Update: The promoter, Portland Wrestling, has already cancelled Ryan’s booking.
Joey Ryan is set to make a return following years of controversy.
It’s been five years since the professional wrestling world saw Joey Ryan. On the August 23, that will change as the former PWG Tag Team Champion is being advertised for Portland Wrestling’s Reborn event in Vancouver, Washington.
“JOEY RYAN is born again August 23rd in Portland Wrestling,” the promotion wrote on Facebook alongside a graphic that read “Exiled from the sport he loves in 2020….Joey Ryan is Born Again.”
Ryan, now 45 years old, last wrestled against Crazzy Steve on the June 2, 2020 episode of TNA Impact. Weeks later, TNA fired Ryan after conducting an investigation into allegations raised against him during the Speaking Out movement.
During this period, multiple women accused Ryan of sexual assault and sexual harassment, resulting in Ryan’s exit from TNA and his ceasing of operations at Bar Wrestling. Ryan also issued a statement denying the allegations against him and filed a number of defamation lawsuits against his accusers. Ryan later dropped several of the lawsuits connected to him being named in the Speaking Out movement, with the added claim that he wasn’t trying to secretly return to the wrestling business. Nevertheless, Ryan was blacklisted from several major wrestling companies. He has attempted a few comebacks before, but he hasn’t wrestled since 2020.
Prestige Wrestling Counters Ryan’s Return With Their Own Show Titled ‘FJR’
In response to the news of Ryan’s return, Prestige Wrestling has announced a show of its own in Portland, Oregon, on the same day.
“FJR (if you know, you know),” the promotion wrote, before promising, “a night of safe space pro-wrestling action, for the scene, by the scene that helped cultivate modern-day Portland wrestling.”
? NEW SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT ?
— Prestige Wrestling (@WrestlePrestige) August 5, 2025
FJR (if you know, you know)
A night of safe space pro-wrestling action, for the scene, by the scene that helped cultivate modern day Portland wrestling.
August 23rd, 2025
Portland, Oregon
Venue TBA this week
All ages
Tickets are donation based (pay… pic.twitter.com/HCfaW0a3ki
Tickets for Prestige’s FJR show on August 23 are donation-based, with patrons able to pay as much as they can to show support. 100% of profits after expenses will be donated to charity.
