Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Tyrus recently spoke about the end of his in-ring career and his future involvement with the NWA. In an interview on FOX News, Tyrus reflected on his retirement and his desire to continue supporting and mentoring young wrestlers in the industry.
Tyrus acknowledged his loss to EC3 at NWA 75, stating, “EC3 was the better man and we fought like hell, but it was his time.” Despite stepping away from in-ring competition, Tyrus expressed his commitment to the NWA, praising owner Billy Corgan as a “tremendous promoter and owner.” He plans to contribute to the organization by helping the younger talent and potentially exploring opportunities in commentating.
The decision to retire from in-ring competition was not an easy one for Tyrus. He explained that he wanted to continue wrestling so his children could witness his matches, but the demanding nature of the profession made it challenging to balance family life. Tyrus shared, “My kids voted and they said, ‘That’s one less weekend that daddy is gone.’ It was unanimous.”
Reflecting on his wrestling career, Tyrus expressed gratitude for the opportunities it provided him. He mentioned his time in WWE, Impact Wrestling, and Japan, and how wrestling allowed him to fulfill his childhood dream of emulating his heroes, such as Dusty Rhodes, Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff, Haku, and Andre the Giant. Additionally, Tyrus highlighted how wrestling served as a platform for him to establish himself as an author and pursue other endeavors.
Tyrus also touched on the bittersweet aspects of retirement, mentioning the passing of his friend and fellow wrestler Windham Rotunda, known as Bray Wyatt. Despite the emotional challenges, Tyrus felt that he was making the right decision at the right time. He emphasized the positive impact he had on others’ lives through wrestling, citing examples like his friend JR Kratos, who was able to buy his first home thanks to his wrestling career.
Tyrus concluded by expressing his gratitude for his time in wrestling and the opportunities it provided. He highlighted the ability of wrestlers to use their platform to build other ventures and open doors for others in the industry. Ultimately, Tyrus believes that retiring from in-ring competition is a happy and fulfilling decision, as it allows him to focus on new opportunities while still contributing to the wrestling world.
For more information on Tyrus and his retirement from in-ring competition, visit prowrestlingwars.com.