Post by Shoot Junkies on Feb 12, 2012 17:44:44 GMT -5
Dave Robinson
2/12/2012
Promoter and pioneer in local Cincinnati, Ohio wrestling Johnny Diamond has passed away at his home in Sharonville, Ohio Saturday, February 12, 2012. Sources say Diamond allegedly hit his head after falling and was later found by his wife Gen. Diamond had been battling illnesses during the last few years of his life. Including having to be on a kidney dialysis for the past year.
Johnny Diamond can be credited for founding such popular Cincinnati wrestling promotions as Northern Wrestling Federation and Dynamic Wrestling Alliance LLC. And played a major roll in inspiring the rise of other numerous area promotions like Legends Of The Squared Circle, Elite All Pro Wrestling, and Heartland Wrestling Association. And he helped develop major talents like Abyss and Wildcat Chris Harris from Total Nonstop Action (TNA), Jillian Hall who went on to become a superstar in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and countless independent wrestling workers all over the Midwestern United States. Diamond ran two different wrestling schools out of Cincinnati during his long career. Bonecrushers and Stompers Pro Wrestling School.
Throughout Diamond's career he worked with many wrestling legends like Hulk Hogan, George "The Animal" Steele, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, The Iron Sheik, "Beautiful" Bobby Harmon, and was a close friend to the late Andre The Giant having traveled with him on the road working events. Diamond had built up a reputation early in his career for wrestling large animals in the ring like grizzly bears. And even later went on to ring announce for WWE.
"I don't think there was a single Cincinnati promotion that wasn't influenced by Johnny. He took a lot of kids under his wing. If the area wrestling community is looked at as a family then we lost a father last night," said manager and promoter Jonathan James Fisher who worked close with Diamond in the DWA.
The news of Diamond's passing quickly got a reaction out of a number of those in the industry who knew him well.
"Johnny rekindled my desire for the business, he stoked a fire in me that will never stop burning. It was his spirit that reminded me of my undying love for the business, and everything in it. I owe more than it all to Johnny, and his spirit will continue on through us all who knew him, with our love for wrestling, with our love for him. I'll miss telling him what's new, or anything else most of all. Goodbye my great friend. Thanks again!" said wrestling personality Mr. Real Deal in a statement issued to ShootJunkies.com.
Johnny Diamond was 60 years old.
2/12/2012
Promoter and pioneer in local Cincinnati, Ohio wrestling Johnny Diamond has passed away at his home in Sharonville, Ohio Saturday, February 12, 2012. Sources say Diamond allegedly hit his head after falling and was later found by his wife Gen. Diamond had been battling illnesses during the last few years of his life. Including having to be on a kidney dialysis for the past year.
Johnny Diamond can be credited for founding such popular Cincinnati wrestling promotions as Northern Wrestling Federation and Dynamic Wrestling Alliance LLC. And played a major roll in inspiring the rise of other numerous area promotions like Legends Of The Squared Circle, Elite All Pro Wrestling, and Heartland Wrestling Association. And he helped develop major talents like Abyss and Wildcat Chris Harris from Total Nonstop Action (TNA), Jillian Hall who went on to become a superstar in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), and countless independent wrestling workers all over the Midwestern United States. Diamond ran two different wrestling schools out of Cincinnati during his long career. Bonecrushers and Stompers Pro Wrestling School.
Throughout Diamond's career he worked with many wrestling legends like Hulk Hogan, George "The Animal" Steele, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, The Iron Sheik, "Beautiful" Bobby Harmon, and was a close friend to the late Andre The Giant having traveled with him on the road working events. Diamond had built up a reputation early in his career for wrestling large animals in the ring like grizzly bears. And even later went on to ring announce for WWE.
"I don't think there was a single Cincinnati promotion that wasn't influenced by Johnny. He took a lot of kids under his wing. If the area wrestling community is looked at as a family then we lost a father last night," said manager and promoter Jonathan James Fisher who worked close with Diamond in the DWA.
The news of Diamond's passing quickly got a reaction out of a number of those in the industry who knew him well.
"Johnny rekindled my desire for the business, he stoked a fire in me that will never stop burning. It was his spirit that reminded me of my undying love for the business, and everything in it. I owe more than it all to Johnny, and his spirit will continue on through us all who knew him, with our love for wrestling, with our love for him. I'll miss telling him what's new, or anything else most of all. Goodbye my great friend. Thanks again!" said wrestling personality Mr. Real Deal in a statement issued to ShootJunkies.com.
Johnny Diamond was 60 years old.