Ex-WWE Champion Would Come out of Retirement Under One Condition

The 3-time WWE Hardcore Champion, Maven, began his wrestling career by winning the first-ever Tough Enough competition in 2001 alongside Nidia Guenard. This victory earned him a WWE contract and launched his professional journey.

The 48-year-old star quickly made a name for himself with notable historic moments, including famously eliminating The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble, igniting a memorable feud.

Throughout his career, he had feuds with big names like The Undertaker and Shelton Benjamin. Despite his potential, he was released by the Stamford-based company in 2005 but continued to appear sporadically in independent wrestling.

Speaking on the Chris Van Vliet show, called Insight, Maven confirmed he has retired from the ring. He expressed comfort with aging and transitioning into other life phases rather than continuing active competition, showing acceptance that he no longer performs as he once did.

No. In a grocery store a few months back, and normally somebody comes up to me [and says], ‘You’re that guy who won Tough Enough.’ Yeah, yeah. I had somebody come up to me and say, ‘You’re that guy that talks about wrestling and answers questions on YouTube, aren’t you?’ And I was like, I suppose I am.

But I’m fine with that. I’m okay with ageing. I’m okay with I just can’t do what I used to do, and I’m okay with advancing into just the next parts of my life. I’ve watched these guys now. They’re so much more athletic than I was, and obviously am now. Yeah, I’m perfectly fine with not being a wrestler anymore.

Ex-WWE Star Maven Is Open To Returning to the Ring Occasionally

However, in the same interview, Maven also indicated openness to returning for another wrestling match under the right circumstances. While unsure about committing to a lengthy storyline, he left the door open for occasional appearances.

I mean, if the situation was right, of course. And last night, taking 70 bumps proved that physically, I could at least get through it. I don’t think if somebody said, Hey, we got a three-year storyline, I don’t know if I could do that, but I definitely would keep it open. As far as in this business, you know, never say never.

H/T to Chris Van Vliet