Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Zach Gowen retires after 24 years as a professional wrestler
Zach Gowen has retired from in-ring wrestling after a 24-year career.
He announced the decision on Facebook and thanked the promoters and fans who supported him.
Gowen competed for major promotions including WWE, AEW and IMPACT Wrestling, as well as independent groups.
He began wrestling in 2002 and had a prominent WWE run in 2003.
He said his favorite memory was wrestling for AEW in May 2025 while his wife, children and parents watched.
Gowen also said drug addiction had badly damaged his career, but he later rebuilt his life and his passion for wrestling.
He has also worked as a producer for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, though no further plans were announced.
Zach Gowen has announced his retirement from professional wrestling after 24 years in the business.
He shared the news and thanked promoters and fans in a message posted on Facebook.
Gowen said wrestling for AEW in front of his family was the best moment of his career.
He also said drug addiction had damaged his career, but he later rebuilt his life and passion for wrestling.
Gowen began wrestling in 2002 and competed for WWE, AEW, TNA, ROH and other promotions.
- Who
- Zach Gowen, a professional wrestler.
- What
- He announced his retirement from in-ring competition after 24 years.
- When
- He announced it on Facebook on Wednesday; the articles were published on October 15 and 16, 2026.
- Where
- He announced it on Facebook. His final wrestling location is not stated.
- Why
- Not stated. In his message, he reflected on his career and thanked promoters and fans.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gowen began his in-ring career.
He competed for WWE.
He wrestled Ricochet in an AEW match at the Dynamite Beach Break special.
He wrestled for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling at tapings in Windsor and defeated Michael Allen Richard Clark.
He worked in a production role at Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Northern Rising pay-per-view in Toronto.
Gowen announced on Facebook that his in-ring career had ended.
- Career length
- 24 years
- Career began
- 2002
- AEW match
- Ricochet, May 14, 2025
- WWE run
- 2003–2004
- Maple Leaf Pro event
- Northern Rising, October 3, 2026
4 sources
What people are saying
My in-ring career has come to an end.
The best moment of my career was wrestling for AEW in front of my wife, kids, and parents.
I am the luckiest guy in the world.
Posts on X
Last night on Facebook, Zach Gowen announced his retirement from professional wrestling. A fighter inside and outside of the ring. A man who was determined never to be defined by his demons or his disabilities, but by his work ethic and spirit. Gowen noted his career highlight