17 hours Ago By Joseph Currier
The NWA is mourning the devastating loss of a former champion. Jax Dane (real name Jeremy Laymon), a mainstay of the NWA both before and during the Billy Corgan era, passed away at 48 years old on Christmas Day. A statement issued by the NWA on Thursday disclosed that Dane’s death was due to complications from a heart attack he suffered in November.
“Born March 10, 1976, Dane left us on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, due to complications from a heart attack suffered in late November,” the statement said. “Dane is survived by his wife Evelynda Laymon, stepson Nicolas, and father, who will forever cherish his memory.” Corgan praised Dane as a friend, mentor, and professional, calling him a loyalist who went out of his way to support and rebuild the NWA.
Corgan is promising to honor Dane and make his family proud going forward. “Jax Dane loved professional wrestling deeply and he certainly loved those he fought and rode with. I know I speak for all of the National Wrestling Alliance when saying Jax will be missed,” Corgan said.
“We will do our best to honor him and make his family proud as we carry forth. “There are those men and women who carry the legacy of a champion because they have risen to such heights. And then there are those that earn the respect of a champion simply because of who they are.
To this I can say, simply and personally, that Jax was such a man, and will forever be in our hearts.” Dane is a former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, holding the Ten Pounds of Gold for 419 days between 2015-2016. He also held the NWA Tag Team titles, National Heavyweight Championship, and North American Championship during his career.
NJPW, Impact Wrestling, and Ohio Valley Wrestling are among the other promotions that Dane had wrestled for. Dane & Rob Conway teamed together in NJPW’s World Tag League tournament in both 2013 and 2014..
