I just finished watching the final episode of the first half of Season 3 of ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ focusing on Tom Billington, otherwise known as the Dynamite Kid. Kid pioneered a wrestling style that became the foundation of the modern way many wrestlers work today, dating back to Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Owen Hart. Unfortunately, Kid pushed himself beyond his own physical limits and sacrificed his own health and well being for the craft and died in 2018, on his 60th birthday.
Obviously wrestling during the late 80s to early 90s is not as lucrative, probably not as mainstreamed or popular, as it appears to be today. It’s not like you can just go into the sport for a few years and expect to leave it and do something else. Many wrestlers in the Dynamite Kid’s generation didn’t have a second career path to fall on should their in ring careers get cut short. We would never know what could have been had Dynamite taken a few years off to heal himself, rather than wrestling himself to an early grave.
This brings me to the surprise announcement this week that Lio Rush, a former NXT Cruiserweight champion as well as having competed in MLW and recently appeared at AEW’s Double or Nothing pay per view, was retiring from the ring even though he had signed a deal with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Based on his own account, Lio’s been wrestling for almost a decade, but he has also said he’s open to other business inquiries and other projects outside of the squared circle, such as music. Also, how can you be against anyone wanting to spend more time with their family after a career where constant travel has been a mainstay of this industry? I wish Lio the best of luck in whatever he does next.
That doesn’t mean a retirement decision should ever be permanent; Rush is young enough for a second or third act in the wrestling business. Another wrestler, ACH, also recently announced his retirement albeit on much calmer circumstances. The last time the former ‘Jordan Myles’ from NXT announced he was leaving the business, it was under a cloud of controversy with accusations of racism, but this would be the second time ACH announced his retirement, who is only 33.
In conclusion, depending on the performer, maybe retiring from wrestling isn’t so much a nail in the coffin for one’s career anymore as it would have been for guys like Dynamite Kid back in the day. We just saw a 62 year old Sting have a great match at Double or Nothing. Mark Henry and Big Show, two guys nearing their 50s, look like they can still go…and I already spoke about Lio Rush.
Doors always open, fellas.
An average professional doing the 9-5 grind who really loves wrestling across all platforms. Here's hoping wrestlers finally get some basic workers rights in 2021.
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