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Courtesy ecwaprowrestling.com
Obituary
Jeffery R. "The All American" Peterson, age 21, at Tarpon Springs, FL., formerly of Bear, DE., passed away on November 29, 2002 in the Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa, FL.
Jeff will always be remembered for his friendly smile and his love for wrestling. Jeff attended Hodgson Vo Tech. Jeff wrestled for the ECWA.
Jeff is survived by his parents, Gerald and Carol Peterson of Tarpon Springs, FL., his grandmother Lois Peterson of Sharon, PA., his sister, Jill Hampton, nephew C.J., and niece Kristen of Fort Collins, CO. Jeff is preceded in death by his brothers Jack Peterson and Jamie Peterson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American
Cancer Society.
For additional information or to send online condolences visit
www.strano-feeley.com
Strano & Feeley
Family Funeral Home
(302) 731-5459
Cards can be sent to:
The Petersons
435 Carriage House Lane
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
ECWAprowrestling.com
announced on their website this morning that ECWA mainstay, and indy wrestler
"The All American Jeff Peterson", lost his battle to lymphoma
on November 29, 2002.
While nothing I can say or write on this site will bring him back or make his loss any easier for anyone, the following is my tribute to Jeff, my friend. I was there for Jeff's debut match. I was there for Jeff's last match. I was there for every match in between. I should be in DE tonight to honor his memory, but I'm not (and I feel like shit because of that). Jeff, this is for you...
Jeff Peterson was trained by Lance (Simon) Diamond and Too Cold Scorpio at Wrestletech, a wrestling school run in conjunction with the ECWA and Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling. He worked for numerous promotions including ECWA (run by his uncle, Jim Kettner), Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling, California's All-Pro Wrestling, and IPW-Hardcore Wrestling in Florida.
Jeff wrestled in the 1999 and 2000 ECWA Super 8 Tournaments. In the 1999 tournament he had one of the greatest matches I have ever seen, losing to Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels. In 2000, he was defeated by Jet Jaguar (who ended up with a concussion).
Jeff began to receive chemotherapy, for his lymphoma, in April 2000. Jeff did go into remission, only to see the cancer return a short while later..
In July 2000, Jeff returned to the ECWA to be inducted into the ECWA Hall of Fame. During his induction, Jeff was attacked by JJ the Ring Crew Guy. The angle (which was talked about by everyone) helped Jim Kettner and the ECWA draw their largest crowd ever (1,471 fans) at their November 25, 2000 "Battle at the Bob" show at the Bob Carpenter Center.
The ECWA website had the following report on their site, for the July 2000 show:
"Hero. A four letter word rarely used to its proper context in today's world full of chaos and turmoil. What characteristics does a true hero possess? Strength, perhaps? Courage in the face of severe adversity. The ability to put on a smile though the heart is aching. In this life, and more particularly in the East Coast Wrestling Association, a young man of eighteen years is the obvious choice. Since he was a toddler, all Jeffrey Peterson ever wanted to do was wrestle, nothing more and nothing less. Nearly three years ago, his uncle and ECWA promoter Jim Kettner awarded him to opportunity to live a dream.
On March 21, 1998, WrestleTech's first student, 'All-American' Jeff Peterson made his pro-wrestling debut. The then-sixteen year old was a picture of charisma, a true underdog who had overcome the odds to achieve his goals. On February 27 of the following year, Jeff was allotted the chance to live another dream, wrestling in the annual Super 8 tournament.
On that very night, Peterson wrestled Christopher Daniels in a match that will forever be remembered by many as the greatest in tournament history. Young Jeffrey Peterson had once again defied the odds. It was his turn to bask in the spotlight.
One year later, he did it again, battling Florida independent star Jet Jaguar in a classic, high-flying game of chess. It would be his last match in the ECWA, at least for the time being. A month later, Jeffrey was dealt a curve ball that a normal teenager would get caught looking at, to borrow a line from baseball. But not Jeff, not now, not ever. Jeff Peterson was diagnosed with cancer. Months passed with Jeff receiving treatment after treatment and going in and out of the hospital in his home state of Florida.
Emotions were at an all-time high when the 'All-American' made his triumphant return to the ECWA on July 22. Another superstar fans rightfully call a hero, Cheetah Master, declared that one man whose dreams could not be denied was Jeff Peterson. Jim Kettner agreed, thus setting the entire East Coast Wrestling Association on the 'road to the Bob.' Jeff Peterson, tears in his eyes, embraced his uncle as the entire locker room surrounded the ring, pounding the mat to 'Jeffrey, Jeffrey' chants in the ultimate show of unity and team spirit. Jeff is fighting his horrible illness with dignity and unheard of bravery. He has spat in the face of adversity. Jeff Peterson is a hero of the heart."
Jeff made his comeback (and his last actual wrestling match) at the April 6, 2002 ECWA show. On the card, he wrestled and defeated Ruffhouse Rivera. The crowd loved it. Jeff loved it (and I think even Ruffhouse loved it). It was announced that evening that his cancer was in remission. Everyone was thrilled.
As I said before, I was there for Jeff's first match and every match thereafter. However, this match was phenomenal because Jeff had beaten it and returned, which is all he wanted to do.
On July 20, 2002, Jeff was seen, via tape, on the ECWAtron. It was the last time the fans of the ECWA saw him.
The cancer returned and Jeff continued his battle with it until his passing yesterday.
There are so many memories of Jeff that choosing one favorite is impossible. I'll never forget his first match as I couldn't figure out how this skinny little kid was going to be able to do anything. By the time the match was over, I had changed my mind. One thing that does stand out, at the moment was the one night that we got caught in traffic that was backed up into NJ for miles. We didn't get to St. Matthew's until about 7:10 and when we walked in, Jeff was already in the ring wrestling Reckless Youth. A few voices from the crowd screamed, "It's about time, Schwan!!". After the show, Jeff came over and immediately said to me, "Nice of you to show up.... FOR THE END OF MY MATCH!"
Jeff was also one of the first wrestlers to do a "10 Questions With..." interview for this site. To check it out, click here.
On behalf of myself, Jim and everyone else who contributes to the Wrestling Clothesline, I would like to send our sympathies to the Peterson family, Jim Kettner, the ECWA locker room, and all the friends and fans of The All American Jeff Peterson.
Brett Schwan
Wresclothesline@aol.com
