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To say professional wrestling has been a big part of Sean Wachter’s life would be an understatement.
He grew up loving the pop culture phenomenon now known as “sports entertainment,” where some of the greatest athletes in the world tell stories in a way that is both physical and artistic.
As a boy, the Oceanside native fell in love with pro wrestling. His father, a Nassau County police officer, would take him to see WWE events at Nassau Coliseum. Wrestling would go on to shape his life.
“I was never into sports growing up and frankly got bullied for liking wrestling so much,” said Wachter. “I couldn’t believe that people became nice to me when it became popular again when I hit middle school.”
He later played college football and lacrosse, then spent a year in arena football. Still, he wanted more than anything to be a pro wrestler. But college athletics, a neck injury, and eventually cancer got in the way.
“Wrestling kept me afloat during the darkest of times in my treatment at the start,” said Wachter. “Then I met my amazing wife, and I have thrived ever since.”
Watch his full story below
Battling cancer and retirement
Wachter, known in the ring as The Cancer Fighter, announced his retirement from wrestling this past February during an event at The Factory in Freeport. It was an emotional moment.
“I tried not to cry when I put my boots down in the ring,” he said. “I like to say I had a visit. I never want to say I ended a career because like everyone else, I’m a pro wrestling fan. Other than my wife, children and parents, it has always been my rock in the storm.”
But this Saturday, Wachter will be back in the ring for the National Wrestling Alliance show at All Sportz in Melville. The event is being held in conjunction with Championship Entertainment Productions.
He was supposed to make his NWA debut before retiring. Now he finally gets his moment. With family and friends in the stands, Wachter will once again step through the ropes.
“I am super excited to be back,” he said. “Not just in a ring, but in an NWA ring. I had to cancel my debut match, which happened to be the main event against current NWA TV Champion Bryan Idol. However, he was kind enough to allow me to have a moment instead. Now I’m back for another moment, and to show the world that we may have cancer, but we are strong beyond measure.”
The road back hasn’t been easy. Wachter was first diagnosed with cancer on Sept. 26, 2016, and was given just 12 weeks to live. He battled the disease twice, with his second fight stretching from July 2024 through this past summer.
“I am the only documented cured case of my cancer,” Wachter said.
WWE took notice
Like youth athletes dreaming of the NFL or MLB, every aspiring wrestler sets their sights on the pinnacle: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), formerly the WWF.
The WWE scouted Wachter in February 2024, when he was 39. The company knew his story and his work in the cancer space. At the time, Wachter was finishing his MBA and wanted a job with the WWE. But recruiter Gabe Sapolsky told him, “We see more here than that.”
Wachter underwent tests, and in June 2024, just days before a sold-out WWE SmackDown at Madison Square Garden, he was instructed to show up clean-shaven and bring documentation about his cancer.
“I went outside at 1 a.m. when I got the email and sobbed so violently, I thought the neighbors would hear,” said Wachter. “I was, for all intents and purposes, a guy who did not deserve to be alive or shouldn’t be alive.”
He was scheduled to make five WWE appearances, but medical staff noticed a lump on his shoulder and became concerned. His cancer had returned, forcing him to retire from pro wrestling.
Even before officially stepping away, Wachter worked behind the scenes, producing shows from the “Gorilla Position,” a job made famous by WWE Hall of Famer Gorilla Monsoon.
“I am the guy with the headset making sure it all goes smooth,” said Wachter. “I was content there, but then I realized hey, you need to get that microphone back in your hand to make some magic moments and memories happen.”
Saturday in Melville
This weekend, Wachter will be back in front of the crowd, microphone in hand.
“I will address where I am at with my pro wrestling journey,” he said. “I have a few big announcements to make.”
Saturday’s NWA card includes:
- NWA World Television Champion Bryan Idol defending his title against Alvin Alvarez.
- CEP Women’s Champion Natalia Markova vs. Kylie Paige.
- CEP Tag Team Champions QCTM vs. NWA Champion Thom Latimer and CEP Champion Joe Ocasio.
“You are going to see some of the best professional wrestling the country has to offer,” Wachter said.
His wife, children, and parents will be seated at ringside for what promises to be an emotional return.
Cancer once took away the thing Wachter loved most. On Saturday night, he gets to deliver one more dropkick — this time to cancer itself.
If You Go
- NWA Live at All Sportz, Melville
- 📅 Saturday, Sept. 27
- 🎟 Tickets available at nwaliveevents.com.
