Controversial Former WWE Star Planning To Retire

WWE

A controversial former WWE star has revealed that he is planning to retire.

After a stint with IMPACT Wrestling, Gunner, then known as Jaxson Ryker signed with WWE in 2017 where he spent four years with the company. He was released in November 2021 following a myriad of controversies.

During a recent episode of Wrestling For The Faith, Ryker revealed that he is planning to wrap up his in-ring career this year.

Talking about some shows he has lined up and wanting to retire after his August 27 show in his home state of North Carolina, Jaxson said:

“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, but, 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.”

Ryker continued on to explain why he felt it was the right time to call it a career, saying:

“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 indie 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 anymore 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 least one of those four shows. We will see (he laughed).”

Full results from Backlash were as follows:

Raw Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair (c) def. IYO SKY

Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins def. Omos

United States Championship – Austin Theory (c) def. Bobby Lashley, Bronson Reed

SmackDown Women’s Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) def. Zelina Vega

San Juan Street Fight – Bad Bunny def. Damian Priest

Solo Sikoa & The Usos def. Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Matt Riddle

Cody Rhodes def. Brock Lesnar

Transcription via POST Wrestling

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