Tuesday night. He was continuing his work for the company from home while undergoing chemo. He worked as the Director of Travel Operations in more recent years but had filled a number of other roles.
The founder of 1wrestling.com, Ryder is considered to be a pioneer of wrestling's internet age. He was the host of the first-ever online WWE chat at WrestleMania 11.
He also worked for WCW, taking care of the company's website affairs and hosting WCW Live with Jeremy Borash. The pair were the ones who hosted the very last WCW Nitro episode in March of 2001 and their voices were the last heard on any WCW broadcast.
It's Been A Day...
This news follows reports of soccer legend Diego Maradona's death. The Argentinian World Cup winner reportedly suffered a heart attack at his home on Wednesday, two weeks after having surgery to correct a brain bleed.
Bob was pretty popular in the wrestling community and the outpouring has been huge.
TheSportster would like to extend its deepest condolences to Bob's family and loved ones.
R.I.P Bob Ryder.
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Source: PWInsider
