Former TNA and All Japan champion Joe Doering dies at 44 after long brain cancer battle

Former TNA and All Japan Pro Wrestling star Joe Doering has died at the age of 44 after a long fight with brain cancer. Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling confirmed the news on Friday, June 26, saying Doering passed away peacefully with his family by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Lindsay. The wrestling world is now remembering him not only for his success in the ring but also for the strength he showed throughout his illness. The news was first shared by Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling through its official statement.

Joe Doering’s wrestling career and success in TNA and All Japan Pro Wrestling

Joe Doering began his professional wrestling career in 2004 and quickly built a name for himself in Japan and North America. He became one of All Japan Pro Wrestling’s top stars, winning the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship twice. He also captured the World Tag Team Championship four times with four different partners, making him one of the promotion’s most respected heavyweights. In TNA, Doering first appeared in 2005 before returning years later for the biggest run of his career. He joined Eric Young and Cody Deaner in the Violent By Design faction, where the group won the TNA World Tag Team Championship twice under the Freebird Rule. He also challenged Josh Alexander for the TNA World Championship at Against All Odds in July 2022, but Alexander successfully kept the title.

That turned out to be Doering’s only shot at the company’s top championship.

Joe Doering fought brain cancer for nearly a decade

Doering’s fight with brain cancer began in 2016 when doctors found his first brain tumor. He underwent surgery and returned to wrestling, even winning another Triple Crown title after his recovery. In 2022, the tumor came back, forcing him to step away from TNA for another surgery. His family later revealed that he had been diagnosed with a third brain tumor in late 2025.

Earlier this week, they shared that he had entered hospice care before his passing on Friday.During his career, Doering shared the ring with several well-known names, including Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tommy Dreamer, Jun Akiyama and many of Japan’s biggest wrestling stars. As of now, TNA has not announced whether it will honor him during this weekend’s Slammiversary pay-per-view.