Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

**09-23-2017, 04:33 PM**

It has come to my attention that the announcement that I made concerning my retirement last week is being viewed as some sort of joke or a way for me to dodge opponents. I'd like to take a minute to clear things up. I began my career here in the XWF 14 years ago. In 2007 I walked away from wrestling completely. Not just the XWF, but every company that I was affiliated with. At the time, I had my reason for closing that chapter of my life.

Last November, it came to my attention that there was another man in the XWF who was using both my name and likeness here in the XWF. I considered contacting my lawyers and issuing a cease and desist notice to the XWF, but then I thought nah, it would be more fun to make a one off return to the XWF and embarrass that gimmick infringing prick right out of this company.

That's exactly what I did and in doing so, a I realized that I not only missed that feeling when you step out in front of a crowd, but also, that I had failed to leave behind a legacy that could be remembered. So with that said, I decided to make my return to the XWF full time.

In the ten months that I've been back, I've experienced some big wins and even bigger losses. I was a founding member of one of the biggest stables to grace the XWF in some time, and added a few title wins to my list of achievements. At the same time, I've realized that these old bones just don't have what it takes to keep up anymore.

You guys, the new generation of XWF superstars, you're the future. Not some broken down old man like me. So it was with a heavy heart that I announced my immediate retirement from active competition.

Would I like to stick around and continue to give it my all every night? Damn right I would, but that would not only be selfish of me, but unwise considering my age and list of injuries over my career.

Will I ever wrestle again? I'd like to say no. I'd like to say that this closes the final chapter in the story of Micheal Graves as an in ring competitor, but realistically, who knows?

Sometimes the path we see ahead of us isn't as clear as we first thought, and I'm wise enough to know that anything can happen, but as of right now, I'm done. I'm stepping aside so that the next generation, guys like Neville Sinclair, The Engineer, and my friend Robert Main can have all of the focus on them. There are tons of talented men and women here in the XWF, and it's your time to shine, not mine.

To my fans, I'll miss you. I'll miss the rush that I felt everytime that I stepped out from behind the curtain, everytime I hit a big move, everytime that I won a big match.

I may not be active in the XWF anymore, but I'll always be a fan, and I'll always be rooting for this company to continue to put out the best product in the world.

To all of my fellow superstars, management, staff... I wish you all nothing but the best.

Sincerely
Micheal Graves

Threaded Mode \| Linear Mode My Retirement
Author	Message