Former pro wrestling powerhouse Tyrus—known for his time in WWE, TNA, and most recently as the NWA World’s Heavyweight Champion—is finally putting himself first and shedding serious weight. Once tipping the scales at 500 pounds, the wrestling star has now thrown away the cane he once needed to walk, and he’s not looking back.
In a refreshingly honest interview with Muscle & Fitness, Tyrus got real about the battles he’s faced with food, body image, and the emotional toll that comes with being morbidly obese.
Wrestling Wasn’t Easy—And Fans Noticed
Wrestling fans have watched Tyrus for years, both in and out of the ring. But in recent appearances, many noticed something was off—his movement was limited, and he was clearly in pain. During his final NWA World title match, his lack of mobility was especially obvious, and fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when he finally dropped the title to EC3 in 2023.
Behind the scenes, Tyrus was dealing with much more than fans realized. He was struggling to get through the day—physically and mentally. At one point, he had to rely on a cane just to walk.
Emotional Eating & The Lies We Tell Ourselves
Tyrus didn’t sugarcoat the truth. He admitted that for years, food was his coping mechanism. A bad day meant reaching for junk food—sometimes not just one sandwich, but “twenty,” as he put it.
“The stuff you will say to make yourself okay with not being okay is amazing,” he told Muscle & Fitness.
“If you just faced it in the mirror, it’ll be so much better for you.”
It wasn’t until he got older and more confident in himself that things started to shift. He began to confront those unhealthy habits and change his mindset. His message was clear and simple:
“If you eat less and burn more, you lose weight. If you don’t, you don’t.”
500 Pounds and Rock Bottom
After leaving WWE, Tyrus experienced a rapid weight gain—165 pounds in just two years—eventually ballooning up to 500 pounds. The extra weight wasn’t just an image issue. It was physically unbearable.
“Traveling was a nightmare,” he admitted. Flying on airplanes was especially painful, causing swelling in his knees and long-term discomfort.
“My knees would just blow up,” he said.
At his heaviest, even walking became a challenge, and the cane became his constant companion.
Throwing Away the Cane—And Taking Back His Life
But that all changed when he made the commitment to lose weight. Slowly but surely, the pounds started to come off. And with that, something major happened—he no longer needed his cane.
“I could not wait to see how far I could chuck that thing down my yard,” Tyrus joked.
“Because I was done with it.”
That moment symbolized more than just a physical victory—it was about taking back control of his body and his life.
A Healthier Future Ahead
These days, Tyrus is focused and motivated. His new goal? To get under 300 pounds. While he’s not there yet, he’s on the right path—and that’s what matters most.
He’s also made some lifestyle changes to support his new direction. After relocating to Monmouth County, New Jersey, he says he’s found it easier to get to the studio for his broadcast work and maintain a better routine.
Not Just a Wrestler—An Inspiration
Tyrus may be known for his larger-than-life presence in the ring, but his real strength lies in his honesty and resilience. By opening up about his personal struggles with weight, food, and self-image, he’s proving that even giants can be vulnerable—and that real power comes from facing your demons head-on.
