Former WWE Superstar Ryback — the muscle-bound "Big Guy" who once powered through opponents with a ravenous "Feed Me More" battle cry — has confirmed that his in-ring wrestling career is over, citing more than a decade of accumulated injuries that left him with a surgically repaired back, a damaged shoulder, and permanent nerve damage in his left leg. After years of speculation about a possible comeback, the 44-year-old has made clear he has no plans to step back into the squared circle.
In recent social media updates, Ryback (real name Ryan Allen Reeves) addressed the question fans have asked since his last match in 2018, telling followers, "I'm not cleared to wrestle, and there are no plans to return to WWE. Right now, it's all about health."
From Tough Enough to 'The Big Guy': Ryback's Rise in WWE
Born on November 10, 1981, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Ryan Reeves first entered the wrestling business as a contestant on the fourth season of WWE's reality competition series Tough Enough in 2004. After years grinding through developmental, he resurfaced on the main roster as Skip Sheffield, a grinning powerhouse who became part of the notorious Nexus faction in 2010.
That run was cut short in August 2010 when Reeves broke his ankle in three places during a match, an injury that required three surgeries and ultimately led to a botched procedure — one he says caused permanent nerve damage in his left leg and peroneal nerve. He has explained that the surgeon screwed a metal rod into the nerves below his knee, leaving him with a sensation "like he was being electrocuted."
When he returned in 2012, WWE repackaged him as Ryback — an unstoppable, machine-like force who mowed through opponents with his signature "Shell Shock" finisher and a hungry "Feed Me More" chant that quickly became a crowd favorite. The character caught fire, and Ryback was thrust into WWE Championship programs against the likes of CM Punk and John Cena during the peak of his push.
By 2015, he had captured the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber, a milestone that marked the height of his WWE run. But behind the scenes, his body was already betraying him.
The Injuries That Changed Everything
Ryback has been remarkably candid about the physical toll wrestling took on him. In a widely shared statement, he laid out the extent of the damage: "I walked away from a multi-million dollar WWE contract. I wasn't fired. I needed a 5-disc fusion and full right shoulder replacement at 34. I was told not to wrestle again."
After departing WWE in 2016 amid a public and acrimonious contract dispute, Reeves sought an alternative path to recovery, undergoing roughly 20 stem cell procedures and extensive therapy in hopes of repairing his body without the invasive surgery doctors recommended.
"I left because my health was destroyed," he has said. "A botched ankle surgery during Nexus caused permanent nerve damage in my left leg and peroneal nerve."
The stem cell treatments produced genuine results for his back, but his shoulder remained a lingering problem. "I have scar tissue all around my shoulder and pec, and my back is 100%. I've accepted that it's over," he told fans.
Timeline: How Ryback's WWE Run Came to an End
The arc of Ryback's career unfolded over nearly two decades:
- 2004: Competed on WWE Tough Enough, beginning his path to the big stage.
- 2010: Debuted as Skip Sheffield in The Nexus before breaking his ankle in August.
- 2012: Returned to WWE repackaged as Ryback, igniting the "Feed Me More" phenomenon.
- 2015: Won the Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber.
- 2016: Left WWE following a contentious contract dispute, saying he walked away rather than risk his long-term health.
- August 2018: Wrestled his final match, with no full-time return since.
- January 2024: Publicly challenged Bill Goldberg to a retirement match that never materialized.
- January 2025: Confirmed he had accepted that his in-ring career was over due to health.
Why Ryback Says He's Made Peace With Retirement
For a wrestler once defined by relentless ambition, Ryback's message today is strikingly measured. He has framed his decision not as defeat, but as a deliberate choice to prioritize his health and his life outside the ring. "I won't wrestle again unless I can perform at the level I expect, and my health comes first," he has said.
That perspective has been reinforced by personal losses away from the spotlight. Ryback previously stepped back from wrestling in part to care for his paralyzed dog Sophie, and this month he shared that another beloved pet, Popcorn, had passed away — a loss that drew an outpouring of condolences from fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
"My career was cut short, but I got my health and life back," he has written. "If I never wrestle again, this journey has still been worth it."
He has also signaled he has made peace with his WWE past. Asked about lingering grievances, he said, "We made peace quite a while ago with all of that."
What's Next: Life After the Ring
Rather than chase a comeback, Ryback has thrown himself into building a brand outside professional wrestling. He owns Feed Me More Nutrition, a supplement company, hosts the popular Ryback TV YouTube channel and the live "Feeding Time" show, and authored the book "Wake Up, It's Feeding Time."
His social media footprint remains substantial — roughly 1.6 million Instagram followers, 3.8 million on TikTok, and more than 7 million across platforms, a reach he has noted with pride: "I've been away from WWE for 10 years and still have over 7 million followers across social media."
While he has occasionally floated the idea of a farewell match under the right circumstances, Ryback has made clear that any return would have to meet his own standard for performance and safety. For now, the focus is on wellness, content creation, and connecting with fans on his own terms.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
- Ryback (Ryan Allen Reeves) has confirmed his in-ring career is effectively over due to long-term injuries.
- A botched 2010 ankle surgery caused permanent nerve damage; doctors later told him he needed a five-disc fusion and shoulder replacement.
- He underwent roughly 20 stem cell procedures, which restored his back but not his shoulder.
- He last wrestled in August 2018 and says he is "not cleared to wrestle."
- He has built a post-WWE brand through Feed Me More Nutrition, Ryback TV, and his book "Wake Up, It's Feeding Time."
