Summary

David Dwinell, a former referee for the WWF and National Wrestling Alliance, has died. The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame said Dwinell passed away on March 19.

Dwinell had previously shared in December 2025 that he was preparing to enter hospice care while battling Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndrome, which he described as a rare and progressive condition.

The Hall of Fame also noted Dwinell's long history in pro wrestling in the Northeast and remembered his work as a volunteer tour guide.

Dwinell's place in wrestling history

Dwinell's passing marks the loss of a figure who worked across two major pieces of wrestling history, the WWF and the NWA, while also remaining connected to the business through the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. For longtime fans, that gives this story weight beyond a routine obituary because it touches both the territorial era and the generations that followed.

His autobiography, *Ringman*, was also highlighted in the announcement, which underscores how Dwinell's perspective on the business remains part of the historical record even after his death.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.