Costco Guy AJ has spoken about coming out of retirement at AEW Full Gear.
The social media star was previously a professional wrestler under the name “the American Powerchild Eric Justice”. He wrestled until 2005 before hanging up his books before his long-awaited return for AEW in 2024.
He is coming out of retirement, as all the great eventually do, for one last match with QT Marshall. Costco Guy AJ will face the AEW star at Full Gear this weekend, in a match that marks QT Marshall’s return to an AEW ring.
Costco Guy AJ recently spoke with the Battleground Podcast where he discussed his upcoming return to wrestling. He revealed that he never officially retired but struggled with his footwork once coming back for this match in AEW. The 48-year-old said he is getting better every time he steps into the ring. Costco Guy AJ likens it to skiing again after 20 years away from the slopes.
“Mama Justice was convinced I wasn’t stepping back in the ring. But I knew I was. I knew in my heart it wasn’t over. Wrestling’s in my heart. I love wrestling because there’s nowhere else you can have that connection with the crowd. There’s just nowhere else you can walk through that curtain, immediately feel that connection, and know you’re going out there fighting for these people—and they love every minute of it. I mean, there’s just nothing like pro wrestling.
“I always knew in my heart that one day I’d be back in the ring. I didn’t know when, didn’t know where. Listen, I’ve been in the ring a lot lately—the last few weeks—preparing for this battle. Footwork was the toughest part, getting my footwork back together. You’re on a flat canvas with flat boots, and it’s like skiing again for the first time in 20 years. It’s like standing on ice.”
“But my footing is good now. Every day I stepped in the ring and got used to the ropes, I got a little bit better and a little more confident. And that’s where we stand right now as we prepare for this match.”
