Jaxson Ryker Retires From Pro Wrestling

Chad Lail, who wrestled for TNA as Gunner and for WWE as Jaxson Ryker, has retired from professional wrestling.

The 41-year-old left his boots in the ring following his match at an AML Wrestling show on August 27, signifying his retirement. He had previously stated his intention to retire, due to injuries and feeling as though he had nothing left to prove.

Lail (as Gunner) wrestled for TNA between 2010 and 2015. In that time he captured the TNA Television and TNA Tag Team titles (with James Storm), while also winning the TNA World Cup twice (in 2014 and 2015) and the TNA Classic in 2015.

He signed with WWE in 2017 and competed for the NXT brand as a member of the Forgotten Sons. The group made their main roster debut in April 2020.

Lail caused controversy with a tweet that supported then-President of the United States Donald Trump in the wake of protests following the death of George Floyd in June of 2020.

The tweet was criticised by many of Lail's contemporaries, including Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Mustafa Ali and Dave Bautista. The Forgotten Sons were subsequently removed from WWE television.

Ryker was ultimately released by WWE in November of 2021.