Independent wrestler Jeff Cannonball, whose real name was Jeff Guerriero, died Thursday, October 8, after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He was 39.
His wife, fellow wrestler Samantha Guerriero, known professionally as Terra Calaway, announced his death on social media. She said he died around 2 a.m., less than an hour after they watched his favorite movie, the 1998 comedy “Dirty Work.”
“Jeff Guerriero, the funniest, wittiest, most charismatic man I have ever had the privilege of knowing let alone get to marry, spend 10 years with, and create a little clone of in our son Milo, has passed away after his battle with ALS,” she wrote.
Cannonball announced his ALS diagnosis in May 2025. The disease affects nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement, causing progressive muscle weakness and paralysis.
Cannonball began wrestling in 2010 and competed for several independent promotions, including Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), Major League Wrestling (MLW), Beyond Wrestling, and Hardcore Hustle Organization (H2O). He was known primarily for hardcore and deathmatch wrestling.
He held multiple championships in H2O, including the Danny Havoc Hardcore Championship and the promotion’s tag team title. He also appeared in MLW as a member of The Calling alongside Sami Callihan and Rickey Shane Page.
GCW inducted Cannonball into its Deathmatch Hall of Fame in June 2025.
Following his diagnosis, wrestlers and promotions organized fundraisers to assist Cannonball and his family. Joey Janela organized CannonballFest on September 14, 2025, in New Providence, NJ, with proceeds benefiting the family.
“We all came together to say: we love pro wrestling, we love Jeff Cannonball, f** ALS,” Janela said at the event, according to the Wrestling Observer.
The event included wrestling matches and an auction and raffle of donated memorabilia. WWE wrestler Cody Rhodes donated a robe he wore at WWE Bad Blood, while AEW wrestler Darby Allin contributed boots he wore during his climb of Mount Everest. Danhausen, Brody King, and Megan Bayne also donated items.
Calaway wrote two children’s books to help explain ALS and established the Guerriero Project, a nonprofit organization intended to support children whose parents have terminal illnesses.
Following Cannonball’s death, wrestlers from several promotions posted tributes on social media. Nyla Rose, Tony Deppen, Colby Corino, and WARHORSE were among those who paid tribute, according to Wrestling Inc..
Danhausen, Jordynne Grace, Deonna Purrazzo, Thunder Rosa, and Penelope Ford also reacted to his death, according to ITR Wrestling.
GCW and MLW issued statements Thursday.
“GCW mourns the loss of Jeff ‘Cannonball’ Guerriero,” the promotion wrote on social media. “Jeff was a Deathmatch Hall of Famer, and beloved in the indie wrestling community, but he loved and was loved even more by his family.”
MLW wrote, “We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone who shared the ring with him.”
Calaway said she would continue to honor her husband’s memory while raising their son.
“I will mourn him for every single day of my life while honoring him by raising a son he would be so incredibly proud of,” she wrote.
“I love you Jeff. 10 years was not enough, but they are years I will cherish forever.”
Cannonball is survived by his wife and son.
Sources: POST Wrestling, Wrestling Observer, Wrestling Inc., ITR Wrestling, Fightful