Sometimes we don't know when to retire from our work, since we don't know if it is the right time or what will happen in the future. Now imagine how difficult it is for baseball players, soccer players, basketball players, athletes and wrestlers, how do you know when to step aside and stop doing what you love, what you have been doing for many years? How do you know if you will be able to fill the void that will be left when you retire?
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That's why retiring is one of the hardest decisions there is, so it's no wonder that some WWE wrestlers have stayed active for much longer than they should have. On the other hand, there were wrestlers who decided to retire when they were in the prime of their careers. So, without further ado, let's take a look at five WWE wrestlers who retired at their prime, and five who hung on way too long.
10 Retired In His Prime: Edge
Edge retired in his prime, and although it wasn't what he wanted, his neck injuries forced him to do so. It was a real shame, because he was one of the best wrestlers in WWE, and it looked like he still had a lot left in the tank. Edge returned to wrestling nine years later and has had a great comeback. Edge's wrestling career has been phenomenal, but imagine what it would have been like if he had never retired, his legacy would be even greater.
9 Hung On Way Too Long: Goldberg
Goldberg is 56 years old, and he still hasn't retired. He should have hung up his boots several years ago, perhaps in 2017, after he lost to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33. But no, Goldberg decided to keep wrestling, and all he accomplished was to embarrass himself, hurt his legacy, and earn the hatred of some fans who simply didn't want to see him wrestling sloppy three-minute matches while taking opportunities away from younger talent.
8 Retired In Her Prime: Lita
Lita retired in 2006, when she was 31 years old and at the top of her game. She was in top physical condition and had never been more popular, but she still decided to go home. Why? Well, Lita was one of the most hated heels in the company, fans insulted her week after week, and she just couldn't take it anymore. Lita put her mental health and happiness first over a job she was no longer comfortable in, which is totally understandable.
7 Hung On Way Too Long: The Undertaker
The Undertaker is arguably the greatest character in the history of professional wrestling. He was absolutely sensational, and fans loved him regardless of whether he was a heel or babyface. He had an illustrious career, and his legacy is unforgettable, but admittedly he hung on way too long.
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The last few years of The Undertaker's career were not good at all, he had some matches that were painful to watch and perhaps hurt his legacy. Taker should have retired much earlier.
6 Retired In Her Prime: Trish Stratus
Like her friend Lita, Trish Stratus retired from wrestling in her prime. There were several things that led Stratus to make the decision to retire in 2006, when she was on top of the world. She explained it all on the Wilde On podcast, saying that she already felt she had accomplished everything, had worked with all the other women on the roster and felt satisfied with her six-year career. Plus, she wanted to spend more time with her mom, who was ill. 17 years after her retirement, she's in WWE proving she's still got it.
5 Hung On Way Too Long: The Big Show
The Big Show made his wrestling debut in 1995, and he was in WWE until 2021. And he didn't even retire, choosing to sign with AEW instead. We're talking about a 7'0", nearly 400-pound guy who has wrestled for over 25 years, which is impressive, but also makes it clear that he didn't know when to retire. By the 2010s Big Show was well past his prime and his matches were boring, not to mention the fans were already a little tired of his multiple heel/babyface turns.
4 Retired In Her Prime: AJ Lee
AJ Lee was one of the most influential female wrestlers in WWE history. She was a spokesperson for the women's division and worked very hard to change the way things worked in the company.
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AJ was a game changer, as she made a huge impact and women began to get more screen time and bigger roles in WWE. Ironically, AJ decided to retire in 2015 (she was 28 years old), just as significant changes began in WWE's women's division.
3 Hung On Way Too Long: Ric Flair
Ric Flair has far exceeded the length of his wrestling career, it seems he simply isn't afraid to die in the ring. In fact, in the 2000s, when Flair was in WWE, it was time to retire, as he was already in his 50s and his skills had deteriorated considerably. Still, Flair was a full-time WWE wrestler until 2008, when he retired from WWE after losing to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24.
2 Retired In Her Prime: Paige
Paige was another wrestler who unfortunately retired in her prime due to injuries. She was just 25 years old... yes, you read that right. And at that age she had already won the Divas Championship twice and was one of the top female wrestlers, not to mention the fans loved her. It would be great to see how great Paige's career would have been if she hadn't retired.
1 Hung On Way Too Long: Kane
It is 2023 and Kane has not yet officially retired, although he has not had a match since 2021. He should have retired many years ago, around 2015 maybe, because back then it was clear that he could no longer go. Still, he wrestled regularly for most of the 2010s, but that version of Kane was nowhere near the scary monster of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
