Former WWE wrestler Lance Cade dies at 29

Former WWE wrestler Lance Cade (real name Lance McNaught) died this morning of what is believed to have been heart failure, according to various reports. He was 29.

Cade, who was trained by Shawn Michaels, was probably best known for the odd couple tag team that he formed with Trevor Murdoch several years ago. The duo won tag team gold in WWE three times between 2005 and 2007.

I always thought that Cade, who had a good look and was decent in the ring, would someday get a singles push in a student versus teacher program with Michaels, but it never happened. Cade, however, did have a role in the high-profile feud between Michaels and Chris Jericho in 2008, as he was aligned with Jericho and helped him win a ladder match over Michaels on pay-per-view.

A week later, however, Cade surprisingly was released by WWE. It was reported at the time that Cade’s release was the result of him suffering a seizure on an airplane and having to be removed from the plane because he required emergency medical care. It was believed that the seizure was caused by the use of pain killers or muscle relaxers.

Cade re-signed with WWE the following year but he was never used on the main roster and was eventually let go about six months later. During that stint, Cade reportedly asked WWE officials to send him to rehab, and he completed a 30-day program.

He had been working recently with All Japan Pro Wrestling.

My condolences to Cade’s family and friends.