Homicide says cyst on brain led to decision to retire

A medical issue led to Homicide’s decision to retire from in-ring competition.

The ROH legend will have the final match of his career tonight (March 20), teaming with Bull James against Mike Santana & Afa Jr. at a show for indie promotion Outlaw Wrestling. Before the match, Homicide made a Facebook post explaining that the reason he’s decided to step away from the ring is because doctors have found a cyst on his brain. Traveling so much and taking bumps in the ring was causing the issue to get worse.

“Can’t believe I saying goodbye, not only a job the passion the sport of pro wrestling,” Homicide (Dee Erazo) wrote. “[Reason] I’m leaving cause I went to my Doctor and found cyst my brain. Had it for months getting worst. My vision, speech is bad. Cause the hard hitting getting knock out and hitting a plane to travel.”

Homicide called himself a survivor and said he always wins his battles. He wants tonight to be a party for every fan attending the show in his hometown of Brooklyn.

“Thank you for your support,” he said. “This not a goodbye. This is I see you later.”

One of the most important figures in ROH history, Homicide won the ROH World Championship from Bryan Danielson at Final Battle 2006 and had a two-month reign as champion before losing the belt to Takeshi Morishima. He also starred for TNA during his career as a member of LAX.

CM Punk, who is currently on a European tour for WWE, took a moment last night to reflect on how important Homicide’s career has been. They came up together in ROH and helped form the foundation of the promotion.

“Homicide. One of a kind. Thinking about my friend and his career today,” Punk posted on his Instagram stories. “He will leave his fingerprints all over the wrestling landscape. I’m there in spirit my friend!”