Kevin Nash doesn’t expect many of today’s wrestlers to stick around for three decades—and he believes the modern in-ring style could be the reason their clocks run out much faster.
During the latest episode of the Kliq This podcast, Nash was discussing the money retired wrestlers and athletes can continue earning through autograph signings and convention appearances. Nash made it clear that simply playing professional sports is not enough. A person still needs to build a name that fans care about years after the career ends.
Nash pointed to the Hall of Fame-level athletes seated around him at a recent convention, including Bruce Smith and Adrian Dantley. He said retired wrestlers have traditionally had an advantage because many of them remained active and relevant for decades.
“The thing is, if there’s somebody—an offensive lineman that’s second team on the Chicago Bears that has a three-year career—he’s not going to any fucking signings. You’ve got to have a name.”
Nash then explained that wrestlers from his generation were able to build fan bases over careers that sometimes lasted 30 years. He does not see that becoming the norm for the current generation, especially with how physically demanding wrestling has become inside the ring.
“When I go to those signings, I’ve got Bruce Smith on one side of me, I’ve got Adrian Dantley on the other side of me. I’m with Hall of Fame guys. Wrestlers just have—we have the distinction of having guys that have 30-year careers.”
Big Sexy then warned that wrestlers using today’s style may be lucky to get one solid decade before their bodies force them to slow down or walk away.
“I don’t think that will go on with the next generation. If you work the style that they do now, I mean, 10 years is—”
Sean Oliver interrupted Nash and pointed out that current wrestlers no longer work the brutal 250-to-300-day schedules that previous generations endured. Nash agreed that the lighter schedule helps, but he also acknowledged another major difference: the money is considerably better now.
Oliver: “There’s also kind of a balance, right? Because it’s not 300 days or 250 days.”
Nash: “And the money’s great.”
Oliver: “Yeah.”
Nash: “The money’s better.”
Nash never finished his sentence about 10-year careers, but his message was hard to miss. Wrestlers today may work fewer dates and collect bigger paychecks, but the nonstop bumps, dives and high-risk offense could still prevent many of them from enjoying the kind of longevity Nash and other stars from his era had.
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Do you think today’s wrestling style will stop the current generation from having 20- or 30-year careers? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
