Former WWE and TNA Star Gunner (Jaxson Ryker) Announces Retirement After Final Match

Former WWE and TNA star Gunner, also known as Jaxson Ryker, has officially retired from professional wrestling after his final match against George South at an AML Wrestling event in Salisbury, North Carolina. The decision to retire comes after Gunner had announced earlier this year that he would be stepping away from the ring.

Gunner, whose real name is Chad Lail, had a successful career in both TNA/IMPACT Wrestling and WWE. He gained recognition during his time with TNA and later signed with WWE in 2017. Gunner was part of the Forgotten Sons stable on NXT and SmackDown, though the stable faced controversy and was taken off TV following Ryker’s support for President Donald Trump during the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd protests in 2020. Despite these challenges, Gunner continued his wrestling journey as a singles competitor.

In his retirement announcement, Gunner expressed that professional wrestling was no longer his identity and that he felt it was time to move on. His final match on August 27 marked the end of a chapter in his wrestling career that had spanned several promotions and years.

Gunner’s departure from WWE came in November 2021, when he was reportedly released due to budget cuts. Despite the ups and downs, Gunner’s contributions to the wrestling world have left an impact on both TNA/IMPACT Wrestling and WWE, and fans will remember his dedication and accomplishments in the ring.