Former Ring of Honor World Champion Xavier has passed away. He was the second ever ROH World Champion. According to a report from PWInsider, John “Xavier” Bodeya passed away at the age of 43 on Sunday. No other details on his passing are known as of this writing.
Bodeya grew up in New York City and began training under Tony Devito in 1995. He made his pro wrestling debut in 1997. He worked for Impact Wrestling, Championship Wrestling and Jersey All-Pro Wrestling before he debuted for ROH in 2002.
Xavier was part of The Embassy in 2004. He took several years off and then returned in 2006 to challenge Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan in WWE) for the ROH World Championship.
Prior to the pandemic hitting, Xavier was scheduled to make a return to ROH, facing Jay Lethal at the ROH Past or Present event that was set for March but it had to be cancelled.
Ring of Honor issued the following statement on his sudden passing:
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.
Also, you can check out some reactions from the wrestling community below:
Man, gone way too soon.
Always so nice when he'd swing by NYC for ROH events. Unheralded and under aporeciated. Was looking forward to calling his comeback match in ROH.
Rest in Peace, Xavier. https://t.co/UH96AJh2zK
— Ian Riccaboni (@IanRiccaboni) August 16, 2020
Rest In Peace Xavier. Thank you for the matches, both as opponent and partner. You will be missed.
— Christopher Daniels (@facdaniels) August 17, 2020
So sad to hear about Xavier’s passing. Can’t believe it. He was so young, talented & such a nice person. He will be missed. Condolences to his family & friends. I knew him since I first started wrestling. I hate that I can’t that one pic of us, just 2 babies happy to wrestle. RIP
— 𝓩𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖆 𝓥𝖊𝖌𝖆 (@Zelina_VegaWWE) August 17, 2020
Speechless…
Rest in Paradise Xavier. Thank you for everything you’ve done for Marq and I and for this business. You will be missed ❤️#RIPX #RIPNicoleBass pic.twitter.com/xGtfHzo1BR
— Private Party (@IsiahKassidy) August 17, 2020
Very sad to hear of the passing of John Xavier. He was the 2nd ever @ringofhonor World Champion and was scheduled to come back to ROH at Past Vs Present in March before the event was canceled. My condolences to his friends and family. May he Rest In Peace.
— Rhett Titus (@RhettTitusANX) August 17, 2020
RIP Xavier 🙏 Prayers for his Family
— Cortez Castro (@RickyReyes01) August 17, 2020
Just learned my buddy Xavier has passed.Can’t believe it.Such a good friend I came up with on indys when I started wrestling in ‘01. Sad & shocked about this. Don’t know what happened,but prayers & condolences to his son he loved so much & his family. RIP my friend.😰#LikeWhoa pic.twitter.com/gifulJtkpw
— ✨Velvet Sky✨ (@VelVelHoller) August 17, 2020
Godspeed, Xavier. Too young, too soon. Rest well, sir.
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) August 17, 2020
RIP Xavier. So ahead of his time and talented. Way too young.
— Pat Buck (@buckneverstops) August 17, 2020
RIP Xavier
— Will Ferrara (@WillFerrara) August 17, 2020
I have no words. RIP Xavier
— Eddie Kingston #BlackLivesMatter (@MadKing1981) August 17, 2020
Just heard about #Xavier passing away. I’m in total shock. I can’t seem to find out what happened. What an incredible talent and person. He was always so kind to me and was amazing to work with. RIP John
— Cherry 🍒 (@FmrDivaCherry) August 17, 2020
RIP to Xavier. A great person. I vividly remember Fat Frank putting us on in an opener on a random JAPW show and we tore it up. So much so, that Frank booked us in a rematch on the next show.
— SONJAY (@sonjaydutterson) August 17, 2020
