Ashton Smith To Retire From Pro Wrestling

Former WWE NXT UK star Ashton Smith is set to retire from professional wrestling. 

Announcing his decision on X, the 35-year-old wrote:

"Wrestling it's been a pleasure, you owed me nothing and gave me everything, I just hope I gave enough back. I gained friend, family and everything in-between. I was lucky enough to achieve a dream I'd wished for since I was a kid. I've always had friends take the piss out of me for being a wrestler but it's taught me life skills that helped drive my corporate career, from communicating to a wide range of people, reading emotions, controlling a room and telling a story. I've one more show and then after 20 years it's time for me to call it a day. I don't want to sacrifice anymore weekends away from my family and I want to build a solid foundation so my children can chase their dreams. Forever in my heart, best job I ever had".

Smith performed for WWE NXT UK between June 2018 and August 2022. He was a one-time WWE NXT UK Tag Team Champion with Oliver Carter (AKA Oro Mensah). Their reign is recognised as lasting 20 days and ended when they were forced to vacate the titles due to a knee injury suffered by Smith. 

Since his WWE release, Smith has primarily wrestled on the UK independent scene, including for ICW (where he formed a tag team with fellow NXT UK alumnus Rampage Brown).

A recent report noted that, two years on from the closure of NXT UK, WWE are unlikely to ever launch the mooted NXT Europe.