According to Damian Priest, WWE is encouraging him to “take it easy” and reduce his wrestling schedule. In a recent interview, Priest shared that although he finds it tough to step back as much as WWE would like, the company is intentionally slowing his pace down.
WWE wrestlers typically endure grueling schedules, often performing hundreds of times annually. Even though recent changes have made these schedules somewhat more manageable, Priest is someone who prefers to compete frequently without needing long recovery periods.
Priest has notably cut back his matches, participating in 100 bouts in 2023, 76 in 2024, and just 24 in 2025 so far. When speaking with Prince St. Pizza, he revealed: “I usually don’t like to discuss this, and I’ve never taken time off or asked for breaks due to injuries. But this year, WWE decided it was time to give me some time off because I’ve been working continuously for quite a while.”
He also talked about his physical struggles, admitting to shoulder injuries, a wobbly knee, and back pain. Despite needing significant rehab, Priest prefers to avoid unnecessary efforts unless essential.
Ultimately, a boundary was reached: “This year, WWE said, ‘We’re proud of you, but we need to ensure you’re able to stay healthy in the long run.’ So now they’ve been insisting I take it slower. It’s hard to want to perform less when you love what you do.”
Fan Take: This development is crucial for WWE fans as it shows the company is prioritizing the long-term health of its talent, which could lead to more sustainable careers for wrestlers like Damian Priest. It also signals a shift toward smarter workload management, potentially raising the quality of performances while protecting athletes.
