Hardcore Adam’s Full Retirement Speech from RFW #093

Hardcore Adam officially retired from in-ring competition at the conclusion of Rapid Fire Wrestling #093. The following is the full transcript of Adam’s retirement speech in front of the MoW audience.

Thirty years ago, I stepped into a wrestling ring for a brand new promotion known as SCSF. I didn’t have any idea how long they’d keep me but as SCSF grew, so did I, and I became a regular up until the end. I even managed to pick up some success along the way, including my first tag team championship. When SCSF did end, I thought maybe it was time to find something else to do. 

So I thought. 

A few years later, Mr. Charles, the founder of SCSF, contacted me. He was working on something new, New Revolution Wrestling League, and I was on his short list of SCSF guys he wanted to bring in. Again, I didn’t know how long the ride would be but I ended up having a blast. My time in NRWL was special for me. It was the place where I went from perennial tag team wrestler into “Hardcore Adam” when people found out I could give, and take, serious punishment. I became a superstar in NRWL. And then, that ended too, and once again I figured that was it for me in the wrestling ring. 

Or so I thought!

I got a call from C.W. Sunderland. He wanted to bring me in to MoW for some special appearances. Things worked out well enough that he handed me a contract and wanted me to be a part of MoW full time. I asked him why? MoW’s roster was strong. Why did he need me? 

He believed in me. He said the fans still believed in me. And he said he had a locker room full of next generation men and women who still believed in me. He wanted to give the world more Hardcore Adam. How do you say no to that? So began an improbable next chapter in my career. 

I had a wonderful time here in MoW and just when I was thinking about retirement, for real this time, Tornado presents me with a challenge. Go back to my roots, get back into the tag team scene, and become a champion. Tornado believed in me as his partner and, improbably, we went on to become MoW Team Champions. Thirty years after my first match, I won another championship. 

Our reign at the top was among my favorite career moments because I had fun and it felt good to know that all of you who believed in me were not let down.

And that brings us to today. An improbable thirty years after my debut. I’ve given thought about my next chapter over the past couple of months and this time I know what is next. 

I have decided to formally retire from wrestling. And please, don’t be sad! No, no! I am proud of what I did here in MoW and everything before then. I got to literally walk into the sunset after my final match at Tidal Wave. I consider this moment a celebration. Professional wrestling has a bright future ahead of it. Backstage is full of incredible, talented people, and it is now their time to carry this all forward. To everyone backstage fighting to be their best, keep fighting. If I can help you, reach out. You believed in me and know that I believe in you. 

Mr. Charles, thank you. You gave me opportunity. You believed in me and stuck with me all those years. 

Mr. Sunderland, thank you for the chance to close out my career on a high note. I am honored to have had carried an MoW championship and be a part of this legacy. 

Tornado, I shared a locker room with your father and it was an incredible thrill to run through the tag team division with you. I can’t imagine a better partner to be with me on my final run. Thank you for putting your faith in me. You will only go higher from here. 

And of course, to you. To you fans here in MoW, those who watched me start in SCSF, and those who watched me become a star in NRWL. You all make this possible and hearing you cheer for me even today is truly humbling. I can never repay you for the wonderful career you have allowed me to have. Thank you.

I’m going to leave these boots here in the ring and I’m going to take my final leave as a wrestler. I’m not going away, though. I’ll be watching and I will stop back in from time to time to say hello. Today is not the end of Hardcore Adam. It’s just the next chapter of an improbable story. Thank you, everyone!