Erick Stevens Announces Retirement from Professional Wrestling

This past Sunday, independent professional wrestler Erick Stevens announced his retirement. He took to Twitter to deliver the news. Through a series of tweets, he expanded on his decision to leave. “Before I elaborate, please understand that this isn’t an impulsive decision,” said Stevens. “Nor is it a cliche temporary thing. I always said I’d know when it was time to go. And now is that time. Certainly not the storybook ending I imagined, but this ain’t a storybook.” His Twitter announcement can be seen on his account.

Tonight is my last night as a professional wrestler.

— Eric Koenreich | Tired Dad Fitness Club (@erickoenreich) October 11, 2020

Erick Stevens wrestled his final match this past Sunday at Black Label Pro‘s Threat Level Noon event. During the event in question, he teamed with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor in a losing effort against Top Flight, the duo of Angel Dorado and Air Wolf. The match concluded when Stevens found himself the recipient of a running dropkick, courtesy of high-flying team. One pinfall later and Top Flight was deemed the winning team.

It’s worth noting that Erick Stevens originally retired from professional wrestling back in 2010. However, he returned to the industry in May of 2019 for one final run. Additionally, he was supposed to wrestle his retirement match this past April at Beyond Wrestling‘s Big Balls event. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event in question, as well as shows around the world, were postponed or canceled.

You let a 13 year old boy live his dream.
And I’ll always love you for it.
But I can’t love you obsessively anymore.
I’ve given all I have left to give.
My heart can take the pounding.
My mind can handle the grind.
But my body knows it’s time to say goodbye.
And that’s OK. pic.twitter.com/z7ikr2HzFW

— Eric Koenreich | Tired Dad Fitness Club (@erickoenreich) October 12, 2020

Stevens began his professional wrestling pursuits in 2003, having trained under current WWE NXT Superstar Roderick Strong. He began making appearances for National Wrestling Alliance Florida. It was here he competed for the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions and even won the 2005 Rage in a Cage battle royal. However, by 2005, NWA Florida ceased operations, which promoted Stevens to pursue wrestling elsewhere.

In the years that followed, Stevens worked for Full Impact Pro and Southern Championship Wrestling Florida, among other organizations. Stevens would even hold the FIP Florida Heritage, Tag Team, and World Heavyweight Championships, the latter of which he held twice. He also made multiple appearances for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. In TNA, he faced the likes of “The Alpha Male” Monty Brown and 3 Live Kru. By 2007, Stevens started to appear for Ring of Honor, even defeating former trainer Strong for the FIP World Heavyweight Championship. Stevens remained a staple of ROH until his first retirement in late 2010.

Hell yeah I kissed that disgusting, sweat-soaked canvas. Why? Because I’m Team Filthy for life, baby. And I love pro wrestling. https://t.co/rxGQhRlovo

— Eric Koenreich | Tired Dad Fitness Club (@erickoenreich) October 12, 2020

Less than nine years later, Stevens returned to the independent scene. In his return match, which took place at Beyond Wrestling, he faced Chris Dickinson in the second-to-last bout of the night. From there, Stevens made his rounds in various organizations, including BLP, where he became the promotion’s Heavyweight Champion. Other promotions Stevens worked for, leading up to his retirement, include Absolute Intense Wrestling and Major League Wrestling, the latter where he became a member of Team Filthy.