It’s been more than a week since Winston Jordan, who wrestled as El Loco D. Clown, died. The family is still struggling to find the finances for his funeral, which has been postponed from this weekend.
A talented artist, Jordan died on Sunday, October 8, 2023, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 45.
Details of the family’s financial struggles were shared on the GoFundMe page:
Winston had a life insurance policy, but unfortunately let it lapse. His family is now left with the huge responsibility of covering the expenses. Winston wanted to be buried, so his family wants to respect those wishes, however if they can’t raise the additional $7000 for the burial, they have the option of cremation for about $5200. We all know that funerals are not cheap, by any means. There have been a couple of wrestling events/fundraisers to help with the expenses but they are still short about $7000 at this point for funeral and burial. The funeral is set for Saturday October 21, but will need to be postponed if the funds aren’t there in due time. It was quite obvious how much Winston loved and was loved by his family, friends, and fans. Let’s come together and give him the proper home going he deserves. Any and all donations, big or small, are greatly appreciated. If you don’t feel comfortable contributing to the GoFundMe you can send your donation directly to the funeral home in charge of the arrangements.
R.S. Lewis & Sons
374 Vance Avenue
Memphis, TN 38126
Not an especially big man, Jordan, born July 17, 1978, wrestled at around 180 pounds on his 5-foot-9 frame, primarily around Memphis, debuting in April 2018. In an August 2021 Facebook post, he was asked who trained him and suggested, “Well, you might wanna grab a Snickers, this is gonna be a minute,” and proceeded to list Big Ace, V-Man, Reno Diamond, Chris Lexx, DJ Brown, Kevin Bless, Johnny Dotson, Precious, Dustin Anthony, Hunter Havok, Keegan Brettle.
The El Loco D. Clown gimmick appears to have started only a few years back, and Jordan noted “The D. Stands for death.” Bret and Owen Hart were his favorite wrestlers, along with The Undertaker.
After an injury in August 2021 — a stinger — he posted to Facebook, “I must really love this business because the thought of not being able to wrestle again made me very depressed. In the short time I have been in the business it has gotten me out of some very dark places as far as headspace goes.”
By trade, Jordan was a graphic designer, and was employed as an installer for Fast Signs. The comic book artistry, under the Samurai Studios or InkPot Comix banner, was a sideline. (Note that there is also a late, famed artist named Winston Jordan from Barbados.)
The love of art was fostered at East High School in Memphis, where Jordan graduated in 1997. “My biggest inspiration is actually not a famous person. It’s my high school art teacher Mr. Ralph Norwood. He spent many an afternoon after school helping me to mold and shape my drawing abilities. Many teachers just don’t care about their students like that any more. The man has my unwavering admiration,” Jordan told Tho Carrion in 2016.
“Being an artist and a wrestler I get this from both ends. You’ll get exposure. I wipe my ass with your exposure. Pay me,” he posted to Facebook in September 2021.
Jordan’s Dragon Trio comic, which he wrote and illustrated, with creative partner Michael Armstrong, was described as such: “The Dragon Trio tells the story of three young Japanese brothers who are coming to terms with the murder of their parents and older brother. In the course of their search for answers they become entangled in a bitter battle an Asian crime syndicate, not realizing they have a deeper connection than they realized. The three brothers eventually use their martial arts ability and their ability to manipulate ki energy to become The Dragon Trio, costumed ninja vigilantes who help those in need and punish the guilty.” It was published by Insane Comics in 2016.
In a 2016 interview, he was asked “What was the single most difficult thing when trying to get your comic published?” by Carrion, and Jordan responded: “Getting people to realize you’re serious about this and it’s not just a hobby or pastime. It can be difficult to put out a quality product that’s going to stand alongside the big boys as well. But we have to show them that it’s not all about Marvel and DC.”
Armstrong told SlamWrestling.net that he met Jordan on a Facebook group about eight years ago, and as they exchanged messages, realized they lived about 20 minutes apart — and their day jobs were next door to each other.
“He was a very good writer and mentor,” said Armstrong. “We were in the process of rebooting his comic Dragon Trio.”
“We worked on a lot projects together through our the years in the comic business,” added Armstrong. “He wanted to go back working on his book Trio but never got back to it due to his death. I’m probably trying to continue it in his name.”
Jordan’s influence was there on all the comic books that InkPot Comix put out, whether he was a writer, artist or simply offering advice to others. As well, Jordan worked on a script for an episode of the YouTube horror show, Alex Fernandez’s Dawn, as well.
During the course of their friendship and partnership, Armstrong saw Jordan drawn more to wrestling. “I think he flipped flopped everything; comics became the side adventure and wrestling was his main thing,” said Armstrong.
“The world lost a good man and I lost a good friend today with the passing of Winston Jordan a/k/a W.G. Jordan,” posted John Crowther to Facebook. “Winston and I first met in 2014 over a common love for creating comics, his was a martial arts themed book titled Dragon Trio, and me with my series Rochelle (he made me my first convention banner, as well as a banner for B. Brian Blair). As we became closer, we spoke of our families (man, was he proud of his kids) and both learned of our mutual love for professional wrestling. I turned my passion for the business into writing autobiographies, but Winston, well into his 40s, took it one step further and began to train, eventually making his mark on the Memphis independent wrestling scene as El Loco The Clown. You lived a life to be proud of, Winston.”
Promotions that used El Loco D. Clown posted condolences: “From everyone here at ALL PRO WRESTLING, we wanna send our heart felt condolences to the family and friends of El Loco the Clown….. He was always upbeat, friendly and wanted to talk the history of wrestling when he was around. We will be praying for comfort and peace in the coming days for Loco and his family. R.I.P. LOCO”
Jordan had had some health issues in recent years — Armstrong said high blood pressure had been a constant. In August 2021, Jordan was hospitalized for what he called a “hypertensive crisis…. and I was borderline close to having a stroke or heart attack or something of that nature.” In September 2022, he posted to Facebook, “Things get put in a really interesting perspective when you almost die.”
According to Katie McInvale on Facebook, the funeral has been postponed, likely pending financing. “Please spread the word: funeral for Winston Jordan is on hold for now. Will update if that changes. If you can’t donate, please share. 🙏🏻” A GoFundMe page has been set up.
Jordan had four children, two boys and two girls.
