PRO WRESTLING star John ‘Bad Bones’ Klinger has died at the age of 40, leaving the sport in mourning.
The German has made a name for himself wrestling around the world for various independent promotions ranging from the United States to Europe and Japan since 2004.
2
Klinger had three different stints in TNA in 2011, 2014 and 2017 and shared the ring with Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe.
His death was announced on Twitter by wrestling promotion wXw, based in his native country and who revealed he plans to retire soon.
The announcement read: “We say goodbye to ‘Bad Bones’ John Klinger. John Klinger was one of wXw’s defining wrestlers for over a decade.
“He won every major title at wXw and earned both 16k gold and the shortcut to the top. During his nearly 450 matches in the wXw ring, he always worked hard and did her best to excite her fans.
“At only 40 years old, John passed away far too soon, shortly before his planned retirement. We wish his family and friends courage during this difficult time.”
Bad Bones’ last match took place just nine days ago as he defeated ex-WWE Superstar Flash Morgan Webster at PWT’s Total Blast From The Past event.
Webster echoed Klinger’s retirement plans when the Welsh wrestler revealed he had told him he wanted to hang up his boots by September.
The former NXT UK star tweeted: “I fought him only 9 days ago.
“I spoke to him in Poland after the game about how he was going to retire in September and he was happy with what he had achieved and was happy to walk away on his own terms. Life can be so cruel .Rest in peace John.”
A number of other wrestlers took to social media to pay tribute to the popular athlete.
Who was John Klinger?
John Klinger, better known as “Bad Bones”, was born in Bitburg, West Germany, in 1984.
He debuted on the independent circuit in 2004, where he won titles such as the wXw Unified World Heavyweight Championship and the European Heavyweight Championship.
In 2011, he won TNA’s tryout program, TNA Gut Check, which would allow him to break into professional wrestling.
This would lead to him working in several matches for the company, including a dark match with Christopher Daniels in February 2014.
He would also team with Samoa Joe to defeat Daniels and Robbie E.
Klinger last fought in TNA in a loss to debutant Josh Barnett in 2017.
He died in Bremen, Germany, six days after his 40th birthday.
Lead WWE commentator Corey Graves remembered their time wrestling together in Europe.
Graves posted: “Dude, I just heard the news about John “Bad Bones” Klinger. What a human gem.
“I had so much fun wrestling/traveling with John during the NWE days in Europe. My condolences to all his friends and family. Rest easy, my friend.”
TNA legend Daniels wrote, “Rest in peace “Bad Bones” John Klinger. I’m glad we had the chance to share the ring good sir. My sincere condolences to his family.”
And AEW Superstar Will Ospreay said: “RIP ‘Bad Bones’ John Klinger Always a pleasure.”
Klinger’s cause of death has not yet been released.
