TNA, AEW, Josh Alexander pay tribute to Joe Doering
TNA Wrestling is mourning the loss of Joe Doering, who passed away at 44 years old this morning following a courageous fight against brain cancer.
Doering battled brain cancer three times during his life and had to step away from the ring in 2022. The last run of his career came with TNA/Impact Wrestling, where he was a two-time Tag Team Champion as part of the faction Violent By Design.
“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Joe Doering,” TNA posted on social media today. “A commanding in-ring performer and a wonderful person, he will never be forgotten. We offer our deepest condolences to his fans, his friends and his family.”
TNA also remembered Doering by putting together a two-plus hour video of his most memorable matches.
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One of the final matches of Doering’s career was against Josh Alexander in the main event of Against All Odds 2022. Alexander, who was Impact World Champion at the time and is now with AEW, posted a tweet today reflecting on that bout:
- A month prior I’d noticed something was off with Joe. But it never crossed my mind that his cancer might have returned. In my mind he’d already faced that battle and won.
- I’ve thought about it all countless times since and never asked. I think he knew the cancer had returned or at least had a gut feeling. Regardless he kept it all to himself. When it came time for the match he was down for everything. Angle slam off the apron to the floor? Let’s do it. Superplex? He was down.
- I remember going to him before the match and telling him ‘Joe hopefully I don’t regret this. But I really want you to lay your stuff in on me out there. If you clothesline me I want my boots to come loose.’ He kind of smirked like only Joe could and agreed. (And he sure did what I asked [laughs])
- We had a 20+ main event title match on ppv. I can’t imagine the pain or discomfort he was feeling at the time. But in true Joe fashion he was an absolute warrior.
- Joe always was a professional. A class act and one hell of a wrestler. I left that match sore as sh*t but proud. It’s a strange feeling being both honoured and sad to have been the one that he closed out his career with. I’m just fortunate to have known him both in and out of the ring.
- He fought cancer for so long. I can only hope that now he can finally rest.
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Sami Callihan remembered Doering as someone who was like a big brother to everyone he formed a connection with:
- Heartbroken.
- Joe was a throwback to a different era…He was funny, exuded respect, and was everyone’s big brother that he connected with.
- I will forever cherish the time I got to spend around him.
- Prayers and positive energy to his family and loved ones. God Bless.
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The biggest success of Doering’s career came in Japan, where his Stan Hansen-like persona helped him become a two-time Triple Crown Champion for AJPW. Doering was first diagnosed with brain cancer in 2016 before the disease returned in 2022 and 2025.
Takami Ohbari, the former president of NJPW, thanked Doering for the “epic” matches he had in the country:
- I was deeply saddened by the news of Joe Doering’s passing. Thank you for bringing so many epic battles to Japanese pro-wrestling fans. May you rest in peace.
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AEW also joined the wrestling world in remembering Doering:
- AEW and the wrestling world mourn the passing of Joe Doering. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time.
Others posting tributes include Frankie Kazarian, Gail Kim, Lance Archer, Brian Hebner, Brooks Jensen, and Adam Pearce.
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.