Photo: IMPACT Wrestling/YouTube
Former TNA Impact Wrestling commentator and radio personality Don West has died. He was 59.
His death was confirmed onthe wrestling promotion’s Twitter accounton Friday.
“IMPACT Wrestling is heartbroken to learn of the passing of Don West, one of the defining voices of our 20 year history. Don’s enthusiasm and passion elevated every second he called and uplifted the spirits of everybody he crossed paths with. He will be dearly missed. #RIPDonWest,” reads the Twitter post.
West’s death comes 18 months after he was initially diagnosed with brain lymphoma, a rare, aggressive form of cancer.
West later shared in aSeptember Twitter postthat he was in remission “after 8 weeks of chemotherapy and 13 treatments.”
Hislast update came in May, when he went on Twitter to share that his tumor had doubled in size, writing: “Thank you so much for your support and donations. The tumor has doubled in size causing experimental treatment. Thanks Scott and Mike for reaching out. Bless you all.”
Westworked as a color commentatorandassisted with merchandisefor the promotion between 2002 and 2012, according tocombat sports siteFightful.
After leaving to pursue a role with theWenatchee Wild hockeyorganization and foundinghis radio show,The Don West Showon NewsRadio 560 KPQ in 2016, he briefly returned to wrestling for the 15th anniversary of the promotion’s annual pay-per-view, Slammiversary, in 2017, after thepromotion’s founder, Jeff Jarett, made a memorable appearanceon his radio showto ask him to return.
Before his start in wrestling, West was known for his time on theShop at Home Network.
His former commenting partner, Mike Tanay, confirmed the news in his own Twitter post, commenting thatWest’s wife, Terri, was the one who broke the news to him.
“Just heard from wife Terri that our brother [Don West] will be spending New Years in heaven,” he wrote. “Terri said D-Dub finally had to tap out from his match with lymphoma. We bonded as soon as we met, both as broadcast partners and friends. Years of great moments both on and off camera.”
Just days prior, Tenay hadshared a Twitter postthat included a picture of West and expressed he wouldn’t “get a better Christmas gift” after the two had a video call.
“You can’t think about TNA/IMPACT without thinking of Don West. Don and Mike Tenay provided the soundtrack to so many iconic moments in company history. There was no more cherished member of the TNA/IMPACT family,” he wrote.
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“Don was truly a one-of-a-kind who brightened every room he walked into. He brought out the best in people and was an inspiration to all who crossed paths with him,” shared D’Amore. “He was one of the first people I met upon arriving at the TNA Asylum for the first time, and Don instantly made me feel welcome. His warm heart and legendary sense of humor made every day at work something to look forward to.”
Adding to the tribute, he expressed, “I am forever grateful for being able to share a friendship with Don and truly know my career and my life are better because of having him in them.”
source: people.com
