Former AEW and WWE superstar Zach Gowen has officially announced his retirement from pro wrestling, ending a 24-year career. During that time, he competed for several major promotions and faced some serious personal challenges.

In his retirement message, Gowen revealed the best moment of his career came when he wrestled in front of his family during his AEW appearance. He also opened up about his struggle with drug addiction. Moreover, he explained how he got the chance to rebuild his life and find his love for wrestling again.

Gowen shared the news on Facebook on Wednesday. He posted his first-ever promotional picture along with a more recent photo to reminisce on his wrestling journey. The former WWE and AEW star also thanked the promoters who gave him opportunities. He also thanked the fans who supported him throughout his career.

“My in-ring career has come to an end. Thank you to every promoter who gave me an opportunity to wrestle. I’ve had the privilege of performing for every major company over the past 24 years. Special thank you to the fans for not rejecting me. Pro wrestling provided a direction and outlet for a very lost kid. All I ever wanted to be was a professional wrestler and I accomplished that solely because you accepted me not as a sideshow act but as a legitimate pro wrestler. I’m deeply grateful,” Gowen wrote.

Gowen had several opportunities across different promotions. However, his favorite wrestling memory came during his appearance for AEW in May 2025.

He faced Ricochet on the May 14 episode of AEW Dynamite: Beach Break at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Although Gowen lost, the experience meant a lot to him because his wife, children, and parents were there to watch him wrestle.

Looking back, Gowen wrote, “The best moment of my career was wrestling for AEW in front of my wife, kids, and parents.”

Gowen also revealed that he had struggled with drug addiction in the past. It almost destroyed his career. However, he eventually got a chance to turn his life around.

“That was the cherry on top after burning my career to the ground as a result of my crippling drug addiction then having the opportunity to not only rebuild my life but my passion then sharing that with the world while enjoying every second of it,” he added.

Gowen ended his message by thanking God and the people who believed in him. He described himself as “the luckiest guy in the world.”

Zach Gowen’s biggest run in mainstream wrestling came in 2003 and 2004, when he competed for WWE. He became part of a storyline involving Hulk Hogan’s Mr. America character, WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper, and Sean O’Haire.

Gowen also worked behind the scenes more recently. He took on a production role for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling at its Northern Rising PPV on October 3 in Toronto. He had also wrestled for the promotion in August, defeating Michael Allen Richard Clark.