Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling announced that former All Japan Pro Wrestling Triple Crown Champion and TNA star Joe Doering has passed away following a long battle with brain cancer. He was 44.
According to the announcement, Doering passed away peacefully at 9:13 a.m. on June 26, surrounded by his family.
Doering was one of the most respected foreign stars of his era in Japan, best known for his long run with All Japan Pro Wrestling. He became a two-time AJPW Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion and also held the promotion’s World Tag Team Championship multiple times.
After training under Scott D’Amore and debuting in 2004, Doering competed around the world, including stops in Puerto Rico’s World Wrestling Council, WWE developmental, TNA/Impact Wrestling, and AJPW.
Doering later returned to Impact Wrestling in 2020 as part of Eric Young’s Violent By Design faction, where he captured the Impact World Tag Team Championship.
His career was marked by championship success, toughness, and remarkable perseverance. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2016, Doering underwent surgery and returned to the ring, eventually reclaiming the AJPW Triple Crown Championship.
Doering stepped away from wrestling in 2022 following a recurrence of his illness. He last competed in August 2022.
ProWrestlingWire.net sends its condolences to Doering’s family and friends.