Veteran professional wrestler Tracy Smothers has died at the age of 58 after battling lymphoma.
Smothers, a native of Springfield, Tennessee, wrestled for numerous promotions during a career that spanned four decades including World Championship Wrestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment (then-WWF), who confirmed news of his death on Wednesday morning.
"WWE is saddened to learn that Tracy Smothers passed away today at the age of 58. WWE extends its condolences to Smothers’ family and friends," the company tweeted.
Smothers announced his second lymphoma diagnosis in November 2019, WrestlingInc.com reports. The Eat Sleep Wrestling website provided an update on Smothers' health Monday, noting that the wrestler suffered heart damage from heavy chemotherapy during his first cancer battle, which led to multiple hospitalizations.
Smothers also underwent hernia surgery earlier this month.
"Tracy's ready to fight this cancer as hard as he did last fall, but the heart problems have delayed the cancer treatments and the hernia issue has delayed doctors from treating the heart issues. He's in a real battle. Tracy is in it to win it, and he sends his love to all his friends and his wrestling family, and he is asking for prayers," Eat Sleep Wrestling wrote on Monday.
A GoFundMe has been setup to help Smothers' family pay for medical expenses and an independent wrestling show is scheduled to take place in Bartonville, Illinois in an effort to raise additional funds this weekend, WrestlingInc reports.
There has not been confirmation on what medical changes may have taken place between Smothers' call with Eat Sleep Wrestling on Monday and his death on Wednesday.
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