24 Wrestlers Who Died In 2020
6. Bob Ryder (24 November)
Veteran wrestling journalist and co-founder of Impact Wrestling Bob Ryder passed away on 24 November at the age of 64. The man the company eulogised as 'the heart and soul of the promotion' had been fighting multiple myeloma for several years.
Ryder was a pioneer in internet wrestling journalism, setting up 1Wrestling.com and later operating ECW's official webpage. He was also an early trailblazer of online live audio, conducting WWE's first ever internet interview at 1995's WrestleMania XI. He'd occupy a similar role in the fading days of WCW, hosting WCW Live alongside Jeremy Borash. The pair closed out the promotion's final broadcast after it was purchased by WWE in 2001 - and they'd both go on to have a major impact in the first company to challenge McMahon's new monopoly.
When neither Ryder nor Jeff Jarrett were picked up by WWE following the WCW buyout, they decided to challenge the incoming hegemony by setting up a new outfit. With the help of Jeff's father Jarrett, the PPV-exclusive Total Nonstop Action was born.
For the next 18 years, Ryder held various positions within TNA, as both its first and longest-serving employee. Even whilst undergoing chemotherapy, he continued his work from home for the rebranded Impact, up until his death last autumn.