Jaxson Ryker Planning To Retire From Pro Wrestling

The controversial Jaxson Ryker (AKA Gunner) is set to retire from professional wrestling later this year at an indy show in North Carolina on August 27.

Ryker revealed the news on his Wrestling for the Faith podcast, saying: 

"I'll admit, I've been wishy-washy, okay? 'I wanna do this, I don't wanna do this.' But I do feel like, man, it's time to step away. Not necessarily doesn't mean I won't do guest ref spots or sign some autographs or use it as a ministry. But the in-ring action is just - I think it's time to step away just because of injuries. It's time to pursue a different career so I spoke to you (podcast co-host) about it and I have four shows booked. Matter of fact, tonight I'll be in Elkin, North Carolina and I'll post some flyers, and then June 3rd in Milner, Georgia for brother Marty Miller, little benefit for Drake Wuertz, good buddy of ours and then June 17th, big show in Mooresville, North Carolina and then August 27th which is funny, it's two days after my 23-year anniversary of my wrestling career starting, will be my last show in Salisbury, North Carolina. 

"Once again, I'll post all this stuff but I do man, I do think it's time to walk away. There's moments where I enjoy it if I'm working around with you, doing some stuff with you or some certain other guys. But it's just gotten to a point to where I think I'm ready to press on into a new career and being 40, almost 41, I've been blessed. I've had an amazing, amazing career. What else do I have left to prove? Go work some indy shows and get hurt? I just can't do it. But, it is. I got four shows booked, ready to roll. I've had a couple guys reach out to me this week going, 'Hey! You open this day? This day?' And I said, 'No.' I said, 'Man, I’m not taking any more bookings' and I knew right then and there, I was like, wow, I'm serious about this. But yeah, so I'm hoping you and I can maybe tie it up at at least one of those four shows. We will see (he laughed)."

Ryker noted he has suffered from nagging neck issues since 2015 but he is retiring simply because pro wrestling is no longer part of his identity. 

After beginning his career in the early 2000s, Ryker rose to prominence in 2010 after signing with TNA. He had a five-year run in the promotion before joining WWE in 2017. Ryker spent time in NXT and on the main roster as part of The Forgotten Sons and in a tag team with Elias, along with a singles run. 

He developed into a controversial figure in 2020 after he tweeted in support of then-President Donald Trump during the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd protests. This led to the Forgotten Sons being pulled from TV and Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake would hardly be used on TV before their releases, while Ryker received a singles push in 2021.

He was released in November of that year and had an 'incredible amount of heat' with the locker room at the time.

H/T to POST Wrestling