"A unique bond that only brothers & sisters in our wrestling fraternity understand" - WWE official remembers Bad Bones

WWE Superstars and others from around the wrestling world continue to pay tribute to John "Bad Bones" Klinger. The tributes pouring in are proof that the international star was well-liked and respected throughout the business.

Bad Bones passed away earlier today in his native Germany, just six days after his 40th birthday. The self-proclaimed Best In Europe was a major star in Westside Xtreme Wrestling, but he also worked for TNA, EVOLVE, and PROGRESS, among others.

The seven-time wXw champion had notable feuds with names like Gunther, Ilja Dragunov, and Malakai Black while also having matches with Cody Rhodes, Swerve Strickland, Kevin Owens, and Bryan Danielson, just to name a few from WWE and AEW. Nick Aldis shared the ring with the powerhouse technician several times.

The German Psycho won his first singles bout with Aldis in February 2007 at an ASW event in Leamington Spa, England. Aldis later got the win back by retaining the GFW Global Championship over Bones in March 2016 at a Global Force Wrestling event in London. The SmackDown General Manager took to X this evening to pay tribute to his friend.

"RIP John Klinger. So many times I arrived tired and weary in a foreign land, and Bad Bones was a friendly face that I was relieved to see; whatever weird wacky adventure awaits, we're here together. That's a unique bond that only brothers and sisters in our wrestling fraternity understand. A great guy, gone too soon. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. RIP Brother," Nick Aldis wrote with the tribute graphic below.

Corey Graves also recalled traveling with Bones in a tribute today. wXw mentioned earlier how the 20-year veteran was planning to retire soon.

Former WWE star recently wrestled Bad Bones

The pro wrestling world is paying tribute to the late John "Bad Bones" Klinger today after he passed away at the age of 40.

WWE's Dijak and Nikki Cross, plus AEW's Malakai Black, were among those who paid tribute to The Lost Rebel today. Former WWE and TNA star Flash Morgan Webster noted on X how he recently wrestled Bones. The May 11 PTW pay-per-view from Poland saw Bones defeat Webster in just over 8 minutes.

"I only wrestled him 9 days ago. Was talking to him in Poland after the match about how he was gonna retire in September and was happy with what he’d achieved and was happy to step away on his own terms. Life can be so cruel. Rest in peace John," Flash Morgan Webster wrote with the photo below.

Bones dropped the ERW Championship on May 11 in Dresden at ERW's Night of Catch 2024. Metehan won the 19-minute Triple Threat, which also included Erkan Sulcani.