Chris Park, known to generations of wrestling fans as the hardcore icon Abyss, has officially shut the door on a return to the ring. In a recent interview with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the TNA Hall of Famer confirmed that his in-ring career is over, putting an end to speculation about a possible comeback.
“To answer quite frankly, I’m done. I don’t have plans to ever wrestle again,” Park stated.
Park hasn’t competed since 2019, the same year he transitioned into his current role as a backstage producer for WWE, where he now helps craft matches and mentor talent on both Raw and SmackDown. Reflecting on his shift from performer to producer, Park emphasized that he is deeply fulfilled in his current position and has no desire to lace up the boots again.
For nearly two decades, Abyss stood as one of the most feared and respected figures in TNA Wrestling. With a legacy built on brutality, Park’s alter ego became synonymous with chaos, pain, and unforgettable stipulations — particularly the infamous Monster’s Ball match.
His feud catalog includes bloody wars with legends like Sting, AJ Styles, Sabu, Raven, and Jeff Hardy. With signature weapons like steel chains, barbed wire, and the dreaded “Janice” — a 2×4 embedded with nails — Abyss carved out a unique space as one of wrestling’s most recognizable monsters. His loyalty to TNA earned him a Grand Slam Champion status, and he reached the pinnacle in 2006 by capturing the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Beyond the violence, Park showed impressive versatility with the creation of Joseph Park, the well-meaning “brother” of Abyss — a comedic and endearing character that resonated with fans and showcased his acting chops. The character added new layers to his legacy and proved Park’s adaptability in a changing wrestling landscape.
After departing Impact, Park joined WWE’s production team in 2019, where he continues to apply his decades of in-ring experience behind the curtain.
“I’m so happy doing what I’m doing as a producer,” he said. “Never say never, but I don’t see it in the cards, and I don’t want it in the cards.”
Though he left the door slightly ajar for a possible on-screen cameo — specifically as Joseph Park in a non-wrestling role — his message was clear: the Abyss era inside the ring is officially over.
As one of the most enduring and unique characters in modern wrestling history, Abyss leaves behind a legacy drenched in blood, barbed wire, and unmatched passion — and now helps shape the stars of WWE’s future from behind the scenes.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more on Chris Park’s WWE work and retrospectives on Abyss’s unforgettable career.
