John “Xavier” Bedoya, a former ROH Champion, has passed away at the age of 43.
The cause of death was not immediately known, though it is reported that it was sudden and unexpected. PWInsider was the first to report the tragic story.
Xavier made his wrestling debut in 1997 after training under Tony DeVito. He would go on to perform on the first Ring of Honor show, The Era of Honor Begins.
On September 21, 2002, Xavier defeated inaugural ROH Champion Low Ki to become the second champion for the company. He would go on to have matches defending the title against AJ Styles, Paul London, and Jay Briscoe. His reign was ended in March 2003 by Samoa Joe.
After receiving tryouts with WWE and IMPACT Wrestling and not being hired by either, he would get involved in Mixed Martial Arts. He last wrestled in 2016. Bedoya was scheduled to wrestle Jay Lethal in a return match at ROH Past vs. Present in March 2020, but the show was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ring of Honor issued the following statement on the passing of Bedoya:
ROH MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER WORLD CHAMPION XAVIER
Ring of Honor is saddened to learn of the passing of former ROH World Champion Xavier (John Bedoya). He was 43.
A product of the New York independent wrestling scene, Xavier defeated Low Ki on Sept. 21, 2002 to become the second ROH World Champion. He held the title for 182 days before losing it to Samoa Joe on March 22, 2003.
Xavier made his ROH debut on the company’s first show, The Era of Honor Begins, on Feb. 23, 2002, defeating Scoot Andrews. He last wrestled in ROH in 2007 and retired from pro wrestling in 2011. Xavier also competed in several mixed martial arts fights, beginning in 2009.
Xavier was scheduled to come out of retirement to face Jay Lethal at the ROH Past vs. Present show this past March in Las Vegas, but the show was canceled due to the pandemic.
ROH extends its deepest condolences to Xavier’s family, friends and fans.
On behalf of the staff of Wrestleview, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of John Bedoya.