Joe Doering passes away after third battle with brain cancer
Joe Doering — a former AJPW Triple Crown Champion who had his career tragically cut short due to brain cancer — has passed away at 44 years old.
His death was announced by Scott D’Amore’s Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, who shared that Doering passed away peacefully this morning while surrounded by family. The final decade of Doering’s life was shaped by three separate bouts with brain cancer. Each time, he fought the disease with strength and bravery that has been lauded by those who knew him.
“At 9:13 a.m. today, June 26, our brother Joe Doering passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family,” Maple Leaf Pro announced. “Though his time on this earth lasted only 44 years, Joe packed a thousand years’ worth of living into every one of them. Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Lindsay, his family, and leaves behind countless friends and devoted fans around the world who will forever remember his strength, courage, and spirit. Rest in peace, Joe. You will never be forgotten.”
A heavyweight cowboy resembling Stan Hansen, Doering competed in the United States, Canada, and Japan. He twice held the Triple Crown Championship for AJPW and was a multi-time Tag Team Champion for both AJPW and TNA/Impact Wrestling. Doering also had a brief developmental stint with WWE earlier in his career.
Doering was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016 but was able to return and resume wrestling through 2022. He fought the disease two more times, with tens of thousands of dollars being raised on GoFundMe as friends, fans, and peers showed their support for Doering.
Last week, Doering’s sister-in-law Mandy Banh shared that he would soon be entering hospice care. She sent out a new message today following Doering’s passing.
“It is with great sadness that we share Joe passed away peacefully this morning, June 26, at 9:13 a.m. He was comfortable and not in any pain,” she wrote.
“Please keep Joe’s family and friends in your thoughts during this difficult time. Thank you all for your love, support, and kindness—it has meant so much to us. We love you, Joe. You will be forever in our hearts and deeply missed.”
At 9:13 a.m. today, June 26, our brother Joe Doering passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.
— MAPLE LEAF PRO Wrestling (@MapleLeafPW) June 26, 2026
Though his time on this earth lasted only 44 years, Joe packed a thousand years’ worth of living into every one of them.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife, Lindsay, his… pic.twitter.com/qlzBVLUuM3
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.