Giovanni Vinci Discusses His Hiatus From Wrestling, If He Has a Timeline To Return to the Ring

During a recent interview with Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar and Imperium member, Giovanni Vinci, commented on taking a break after getting released by WWE in early 2025. He also discussed his Instagram post teasing a “new chapter” in his career and being ready to go. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Giovanni Vinci on Taking a Break After Going Really Hard in the Gym During His Run

“When I got that call about a year ago, the first thing I did was, immediately after that, I thought, Okay, I’m taking a month off the gym because I’ve been going really hard. In NXT, I made the decision, okay, it’s time now to get in the best shape of my life. So I did step up my workout regimen pretty intensely. Did cardio twice a day. Worked out five days a week, wrestling three matches. I did make good progress, but you can only maintain that for so long. I just kept going, kept going, and then got called up to the main roster, so I definitely didn’t want to slow down. Yeah, it’s just one of those things where I got the call. I knew this was the first time for sure that I wasn’t going to step in the ring for three months. So I definitely gave my body the break, because I didn’t get the results that I was used to getting, my body started getting really stubborn, if I dieted, things just didn’t move as fast.

“So I gave my body a break, gave my mind a break. Just been resting up a little bit. I live in Vegas, so there’s always something to do. I like racing. Always been a Formula One fan, so tried a couple of spots out there, just took some trips, enjoyed the fruits of my labor and just recharged, because I didn’t want to come back too quick. I didn’t want to get into things too quick, because I didn’t want to have acid, basically. So I gave myself the time. Didn’t really have a timeline in mind of how long I was going to be out for, or whatever. But then as time went by, batteries recharged, I started feeling better and started working out again. That was a lot of fun again. And just for the first time, go by how I feel. I feel like it’s obviously when you listen to your gut, and go by how you feel, then it’s not that drag or forcing things to do. I just felt ready, that’s what I basically had in mind. I’m going to take the time that I need, and when I’m ready, I’ll be back and I’ll go all in.”

On Going Away for a Year Not Being the Idea

“Not really, no. I just knew that after the call, because it was such a surreal feeling, man. It was like, on the one hand, it sucked that that chapter was over, because that’s what I wanted to do since I was 13 years old. But on the other hand, because it was such a roller coaster leading up to that, it felt freeing, in a way. I told a friend of mine, he asked me if I was okay. I said, ‘Yeah, man, I’m good.’ It’s almost like when you’re in school and school ends and you’re going on summer vacation, just all the weight was off because at least I knew there was no more thinking about it. And really, after that, all I did was I just knew I was taking some time. Didn’t know how much it was, and, yeah, I didn’t think about how long exactly I was going to be out for. Just like okay, we need some space. Take some time for myself, figure myself out, and yeah, enjoy life a little bit.”

On If He Has a Timeline on Getting Back Into the Ring

“I mean, we’ll see. We’ll see what’s coming up. I did have some talks with a couple of people, some really good talks, and we’ll see. I always believe in the timing of the universe, that everything happens for a reason. Yeah, it’s just a feeling that I got. At some point, I just felt like working out more. At some point, I just felt like dialing in my diet again, just getting more serious with cardio and all those things. I don’t have to force myself to do that. So I know when that opportunity comes, it’ll be the perfect timing. I’ll be in the perfect spot, mentally, physically, and I’m gonna kill it.”