Former WWE Star Addresses TV Wrestling Return After Over 20 Years Away

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 #AEWDynamite

Beach 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