Rocky Romero says he thinks about retirement ‘all the time’
As his pro wrestling existence drifts further and further away from the ring, Rocky Romero is frequently thinking about when he’ll hang up his boots for good.
The 43-year-old Romero has become an important behind-the-scenes figure in wrestling, including front office roles in both AEW and NJPW. He still competes in the ring internationally as well, though he isn’t sure how much longer that will be the case. Ahead of his match against Kenny Omega on Dynamite tonight, Romero told Undisputed that he thinks about retirement “all the time.” He plans on ending his in-ring career as soon as his work drops below the standard he’s set for himself.
“If this were my last match, I’d be honored for it to happen against a guy like Kenny,” Romero said. “I’m definitely slowing down, so it feels great to still have a moment like this.
“When I retire, I’ll stay involved in wrestling. I really debate how much longer I’ll be in the ring — I think about retirement all the time. There is a certain standard I want to always meet and exceed. The second that is no longer the case, then I’m done.”
Omega defeated Josh Alexander last week and is now facing off against another Don Callis Family member in Romero. Along with that, Omega is looking to prove he deserves a shot at AEW World Champion MJF.
Tonight’s match is something that Romero views as a full-circle moment. He’s had history with Omega from their time in ROH and NJPW. Now they get to face off in a high-profile match on cable television.
“My job is always constantly evolving,” Romero said. “One part that’s never changed is I’ve always loved to wrestle. Over the last two years, I’ve slowed down on the performing part. But I’m still a wrestler at heart. That’s why I got into this business.
“There is no greater high than to be out there wrestling in front of a crowd, especially in a match like tonight against Kenny. I’ve seen him grow from Ring of Honor and New Japan to where he is now, at the tip-top of the business, so wrestling him now means even more. We’ve been intertwined for so long. Some of the most pivotal years of our lives were spent together in the same company at the same time. And I got into wrestling by watching WCW on TNT and TBS. To be able to wrestle a high-profile top star on Dynamite, it’s a full-circle moment.”
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.