Longtime IMPACT Announcer Don West Passes Away
The energetic announcer was 59
Don West, a renowned television pitchman who enjoyed a decade long tenure with what is today Impact Wrestling, has passed away, according to his friend and longtime broadcast partner Mike Tenay.
Tenay tweeted, "Just heard from wife Terri that our brother @DonWestDeals will be spending New Years in heaven. Terri said D-Dub finally had to tap out from his match with lymphoma. We bonded as soon as we met, both as broadcast partners and friends. Years of great moments both on and off camera."
West was 59 years old. He had been diagnosed with brain lymphoma in 2021.
West first gained a measure of fame in the early nineties as a pitchman on the Shop at Home Network, where he used his boundless energy and enthusiasm to promote various wares, particularly sports memorabilia. West became a cult figure for his unrestrained television appearances, so much so that Saturday Night Live and radio program Opie and Anthony routinely parodied his shtick.
In 2002, West joined the upstart NWA: Total Nonstop Action as an announcer, despite never previously working in the business (he had turned down an offer from WCW in 2000). West was originally part of a three-man booth with Tenay and Ed Ferrara, but after Ferrara departed months later, Tenay and West became the primary two-man booth for the most of the remainder of the decade.
West brought his boisterous style to commentary, openly "marking out" for daredevil X Division outings and other wild stunts. Though primarily a babyface announcer, West sometimes got involved in angles, such as enduring an attack from Kurt Angle in 2006, and turning heel for a time in 2009.
West left TNA in 2012, after accepting a sales and marketing position with a minor league hockey team in Washington state. He returned to what was now Impact in 2017 to work in the merchandise department. At that year's Slammiversary, West made a one-night return to the broadcast position, calling the event with former SportsCenter anchor Robert Flores.
Cultaholic extends its condolences to Mr. West's family and friends.
Written by Justin Henry
In addition to writing lists and commentaries for Cultaholic, Justin is also a features writer and interviewer for Fighting Spirit Magazine, and is co-author of the WWE-related book Titan Screwed: Lost Smiles, Stunners, and Screwjobs.