IMPACT Wrestling's Bob Ryder Passes Away

IMPACT Wrestling's Bob Ryder has sadly passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Dave Meltzer first reported news of Ryder's passing. He tweeted: "Bob Ryder was found dead at his home in Nashville by police today. We don't know more but he had fallen yesterday and was on advanced chemo. Impact officials couldn't get in touch with him and went to his home and he never answered, police were called and found him dead."

PWInsider noted Ryder was a pioneer of the internet wrestling scene in the late 1990s. He headed website Prodigy Wrestling and later founded 1Wrestling.com. He broke multiple major stories at the time, including Bret Hart's move to World Championship Wrestling.

Ryder moved to WCW not long after and hosted WCW Live with Jeremy Borash until the company's demise in 2001.

Ryder was also a key player in the founding of IMPACT Wrestling and was the promotion's first and longest-serving employee. He went on to have numerous roles within the company, from handling contract negotiations with talent to sorting out travel. He remained with IMPACT until his passing.

Cultaholic extends its condolences to Bob Ryder's family and friends.