Lance Cade Then and Now

Lance Cade Then

Lance Kurtis McNaught, better known by his ring names Lance Cade and Garrison Cade, was born on March 2, 1981, in Carroll, Iowa, and developed a passion for wrestling at a young age. 

His journey into the world of professional wrestling began when he enrolled at the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy in San Antonio, Texas, in 1999. 

Under the mentorship of wrestling legend Shawn Michaels, McNaught honed his skills and began to establish his presence in the wrestling world. 

This foundational training provided him with the technical prowess and in-ring charisma necessary to pursue a career in professional wrestling.

Lance Cade Wrestling Career

Lance Cade’s career took off as he ventured into various wrestling promotions after his initial training. 

In December 1999, he and fellow wrestler Bryan Danielson traveled to Japan to compete in Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW). 

Their tag team effort was short-lived, as Cade soon focused on individual pursuits, facing notable opponents like Balls Mahoney and Crazy Boy.

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Returning to the United States, Cade signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and was sent to Memphis Championship Wrestling in 2001. 

His journey through various developmental territories included stints in the Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA) and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). 

Cade’s notable achievements in these promotions include winning multiple HWA Tag Team Championships and the HWA Heavyweight Championship.

In 2003, Cade made his debut on the Raw brand under the ring name Garrison Cade. 

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His career continued to flourish as he formed a successful tag team with Trevor Murdoch, with whom he captured three World Tag Team Championships in WWE. 

Despite facing setbacks such as a knee injury and a brief hiatus, Cade’s talent and determination kept him in the spotlight until his release from WWE in October 2008. 

His contributions to wrestling, including his championships and memorable tag team runs, remain a testament to his impact on the industry.

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Lance Cade Wrestling Competition

• Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW)
  • Competed in tag team and singles matches
• Memphis Championship Wrestling (MCW)
  • Competed in tag team and singles matches
• Heartland Wrestling Association (HWA)
  • HWA Tag Team Championship (with Mike Sanders and Steve Bradley)
  • HWA Heavyweight Championship
• Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
  • OVW Tag Team Championship (with René Duprée)
• World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
  • Raw brand
  • World Tag Team Championship (with Trevor Murdoch)

Lance Cade’s Wife and Children

Lance Cade, born Lance Kurtis McNaught, had a notable personal life alongside his wrestling career. On June 14, 2000, he married Tanya Gonzalez. 

The couple’s relationship faced challenges, leading to their divorce on May 16, 2006. 

Despite their separation, Cade and Tanya reconciled and remarried in Las Vegas in September 2008. 

Their renewed commitment lasted until Cade’s untimely death in 2010.

During their marriage, Cade and Tanya had two daughters, Natallye and Laryssa, adding a personal dimension to his life outside the ring. Additionally, Cade became a stepfather to Tanya’s son, Brian. 

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Tanya Gonzalez is the daughter of Black Gordman, a respected professional wrestler, linking Cade to a notable wrestling family.

In January 2010, Cade sought help for personal struggles by entering a rehabilitation program. 

He completed a 30-day treatment in February, reflecting his efforts to address challenges and improve his well-being. 

Despite his efforts to manage his personal issues, Cade’s life was tragically cut short, but his family and wrestling legacy continue to be remembered.

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Lance Cade Now

Lance Cade’s life came to a tragic end on August 13, 2010, when he passed away at the age of 29 due to apparent heart failure in San Antonio, Texas. 

In the week leading up to his death, his wife Tanya had noticed signs of ill health, prompting him to seek medical attention. 

He was admitted to the hospital on August 10, 2010, with difficulty breathing but chose to discharge himself the following day. 

Unfortunately, his health continued to decline, and his death was later attributed to “mixed drug intoxication, complicating a cardiomyopathy,” according to a staff member of the San Antonio medical examiner.

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Following his passing, the wrestling community honored Cade’s memory with a special event. 

On March 5, 2011, the Texas Wrestling Academy Gym in San Antonio hosted a “Lance Cade Tribute Show” to celebrate his contributions to the sport and remember his impact on those who knew him. 

This tribute highlighted the respect and affection Cade garnered within the wrestling world and his lasting legacy despite his brief career. 

The tribute show served as a poignant reminder of his talent and the void left by his untimely departure.

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