The wrestling community is reeling after the passing of Jonathan Echevarria, better known to fans as Jaka, who died on Sunday at just 39 years old.
His death followed a heart attack that struck only days after his final in-ring performance, leaving friends, colleagues, and fans in shock.
His Last Match and Career Highlights
Echevarria’s last appearance came on August 31 at a Boca Raton Pro Wrestling event.
While many fans may remember him from the independent scene, he is most recognized for his time with the EVOLVE promotion, especially during its affiliation with WWE.
Alongside longtime tag-team partner Chris Dickinson, Jaka twice held the EVOLVE Tag Team Championships, carving out a reputation as a fierce and respected competitor.
Dickinson’s Emotional Words
Chris Dickinson, who had wrestled side by side with Jaka for years, poured out his grief on social media.
Calling Jaka his “best friend for the better part of 30 years,” Dickinson admitted that processing the tragedy had been extremely difficult.
He described Jaka as a “healthy 39-year-old man” and urged people to send prayers and positive energy, hoping against hope that his friend would recover.
Sadly, Echevarria was unable to bounce back, leaving Dickinson and countless others heartbroken.
Tributes from Across Wrestling
Tributes quickly spread across the wrestling world.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help with medical costs, and donations poured in—including a generous $5,000 contribution from AEW CEO Tony Khan.
Jaka had strong ties with well-known names like Angel Ortiz (AEW) and Mike Santana (TNA), who both shared their devastation publicly.
Ortiz wrote, “I love you tio,” while Santana summed up his feelings with a single word: “GUTTED.”
A Career Filled with Memorable Matches
Over the years, Echevarria stepped into the ring with some of wrestling’s biggest stars, including MJF, Tommaso Ciampa, and Keith Lee.
He built a career defined not just by championships but by the respect and admiration of both fans and fellow wrestlers.
Remembering Jaka
Though gone far too soon, Jaka leaves behind memories that fans and peers will cherish—memories of intensity, charisma, and the unique energy he brought to every match.
For those who watched him perform or knew him personally, his legacy lives on inside and outside the ring.