Close Menu
    What's Hot

    Jimmy Korderas discusses wrestling, refereeing & The Undertaker

    May 31, 2025

    Cocoa Samoa – Wrestling’s Samoan Trailblazer

    May 30, 2025

    Shane Mercer – The Iron Demon: An Independent Wrestling Innovator

    May 29, 2025
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    ProWrestlingPost.com
    • Home
    • Trending News Stories
      • International News
      • North American
      • Articles
    • Previews
    • Reviews
    • Original Series
      • AEW Talent Preview
      • Before The E
      • Brief History Of
      • Indie Spotlight Watch
        • BritWres Spotlight Watch
        • Joshi Spotlight Watch
        • Puroresu Spotlight Watch
      • Origins
      • On This Day
      • Trailblazers
      • Unsung Heroes
      • Never Crossed Paths
      • Rivalries
      • RetroView
    • Interviews
    • Podcasts
    • Write For Us
    ProWrestlingPost.com
    Home » IMPACT Co-Founder Bob Ryder Passes Away, Wrestling World Mourns
    Featured

    IMPACT Co-Founder Bob Ryder Passes Away, Wrestling World Mourns

    Marc Madison (Editor in Chief)By Marc Madison (Editor in Chief)November 25, 20204 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Telegram LinkedIn Tumblr Copy Link Email
    IMPACT Wrestling Co-Founder Bob Ryder
    Photo / IMPACT
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Copy Link

    In tragic news reported earlier today, IMPACT Wrestling co-founder Bob Ryder has passed away. He was 64 years old. Ryder was found by Nashville, Tennesse police. According to the reports, much that by Dave Meltzer below, he had fallen yesterday in the midst of receiving advanced chemotherapy. He had been battling cancer since 2012.

    https://twitter.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1331653202245128197

    Below in a statement released by IMPACT Wrestling’s Ed Nordholm and Scott D’Amore shared the following about Ryder’s passing.

     

    Everyone at IMPACT Wrestling is heartbroken by the passing of Bob Ryder, one of its founders and in many ways the heart and soul of the promotion.
    As many fans know, the very idea to create this company was born on Bob’s fishing boat during a trip off the Gulf Coast in 2001. It is no exaggeration to state IMPACT Wrestling would never have existed without Bob’s inspiration and would not have gone on to entertain millions of fans over two decades without his passion and dedication behind the curtain.
    Anyone who remembers Bob on the 1990s Prodigy chats or his role in launching 1wrestling.com or him co-hosting WCW Live! knows few people love pro-wrestling with the passion Bob did.
    At IMPACT, we joked that the chair and desk at Bob’s house was IMPACT’s “mobile command center.” Every wrestler and staff member knew that if they didn’t have a place to stay if they’d missed their flight, if their car had broken down, they could call the command center – Bob’s phone – and he would take care of it. Bob prided himself on that and being available 24/7. Even during his annual Christmas cruises, he’d carry his cell phone and laptop everywhere, so he was available to help even from the middle of the ocean.

     

    IMPACT Wrestling Co-Founder Bob Ryder Passes Away

    Few people love professional wrestling with the passion that Bob did. Wrestling was his life. Since learning the news, we’ve spoken to dozens of his friends across the business, and they all have said the same thing; that they’d spoken with Bob just a few days ago.
    The last time we saw Bob face to face was a month ago, during BOUND FOR GLORY week in Nashville. Because of the pandemic, Bob was unable to attend the event, but the three of us were able to celebrate his 64th birthday together at a small dinner. Bob talked non-stop about the upcoming matches, how excited he was about the talent and the future of IMPACT.
    He also spoke – because he seldom didn’t –about his beloved LSU athletics, particularly football and basketball.
    To the end of his life, Bob was a loyal, trusted, hard-working and beloved member of the IMPACT Wrestling family. He was also infuriatingly – and endearingly – stubborn. That stubbornness steeled him in his battle against his illness. It surprised none of us who knew and loved Bob that he outlived his diagnosis by years.
    During that entire time, Bob insisted on continuing to contribute to IMPACT. He refused every offer to take time off, or a sabbatical, even after chemotherapy sessions. He wanted, needed to be involved. There are a lot of people who live for pro-wrestling; with Bob it may have been literal.
    IMPACT Wrestling will be celebrating Bob’s life in the days and weeks to come. We will think about the best way the honor him and the legacy he left us. For now, we will take a moment to say farewell to a member of our family.
    We’ll never forget you, Bob.

    Below was a tweet released by IMPACT Wrestling in which Bob recalls how TNA initially came about. Together with Jerry and Jeff Jarrett, Ryder helped to co-found the promotion in 2002.

    https://twitter.com/IMPACTWRESTLING/status/1331747553193447428

    Ryder’s contributions and wrestling in particular IMPACT have been well documented. Former colleagues, talent, and friends have shared their gratitude for how he has helped them during their time there.

    ****

    Be sure to stay tuned to the Pro Wrestling Post for this and additional stories from the wrestling world. Readers can rely on Pro Wrestling Post to be their daily source for all things inside the squared circle. As a result, readers can expect daily news, history, and so much more. Please visit IMPACT Wrestling’s official website here for news on the promotion and upcoming events.

    Bob Ryder Ed Nordholm scott d'amore
    Marc Madison (Editor in Chief)
    • Website
    • Facebook
    • X (Twitter)
    • Instagram
    • Tumblr
    • LinkedIn

    As a wrestling enthusiast for over 30 years, my fondness for professional wrestling explores the irrational in a rational way. I will explore the details inside and outside the ring and hopefully have a laugh with you in the process. I've had the fortune to interview wrestlers from Lucha Underground, TNA, Ring of Honor, GFW, and former WWE talent as well. Feel free to follow me on Twitter @TheMarcMadison

    Related Posts

    Jimmy Korderas discusses wrestling, refereeing & The Undertaker

    May 31, 2025

    Cocoa Samoa – Wrestling’s Samoan Trailblazer

    May 30, 2025

    Shane Mercer – The Iron Demon: An Independent Wrestling Innovator

    May 29, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Top Posts

    World of Sport for Episode 4 | Review

    Eddie Kingston – The ‘Mad King’ Cometh

    World of Sport for Episode 4 | Preview

    Regis Philbin | American Television Legend Had A Headlock on Our Hearts

    Don't Miss

    Jimmy Korderas discusses wrestling, refereeing & The Undertaker

    May 31, 202520 Mins Read

    Cocoa Samoa – Wrestling’s Samoan Trailblazer

    May 30, 2025

    Shane Mercer – The Iron Demon: An Independent Wrestling Innovator

    May 29, 2025

    Bullet Bob Armstrong | Remembering The James Family Patriarch

    May 28, 2025
    Wrestling Rings, Blackboards and Movie Sets by Evan Ginzburg
    Write For Us
    About Us

    Your daily source for all things past and present inside the squared circle.
    Contact us: info@prowrestlingpost.com

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Home
    • Privacy
    • About Us
    © 2025 ProWrestlingPost

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.