The wrestling world took another hit today as beloved independent deathmatch wrestling star Markus Crane passed away. The news broke earlier today through Freelance Wrestling and since then, the wrestling community has come together to share fond memories and stories. Wrestlers, companies, and fans from around the world have come together in remembrance as the news hit everyone hard. He had been preparing for a comeback to the wrestling world after a near-fatal infection and surgery in 2019.
Rest in Peace, Markus.
We'll miss you ? pic.twitter.com/gzoqmCkVZL— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) December 27, 2021
Crane first started to build momentum through his work in IWA-Midsouth and IWA-Unlimited through the 2010s. Here, he began building momentum for his deathmatch work and took part in both Prince and King of the Deathmatch tournaments. He wouldn’t just do deathmatches though as he was a tag champion in AAW and DREAMWAVE whilst also working for Freelance Wrestling. It would be his GCW run that really propelled him to the next level though as he debuted in Zandig’s Tournament of Survival and kept the ball rolling with creative deathmatches, a love for dry ice, and a character everyone could get behind. He would become a regular as either a singles star or tagging with SHLAK as part of Hate Trash Disaster. Throughout his run, he got to put on classics against the best of the best in both US and Japanese deathmatch, taking part in GCW’s first tour of Japan. He would also become a regular for Matt Tremont’s H2O promotion and a proponent for the no-ring deathmatch world through his work with Casanova Valentine and No Peace Underground as the company’s longest-reigning champion.
Markus Crane. Thank you for coming to No Peace and being our longest reigning champion. Thank you for helping us build our name and creating an inclusive locker room for us. There is a hole in this world that can never be filled. We are forever grateful.#reignforever
?LLMC? pic.twitter.com/E7CTbinOTQ— No Peace Underground (@NoPeaceFL) December 27, 2021
He was forced to retire in 2019 after said brain and skull surgery but remained vocal as he recovered, the GoFundMe for his medical costs bringing the wrestling world together again for a noble cause. In 2021, he began making appearances in-ring again, destroying Kit Osbourne at Alex Colon’s Planet Death and making a save for Team H2O at Destiny. He’d been prepping for a proper return. The tributes have poured out everywhere with GCW and ICW’s Danny Demanto leaving statements as well as wrestlers he worked with like Brandon Kirk, Jimmy Lloyd, Casanova Valentine, and many more. Just look to Twitter to see all the love he has received. Crane was one of the most daring and creative people on the deathmatch scene, able to bond with fans from around the world. The Devil’s Big Red Dick will be missed. We here at SteelChair send our condolences to his friends and family. You will be missed.
I love you Markus. pic.twitter.com/3vumRqw5Pw
— Casanova Valentine (@BlackDeathCas) December 27, 2021
All images courtesy of Tom’s Customs, GCW, No Peace Underground, Casanova Valentine