If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me. For I must be travelin’ on now, there’s too many places I got to see,
“Freebird” Lynyrd Skynyrd
On a night that was billed as “Nine: The Finale” there was a feeling that the wrestling community would be different by the end of the night. Not even 24 hours have passed but the realization the end of an era is bittersweet. An in ring career that spanned nearly two decades with matches all across the globe, working with the WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor, the National Wrestling Alliance, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and so many Independents through out the world is essentially unheard of. “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce officially retired from the world of Independent Wrestling.
Making is impact in Southern California as early as 2001; Adam Pearce got his start in the Midwest in the late 90s. It was Ultimate Pro Wrestling that would bring Pearce out of his sabbatical, working with Hardkore Kidd as Hardkore Inc. It didn’t take long for Pearce to breakout and become a singles wrestler star on the West Coast wrestling for Millennium Pro Wrestling, EPIC, and later Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and AWS. Pearce would become UPW World Champion and later PWG World Champion. Pearce also become a regular in Tijuana. All the while, “Scrap Iron” was still competing in the Mid West for Mid American Wrestling, IWA Mid-South and making dates in Northern California with APW. Pearce was also in the first King of the Indies Tournament.
Pearce’s influence was really felt while working in AWS. Not only was he having some incredibly fun matches, but Pearce discovered a second calling, working behind the scenes as a match maker; a skill that would later open up doors for him with Championship Wrestling from Hollywood and Ring of Honor.
Pearce gained his most notoriety as NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion. Pearce is a 5 time Champion and had the opportunity to defend the title in the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and all over the United States. His five times as Champion helped to bring an era of legitimacy that was much needed after it split with TNA.
Below are a few quotes collected via facebook and instagram as they related to Adam Pearce.
“In my career I‘ve worked with the biggest stars and Pearce & Cabana are right up there. It’s going to be weird going to work and not seeing my friend, my partner, sitting across from me.” — David Marquez
“Thank you, [Pearce]. Farewell one of the best men to learn from and locker room leader through the years.” — Ryan Taylor
“I’ve been incredibly lucky to have [Pearce] as a mentor for almost my entire seven years in wrestling. If it wasn’t for his honesty, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am today” — Johnny Yuma
“Thank you for your friendship, thank you for your willingness to impart your knowledge, thank you for your legacy of leading by example on all levels as a true man. It has been an honor, a privilege and it’s been a lot of fun! It’s definitely not goodbye but until we meet again!” — James Morgan
“Respect Earned” — Step Daddy Roscoe Tucker
“It has been an honor to be a part of one last ride. Happy trails to the legend, and the man who gave me a Harvard level education in the wrestling world.” Stu Stone
Pearce as of late has put all of his skills working with NXT Talent of the WWE Training Center. Although the future is untold, it is believed that Pearce will continue his work with the WWE going forward. Southern California wrestling is better for having Adam Pearce be apart of it. Thank you Adam
“I won’t say good bye, because I don’t believe in that. But until we meet again.”
–Adam Pearce
