Veteran ring announcer Dan Masters has died in a car crash as the wrestling world mourns his death.
The performer – real name Dan Henry – was on holiday in El Salvador when the accident occurred, and he leaves behind a 25-year legacy in the business appearing for the likes of WWE and its then-developmental league Deep South Wrestling, plus PCW Ultra, Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, and WOW (Women of Wrestling).
On her Facebook page, his niece Katelyn Corbett Middleton wrote: ‘Rest in peace to a remarkable, larger-than-life man, my Uncle Daniel.
‘As a kid, he made me feel like the coolest person on this planet — talking on the radio, getting “wake up” phone calls from ”famous” wrestlers and shoutouts at his wrestling events.
‘He was the star of the show everywhere he went, but made me feel special. He was taken too soon and will be missed tremendously by the people who knew and loved him.’
As well as various jobs for a range of wrestling promotions, Masters worked as a broadcast journalist, as well as ring announcing at MMA and boxing events.
He was perhaps best known for his work with an earlier iteration of WOW, and the promotion – which is being revived – is among those to have paid tribute to him following his death.
The company’s Twitter account posted: ‘Our condolences go out to our WOW Superheroes Dan Masters’ family and friends. Dan was not only a great ring announcer but a friend to everyone. May he rest in peace.’
PCW Ultra tweeted: ‘We are absolutely gutted upon hearing the news of Dan Masters passing. Dan was much more than our ring announcer, 1 of the 4 remaining ULTRA OG’s who worked every single show, an integral member of our crew, and the first stone in building a professional company… he was family.’
WWE legend Rob Van Dam wrote: ‘The longer we live, the more people we lose. RIP Dan Masters – forever young.’
And Taya Valkyrie – currently appearing for the likes of IMPACT Wrestling, NWA and AAA, having been released by WWE last year – added: ‘Dan Masters, you were always so positive, sweet and kind every time we worked together.
‘I’m in shock. Sending love to your family and friends during this awful time. May you find peace.’
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