John Walters issued the following statement on his future in wrestling at his official website:
“I have received a lot of emails asking where I have been and what my future holds in pro wrestling. As of March 18th, I have no longer accepted bookings and have no bookings in the immediate future. Does this mean I am done wrestling for good?? I don’t know. Only time will tell and be able to answer that question. At this present time, I have no plans on wrestling until my mind and body tell me to go back. I started wrestling over 5 years ago and I can honestly say that it was one of the greatest experiences in my life. I got to travel all over the country, meet some great people, and challenge myself physically and mentally while trying to perform in a business I love very much. Before wrestling, I played college and high school football for 3 years. Combined, that’s eight years of full contact on my body without a break. There are limitations on what certain people can take, and I came to the conclusion that I am a human being. I was working 40 plus hours, wrestling on the weekends, lifting 5 days a week, working on my house, and trying to keep some kind of social life. I would drive home from a show in philly and get home at 5 am and have to be at work 4 hours later on hardly any sleep. This would happen several times a month and it caught up to me. I am burnt out physically, mentally and I need a break. How long this break will last will depend on my desire to come back. It may come in 4 months, it may never come at all. I can’t answer that question yet. Right now, I am working on some new investments, exploring different professional venues, and trying to have fun and enjoy myself. The summer is coming and I have every intention of enjoying it.”
“After seeing my doctor, he has advised me to take at least 4-5 months off from wrestling. This was my original plan as well. My back and neck were sore after just about every match in my last year of wrestling. This affected my performance, my mind, and quite frankly, my desire to do this. I told myself when I started that I would do this all or nothing, 100%. I couldn’t do that because of my condition. I was half assing, and not doing things the way I should because of the limitations my injuries were putting on my body. I refuse to use pain killers, steroids, etc, or any other drugs that might make me feel better, or bulk me up to absorb these bumps. Taking time off is my pain killer. It’s the only option I had, and I took it. I have a future to think about and until wrestling is my only source of income, I need to keep a perspective on other apects of my life. I refuse to be a tragedy who has nothing in the end.”
“I felt compelled to write something since I have gotten so many inquiries as to why I don’t have any bookings in the future. Unless you hear something on this website, don’t believe it. I haven’t signed with WWE, I am not frustrated about losing to Chris Masters on RAW, and I haven’t been fired from any promotion I worked for. I am taking time off on my own free will. I will not be taking any bookings, whether they be local shows, WWE, or 500 dollar paydays. There are no exceptions. If I take one booking, I will take them all and then I will never heal. This is my vacation. You can sit home and say I’m a quitter or I lost my desire to wrestle, or I’m a *****, but until you have lived a day in someone else’s shoes, don’t think you know. If I never come back, I enjoyed what I did for the time I did it. If I do, you will all know that I’m back. Either way, thanks for everyone who has sent me an email checking on me. It means a whole lot to me.”
“In closing, I will be gone from the scene until at least September. At this point, when I am healthy and able to continue, I will make a decision: Do I want to wrestle again? Life is funny so it is hard to make plans. I can say yes or no, but I won’t really know until that time comes. For now, I am thanking the fans who have supported me over the last 5 years. Thanks to the promoters who have given me an opportunity to wrestle and have booked me in some great matches. Also a thanks to all of the wrestlers who have challenged me in the ring and have helped me learn over the years. Finally, thanks to the few friends I have really gotten to know through wrestling. You all know who you are and I couldn’t have accomplished as much without you. Thanks and take care.”
Credit – PWTorch.com
