WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash Reveals Recent Cancer Scare

Kevin Nash – known as Big Daddy Cool Diesel during his initial run in WWE – is one of the most recognizable Superstars ever. Although he had his last match back in 2011, he still lives and breathes professional wrestling. In 2023, the five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion never shies away from voicing his opinion – good or bad – on the latest WWE happenings. However, the WWE Universe recently witnessed a candid and tense moment regarding the health of one of the most beloved big men in wrestling history.

In a recent episode of his popular podcast, Kliq This, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer detailed a recent health scare. During a routine checkup, Nash was told that a suspicious mole on his face was cancerous, rightfully scaring the former-world champion. Nash didn't waste any time giving his podcast listeners all the details, recalling his mindset during a recent visit to the dermatologist.

"When that lady was looking at my face three or four weeks ago she said, 'I don't remember that being there,'" Nash recalled. "I said, 'You know what? I don't either. I want you to check that.' She said, 'Let me do a biopsy and we'll send it off.' It came back and it was cancerous. They said there's a basal cell. It's not really a fast-growing cancer – but it's almost like a planter where it kind of has seeds."

How Did Kevin Nash Handle His Cancer News?

Kevin Nash and Adam Rodriguez during Matt Bomer Spotlight Award Tribute at Trustees Theater on Day Two of the 17th Annual Savannah Film Festival presented by SCAD on October 26, 2014 in Savannah, Georgia. Photo: Getty Images

The WWE Universe may recall that Alexa Bliss recently underwent treatment for basal cells earlier in 2023 – the type of cancer Nash was dealing with. Nevertheless, it's never easy to hear you have cancer. For Kevin Nash, it made him immediately have a newfound appreciation for life. Although he has been retired from in-ring competition for many years, he confessed that his unexpected diagnosis changed his perspective.

"When it goes down and you hear that you've got cancer and they're gonna have to do this procedure, all of a sudden, all you want to do is live," Nash explained. "That's just your primal, mammal, instinctual survival bullsh-t that's hardwired that you don't realize is there."

Does Kevin Nash Have Any Regrets Early in Life?

Kevin Nash arrives at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Magic Mike" during the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 24, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images

To his credit, Kevin Nash doesn't shy away from taking full responsibility for his actions early in his life that may have led to his cancer diagnosis. Thanks to his full-time schedule in WWE and WCW as one of the most famous Superstars on the planet throughout his career, Nash found it increasingly difficult to look "TV-ready" – and he blames tanning beds for his eventual diagnosis.

"It was the 25-plus years of laying in tanning beds in f-cking New Jersey and Pennsylvania and everywhere else and had no sun because we had Monday Night Raw and there wasn't an alternative," Nash admitted. "It wasn't like spray tans or anything that was effective. When the tanning beds first came out, I remember they were saying how they took the burning rays out of it, that it was safer than the sun."

Like many, Nash spent way too much time in tanning beds; if only we all knew how dangerous they could be. Although Nash confesses he takes far better care of his body in 2023 than he ever did when he was younger, he's afraid that too much long-term damage has already been done. Still, he makes sure he schedules regular doctor visits to combat any future complications.

"All this damage was from when we were kids," he revealed. "I religiously go to the dermatologist every three months and have myself checked out. I know exactly why I have these problems. I've had several things cut off of me."

Thankfully, this story has a happy ending: Nash, who recently turned 64, is officially cancer-free after he recently had the growth surgically removed.

When Was Kevin Nash's Last WWE Match?

Actors Adam Rodriguez, Alex Pettyfer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Matt Bomer, Matthew McConaughey and Channing Tatum arrive at the closing night gala premiere of "Magic Mike" at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festiva held at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 24, 2012 in Los Angeles. Photo: Getty Images

Aside from a short appearance as a surprise entrant in the 2014 Royal Rumble match, Kevin Nash's final WWE match was an underrated classic: a Sledgehammer Match against Triple H at TLC 2011.

While Triple H decisively won the match – thanks to a few well-placed sledgehammer shots to Nash's head – the bout served as a fitting cap to an illustrious career for Nash. From leading the "New Generation" of WWE Superstars as WWE Champion in the mid-90s to being a pivotal piece of WCW's New World Order storyline, wrestling fans who grew up watching "Big Kev" have an appreciation of him as both a performer and a talented creative force. Standing over seven feet tall and 300 pounds, Nash's easygoing demeanor, talented in-ring skills, and undeniable "cool" factor made him a fan favorite – even if he was playing the part of the villain!

When Was Kevin Nash Inducted Into the WWE Hall of Fame?

Kevin Nash attends the Los Angeles world premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "Magic Mike XXL" held at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX on June 25, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Getty Images

Many WWE Superstars make such an impact on the wrestling business that they aren't inducted into the Hall of Fame just once! Kevin Nash is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, having originally been inducted in 2015 and following that distinction up by being inducted alongside the nWo in 2020.

Although Kevin Nash hasn't appeared in WWE in some time, he remains close friends to this day with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and others in the WWE family. Who knows when he'll pop back up on WWE television – but we're optimistic that, just like the rest of us, Nash will be tuning in tonight for an absolutely epic episode of NXT.

You can tune in to Peacock to watch WWE's Crown Jewel on November 4 and Survivor Series on November 25. In the meantime, catch up on all things WWE Universe on Peacock.