The wrestling world is in mourning after the death of former pro wrestling champion Jimmy Rave, just months after a triple amputation.
Rave, whose real name was James Michael Guffey, had been living in Philadelphia at the time of his passing and was just 39.
He started his pro wrestling career in 1999 before becoming a two-time National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) junior heavyweight champion.
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Rave also made appearances for Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honour as well as the WWE-produced Sunday Night Heat.
Rave’s death was confirmed by his agent Bill Behrens, who touched on his client’s struggles in his final years.
“James had been struggling with drug addiction for many years,” Rave’s agent, Bill Behrens, said in a statement written with help from the wrestler’s daughter, Kailah Guffey.
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“His struggles resulted in the amputation of his arm and, later, both of his legs.”
After having trouble walking, Rave had visited a surgeon earlier this year before it was determined that he needed both legs amputated in October.
Tributes poured in for Rave after his death, including from wrestling legend Mick Foley, who had helped raise funds for Rave’s medical bills.
https://twitter.com/RealMickFoley/status/1470504753423659012https://twitter.com/nwa/status/1470566219120005124https://twitter.com/MadKing1981/status/1470507273575411714https://twitter.com/MATTHARDYBRAND/status/1470549174361935877https://twitter.com/FrankieKazarian/status/1470493175911489543
Rave is survived by his ex-wife, daughter Kailah, son James and his parents, Jim and Toni Guffey.
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