Big Bill’s struggles with alcohol were well documented and played out in public as he went through some of his toughest times at wrestling events.

In December 2018, Big Bill suffered a seizure at House of Hardcore. In September 2019, he had a backstage altercation with Joey Janela. Big Bill had gone to rehab or treatment following the incidents, but ultimately relapsed.

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In the winter of 2019 and into 2020, Big Bill says he was a missing person in New Jersey, but cops found him during a well-being check and took him to a rehab center. That’s when he started to completely turn things around.

“In January 2020, I went to rehab for the last time” Bill said Talk Is Jericho. “Shannon Moore working with WWE recovery is a godsend. This guy saved so many lives. He deserves all the credit in the world. He was huge and instrumental with me. He got me back into recovery. detox on several occasions This Once I was watching the Super Bowl, the one where Pat Mahomes finally won his first game, I was looking around and thinking, “These people are all fucking losers, I’m not like them, I’m leaving. I left and I went back to my room I said to Shannon: “I didn’t know it, I’m like these people. He said to me: “You owe me. a lot, you owe me one more week, you can leave, but you owe me at least one more week after all the shit I’ve been through for you.’ I agreed, and that week something clicked.

“I completely gave up, as they say. I just gave up and gave in. I was told, “Stop fighting people.” It’s not about mentally fighting people, but what you’re told to do, just do it: “Go clean up that trash.” » “Why? What is the goal?” Stop wondering what it’s for and just go for it. Something clicked that week and that’s when everything started to improve. I finally gave in to the program, which I thought was stupid before that and ended up hating going to meetings. I realized that these people are like me. Everyone’s stories are a little different, but the plan is exactly the same for everyone here. Eventually I started listening to people, I found a sponsor, I did everything I was told, and I guess that was it. the start of my next journey, which was to return to wrestling. Getting sober was the hardest thing I did in my life, but it was the best thing I did. It’s like I have a new lease on life now. I’m not committing suicide with alcohol and I have a second chance.”

Big Bill is now approaching five years of sobriety and has found his place in AEW as one of television’s breakout talents.

If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol, please visit NIAAAA for recovery resources or call 1-888-4AL-ANON (25-2666).

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