Former WWE wrestler Heidenreich working at Walmart, ‘couldn’t ask for a better life’
Former WWE wrestler Jon Heidenreich is very happy with the life he’s living 20 years removed from his TV run.
A few months back, a photo went viral on social media showing Heidenreich working at a Walmart in New Orleans. The picture was shared by a co-worker who was excited to learn that Heidenreich was once a wrestling champion. When Heidenreich found out the photo was getting a lot of attention, he thought people might be bashing him, but fans were instead very positive and happy to see that he looked to be doing well.
This has led to Heidenreich taking bookings for appearances and signings again, along with getting booked for an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. Heidenreich said the co-worker who posted the picture was actually from Walmart’s renovation team that travels around. When Heidenreich learned he was from Ohio, he asked if the man had ever heard of Ohio Valley Wrestling. They started talking about wrestling and the co-worker ordered an old Heidenreich action figure for him to sign.
Heidenreich, 56, explained that his job at Walmart is working overnights putting out freight. He likes his job and couldn’t ask for a better life than he’s lived.
“I’m there from 10 to 7,” Heidenreich said on Insight. “Most of the time, I’m putting out freight, you know? It’s cool, man. I mean, it’s a good job. Walmart’s going to be around, you know? It’s not going anywhere. And I’m investing, I’m putting money into the 401(k), which I’m saving money — or trying to, right? Because I should have done that my whole life. That’s just my bad. My dad told me, ‘You need to spend less and save.’ My mom liked spending money. So I inherited my mother’s spending things, but I couldn’t ask for a better life. I’ve been blessed.”
Heidenreich’s health —
Heidenreich said he’s happy to be back in the fans’ lives again. He’s had some heart issues but has been able to get his blood pressure and weight down. A former football player in addition to wrestling, Heidenreich feels like his body is in good shape given how much damage he took. But he has been told his left knee needs to be replaced, and he has degenerative arthritis “everywhere” and bone spurs in his spine.
During his WWE career, Heidenreich was a one-time tag team champion with Road Warrior Animal. He told Insight that his 2006 release was mostly his own fault due to issues like showing up late to shows and struggling with abusing pain pills and other drugs. He clarified that he was never “messed up” at WWE shows and has now been clean for approximately 10 years.
Heidenreich worked on the indies post-WWE but doesn’t think he would physically be able to wrestle a real match now. Before stepping back into the public eye, he stopped doing signings during the COVID pandemic when traveling became difficult.
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.