Former ECW & ROH Star Tony DeVito Announces In-Ring Retirement

Another chapter in wrestling history has come to a close. Tony DeVito, known for his time in ECW and Ring of Honor, officially announced his retirement from in-ring competition during an emotional speech at an ALW show in Cocoa, Florida. The 53-year-old revealed he was forced to step away after suffering a stroke in his eye—and doctors told him he simply can’t take the physical risk anymore.

DeVito addressed the crowd, reflecting on his 35-year career in wrestling and the moment that brought everything to a halt.

“I woke up that morning, and I could not see out of my left eye. Now I was born and I can’t see out of my right eye already. I was born that way. That day, I went to a doctor. I got diagnosed with a stroke in my eye. So basically, that means I had a blood clot, the blood leaked out. I have blood behind my retina. Doctors told me that wrestling is done.”

DeVito didn’t downplay the toll wrestling has taken on his body over the years, adding that he’s dealt with concussions, destroyed knees, shoulders in need of surgery—and still kept coming back.

“I’ve been in the business longer than most of the guys in the locker room are old. I’ve wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation. I’ve wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling. I’m a former Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champion. I’ve done a lot of good stuff in this business.”

Though he’s stepping away from the ring, DeVito made it clear he’s not leaving the industry entirely.

“This ain’t really a goodbye. This is I’ll see you later, because I’m not done with this business. I may not be able to come in here and compete and do what I love to do, but some way, somehow, I will be here.”

He also shouted out his ALW family and paid tribute to late promoter Ralph Mosca, before proudly introducing the ALW Scramble Match—a format DeVito helped pioneer during his ROH run with HC Loc.

Tony DeVito’s legacy spans decades. Trained by Dr. D David Schultz, he started out as enhancement talent in WWF during the early 1990s. But his notoriety grew during ECW’s final years as part of The Baldies, feuding with New Jack in one of the promotion’s most violent storylines.

After ECW folded, DeVito formed The Carnage Crew with HC Loc in Ring of Honor. The veteran duo not only held the ROH World Tag Team Titles but also helped develop young talent and introduced the now-infamous Scramble Cage Match. In later years, DeVito transitioned into mentoring roles and helped train several stars, including Bobby Fish, while working smaller shows in Florida.

He’s remained deeply connected to the indie scene and found a second home in Cocoa through ALW, where he’s now promising to stick around—just not inside the ring. Tony DeVito’s body may be done competing, but his presence in the wrestling world isn’t going anywhere.

How will you remember Tony DeVito’s legacy in wrestling—from ECW wars to ROH tag title runs? Share your stories, memories, and messages for him in the comments below.