Brian Damage
Grappling with Tragedy is a series of articles that deal with unfortunate, tragic incidents that have occurred throughout the history of professional wrestling. It is unlike the ‘Wrestling with Sin’ series that deals more with the seedier side of wrestling like arrests, murders and suicides. Grappling looks more at particular tragic incidents that have in some instances altered pro wrestling in some way.
Jonathan ‘Jaka’ Echevarria
Jonathan Echevarria had a martial arts background in taekwondo before venturing into a career as a professional wrestler. He was trained in part by WWE Hall of Famer the late Harley Race and made his debut in 2007. Echevarria wrestled as ‘Johnny Mangue and later settling on the ring name of ‘Jaka.’ He wrestled a lot in tag teams with the likes of Sean Mulata and Chris Dickinson but also found success as a singles wrestler.
Jaka was a mainstay in the northeast independent scene wrestling for such promotions as WXW run by Afa Anoa’i, Evolve, Beyond Wrestling, Jersey All Pro, Chikara Game Changer Wrestling and CZW. While wrestling for Evolve, he and his partner Dickinson lost the tag titles to the Street Profits when WWE and Evolve had a partnership. They then wrestled at Wrestlemania 34 Axxess gaining a victory of Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch.
Jaka also made an appearance on AEW’s Dark Elevation program teaming with Sean Maluta against Mike Santana and Ortiz. Jaka was said to be a gifted pro wrestler who should have gotten a bigger break in wrestling. After wrestling on an indie show in late August…Echevarria suffered a massive heart attack just a few days later. While in intensive care, his sister started a Go Fund Me to help pay for his medical bills and rehabilitation. AEW’s Tony Khan donated 5,000 dollars. Ethan Page and Joey Janela also donated to his fund raising around 13,000 dollars. Sadly, a week later, Jonathan Echevarria died.
Several wrestlers posted on social media after hearing of his passing including Santana, Ortiz, and former Evolve booker Gabe Sapolsky who wrote…“A true tragedy. No one will say a bad word about the man. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Thank you for everything, Jaka”. Jonathan ‘Jaka’ Echevarria was just 39 years old at the time of his death.
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