The wrestling business can be a long and successful career for a few wrestlers, while others will never make it to top promotions.
For the last 20 years, Gunner, AKA Jaxson Ryker, has been able to work for some of the biggest promotions in the world, including WWE and TNA Wrestling.
Ryker first worked in TNA and had a successful run before going to WWE in 2017. Once with the company, he was sent to NXT and paired with Westin Blake and Steve Maclin as a part of The Forgotten Sons, where they were called up to the main roster in 2020.
Ryker sent out a tweet supporting Donald Trump as the protests about George Floyd’s death, leading to the group being pulled from television and getting backstage heat for his comments about the Black Lives Matter movement. He later clarified his belief about the movement. In October 2021, WWE released Ryker, among other WWE stars.
Earlier this month, Ryker revealed that his last match would happen on August 27th in his home state of North Carolina because he feels it’s time to step away.
Ryker went through with his plans as he beat George South. After the match, he left his boots in the ring.
#TNA Gunner AKA #WWE Jaxson Ryker AKA Chad Lail had his Final match today before a #SRO crowd in #SalisburyNc promoted by @AMLWrestling … in attendance to support him were several of his fellow campers from #ManCamp who drove in from NC, SC & AL. CONGRATULATIONS Chad! We 🫡 you! pic.twitter.com/5dDTyKDy5i
— Nikita Koloff (@NikitaKoloff1) August 28, 2023
Gunner (Former WWE Superstar Jaxson Ryker) retires and leaves his boots in the ring at @AMLWrestling pic.twitter.com/ONSQJHNQ2q
— Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net (@Casshooole) August 28, 2023