Legendary wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett died Tuesday at the age of 80, longtime CWA wrestler Dutch Mantell confirmed on Twitter. The news was also later confirmed by Pro Wrestling Insider.

According to reports, Jarrett, who is best known for founding the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association in 1977, died in Tennessee while being treated for cancer of the esophagus.

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“He was a pioneer in the biz loved by all. I will miss him professionally and personally very much,” Bill Apter, legendary wrestling journalist, wrote.

“Today we mourn the loss of TNA/Impact Wrestling Co-Founder and a true legend in our business,” said IMPACT Wrestling executive vice-president Scott D’Amore. “Wrestler, promoter, entrepreneur, and visionary in our profession, Jerry Jarrett is one of the most influential individuals in the history of our sport.”

Who was Jerry Jarrett?

Jarrett was born to Christine “Teeny” Jarrett in Nashville, Tennessee on September 4, 1942. His parents divorced when he was three years old.

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Jarrett founded the Memphis, Tennessee-based Continental Wrestling Association in 1977. In 1989, he merged his promotion with the Dallas, Texas-based promotion World Class Championship Wrestling, creating the United States Wrestling Association. He later sold it to Lawler in 1997. In 2002, he co-founded NWA:TNA with his son Jeff Jarrett, selling his controlling interest to Panda Energy International later that year.

Jarrett was married to Eddie Marlin’s daughter Deborah, with whom he had four children: sons Jerry Jr., Jeff, and Jason and daughter Jennifer. Jarrett became estranged from Jeff in 2005 after disputes about the running of NWA:TNA. The duo later reconciled in 2015.