A wrestler, who has previously performed for WWE and AEW, has sadly passed away at the age of 39.
Jaka, who was an independent wrestler, sadly passed away at the age of 39. The star had previously performed during WWE WrestleMania Axxess 2018 and had also showcased his skills on AEW Dark: Elevation. The star, whose real name was Jonathan Echevarria, had been in the business since 2007 and had performed extensively on the independent scene, garnering a name for himself.
Jaka suffered a heart attack earlier this month and was taken to the ICU. He had previously performed for Beyong Wrestling, EVOLVE, GCW, NWA, and other promotions. He was also the former stablemate of Mike Santana and Ortiz in Beyond Wrestling.
Beyond was also the promotion that seemingly broke the news of the wrestler’s death on X/Twitter with the message:
The original Ace. RIP Jaka.”
The original Ace. RIP Jaka. pic.twitter.com/UE8yw72v7X
— Beyond Wrestling (@beyondwrestling) September 8, 2025
Wrestler Jaka’s Family Set Up A GoFundMe Page For The Star
A GoFundMe page was set up for the bills and welfare of wrestler Jaka after his heart attack last month. The page reads:
It is with a heavy heart that I’m creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my brother, Jonathan “Jaka/Tyson/Tio” Echevarria. He is currently in the ICU after suffering a heart attack and remains in critical condition. Our family is holding tightly to faith, praying for his complete healing and full restoration. Jonathan is the kind of person who brings laughter and energy wherever he goes—a fun, lovable pain in the butt who means the world to us. Seeing him in this state has been incredibly difficult, but we are staying strong for him and for each other.
“While our focus is on Jonathan’s recovery, we’re also preparing for the financial challenges ahead. The hospital bills are already mounting, and we know there will be ongoing costs for physical therapy and support during his time away from work. I would hate for money to become a burden during this already overwhelming time, which is why I’ve created this fundraiser. We want Jonathan to focus solely on getting better, regaining his strength, and returning to the person we all know and adore. Thank you in advance for your prayers, generosity, and support. With gratitude, Annette”
Donate to the page here.
ITR Wrestling would like to send out condolences to the family and friends of Jaka.