Alistair McGeorge, Published November 24, 2025 4:30pm
A legendary figure from the world of hardcore wrestling has opened up about the one thing he wishes he had done differently during his brutal in-ring career.
From the Ring to Production
Abyss, the 52-year-old former TNA Wrestling champion, has officially retired from active competition. However, he remains a vital part of the wrestling world, working behind the scenes for WWE as a producer.
In this role, he helps today's superstars construct their matches for weekly shows like Raw and SmackDown, as well as major events such as Survivor Series: WarGames.
While he is proud of a legacy built on weapons like barbed wire, thumb tacks, and fire, the icon admits he now sees things from a different perspective.
The Biggest Regret of a Hardcore Pioneer
In an exclusive interview, Abyss confessed that his primary regret was sometimes focusing too much on the extreme elements at the expense of the narrative.
'The biggest thing is what not to do. I did a lot of stuff,' he explained. 'If I had one thing that I wish I would have done different, I wish I would have done a little bit less of the hardcore, and a little bit more of the storytelling.'
This hard-won wisdom is something he now directly applies to his production work. He has learned from his own mistakes and ensures the talent he works with prioritises safety and story-driven intensity.
Abyss, whose real name is Chris Park, stressed that there is still a place for violent 'hardcore spots' in wrestling, but he now believes they must be justified by a compelling story.
Applying Past Lessons to Present-Day WWE
This philosophy was put into practice in high-profile matches like the brutal Hell In A Cell bout between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre in October 2024.
'I learned that through my days of hardcore wrestling, the dos and the don'ts,' he said. 'I've been able to apply that when I'm working with talent, like the Drew McIntyre/CM Punk Hell In The Cell.'
He described the match, which left both men bloodied and battered, as a 'masterpiece' and a perfect example of how to execute violent content correctly when it serves a greater story.
Despite his reflections, Abyss insisted he is proud of his entire body of work and wouldn't change his past matches. He attributes his most extreme moments to the passion of youth and a desire to give fans unforgettable memories.
The TNA Hall of Famer, who was added to the WWE 2K25 video game roster via a DLC pack this year, continues to shape the future of sports entertainment from his producer's chair.
