A popular professional wrestler in the Indie circuits in Europe, John Klinger has passed away. The reason for his death remains unclear at this moment. The official handle made the announcement of, Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), a German-based pro-wrestling promotion on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Wir verabschieden uns von “Bad Bones” John Klinger.John Klinger war über ein Jahrzehnt einer der prägenden Wrestler bei wXw. Er hat alle großen Titel bei wXw errungen und sowohl 16 Carat Gold als auch Shortcut to the Top gewonnen. In seinen knapp 450 Matches im wXw-Ring hat er… pic.twitter.com/ISBZfbjJax
— wXw Germany (@wXwGermany) May 20, 2024
Klinger has been in the pro wrestling circuit for over two decades and has made brief stints in popular promotions like Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA Wrestling) where he was known as ‘Bad Bones’.
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His final match took place against Flash Morgan Webster on May 11, 2024, at a Prime Time Wrestling event in Poland. He was set to call time on his career with his final match taking place in September.
The current manager of WWE’s Smackdown, Nick Aldis posted a heartfelt tribute where he paid his condolences to the passing of his friend. The two were both part of TNA where they got to know each other.
RIP John Klinger.So many times I arrived tired and weary in a foreign land, and Bad Bones was a friendly face that I was relieved to see; whatever weird wacky adventure awaits, we’re here together. That’s a unique bond that only brothers and sisters in our wrestling fraternity… pic.twitter.com/WLZ5Bb4yfJ
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) May 20, 2024
Klinger was a key figure in wXw where he won many major titles with the promotions having competed in about 450 matches in his career.
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Following the announcement of his death, tributes poured in from many members of the wrestling scene from various different promotions showing the impact he had in his long career.