Former wrestling star Jimmy Rave died at the age of 39 after having an arm and two legs amputated due to an MRSA infection. News of Rave’s passing was first revealed by his agent on Monday.
Rave, whose name is James Michael Guffey, struggled with drug addiction for many years. According to his agent, Bill Behrens’ statement, part of the reason Jimmy Rave passed away was due to lingering complications that arose because of his past drug abuse issues.
Jimmy Rave’s agent, Bill Behrens:
“James had been struggling with drug addiction for many years”
Ok this sucks
Kailah helped write it pic.twitter.com/WfY7v8uQ6g— Bill Behrens (@WilliamBehrens) December 13, 2021
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Jimmy Rave started his professional wrestling career in 1999. During his wrestling tenure, Rave became a two-time National Wrestling Alliance junior heavyweight champion. In addition, Rave’s name appeared in top broadcasts such as Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honor, as well as the WWE-produced “Sunday Night Heat.”
While Rave’s death was not immediately clear, the Philadelphia resident admitted back in October that he was struggling to walk which prompted him to seek out a surgeon for help.
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 pic.twitter.com/OnU2LgrKQt
— Jimmy Rave (@TheJimmyRave) October 24, 2021
“Apparently it’s time for me to come clean. Rave tweeted. 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. I don’t know where rumors started this was due to something else, but I hadnt been to shows for so long. So where did someone see me do something? *I* have ALWAYS been honest with my past. *I* went on podcast n interviews being super candid.”
“Pro Wrestling is all I ever loved. It sucks to think that the tribe I would have died for, would say untrue things about me. I’ve gone this whole time not disclosing my legs because of this embarrassment. Sorry I fell short of your expectations. I tried … I really did.”
Speaking to his fans, the wrestling star recounted his career as the only thing he ever loved in life. In Nov. of 2020, Rave insinuated his career was over after surgeons found an infection in his left arm which required amputation from the elbow onward. Then, the star was forced to have both his legs amputated as well.
Related: 28 Bodybuilders Who Passed Away (2017-2020)
Following Raves’ death, shockwaves were felt through the entire pro wrestling community. While Jimmy Rave has passed away at 39, it’s clear he had a huge impact on the sport of wrestling and played a pivotal role during its rise to the top of the entertainment industry.
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How terribly tragic. May he Rest In Peace .
Poor man, MRSA is a terrible bacteria to deal with and he had no idea he had it. It’s all over of you have even a small wound that looks like it’s not healing get to the ER RIP
MRSA is nothing to play with. There is NO cure for it. The Dr did what he had to. RIP.