At the Westchester County Center in White Plains May 10, a dream that had been 30 years in the making came true in front of nearly 3,000 passionate fans. I said this would be a night to remember, and it was so much more than that. It was a fairy tale, the kind of night you play over in your head for years, hoping one day it might actually happen. And then it does — and somehow, it’s even better than you imagined.
Voices in my head
In the weeks leading up to the event, a thousand thoughts ran through my head. Would people show up for my final event as a professional wrestler? Would they still care? Could I reach the heights I demanded from myself after more than eight years away from the spotlight? Would my body hold up under the pressure of the moment?
There were safer options. I could have taken a spot in a six-man or eight-man tag match or slipped into a battle royal. That would have been the easier route – less risk, less responsibility, less physicality, fewer eyes solely on me. But that’s never been how I operate. I told myself, “If I’m going to do this, I’m going all in – no hiding, no shortcuts.” I chose to throw myself into the deep end — solo, vulnerable, accountable, sink or swim.
The preparation
What made the night so powerful was the preparation. I overprepared. I trained harder than I ever had, knowing that I’d be stepping into the ring not just to prove something to the fans, but to myself. My body was ready. My timing was sharp. My mindset was dialed in. I wasn’t anxious. I was carrying a confident kind of energy that only comes from putting in the hours when nobody is watching.
I spent countless days grinding in the gym and even more time inside the ring, knocking off the rust, getting my wind back and locking in my timing. I visualized the moment. I played it over and over in my head. This wasn’t just a match; it was a culmination of three decades of belief, work, setbacks and perseverance.
And when the curtain finally pulled back and I walked into that electric atmosphere – with 3,000 fans roaring – it hit me: This wasn’t just a return. This was a celebration – of the journey, the struggle, the resilience.
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden used to say, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That quote has been a guiding force for me — not just in wrestling, but in life. I’ve studied Wooden. I’ve also studied Michael Jordan quite a bit. What they had in common was how they approached preparation. Practice wasn’t easy for them; it was brutal. Because they knew if they pushed themselves to the edge during practice, the actual game would feel slower, easier and more manageable.
That’s exactly how I approached that night. I made the training harder than the performance. So when the lights came on and the bell rang, I was ready. Everything slowed down in the best way.
Faith over fear
Thank you to every single person who showed up that night. Your energy was unreal. You gave me more than you’ll ever know. Thank you to those who believed in me and supported me every step of the way. And honestly, thank you to the doubters, too. Your skepticism fueled me. Your doubt became my drive.
This night wasn’t just a comeback; it was a statement. A reminder that preparation beats fear. That belief beats doubt. And that dreams don’t die.
They just wait for the right moment to be realized.
Reach Gio at giovanniroselli.com.
