Jaxson Ryker gets asked constantly whether he misses wrestling. His honest answer is yes, but that’s not the same as him wanting to come back.
Speaking with Ben Veal, the former WWE Superstar reflected on life since retiring, making clear he hasn’t spent the years since second-guessing the decision. Ryker’s final match came in August 2023 against longtime friend Casey Cage in North Carolina; he’s spent the three years since building a new career in law enforcement.
20 August of 2023, I had my final match in North Carolina against my buddy Casey Cage… Since then, I have been in law enforcement now for three years in kind of the county and the area I live in.
Ryker admitted there are things he genuinely misses about the business, entertaining audiences and being around the boys in the locker room chief among them. However, he said he knew back in 2023 it was time to step away. He explained that leaving on his own terms, rather than letting the decision get made for him, was always a priority.
I get asked the question all the time like, ‘Do you miss wrestling?’ And I do. I do. I miss, you know, entertaining the people in a certain way. I miss being in the locker room with the boys. But I knew that in 2023, it was time for me to step away.
He still enjoys occasional convention appearances and signings to reconnect with fans, but was clear that putting his boots down in the ring in 2023 wasn’t a symbolic gesture and he has no plans of ever having another match.
I still do some signings and show up at shows and it’s good to see old fans and old friends. But I have no desire. When I put those boots in the middle of the ring in August of 2023, I had no intentions of coming back and having a match, and I’m very happy with my decision.
