The present invention is directed to a retaining wall system including a retaining wall having with at least one retaining wall rebar extending along a vertical direction, the at least one retaining wall rebar includes an end formed into a first retaining wall rebar hook, at least one deadman spaced from the retaining wall, each deadman including a concrete base extending along the vertical direction, the concrete base including rebar extending past the concrete base and having an end formed into a deadman rebar hook, at least a first hole at a top portion of the retaining wall and extending into the retaining wall to expose the retaining wall rebar hook, and a first cable attached to the retaining wall rebar hook and to the deadman rebar hook to support the retaining wall.