Former Impact Wrestling star Jimmy Rave has died at the age of 39, nearly six months after having both his legs amputated due to an infection.
Confirming the news on Twitter, wrestling agent Bill Behrens, wrote, “James Michael Guffey has died at the age of 39. James was best known as Professional Wrestler Jimmy Rave. His career started in 1999, continued for over 2 decades. He was a two-time NWA World Junior Heavyweight Champion. He appeared in Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling, where he teamed with Lance (Hoyt) Rock as the ‘Rock and Rave Infection.'”
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In October this year, Rave said he had both his legs amputated.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter.
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Jimmy Rave is survived by his ex-wife Felicia, daughter Kailah, son James II, and his parents Jim and Toni Guffey. He was living in Philadelphia at the time of his death and his memorial services will be held in Georgia.
Meanwhile, in the statement, Behrens also went on to describe the 39-year-old’s wrestling career, saying he “toured Japan with both Dragon Gate Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling where in 2008 he competed in the ‘Best of the Super Junior’ Tournament,” and appeared in “numerous independent promotions including Rampage Pro Wrestling, Atlanta Wrestling Entertainment, and Combat Zone Wrestling, among many others.”
“Outside of wrestling, he held the position of Director of the Bartow County, Georgia Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Center for several years. James had been struggling with drug addiction for many years. His struggles resulted in the amputation of his arm and, later, both of his legs,” the statement continued.