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I am extremely saddened to report that Chris Bryan aka Chandler Biggins, who was one of the promoters for Cleveland, Ohio's Absolute Intense Wrestling, passed away overnight following a months-long battle to regain his health. Biggins had been hospitalized since March after undergoing emergency surgery due to a health issue that was originally thought to be the flu but turned out to be a severe bacterial infection.
Bryan had undergone several surgeries and at one point was in a medically induced coma. He had been through a lot of ups and downs with his health since being hospitalized but there was a lot of hope that he would pull through. Unfortunately, last night, he passed away. He had been going through physical rehab of late and just a few weeks ago, underwent yet another surgery.
Bryan was an extremely likable person and as a promoter and booker, had an amazing knack for taking wrestling personalities that he liked and enjoyed growing up and using them in a way to accentuate AIW, so that they weren't just random names coming in to fill a card, but important pieces of the storylines they were involved in. AIW gained a nice reputation for being a fun promotion to follow, at least in part for that uniqueness to their presentation - utilizing names like Dennis Stamp, Missy Hyatt and Robert Fuller in fun, unique ways.
Bryan was known for being extremely kind to everyone. In a world where politics (and let's face it, stupidity) over so many things often pervades and grudges are built over nothing, Bryan was one of those ultra-positive personalities who was trying to build bridges and have fun with what he was passionate about - pro wrestling. He was well known for being extremely welcoming and inclusive to those he interacted with and I've never heard anyone say anything negative about him - a rarity in professional wrestling.
I can never say Bryan and I were close friends, but I enjoyed every interaction I had with him and I was a big fan of what he and John Thorne had built up in AIW. I was thrilled to meet them when they came to Philadelphia for a convention. I am extremely saddened by his passing and it really took me by surprise, because I really thought he would come out the other end OK. Unfortunately, life isn't always fair and this is one of those moments where we get reminded of that.
Pro Wrestling lost a really good friend today. Our deepest condolences to his friends and family.
A number of people from the pro wrestling world have already commented on Bryan's passing:
Man...I can't believe you left us... You were always such a pleasure to be around. You will be missed by so many people.
— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) June 20, 2017
We love you, Chris. pic.twitter.com/HVAEKjnRsF
Very sorry to hear of the loss of Chris Bryan (Chandler Biggins.) My condolences to his family/friends & the @aiwrestling scene we hail from
— ec3 (@therealec3) June 20, 2017
Heartfelt condolences to the friends & family of Chandler Biggins. I feel fortunate to have seen him & shared laughs a few months back. RIP https://t.co/Asc9JDQ7yF
— KASSIUS (KASH-US) (@KassiusOhno) June 20, 2017
I hope everyone comes out July 21st, to celebrate Chandler Biggins' life the ONLY way he'd want.
— All Ego Ethan Page (@OfficialEGO) June 20, 2017
W/ @aiwrestling ... His truest love. pic.twitter.com/8OSWrEOzQt
. @ChandlerBiggins was such a passionate wrestling fan. I'll miss our conversations. My thoughts are w/ his family & @aiwrestling community.
— Brian Myers (@TheCurtHawkins) June 20, 2017
Chandler Biggins was always a super cool dude. My heart goes out to his family for their loss.
— jimmyjacobs.net (@JimmyJacobsX) June 20, 2017
No words just RIP @ChandlerBiggins
— Eddie Kingston (@KingstonImpact7) June 20, 2017
RIP to my longtime friend @ChandlerBiggins.
— D J Z (@IAmDJZ) June 20, 2017
#RIPBiggins thank you for being a big part of the opportunities that have been opened for me and just being a great guy! @ChandlerBiggins
— Shawn Shultz (@ShaaaawwnShultz) June 20, 2017
I always loved talking wrestling with Biggins. He was so passionate. He will be missed by so many. #RIPBiggins
— Alex Reynolds (@YTAlexReynolds) June 20, 2017
. @ChandlerBiggins was a friend who I will miss but I will not forget.
— Smart Mark Video (@smartmarkvideo) June 20, 2017
I'm sure he is with his idols this morning in heaven. #RIPBiggins
I don't want to believe that you're gone. I feel if I don't mention is its not true, Biggins was one of my fav people ever. #RIPBiggins
— BigMike (@MichaelElgin25) June 20, 2017
#RIPBiggins my heart goes out to all friends and family. Thank you for everything. You are missed. @aiwrestling
— Kelly Klein (@RealKellyKlein) June 20, 2017
I only got to meet @ChandlerBiggins a few times. Everyone loved him. Thoughts go out to all his close friends & family #RIPBiggins
— Rockstar Spud (@RockstarSpud) June 20, 2017
#RIPBiggins thank you for everything ?? @aiwrestling
— Mia Yim (@MiaYim) June 20, 2017
Chandler Biggins was always a super nice guy that really loved pro wrestling. Truly saddened to hear this news #RIPBiggins
— John Silver (@SilverNumber1) June 20, 2017
Thoughts & prayers go out to the @aiwrestling family, @JohnThorneAIW,friends & family of @ChandlerBiggins.He still owes me a medieval dinner
— Missy Hyatt (@missyhyatt) June 20, 2017
Saddened by the news that @ChandlerBiggins is no longer with us. Condolences to the Bryan family & everyone over at @aiwrestling#RIPBiggins
— The Batiri (@TheBatiri) June 20, 2017
My thoughts go out to @aiwrestling , friends, and family of @ChandlerBiggins . May his memory live on in your hearts!
— Spyder Nate Webb (@SpyderNateWebb) June 20, 2017
Landed in Australia to hear the sad news of @ChandlerBiggins passing. I'm going to miss him greatly and miss what he brought to @aiwrestling
— Dylan Postl (@wwehornswoggle) June 20, 2017
Heartbroken to hear about the loss of Chandler Biggins. He was one of the good ones.
— Gran Akuma (@__AKUMA) June 20, 2017
@ChandlerBiggins
— A.C.H.™ (@GoGoACH) June 20, 2017
No words.
????
Sad to hear of the passing of @aiwrestling Chris Bryan. Read my tribute here:https://t.co/uus7YP7DiQ#RIPChandlerBiggins pic.twitter.com/M2fS6TVZki
— Gregory Iron (@GregoryIron) June 20, 2017
Found this gem in the archives. Notice @ChandlerBiggins with a couple kids in need of opportunity. He was a kind, funny & giving man. #RIP pic.twitter.com/eD3jMYZj2A
— Josh Alexander (@Walking_Weapon) June 20, 2017
Sick to my stomach. Deep down I always thought we'd have more chances to work together. I learned so much from @ChandlerBiggins. #RIPBiggins
— Beyond Wrestling (@beyondwrestling) June 20, 2017
Biggins & Thorne are 2 of the greatest dudes I ever had a chance to work for. ProWrestling lives in The Midwest thanks to them! #RipBiggins
— Bad Boy Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) June 20, 2017
Rest easy Chandler Biggins. Condolences to all who loved him.
— UltraMantis Black ? (@UltraMantis) June 20, 2017
Don't know what to say that hasn't been said. @ChandlerBiggins was truly one of the good ones. Terribly bummed out today. #RIPBiggins
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) June 20, 2017
Sad to hear of the passing of @aiwrestling's Chris Bryan. One of the good guys! #RIPBiggins pic.twitter.com/5mY5LrcMiC
— Dave Prazak (@DavePrazak) June 20, 2017
The last time I saw Chandler Biggins, he was thrilled to be around wrestling. He hopped in the car with his AIW students for a long ride...
— Stokely Hathaway (@StokelyHathaway) June 20, 2017
...to Toronto. He was one of the nicest people I've met. He loved AIW, his students, and supporting the people he believed in. RIP.
— Stokely Hathaway (@StokelyHathaway) June 20, 2017
My thoughts are with Chandler Biggins' family and friends and the whole @aiwrestling crew today. Lost a good guy last night.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) June 20, 2017
Ohio was home for me for many years, and Cleveland was one of the first places to give me a shot. So sorry to hear about @ChandlerBiggins.
— Marti Belle (@MartiBelle) June 20, 2017
I'll be a @ChandlerBiggins guy forever! pic.twitter.com/V2cMHZyaGo
— WeirdBody Evan Adams (@WeirdBodyEA) June 20, 2017
Wrestling will never be as fun ever again. #RIPBiggins
— John Thorne (@JohnThorneAIW) June 20, 2017
Thoughts and prayers go out to the @aiwrestling family. #RIPBiggins
— Jigsaw (@JigsawWRESTLING) June 20, 2017
My condolences to Chris Bryan's family & the entire @aiwrestling community. We lost a good friend whose passion will be forever missed.
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) June 20, 2017
I remember Chris Bryan as a fan @ CAPW in the late 90s, my condolences to his loved ones. He enjoyed meeting my trainer Mickey Doyle @ MEGA
— N8 Mattson (@AmazingN8) June 20, 2017
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