PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

ACTOR DUSTIN DIAMOND, WHO MADE NUMEROUS WRESTLING APPEARANCES, PASSES AWAY

Actor Dustin Diamond, best known for his time as Screech on numerous Saved By The Bell series and TV movies, passed away today, just weeks after being diagnosed with stage-four cancer, TMZ.com reported today.  Diamond was hospitalized in Florida just a month ago.  TMZ's report lists his passing as due to lung cancer.

Diamond, 44 at the time of his passing, was a lifelong professional wrestling fan and has made several pro wrestling-related appearances over the years, including a "boxing match" on an early NWA:TNA PPV in Nashville, TN:

Diamond also made appearances for Memphis Championship Wrestling on their weekly TV, where he was infatuated with The Kat, Stacy Carter in May and June 2000.    After attempting to ask her out over several weeks, she lets him down gently but Diamond turns heel and chased her around the set leading to MCW Wrestlers Chip Diver, The Fabulous Rocker, and Dannie B. coming out to restrain him.  Diamond, who was holding a box of candy, hit Diver with it, leading to all three wrestlers stomping him and Diamond doing a stretcher job off TV.

Diamond was also a cast member of CMT's reality series Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling in 2008, where he and other celebs were trained by the likes of Brian Knobbs, Tom Howard and Brutus Beefcake before taking part in weekly matches and judged by Jimmy Hart, Hogan and Eric Bischoff.  Diamond survived all the way to the last episode of the competition, which was won by Dennis Rodman.  He would also use a pro wrestling-inspired heel persona in other reality series, including VH-1's Celebrity Fit Club.

Diamond also made independent wrestling appearances for Chicago's AAW and NYC's FTW promotions, among others.  He last appeared at a pro wrestling event as a performer in 2012.

PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Diamond.

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet