Colby Corino gets closer to his goal of becoming the NWA World Heavyweight Champion every single day.
Corino recently signed a new, multi-year contract with the NWA and continues to work on recovering from a serious neck injury. Corino announced that he needed emergency surgery on his neck and back in August 2025, but remains committed to wrestling again in 2026. He told WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard that it’s easy to say his “work isn’t done” in the promotion, but that’s not his only motivation.
“I really enjoy the locker room, too. It’s like a good mix of veterans with lots of experience and these younger guys that are being built up to be tomorrow’s stars. I feel like I fall somewhere in the middle of that,” Corino explained. “So, it’s nice to be able to be able to interact with both of those personalities and not just be like one or the other. And just like going back to it though, it’s just—my work there isn’t done. I wouldn’t feel complete in my career if I didn’t win the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship.”
Similar to his father’s “King of Old School” moniker, today’s National Wrestling Alliance also has some retro vibes. However, as Colby pointed out, it’s all about successfully doing old school for a modern audience.
“I love doing old school in a way that works for a modern audience, too,” Corino explained. “I feel like there’s a way that like it’s not just old school doesn’t just mean slow, boring. There’s a way to do old school right and still be entertaining to a modern audience.”
Colby Corino aims to stand out on his own and forge a new path in NWA
Corino alluded to it before, but the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship is a title his father, Steve Corino, also won. Colby says it’s not just about following in his father’s footsteps, but it’s also an opportunity to step out of the shadow of his father’s work and reach new heights.
“It’s also showing that someone like myself, 5’9 and 180 lbs, could be the World Heavyweight Champion. I don’t ever just want to be just a junior heavyweight or a cruiserweight or anything. I feel like I have what it be has what it I have what it takes to be the top guy and I want to show people that and I feel like NWA is the place for me to be able to do that.”
As far as when his NWA in-ring return will take place, Corino says a specific date is still up in the air, but he remains committed to competing in 2026. Despite not having a return date, Corino continues to push himself every day so that a comeback is that much closer.
Colby Corino continues to make progress every day
“I still have some scans and stuff to do. So I ain’t got much more to say than like probably the last you’ve heard. I am coming back in 2026. I will say, though, I’ve been testing my limits physically more and more every day. Throughout this whole time, I’ve still been coaching at the Carolina Wrestling Academy—while being very careful. I’ve been able to start to get the rust off the gears in wrestling and the way I feel when I’m able to do that, it makes me confident that I’m doing pretty well.
Corino hasn’t taken any bumps yet and is taking things slow, so he doesn’t overexert himself. However, everything he can do right now is progress.
“I haven’t even hit the ropes yet. But, I’m getting somewhere. I’m making baby steps,” he said. “My doctor told me I’m cleared to basically exercise however I normally can, [he just said to] listen to my body and my pain. And I’m not going to lie, like I’m a little bit weaker in the gym than I was before my surgery, but I can do everything that I did before. There’s no exercise I can’t do right now besides like bumping or anything with impact,” Corino added. “That’s an accomplishment for me, and it’s just a sign that I’m getting better.”
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