Another former world champion has passed on before his time, and he might not be a name most fans have heard of. Despite that, Jax Dane was a very influential figure in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) over the last decade.
Dane, whose real name was Jeremy Laymon, sadly died unexpectedly at 48 over the Christmas holiday. Wrestling INC reports that the one-time champ suffered from complications stemming from a heart attack he had in November.
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Regardless of any health problems, Dane may have dealt with behind the scenes, he was a stalwart of the Billy Corgan-owned promotion until his passing. Earlier this year, he began working on a program where he managed tag team partner Tim Storm.
Dane’s fellow former NWA Heavyweight Champion was wrestling under the crazy-eyed stoic guise of Baron Von Storm and used the dreaded Iron Claw as a sadistic finish. Storm broke character this week to state his friend and colleague’s untimely death.
“Very few people have been as influential to my wrestling career as Jax,” Storm said. “He was completely unselfish. That is no more evident than in our current tag team. He put me squarely on his shoulders and made it happen.”
Storm defeated Dane in 2016 for the NWA WHC at 50, kicking off the former’s historic reign as the oldest person to win the title. Dane’s 419-day reign started in 2015 when he wrested the prestigious prize from Japanese superstar Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
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The wrestling world remembers former NWA champion Jax Dane
Tributes to Dane have poured in from across the wrestling world. Performers under contract with WWE and AEW, including Adam Pearce — who’s also a former NWA champ — and Shelton Benjamin — who met Dane while working briefly in Japan — sent out their condolences.
“We lost one hell of a great guy in [Jax Dane],” Benjamin posted on Threads. “We met for the first time while working in Japan and became best of friends quite literally [overnight]. [Always] positive encouraging and supportive. Just a great guy to be around.”
His post continued, “[I’m] Still finding it impossible to accept that he’s gone. This one hurts. My condolences to his family and loved ones. Going to miss you Jax, Rest in power my friend.”
“Only the good die young,” shared Pearce. “I don’t have the words, Godzilla. I’m forever grateful for the time we shared. And for the laughs., the potatoes, and the random convos out of nowhere about life.” “Rest well, brother,” Pearce added. “Godspeed.”
Billy Corgan paid tribute in a heartfelt Instagram post, writing, “Friend, mentor, absolute professional in and out of the ring, and loyalist who went out of his way to support and rebuild the NWA of today, Jax Dane loved professional wrestling deeply and he certainly loved those he fought and rode with.”