He was only 48 years old
Wrestling star Jax Dane is dead
12/28/2024 – 8:02 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
He once won what was once the most important title in the wrestling world. Now Jax Dane has died at just 48 years old.
The wrestling world has suffered a tragic loss: Jax Dane, born Jeremy Laymon, died on December 25th at the age of just 48. The wrestling organization NWA, for which he was active until recently, announced that the consequences of a heart attack he suffered in November led to his death.
Dane primarily gained attention by winning the NWA World Title from 2015 to 2016. This belt was once the most prestigious title in wrestling, held by legends like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race. Although the title had become less important in the years before Dane’s reign, the muscular giant from Bakewell, Tennessee, defended it for over a year and remained loyal to the NWA until the end.
Billy Corgan, league promoter and frontman of the rock band “The Smashing Pumpkins”, praised Dane in an obituary as a “friend, mentor and absolute professional in and out of the ring” who played a key role in rebuilding the NWA.
The 1.93 meter tall and 140 kilogram heavy Dane’s wrestling career began comparatively late in 2009, when he was over 30 years old. He was trained by well-known greats such as Tom Prichard and Rip Rogers and competed in Japan for NJPW and in the USA for ROH. At the beginning of his career he formed a team with Raymond Rowe, now WWE Tag Team Champion as Erik from the War Raiders.
Dane remained associated with the NWA until his last fight in October 2023. In addition to his wife Evelynda, he leaves behind a stepson.