The longest reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jax Dane has been described as a ‘friend, mentor’ and absolute professional’ following his death on Christmas Day
Tributes have flooded in for a wrestling star who tragically died on Christmas Day, aged just 48.
Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jax Dane died on December 25 due to complications from a heart attack he suffered in November, the National Wrestling Association revealed in a in Instagram post.
Born Jermey Dane Laymon, the star broke into professional wrestling in 2012, as part o NWA Huston under the name The Path of Resistance. He claimed both the NWA National and World Heavyweight Championship titles in 2015, and held onto the world title for a staggering 419 days – the longest reigning champion in NWA history.
Dane is survived by his wife Evelynda Laymon, stepson Nicolas, and father, who “will forever cherish his memory” the NWA post added.
The NWA post went on to add that Dane will be “remembered not only for his remarkable achievements inside the ring but his unwavering dedication to the sport and his fellow wrestlers”, adding: “The most decorated wrestler of the Lightning One Era and former NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion, Jax left an indelible mark on the NWA and the pro wrestling community as a whole.”
Tributes have poured in for Dane, who was described as a “friend”, “mentor” and “absolute professional in and out of the ring”, by NWA boss William Patrick Corgan.
He added: “Jax Dane loved professional wrestling deeply and he certainly loved those he fought and rode with. I know I speak for all of the National Wrestling Alliance when saying Jax will be missed, and we will do our best to honor him and make his family proud as we carry forth.
“There are those men and women who carry the legacy of a champion because they have risen to such heights and then there are those that earn the respect of a champion simply because of who they are. To this I can say, simply and personally, that Jax was such a man, and will forever be in our hearts.”
Wrestler Konnan wrote that Dane was a “great guy” who was always inn a “jovial mood”.
Armando Estrada paid his respects, writing: “Jeremy and I started in OVW over 20 years ago, and he was always nice to be around. I enjoyed working with and against him. My thoughts are with his family.”