– Der frühere ROH World Champion Xavier ist am Wochenende im Alter von nur 43 Jahren verstorben. Die genauen Umstände seines Todes sind aktuell nicht bekannt, aber Freunde und Familie hatten am Wochenende noch Kontakt zu ihm, sodass man von einem überraschenden und unerwarteten Todesfall sprechen muss.
John Bedoya, so sein bürgerlicher Name, begann seine Karriere im Jahr 1997 und war Teil des ursprünglichen Rosters von Ring of Honor im Jahr 2002. Am 21. September 2002 bei „ROH Unscripted“ krönte er sich zum zweiten ROH World Champion der Geschichte, als er den ersten Titelträger Low-Ki entthronen durfte. Nach erfolgreichen Titelverteidigungen gegen AJ Styles, Jay Briscoe und Paul London (2x) verlor er den Titel am 22. März 2003 bei „ROH Night Of Champions“ an Samoa Joe. Bis ins Jahr 2007 absolvierte er noch vereinzelte Auftritte für Ring of Honor. Nach seinem Abgang wurde es ruhiger um ihn, wobei er bis 2010 noch regelmäßig für Independent-Promotions auftrat. Sein letztes Match workte er im Oktober 2016 für Impact Championship Wrestling in seiner Heimat New York City. In diesem Jahr hätte es nach 13 Jahren beinahe ein Comeback bei Ring of Honor gegeben. So sollte Xavier im März bei „ROH Past vs. Present“ in Las Vegas gegen Jay Lethal in den Ring steigen, die Show musste aber aufgrund der Coronavirus-Pandemie abgesagt werden.
Viele Weggefährten verabschiedeten sich auf Twitter von Xavier und auch Ring of Honor veröffentlichte ein Statement:
Ring of Honor is saddened to learn of the passing of former ROH World Champion Xavier (John Bedoya). He was 43.
A product of the New York independent wrestling scene, Xavier defeated Low Ki on Sept. 21, 2002 to become the second ROH World Champion. He held the title for 182 days before losing it to Samoa Joe on March 22, 2003. Xavier made his ROH debut on the company’s first show, The Era of Honor Begins, on Feb. 23, 2002, defeating Scoot Andrews. He last wrestled in ROH in 2007 and retired from pro wrestling in 2011. Xavier also competed in several mixed martial arts fights, beginning in 2009.
Xavier was scheduled to come out of retirement to face Jay Lethal at the ROH Past vs. Present show this past March in Las Vegas, but the show was canceled due to the pandemic.
ROH extends its deepest condolences to Xavier’s family, friends and fans.
Rest In Peace Xavier. Thank you for the matches, both as opponent and partner. You will be missed.
— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) August 17, 2020
So sad to hear about Xavier’s passing. Can’t believe it. He was so young, talented & such a nice person. He will be missed. Condolences to his family & friends. I knew him since I first started wrestling. I hate that I can’t that one pic of us, just 2 babies happy to wrestle. RIP
— 𝓩𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖆 𝓥𝖊𝖌𝖆 (@Zelina_VegaWWE) August 17, 2020
I have no words. RIP Xavier
— Eddie Kingston #BlackLivesMatter (@MadKing1981) August 17, 2020
Godspeed, Xavier. Too young, too soon. Rest well, sir.
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) August 17, 2020
Just learned my buddy Xavier has passed.Can’t believe it.Such a good friend I came up with on indys when I started wrestling in ‘01. Sad & shocked about this. Don’t know what happened,but prayers & condolences to his son he loved so much & his family. RIP my friend.😰#LikeWhoa pic.twitter.com/gifulJtkpw
— ✨Velvet Sky✨ (@VelVelHoller) August 17, 2020
Speechless…
Rest in Paradise Xavier. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Marq and I and for this business. You will be missed ❤️#RIPX #RIPNicoleBass pic.twitter.com/xGtfHzo1BR
— Private Party (@IsiahKassidy) August 17, 2020
Ugh. Very saddened to hear of the passing of John “Xavier” Kirius. He was always a very cool person and a great athlete. I had several memorable matches with him. Especially in the mid 2000’s for Jersey All Pro Wrestling. Heartbreaking. Godspeed my friend.
— Frankie Kazarian (@FrankieKazarian) August 17, 2020
Saddened to hear that John Xavier passed away. Always so kind and gracious. Fun person to be around and truly one of the good guys. God bless John. RiP.
— Abyss (@TherealAbyss) August 17, 2020
RIP to Xavier. A great person. I vividly remember Fat Frank putting us on in an opener on a random JAPW show and we tore it up. So much so, that Frank booked us in a rematch on the next show.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) August 17, 2020
RIP Xavier
— Will Ferrara (@WillFerrara) August 17, 2020
RIP Xavier. So ahead of his time and talented. Way too young.
— Pat Buck (@buckneverstops) August 17, 2020
Man, gone way too soon.
Always so nice when he'd swing by NYC for ROH events. Unheralded and under aporeciated. Was looking forward to calling his comeback match in ROH.
Rest in Peace, Xavier. https://t.co/UH96AJh2zK
— Ian Riccaboni (@IanRiccaboni) August 16, 2020
RIP Xavier 🙏 Prayers for his Family
— Cortez Castro (@RickyReyes01) August 17, 2020
Very sad to hear of the passing of John Xavier. He was the 2nd ever @ringofhonor World Champion and was scheduled to come back to ROH at Past Vs Present in March before the event was canceled. My condolences to his friends and family. May he Rest In Peace.
— Rhett Titus (@RhettTitusANX) August 17, 2020
Just heard about #Xavier passing away. I’m in total shock. I can’t seem to find out what happened. What an incredible talent and person. He was always so kind to me and was amazing to work with. RIP John
— Cherry 🍒 (@FmrDivaCherry) August 17, 2020
Ring of Honor is saddened to learn of the passing of former ROH World Champion Xavier (John Bedoya). https://t.co/GOdCjKTZa0
ROH extends its deepest condolences to Xavier’s family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/eNUlbW10yu
— ROH Wrestling (@ringofhonor) August 17, 2020
RIP to “The All Around Best” XAVIER 🙏
1st ICW Champion
2nd ROH Champion
GREAT DAD
GREAT FRIENDArt – @Toms_Customs pic.twitter.com/Ih6g5mn3os
— ⛓ ICW: No Holds Barred ⛓ (@ICWNHB) August 17, 2020
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