PRO WRESTLING star John ‘Bad Bones’ Klinger has died at the age of 40 leaving the sport in mourning.
The German made a name for himself wrestling around the world for various independent promotions ranging from the United States to Europe and Japan since 2004.
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Klinger underwent three different stints with TNA in 2011, 2014 and 2017 and shared the ring with the likes of Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe.
His death was announced on Twitter by wrestling promotion wXw, which is based in his homeland and revealed he was planning to retire soon.
The announcement read: “We say goodbye to “Bad Bones” John Klinger. John Klinger was one of the defining wrestlers at wXw for over a decade.
“He won all of the major titles at wXw and won both 16 Carat Gold and Shortcut to the Top. In his almost 450 matches in the wXw ring, he always worked hard and did his best to excite his fans.
“At just 40 years old, John died far too early, shortly before his planned retirement. We wish his family and friends strength in this difficult time.”
Bad Bones’ last match took place only nine days ago as he beat ex-WWE superstar Flash Morgan Webster at PWT’s Total Blast From The Past event.
Webster echoed Klinger’s retirement plans as the Welsh wrestler revealed he told him he wanted to hang up his boots by September.
The ex-NXT UK star tweeted: “I only wrestled him 9 days ago.
“Was talking to him in Poland after the match about how he was gonna retire in September and was happy with what he’d achieved and was happy to step 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 would win titles such as the wXw Unified World Heavyweight Championship and European Heavyweight Championship.
In 2011, he won TNA tryout programme TNA Gut Check, which would give him his big break in 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 beat Daniels and Robbie E.
Klinger fought for the last time in TNA in a defeat to debutant Josh Barnett in 2017.
He passed away in Bremen, Germany six days after his 40th birthday.
WWE leading commentator Corey Graves reminisced on their time wrestling together in Europe.
Graves posted: “Man, I just heard the news about John “Bad Bones” Klinger. What a gem of a human.
“I had so much fun wrestling/traveling with John back in our NWE days in Europe. My condolences to all of his friends and family. Rest well, my friend.”
TNA legend Daniels wrote: “Rest in Peace “Bad Bones” John Klinger. I’m glad we got 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 yet to be revealed.
