TYRUS RETIRES | NWA NEWS

On August 27th, 2023, the former NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion retired from in-ring competition. As per the self-imposed stipulation, placed on his title defense, Tyrus graciously stepped away from wrestling and the NWA after NWA 75. Never at a loss for words, Tyrus professed his love for wrestling but noted that wrestling didn’t love him the same way.

NWA WORLDS HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION

Tyrus, who moonlights on the wildly popular Gutfeld talk show on Fox News, held the Ten Pounds of Gold for 288 days. He won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship in November at the Hard Times PPV by defeating former champion Trevor Murdoch and Matt Cardona in a triple-threat match. Tyrus was the first NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion to defend in Mexico City, since Adam Pearce, who lost the title to Blue Demon Jr. in 2008.

BEFORE THE NWA

Before joining the National Wrestling Alliance, Tyrus began his in-ring career in the WWE Developmental System. Citing Dusty Rhodes as one of his greatest influences, Tyrus wrestled for Deep South Wrestling before joining Florida Championship Wrestling. He would have multiple names while in development. G-Rilla, before landing on Brodus Clay. His tenure with the WWE lasted eight years. He began wrestling abroad and in the independents before joining the TNA Roster as Tyrus. It was during his time with TNA that he would begin to appear on Gutfeld as a special guest commentator. After four years with Impact, Tyrus left the company and wouldn’t emerge in the NWA for three years.