Joey Ryan was set to make his return to wrestling, but that booking is no longer happening.
Ryan has been the source of controversy in recent years and hasn’t wrestled since 2020. His last match came against Crazzy Steve on the June 2, 2020 episode of TNA Impact. Just weeks later, TNA fired Ryan after investigating allegations against him during the Speaking Out movement.
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 denied the allegations and later filed several defamation lawsuits against his accusers. Ryan ultimately dropped several of the lawsuits, also claiming that he wasn’t trying to secretly return to the wrestling business. Joey Ryan has been effectively blacklisted from pro wrestling. He has attempted a few comebacks since then, but he hasn’t wrestled since 2020.
Portland Wrestling recently advertised that Ryan would be returning to the ring at its “Reborn” event on August 23. However, the announcement was met with criticism over booking Ryan, and another local promotion, Prestige Wrestling, announced another event, “FJR,” designed to counterprogram the “Reborn” event.
Portland Wrestling already cancelled Joey Ryan’s appearance
Portland Wrestling has already cancelled Ryan’s booking due to the backlash about his appearance. The promoter claims he wasn’t familiar with Ryan due to being out of the indie scene for several years. He claimed he booked Ryan because local talent seemed eager to work with him, Ryan was affordable, and Ryan seemed “remorseful” about his situation.
In addition, Portland Wrestling claimed that Prestige Wrestling threatened to blackball anyone who worked on the Joey Ryan show, which led to talent dropping out of the show. The promoter also claimed that they don’t have a ring anymore, and doesn’t anticipate being able to host the show at all.
“Prestige Wrestling’s promoter threatened to black ball every wrestler, trainer, and ring crew member who works with me, causing multiple wrestlers to drop out of the show and even the guy I was renting the ring from canceled the rental,” Portland Wrestling wrote. “We currently do not have a ring for a show taking place in less than three weeks. It’s called Tortious Interference with Business Expectancy and Restraint of Trade. I apologize to you for the disappointment.
Prestige Wrestling will still host its August 23 event. 100% of the profits made after expenses will be donated to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Tickets for Prestige’s FJR show on August 23 are “pay what you can” and donation-based.
? 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
