After this past weekend’s SHINE 16 Internet PPV in Florida, independent women’s wrestling performer Rain officially announced her retirement from wrestling. Rain posted the following on Twitter:
I didn’t lie when I said I was done, but I did lie when I said when.
— Rain Maxson Gray (@Radiant_Rain) January 25, 2014
Thank you to all the women who have put their lives In My hands over the last 13 years.
— Rain Maxson Gray (@Radiant_Rain) January 25, 2014
Rain then posted the following blog about her retirement this past weekend:
First off I’d like to just say retiring isn’t easy by any means. I’m sure a lot of wrestlers struggle through this, but when it’s time you’ll know, and I know.
Pro wrestling is my first love and my first committed relationship. We were together for 13 years strong. Even though my love has hurt me over and over again, especially when I was first breaking in, I still kept going back. LOL! I might be a little stubborn and hard headed, but I love this business with all my heart. I’ve taken a hiatus every now and then when I’ve gotten hurt, but never for long, but after; broken foot x3 (same freakin foot), tear in knee, broken coccyx, broken back, nose broken 3x, busted open x?, broken fingers, a broken arm, crack in skull, elbow chips, many black and blue spots, especially eyes, cuts, and many major and minor concussions, it’s time. This is the HARDEST breakup i’ve ever had. Unless you’ve ever been a pro for x plus years, then you have no clue how I feel right now.
I am grateful for everyone I’ve met, the family that I’ve grown from wrestling, wrestlers, trainers, fans, promoters, ring crew, photographers, anyone I’ve ever met in wrestling. Thank you to you all for every moment we’ve spent together, the impact you’ve had on my life, and the relationships we’ve grown.
Thank you Horace for taking me under your wing, even though you didn’t want me to wrestle, but you knew I would whether you liked it or not. Thanks for the hours you put in on the phone, ring, after practice, EVERY QUESTION I HAD AFTER WATCHING THE PRODUCT. LOL! EVERYTHING! Thank you Eddie Sharkey for all of you knowledge in the business, even out of ring experience. Thank you Lexie Fyfe for being my first woman trainer and helping transform me into the workers I was, for being one of my very best friends, for being my sister, and for being my maid of honor. Gran Apache por ser una inspiración increíble para mi carrera de lucha libre. Eres un entrenador asombroso, y agradezco todo el tiempo que puso en mí. Un año de entrenamiento desde era un tiempo de vida del conocimiento. GRACIAS, Te amo, muchos besos.
Thank you to all the women who have trusted me with their lives over the last 13 years. Thank you for putting on some of the best women’s matches out there with me. To the ladies who have helped me grow over the years, thank you. To the ones I’ve gotten the chance to help, now it’s your turn to do what I did for you, to those who DESERVE it. Make the new generation earn it, but now it’s your turn to share the business with them. I am grateful and blessed to have met you all, worked with you all, and happy to call all of you that have stuck by my side through the years, my sisters, LOVE YOU ALL! To Lacey and Vicky (Jetta) we’re officially retired, broads. No more MNHWC or IHWC. Love you Twats!
Now to the new Shine Champion Ivelisse. I want to thank you for my last match. You are a great competitor and deserve to be the new Shine Champ. You’ve worked so hard and I have seen you grow significantly over the years. Many fans probably don’t know this, but Shine 16 was not the first time I’ve wrestled Ivie. I’ve wrestled her once YEARS ago and have known her before Valkyrie, and through our Valkyrie times we’ve grown closer. She is a spit fire, fast, smart, and is going to be one hell of a champion. Shine is lucky to have this lady as the second champ ever! Get it girl, and make me proud!
Lastly, I would like to thank pro wrestling and Lexie Fyfe for bringing me and my husband together. If it wasnt for those two, I would not have met the love of my life Christopher Gray. I’m a very happily married woman thank to this man. We have a family of each other and two wonderful pugs (Collin and Eddie), and I wouldn’t trade my life for any other. Thank you my love for being so supportive of my career and being there for my last match. I love you from the bottom of my heart.
Now that I’m retired from one thing, doesn’t mean I’m retired from life. I’m working on a lot of things, so you’ll hear a lot from me soon. But it’s time to work hard and put new energy into new things.
Sincerely, thank you, love (whatever you know me as) Rain/Bonnie/Payton or some call me Bon Bon lol!