Posts Tagged ‘Don West’

Impact Roster Pays Tribute to Don West at Hard to Kill PPV

Those working at Impact Wrestling gave a touching tribute to the late Don West at last night’s Impact Hard to Kill Pay-Per-View.

West joined Impact (then NWA:TNA Wrestling) in 2002 and was the voice of the promotion for years.

On December 30, 2022, West died from lymphoma of the brain at the age of 59.

During last night’s show, Impact’s first Pay-Per-View since Don’s passing, the roster gathered on the entrance ramp and a ten-bell salute was given in West’s memory.

Don West

Before coming to wrestling, West made his name on the Shop at Home Network, joining the channel as a knife salesman in 1991.

In 1993, West would be promoted to Sports Collectibles, a position he had applied for years earlier, but had been rejected due to his “scrabbly voice.”

West won over viewers with his passionate, often frantic sales pitches, which were parodied by the likes of Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan on Saturday Night Live.

After turning down an offer to join WCW in early 2001 (wisely seeing that the promotion’s days were numbered) West joined Impact a year later, after Vince Russo introduced him to Jeff Jarrett.

West debuted for Impact on the June 19, inaugural Pay-Per-View, and would later host the YouTube series ‘TNA Today.’

Using his Shop at Home Network skills, West would promote new TNA merch as part of his ‘Don West Brown Bag Specials’ and would be made Head of Merchandise development in 2009.

In May 2012, West parted ways with TNA, having accepted a role as director of sales and marketing for the Wenatchee Wild ice hockey team.

In 2017, West returned to Impact as part of the merchandise team and would commentate one last time at Slammiversary XV that July.

Former TNA Commentator Don West Has Passed Away

Mike Tenay informed fans today that Don West passed away after battling lymphoma. He was 59 years old. 

West worked for TNA/Impact Wrestling from 2002 to 2012 as the color commentator alongside Tenay. He was also a great salesman and known for his hot deals on the TNA website. He returned to the company in 2017 for the Slammiversary XV pay-per-view event. 

West also worked for the Shop at Home Network and had a radio show in Nashville, Tennessee. Tenay tweeted the following: 

The Announcement

“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 first revealed in June 2021 that he had been diagnosed with brain lymphoma.  West announced that after eight weeks of chemotherapy and 13 treatments of radiation, his cancer was in remission in September. Unfortunately, in December 2021, it was revealed that he was battling cancer for a second time.

A GoFundMe was previously set up to help West and his family with the medical bills. The wrestling world has already started to react to the news, as seen below: 

On behalf of SEScoops, we send our condolences to the Don West family. 

Sad Health Update On Don West

Former TNA Wrestling commentator Don West is battling cancer for a second time after originally announcing last June that he had been diagnosed with brain lymphoma and he would begin treatment. 

Things looked better last September when he announced the cancer was in remission after doing 8 weeks of chemotherapy and 13 treatments of radiation. Unfortunately, in December, it was announced his cancer had returned and he was battling it with chemotherapy. 

PWInsider recently reported treatment had not worked as well as expected and now the brain tumor is “twice the size it has been”. West had been exploring stem cell treatment but due to the tumor size doctors are not progressing with those plans.

Impact Wrestling’s Scott D’Amore mentioned this past weekend that he will match 100% of all donations made to West’s GoFundMe Campaign through this Friday. He wrote the following: 

“Folks, ?@IMPACTWRESTLING? OG ?@DonWestDeals? is one of the best humans to ever walk this planet. Let’s rally around DW! Any donations made by midnight EST Friday will be matched dollar for dollar. It’s currently at $34,776 so keep me honest.”

We wish him all of the best in fighting this. 

Don West Provides Health Update About his Brain Lymphoma

Former TNA Wrestling Commentator Don West has given wrestling fans a health update.

On June 15, 2021, West shared that doctors diagnosed him with brain lymphoma. The professional wrestling community supported West and his family by donating to GoFundMe. Today, his GoFuneMe has reached $24,750, and fans can still help West reach his goal of $40,000 to help him with his costly treatment.

West announced on Twitter that his cancer had gone into remission on September 4, 2021. However, West and his wife Terri West gave a health update sharing that the brain tumors have returned. While unfortunate, he and his wife stated that they would stay positive, and West will continue fighting to overcome his condition.

“This is Don, and I wanted to share a health update and a couple next steps with you. After undergoing chemo and radiation treatments, my recovery was on track with a clean bill of health after three months. Unfortunately, I began having symptoms, and the brain tumors have returned. I have now started my second round of chemotherapy with more aggressive and arduous treatments to follow. While this is a setback, Terri and I are staying positive and fighting the good fight! God has blessed us in ways too numerous to list, including your past financial generosity and your many notes and messages of support. It has meant the world to us. I will continue to provide updates, and again, thank you for investing in our future,” wrote West on GoFuneMe.

SEScoops sends our love and support to West and his family.

Don West Issues Statement After Being In Remission For Cancer

Former TNA Wrestling color commentator, Don West, has expressed gratitude following some wonderful health news.

Back in June, the wrestling world showed support for West as he revealed his brain cancer diagnosis. Just three months later, West revealed he is now in remission.

Don West had the following to say on his GoFundMe page.

“Terri and I would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped us through this health journey. I am very blessed to report that after 8 weeks of chemotherapy and 13 radiation treatments, I am in remission. The power of prayer is phenomenal. Following a period of recovery, I am looking so forward to returning to work and continuing my life. My wife and I would like to thank each of you again for your financial donations which helped to relieve a large portion of the financial pressures so we could focus on treatment. Your kind words have also been such an encouragement as we moved through this difficult time.

“We appreciate each one of you!”

During his time with TNA Wrestling, many fans took a liking to West’s style as he was always energetic. He later became TNA’s go-to salesman for their merchandise. Bruce Prichard has credited West for selling out a lot of the merchandise at TNA events.

Don West: My Cancer Is Now In Remission

Former TNA Wrestling color commentator Don West has received some fantastic news.

Back in June, West revealed that he was diagnosed with brain cancer. A GoFundMe page was set up to help West with medical bills. At the time of his announcement, West said he was hoping chemotherapy would work.

“I am praying the chemotherapy will help me heal faster and hopefully I’ll be back on the radio soon. I can’t wait until this is all over and I can be back with you all again, I love you all!”

West has now taken to his Twitter account to reveal the chemotherapy and radiation treatments have led to his cancer being in remission.

“I want to give everyone an update. After 8 weeks of chemotherapy and 13 treatments of radiation, my cancer is now in remission Thank you for everyone’s prayers because they truly worked. I look forward to getting back on the radio doing what I love.”

Don West had served as a commentator in TNA Wrestling along with Mike Tenay. Once his role in the booth came to an end, he served as a spokesperson for ShopTNA. West was praised for his energetic style and respect for the wrestling business.

Video: Don West Back With TNA Wrestling

https://youtu.be/mBSa2SyCdeU

He’s back, baby. TNA Wrestling is liquidating all of their merchandise and they’ve brought back former TNA announcer and legendary pitch-man Don West to get it done.

T-shirts, DVD’s and more – “Everything Must Go.” Don is running his famous Brown Bag Special – with 5 DVD’s and 2 t-shirts selling for only $20. The more you buy, the more insane the deals get.

– 1 Brown Bag 5 DVDs and 2 Random T-Shirts + 3 Random Items
– 2 Brown Bags 10 Different DVDs and 4 Randm T-Shirts +6 Random Items
– 3 Brown Bags 15 Random DVDs and 6 Random T-Shirts +9 Random Items
– 4 Brown Bags 20 Diffrnet DVDs and 8 Random T-shirts + 12 Random Items

Head over to ShopTNA.com to check out Don West’s Brown Bag Special.

Video: Don West Returns To Promote Global Force Wrestling

Former TNA announcer and beloved pitchman Don West is back and he’s pumped up about Global Force Wrestling.

GFW released a new video of Don West hyping the promotion’s Grand Slam Tour and of course, their extensive line of merchandise, including coozies (!!!) and the must-have Jeff Jarrett special edition guitar.

Backstage News On TNA Releasing Office Employees & Merchandise Workers

As part of the company budget cuts, TNA has released several office workers, as well as merchandise front man Jimmy Jay, who was the protege of Don West. The company also released Dewey Barnes, who was another merchandise worker that actually appeared on television as an enhancement talent for Ethan Carter III.

It is being said that the TNA office crew was a “skeleton crew” to begin with, so with this latest round of cuts, the crew is even smaller now.

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    (Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

  • Details On Why Don West Is Leaving TNA

    As reported on Monday, longtime TNA employee Don West is finishing up with the company.

    The main reason behind West’s departure is that he was presented with an “offer he couldn’t refuse” – to be the new General Manager of the Wenatcheee Wild minor league hockey team based out of Wenatchee, Washington. As General Manager, West will be involved in all aspects of the hocky team’s operations.

    No word on whether West will be an “evil” general manager and attempt to have his top players injured on purpose.

    West is leaving TNA on good terms and it’s believed that he’d be welcomed back in the future.

    (Source: PWinsider.com)

    Don West Leaving TNA Wrestling

    Longtime TNA employee Don West has given notice that he’s leaving the company, according to PWInsider.

    West had been with the company since it was founded in 2002 and served as a lead announcer along with Mike Tenay until he was replaced by Taz. He has also been the head of TNA’s merchandise department since 2009, a role West was so good at that TNA sources have said will be nearly impossible to find somebody to fill his shoes.

    West, who first got national television exposure as the zany pitchman for the Shop At Home network, brought his unique brand of sales skills on the road with TNA, where he’d set up a merchandise table inside the ring and other unique offers.

    If you are not familiar with West’s work on the Shop at Home network, it’s absolutely legendary. You will NOT be ABLE to BELIEVE the INSANE deals he offered – selling everything from signed Barry Bonds baseball bats to MUST HAVE Beanie Baby collections. Here’s a classic clip from Don West on Shop At Home:

    More Details On Flair’s Confrontation With Jordan’s Valet

    As reported yesterday, reaction to Orlando Jordan’s segment on Monday’s iMPACT! was largely negative amongst the wrestlers in the locker room. Ric Flair was said to be among the most vocal detractors of the segment when it was taped on Mar. 23.

    Later that night, a number of wrestlers and personnel headed out a nearby bar. Flair had a few drinks and began complaining about the manner in which Jordan’s on-air male companion was dancing on the bar’s dance floor and added there’s no place for him in the locker room. He eventually got so worked up that he angrily approached the male companion and created a scene.

    One wrestler said Flair “cut a Ric Flair promo on him.” He then told him he’s “an embarrassment” and demanded that he “sit the f— down.”

    The male companion was said to be shaken by the wrestling legend’s comments and left the bar shortly thereafter.

    (Credit to the PWTorch Newsletter for some of the information used in this report)