Pro wrestler John ‘Bad Bones’ Klinger dies – dead at 40

Longtime professional wrestler John “Bad Bones” Klinger has died.

German promotion Westside Xtreme Wrestling announced via social media on Monday that Klinger has died at age 40. No cause of death was given.

Klinger had more than 400 fights in wXw and held all of the promotion’s major titles. He also had multiple stints in TNA and other promotions.

Klinger had just wrestled on May 11 against former WWE wrestler Flash Morgan Webster. In a social media post, Webster said Klinger spoke with him after the match about how Klinger was planning to retire.

“I only wrestled him 9 days ago. Was talking to him in Poland after the match about how he was gonna retire in September and was happy with what he’d achieved and was happy to step away on his own terms. Life can be so cruel. Rest in peace John,” Webster wrote.

I only wrestled him 9 days ago.

Was talking to him in Poland after the match about how he was gonna retire in September and was happy with what he’d achieved and was happy to step away on his own terms.

Life can be so cruel.
Rest in peace John https://t.co/LrpX9wKg6F pic.twitter.com/H6DRp4qdcu

— Flash Morgan Webster (@Flash_Morgan) May 20, 2024

Klinger, a native of Germany, made his pro wrestling debut in 2004. He held several titles and was extremely popular in wXw.