Tim Brooks, best known as “Killer” Brooks passed away today at the age of 72 following a nineteen year career, 1970 through 1989, as a full time wrestler throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Japan.
Brooks, a Texas native, opened the North American Wrestling Alliance training school, promoting shows in the Dallas-Fort Worth area following a run in the independent wrestling scene that ended in 1997. The NAWA is now owned and operated by Brooks’ former students, who continue to put on wrestling shows for the community.
WWE NXT North American Champion Keith Lee. Lee paid tribute to Brooks on Twitter today with the following powerfully worded sentiment, “Acutely aware of the pain today brings. He was my birth, my knowledge, my preparation. Home when I was homeless. Had I not seen him when I did…I never would again. Thank you Killer Tim Brooks for training me. I love you. #RIPKillerBrooks This next one is dedicated to you.”
Powerful words from Lee indeed. The full Twitter post on Lee’s official Twitter page can be viewed below.
Acutely aware of the pain today brings.
He was my birth, my knowledge, my preparation. Home when I was homeless.
Had I not seen him when I did…I never would again. Thank you Killer Tim Brooks for training me. I love you.#RIPKillerBrooks This next one is dedicated to you. pic.twitter.com/9zR32AmNLk
— The Limitless Keith Lee? (@RealKeithLee) June 30, 2020
All Elite Wrestling also took to the AEW official Twitter account and paid tribute to “Killer” Brooks with the following statement, “AEW joins the wrestling world in mourning the death of “Killer” Tim Brooks. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and his fans.” The full Twitter post with image can be viewed below:
AEW joins the wrestling world in mourning the death of “Killer” Tim Brooks. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans. pic.twitter.com/UNej0sSQBN
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 30, 2020
Brooks had been battling cancer for several years that was known to be terminal.
According to the Waxahachie Sun, Brooks, who had been undergoing treatment for intestinal cancer over the past year, had growing medical bills. Brooks’ former wrestlers stepped up to help their mentor, with The North American Wrestling Allegiance hosting the “Killer Class Reunion” live wrestling benefit. Funds raised from the benefit helped Brooks with medical bills.
Brooks was quoted stating he was “truly honored” that his wrestlers would think of him so highly. He shared that he takes each moment he is given and makes the most out of it.
Back in February of this year, Brooks stated, “I was diagnosed a little over a year ago (with an) intestinal cancer that is at stage four.” Brooks would go on to say, “It is not curable but it is treatable. A year ago, they gave me three months. I have lived that three months and three months more and three months more after that. So, I thought, ‘Why not three more?’ I was already supposed to be gone.”
Brooks lived another almost 5 months after that statement was taken by the Waxahachie Sun. “Killer” Brooks will be remembered fondly by friends, family, wrestlers, and fans alike.
