Wrestling veteran Doug Williams reveals how pandemic and state of British scene inspired him to come out of retirement

British wrestling legend Doug Williams has come of retirement – and it’s going to be a huge boost for the UK scene.

The well respected and decorated star – who has held numerous championships in promotions like Ring of Honor, TNA Wrestling, PROGRESS and New Japan Pro Wrestling – revealed last week he will be returning to the ring in his homeland after being motivated by the pandemic.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk hours after the announcement, he said: ‘The situation with lockdown in the past year or so, there are things you miss and things you realise are important parts of your life. Really, life’s too short – whilst you can still do these things, you might as well.’

Although Doug – who has a contract with ROH until the end of 2021 – candidly admitted he might not be at the same level as his prime, he still has a lot to offer.

‘I’m not going to be going back to a full time schedule, obviously – I’m just looking at doing the shows I wanna do, and wrestling people I wanna wrestle,’ he explained.

‘I think the UK scene could do with a little bit of help coming out of this lockdown scenario, so I’d like to contribute as I have done before in keeping it going…

British wrestling has been in something of a decline in recent years with the rise of NXT UK, while the pandemic and last summer’s Speaking Out movement – which revealed allegations of sexual misconduct across the industry – have had a big impact.

Doug – who has also found it difficult to enjoy watching wrestling without a live audience – is hopeful the scene can find its feet again.

‘It’s really contingent on whether the promoters can make money with a limited audience,’ he said. ‘And secondly, if there is still a demand.’

He added: ‘There’s nothing like doing it in front of a live audience, obviously. [laughs] Ultimately, that’s what pro wrestling is for. It’s a spectator sport, it’s not anything else. It’s designed specifically for people to watch and be entertained by!’

Doug’s first confirmed show back will be PCW’s 10th anniversary event later this year, and he’s hoping to make it over to ROH after plans got axed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

He quipped: ‘I’m sure they want to get something out of me for the money they spent on my visa and what have you. Hopefully we can do something before the end of the year – if not longer, if they want to extend it.’

The contract there also means a high profile run elsewhere is out of the question for now, although the opportunity to go to another promotion like WWE, IMPACT Wrestling or AEW would be an intriguing one.

Doug said: ‘That would be something that hopefully, maybe down the line… For now, it’ll just be good to get back out there and work with some guys, and get myself back into shape in front of the audiences.’

Looking to the future, the main thing for Doug is to make the most of coming out of retirement, get in their with both old friends and rising stars alike, and enjoy being back in the ring.

‘I’m just gonna leave it open and see how my body is, see what opportunities comes,’ he added. ‘There’ll come a time where I’ll pull myself slowly out of the physical part again – but I’ll try to get a few more years out of myself first.’

He said: ‘I’m not so old that I can’t still perform at quite a high level. I think I need to take advantage of that and go out and do it while I still can, and enjoy it in the same way I used to.

‘The last year has shown that you really need to do that with your life because you don’t know what’s gonna happen.

‘And then coupled with that is a desire to help the industry in this country build itself back up and become what it was in 2017, 2018, and help inspire and bring around the new wave of talent in the country. Those things are motivating and driving me right now.’

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