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Many superstars have walked through the doors of WWE. Many have become legends and several have become immortals. Superstars who have stood the test of time and given their all to the WWE Universe have been honored in many different ways.
Whether inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame or given one last run before riding off into the sunset, WWE has made sure that many legacies will last a lifetime. A final run could be considered a lengthy farewell story or one final career-defining match or moment.
That being said, let's take a look at five memorable final runs in WWE history.
#5 Kurt Angle had a final memorable run in WWE
The only Olympic Gold Medalist in WWE history will be forever remembered as one of the greatest pure athletes WWE has ever seen. Joining during the Attitude Era, Kurt Angle made a name for himself very early on.
The former WWE Champion faced the very best, from The Rock to Brock Lesnar, before deciding to walk away in 2006, citing burnout. Angle's tenure with WWE was plagued with injuries, specifically to his neck. Following his departure, he didn't rest and went on to have a long run with IMPACT Wrestling which lasted ten years.
Angle returned in 2017 when it was announced he would be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Angle resumed his wrestling career and appeared at WrestleMania 34, teaming up with Ronda Rousey to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
In 2019, on the March 11th episode of Raw, Angle announced that he would be retiring from in-ring competition. Angle had somewhat of a farewell tour, facing stars such as Apollo Crews, Chad Gable and his old IMPACT Wrestling rivals, Samoa Joe and AJ Styles. After much speculation on who Angle would face in his final match, he was pitted against Baron Corbin in a losing effort.
Kurt Angle discussed his retirement match on The Kurt Angle Podcast:
"Shane would have been a great retirement match, but I don’t know if I want to go through a match like that. An ‘Anything Goes Street Fight’ with Shane McMahon when I’m 50 years old? I don’t know how my body would hold out with that thing. I thought Cena made sense because I started his career and I thought Cena could end mine. so, it made better sense, but I would have done Shane McMahon. I just don’t know if I would have been up for (the physicality)." Kurt Angle said (h/t Inside The Ropes)
Kurt Angle will be regarded as one of the greatest performers to ever step into the ring, and we are certainly glad we got to see one more run before he hung up his boots.
#4 Shawn Michaels had a memorable final run in WWE
WWE's showstopper and icon, Shawn Michaels, had quite the send-off in 2010. A year prior, at WrestleMania 25 in Houston, Texas, Michaels and The Undertaker delivered arguably the greatest main event in the history of the WWE. It was The Undertaker who came out on top following the breathtaking encounter.
Shawn Michaels wanted to do it all over again, stating that he was so close to beating The Deadman the previous year. All parties agreed, but this time Shawn Michaels' career was on the line. WrestleMania Streak vs. Career. Despite another valiant effort, HBK lost the match and was forced to retire as per the stipulation.
This wasn't Shawn's first retirement. Of course, during the Attitude Era, he sustained a career-ending back injury. He eventually did return to the ring, but he didn't receive any sort of send-off compared to 2010.
Following his loss to The Undertaker, WWE gave Shawn Michaels a farewell by allowing him to give a retirement speech. The WWE Universe was sad to see HBK's career over. Shawn said it was time and declared the iconic line, "Shawn Michaels has left the building!"
Michaels came out of retirement for one match several years later in Saudi Arabia. He teamed up with best-friend Triple H against arch-rivals The Undertaker and Kane in a disappointing match. Shawn Michaels returned to retirement following this match.
#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin had a final memorable run in WWE
Stone Cold Steve Austin is arguably WWE's greatest superstar of all-time. Sadly, he sustained a severe neck injury during a match with Owen Hart that plagued the remainder of his career.
In 2002, it was a difficult year for the 'Texas Rattlesnake' who was suffering with his neck and also decided to unceremoniously walk out on WWE following WrestleMania 18. He also had ongoing personal issues outside of WWE.
Thankfully, Austin patched things up and was given one last run before his final-ever match at WrestleMania 19 against his greatest rival, The Rock. At the time, we didn't know it would be Austin's swansong.
Stone Cold told WWE's The Bump about his final match:
"Nobody really knew this was going to be my last match; The Rock knew, and a couple of guys in management knew. I was going to go ride off into the sunset. I defeated The Rock two times prior at WrestleMania, and at WrestleMania 17, we rocked the house…I thought the match was good, but it could have been better. I love The Rock. Right there, that part in the ring, he pushes Earl Hebner out of the way and says, ‘Hey man, I appreciate everything you did for me. I just want you to know that I love you.’ I’m laying there with my eyes closed, and I said, ‘I love you, too.’ He meant it, and I meant it. Like we both said, we bring out the best in each other." Steve Austin said (h/t Cultaholic)
Stone Cold Steve Austin hasn't competed in the ring again, but we do see him on occasion arriving, raising hell and leaving. Give me a hell yeah!
#2 Ric Flair had a memorable final run in WWE
Ric Flair's final run with WWE pulled at our heartstrings right until the very end. Although we weren't specifically told it was Ric Flair's retirement tour, we just knew the end was near.
In November 2007, Ric Flair declared that he would never retire. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon thought otherwise and pitted Ric Flair in a number of Career Threatening matches. If Flair lost any of the matches, he would be forced to retire. Flair defeated superstars such as Randy Orton, Triple H, and even Mr McMahon himself along the way.
His final stop came at the WrestleMania pay-per-view in 2008 where he faced Shawn Michaels in a Career Threatening match. Towards the end of the match, HBK set-up for the Sweet Chin Music and muttered 'I'm sorry, I love you.' before delivering the final blow to the already teary Ric Flair.
The following night on RAW, Ric Flair had a farewell party in the middle of the ring. Numerous superstars from Flair's past and present came out to celebrate his career.
Flair's retirement from WWE remained, but outside of WWE he continued to perform for IMPACT Wrestling before calling it a day. once and for all.
#1 The Undertaker had a memorable final run in WWE
The Undertaker is by far WWE's ever greatest creation when it comes to iconic characters. The Undertaker performed for nearly three decades and gave us many memories with his Deadman persona.
The Undertaker had 'almost-retired' many times before his final farewell in 2020. After numerous WrestleMania matches over the years, there was always speculation that it was going to be The Deadman's final hoorah.
In 2020, every member of WWE Universe's worst fear happened. The Undertaker announced he would be saying his goodbyes at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. It was an iconic ending with numerous rivals and friends from The Undertaker's career and life coming to the ring to honor his career. Sadly, there were no fans in attendance because of the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic.
The Undertaker appeared on the Victory Over Injury podcast to discuss his farewell:
"I’d already come to peace with my decision, but it was really real once I put the hat and coat on. Knowing I was putting the hat and coat on for the last time and walking to the ring in that capacity, it was tough. It was probably best that I didn’t say much more than I did or I would have killed 30 years of work and turned into a blubbering idiot. It was a tough moment. I had already come to grips with the fact that I had gotten everything out of this sponge that you’re going to get, but when I put the hat and the coat on, things feel different. ‘I might have one more in me.’ No, that was it." The Undertaker said (h/t Inside The Ropes)
The Undertaker has yet to be seen on WWE television since his farewell, but we are sure that one day he will take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. This will also mean he will receive a farewell in front of a sold-out crowd at WrestleMania the following night.
How did Ric Flair spend $1500 at a pizza place? More details here
