Wrestler Jimmy Rave has died aged 39 after a heartbreaking health battle.
The late star – who was forced to retire in November 2020 after more than two decades in the business – made his name working for the likes of Ring of Honor, IMPACT, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Dragon Gate and Combat Zone Wrestling.
In a statement from his daughter Kailah and friend Bill Behrens confirming his death, they said: ‘James Michael Guffey has died at the age of 39.
‘James was best known as Professional Wrestler, Jimmy Rave. His career, which started in 1999, continued for over 2 decades.’
They added: ‘Jimmy had been struggling with drug addiction for many years. His struggles resulted in the amputation of his arm, and, later, both of his legs.
‘James is survived by his ex-wife Felicia, daughter Kailah, son James II, and parents Jim & Toni Guffey.
‘At the time of his death, he was living in the Philadelphia, PA area with Gabby Gilbert’.
Details on a memorial service – which will be heald in Georgia – will be confirmed ‘at a later time’.
A cause of death is yet to be revealed.
In October, Jimmy opened up on a devastating year as he lost both legs in June due to MRSA and admitted felt ’embarrassed’ which led to him keeping quiet.
Alongside a photo of himself in hospital after the procedure, he tweeted: ‘Apparently it’s time for me to come clean. This past June I began having trouble walking & went to my surgeon. He determined I had MRSA in both legs & they needed to be amputated immediately.
‘Promoters can tell you along with my peers, I’ve had a history w/this and would cancel shows often due to this condition. (sic)’
As described by the NHS, an MRSA infection ‘mainly affect people who are staying in hospital, and symptoms when its deeper in the skin including swelling, warmth, pain, pus and redness.
The NHS adds that if it gets ‘further into your body’, it can also cause chills, a high temperature, aches and pains, dizziness and confusion.
The wrestler left fans heartbroken when he first revealed his arm was being amputated in November 2020, and contracted Covid shortly just days later.
He wrote at the time: ‘I have been very blessed for the last 21 years in professional wrestling and getting to live out my dream.
‘Today, that dream has ended for me and I have a new reality. This past Tuesday my world came crashing down when Doctors found an infection in my left arm.
‘I tried toughing it out but by the time I saw a doctor it was too late and and they had to amputate my left arm above the elbow. Thus effectively ending my in ring career.’
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