Bob Ryder, who many long-time Internet wrestling fans remember from the 1wrestling.com website and who headed Impact’s travel department, has been found dead. The news was announced by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer.
Meltzer said that Ryder was found at his home in Nashville by police after Impact Wrestling officials couldn’t get a hold of him and asked police for a check. Ryder had been suffering from cancer and was doing chemotherapy.
In 1997, Ryder launched 1wrestling.com, a website he owned with Joey Styles. He also ran the ECW official website for ECW with the help of Dave Scherer who now runs PWInsider.com. Ryder eventually got a job with WCW and hosted WCW Live with Jeremy Borash.
Following the closure of WCW, Ryder along with Jeff and Jerry Jarrett came up with the TNA idea during a fishing trip and Ryder has worked for the company since day one. His latest role was Director of Travel Operations. Impact Wrestling has not commented on his passing as of press time.
