Former WWE star Joe Doering dies after long fight with brain cancer at 44

Days after entering hospice, former WWE star Joe Doering has died following the professional wrestler’s long fight against brain cancer. He was 44 years old.

The news was announced by Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling on X, formerly Twitter. They announced that Doering passed away early on Friday, June 26, 2026.

“At 9:13 a.m. today, June 26, our brother Joe Doering passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family,” the announcement read. “Though his time on this earth lasted only 44 years, Joe packed a thousand years’ worth of living into every one of them.”

Former WWE star Joe Doering’s fight with brain cancer before his death

Doering is best known for his time as a professional wrestler. However, he stepped away from in-ring action in 2022. He needed to undergo surgery for his brain cancer after it had returned.

At that point, he had already been dealing with brain cancer for years. Then, in June 2026, it was reported that he was going to be entering hospice. This came a few months after he had announced he was battling a third brain tumor.

During his in-ring career, Doering wrestled in various promotions. He is perhaps best known for his time with All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Total Nonstop Action (TNA).

While with TNA, he was a two-time Impact World Tag Team Champion. He won the belts with Eric Young, Rhino, and Deaner. During his AJPW stint, he won several championships, including the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship twice. He was also a four-time World Tag Team Champion with Jeiji Mutoh, Kono, Seiya Sanada, and Suwama.

Additionally, he had a brief run with WWE in 2010. He debuted in the company’s developmental brand, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), in February 2010. He would be released from his developmental contract by that September, returning to AJPW. He’d remain in AJPW for almost a decade after his WWE release.

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