Felix Upton on January 10, 2026
Kevin Blackwood has announced that he will wrestle what could be the final match of his career on February 20 at Prestige Roseland XIII, opening up with raw honesty about the mental health battle that led him to step away.
The respected independent standout shared a deeply personal statement explaining that the decision wasn’t made lightly. After months of internal struggle, Blackwood said he reached a point where continuing to wrestle was doing more harm than good.
“I’ve dwelled on this thought for months and came to terms with it a few weeks ago, but it’s taken me a while to find the strength to say anything publicly.”
“For the last quarter or more of 2025 and now into the new year my mental health has been in horrible shape. I have good days and bad but the trend is ultimately still downward.”
What makes the announcement especially painful is that wrestling was once his refuge — the one place he felt grounded. Now, he admits that dynamic has changed.
“For a long time wrestling was one of the things that always picked me up when I felt that way and it sucks to know and say that for a while now it’s been the thing hurting me most.”
Blackwood made it clear that his love for the sport hasn’t faded, but staying in it has become unsustainable.
“I love wrestling and have for the entirety of my life that I have memory of. I’ve made my contributions to it in small ways and it’s taken me places and introduced me to people I’m forever grateful for.”
“But the more I hang on the worse I believe things will be for me, and I just don’t want that.”
He confirmed that Prestige Roseland XIII on February 20 will serve as his final Prestige appearance and, most likely, his final match overall. He also revealed he will finish up a small number of remaining bookings, including a January 31 date in Buffalo, before stepping away.
“Prestige Roseland XIII on February 20th will sadly be the last Prestige show and it’s fitting I allow it to be my last match.”
“I have a few bookings I’ve kept until then… and then I need to rest. Mentally and emotionally.”
Even while stepping away, Blackwood took time to express gratitude for the people wrestling has brought into his life.
“Wrestling will continue without me and I am so happy to know all my friends it’s given me will continue to thrive and grow in the sport.”
“I can’t say for sure if this is ‘goodbye’ or ‘see you later,’ but I can say with my whole heart, thank you to everyone who’s been there. 9 years well spent.”
Blackwood debuted in 2016 and quietly built one of the strongest résumés on the independent scene, competing for AEW, NJPW, GCW, TNA, DPW, and more. His technical style and credibility earned respect across locker rooms and promotions alike.
Moments like this put everything into perspective. Wrestling careers often end with injury, politics, or opportunity drying up. Blackwood’s is ending because he’s choosing himself — and that honesty takes real strength.
Do you think wrestling does enough to support mental health behind the scenes? And should more talent feel empowered to step away when they need to? Leave your thoughts and feedback below.
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