Pro wrestler Joe Doering died at the age of 44 following a long battle with brain cancer.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Doering,” TNA Wrestling announced via X on Friday, June 26. “A commanding in-ring performer and an amazing person, he will never be forgotten. Our deepest condolences go out to his fans, friends and family.
Doering worked for TNA Wrestling between 2005 and 2022 and held the TNA World Tag Team Championship on two occasions.
The wrestler has battled health issues over the past decade. Doering was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016, forcing him to pull out of All Japan Pro Wrestling’s Champion Carnival at the time.
While returning to the ring in early 2017, Doering again had to leave the sport in 2022 after the cancer returned. In December 2025, it was reported that he had been diagnosed with a third brain tumor. (He also suffered from ataxia, which affected the voluntary coordination of his muscles.)
Sister-in-law, Mandy Banhlaunched a GoFundMe to help support Doering through her treatment, with the fundraiser bringing in more than $22,000, per publication. On Monday, June 22, Banh confirmed that Doering is in hospital.
“Sad to share the news that Joe is headed to the hospital soon,” he wrote. “If anyone is in the area and would like to visit, please send a message. Joe could use all your good thoughts and prayers.”
On Friday, Banh announced “with great sadness” that Doering “passed peacefully this morning.”
“He was comfortable and in no pain,” he noted. “Please keep Joe’s family and friends in your thoughts at this difficult time. Thank you all for your love, support and kindness – it means a lot to us. We love you, Joe. You will always be in our hearts and deeply missed.”
Doering primarily made his name in wrestling in Japan and the American pro wrestling scene, although he briefly had a developmental contract with WWE in 2010. In All Japan Pro Wrestling, he held the prestigious Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship twice and the World Tag Team Championship four times.
His former TNA Wrestling rival Josh Alexander he was among those who would pay tribute to Doering following his death. Doering wrestled his last match against Alexander in TNA in 2022.
Joe Doering
Courtesy of TNA Wrestling / YouTube“Joe was always a professional player. A class act and one hell of a wrestler. I left that match sore as s*** but proud,” Alexander, 39, recalled on X Friday. “It’s a strange thing to be honored and it’s sad that he was the one who closed his career. I’m lucky to know him in the ring and outside.”
He concluded by saying, “He fought cancer for a long time, I hope he will finally rest.
Former TNA Wrestling star Sami Callihan described Doering as “a throwback to a different era” in wrestling.
“He was funny, respectful, and a brother to everyone he connected with,” Callihan, 38, tweeted Friday. “I will forever cherish the time I spent around him. Prayers and strength go out to his family and loved ones. God bless you.”
