Published: May 9, 2025 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: May 9, 2025 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE/AEW
A former WWE star has addressed returning to TV wrestling after over 20 years away, ahead of his AEW in-ring debut.
The May 8 episode of AEW Collision saw Ricochet square up to former WWE star Zach Gowen, mocking him and his sons.
With security getting involved, Ricochet would attack the servants of order, attempting to deliver an impromptu haircut to one of their number.
Thankfully, Gowen was on hand to disrupt Ricochet’s antics, only to receive to be kicked to the ground with the AEW star going to on to steal the prosthetic leg of the fallen man.
Gowen, now a “youth engagement expert”, has broken his silence following the attack that he suffered, thanking the fans who remembered him.
The former WWE name tweeted:
“I haven’t been on a national tv wrestling program in 22 years. Thank you to those that remembered me!!! I haven’t forgotten about yall either.
“The magic of professional wrestling is still very much alive in my soul and I’m so grateful I get to share that once again 🙏”
Last night’s AEW Collision won’t be the last that we see of Gowen, however, with Tony Khan revealing that a match against Ricochet has been set for Dynamite Beach Break.
In a post on Twitter, Khan confirmed that Gowen would have his in-ring AEW debut on the May 14 Beach Break episode of Dynamite, tweeting:
“After Ricochet assaulted Zach Gowen in front of his family on #AEWCollision tonight, they’ll fight 1-on-1 at Beach Break Dynamite THIS WEDNESDAY!”
Gowen last competed in October 2024 at XICW 24 Da Hard Way, teaming with Caden Monroe, DBA to defeat AOD, Jaimy Coxxx & Royce Carney III.
Making his WWE debut in May 2003, Gowen would be released from his contract in February the following year.
He has previously stated that his “inability to be professional” was a factor in his WWE release.
This Wednesday, May 14
Chicago, IL
8pm ET/7pm CT, on TBS + Max
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamiteBeach Break@KingRicochet vs @ZachGowen
After Ricochet assaulted Zach Gowen in front of his family on #AEWCollision tonight,
they’ll fight 1-on-1 at Beach Break Dynamite THIS WEDNESDAY! pic.twitter.com/EPGNbnKDmH— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 9, 2025
To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!
Trending
- Brock Lesnar Returns On WWE Raw, Attacks Oba Femi
- Paul Heyman Comments On Brock Lesnar WWE Raw Return, ‘Oh, Did I Forget To Mention? It Must Have Slipped My Mind!’
- Roman Reigns Vs. Jacob Fatu ‘Tribal Combat’ Match Confirmed For WWE Clash In Italy 2026
- Triple H Gave Nikki Bella The Option To ‘Say No’ To Paige Replacing Her At WWE WrestleMania 42
- Chris Jericho On If He Spoke To WWE Prior To AEW Return: ‘I’ll Leave That For Another Day, I Like The Idea Of The Intrigue’
- ‘No Higher Stakes’ – Triple H Addresses Roman Reigns Vs. Jacob Fatu Tribal Combat Match At WWE Clash In Italy
- Chris Jericho Reveals Inspiration Behind ‘Jericho’ Name Change Following AEW Return: ‘I Could Create A Dozen Other Nicknames, But How Many More Do I Need?’
- WWE Hall Of Famer Bully Ray Says Gunther Should Defeat Cody Rhodes At Clash In Italy: ‘I Want To Take The Hope From Cody Away’
- ‘You Never Know Which Way He’s Going To Go’ – The Bella Twins Heap Praise On Danhausen, Reveal WWE Segments With Him Aren’t ‘Perfectly Planned’
- Blake Monroe Teases WWE SmackDown Debut In Spain, Says She’s ‘Waiting To See How The Chips Fall’
mailing list