WWE Honors Longtime Production Crew Member Jim Shank After His Death

Triple H, Adam Pearce, and other WWE stars pay tribute to the 25-year veteran who worked behind the scenes.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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WWE closed its latest episode of Monday Night RAW with a tribute to Jim Shank, the company's Technical Operations Manager who passed away on February 6 at the age of 60 after battling colorectal cancer. Known as 'Shank' behind the scenes, he had worked for WWE for over 25 years since joining in 1999, playing a crucial role in the technical operations that brought the live shows to life. Several WWE stars, including Triple H, Adam Pearce, and Natalya, honored Shank's contributions and impact on the company.

Why it matters

Shank was one of the many unsung heroes who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make WWE's live events and broadcasts a success. His passing is a significant loss for the company and highlights the important work done by the production crew that fans rarely see but is essential to the overall product.

The details

Shank had turned 60 on January 28, and his death just days later on February 6 was a difficult moment for those who worked closely with him. During his final months, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to support experimental treatment options, raising over $200,000 from many well-known names across wrestling, including Vince McMahon, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, Alexa Bliss, Cody Rhodes, Bruce Prichard, Chris Jericho, Rusev, and Shinsuke Nakamura.

  • Shank passed away on February 6, 2026.
  • Shank had turned 60 years old on January 28, 2026.

The players

Jim Shank

WWE's Technical Operations Manager who had worked for the company for over 25 years since joining in 1999.

Triple H

A WWE executive who paid tribute to Shank, describing him as a fixture backstage and a valued teammate who helped create the magic of the live experience at WWE.

Adam Pearce

A WWE producer who referred to Shank as one of WWE's behind-the-scenes anchors and highlighted his talents, time, and friendship.

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What they’re saying

“On Friday, the @WWE family lost a beloved member of its production crew. Jim Shank was a fixture backstage and an incredible teammate, who helped create the magic of the live experience at WWE. My thoughts and those of our entire crew and talent roster are with his family at this time. It's never goodbye…but see ya down the road.”

— Triple H (X)

“Godspeed, Jim Shank. WWE has many unsung heroes: Incredible men and women that perhaps aren't seen on screen, yet truly make everything we do shine. Jim is unquestionably one of those, and has been a respected member of our family for years. I thank you, Jimmy… for your talents, your time, and most importantly, your friendship. Connections through Houston won't ever be the same. Rest well, my friend.”

— Adam Pearce (X)

The takeaway

Shank's passing is a reminder of the crucial behind-the-scenes work done by production crews that enables the magic of live entertainment events like WWE shows. His dedication and professionalism over 25 years with the company were clearly valued by his colleagues, who honored his memory and recognized his important contributions.