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Retirements don't always last in WWE. Several Superstars have gone back on them and wrestled beyond their perceived last matches.
This rings even truer right now, with the advancement of medical science over the years. Edge returned to WWE in the 2020 Royal Rumble Match, nine years after retiring. Other major examples include his best friend Christian, Daniel Bryan and Sting. These returns have opened up similar possibilities for the future.
Meanwhile, quite a few major stars have been out of action for a while. WWE has confirmed the retirements for some of them, but that may not mean much anyway. Shawn Michaels is the prime example of Superstars in this category, coming out of retirement for a match in Saudi Arabia after not wrestling for over eight years.
Whichever of the above categories they fall under, some retired wrestlers could be on their way back to the ring. Multiple factors surround each of them, though, with no guarantee that a return is on the cards.
Nevertheless, here are five retired WWE Superstars who could realistically return for one last match or run.
#5. The Rock (Last WWE match - 2016)
The Rock "quietly retired" from WWE a couple of years ago, having not wrestled a full-blown match since 2013. He dropped the WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 29 but did technically have a match three years later. The Great One defeated Erick Rowan in a record-breaking six seconds at WrestleMania 32.
It seemed like The Rock did not to return to the ring, especially with various insurance issues at play. But WWE wants to bring him back later this year, to build towards a mega-match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38.
Given how strongly The Tribal Chief has been booked, a match between the two cousins doesn't seem out of the question. The Rock may have said there's nothing to tease about a potential WWE return, but would he spoil such a major surprise if it was in the works?
Out of every Superstar on this list, the Hollywood star may be the likeliest to return for one final match. The Rock's presence would further elevate Roman Reigns and The Bloodline.
#4. Paige (Last WWE match - 2017)
As seen with WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Sting, one can return to the ring despite being medically disqualified due to a neck injury. Paige is one of a few wrestlers currently in that category. She has not wrestled since injuring her neck at a house show in late-2017.
But after giving a positive update on her neck, fans are hoping she can return for one last run in WWE. Paige would fit right in near the top of the card and remains one of the most over females in WWE. A potential in-ring return for her would be a major boost to the women's division.
Paige could have fun matches against a host of names, from Sasha Banks and Bayley to Rhea Ripley and former Absolution team-mate Sonya Deville.
#3. Corey Graves (Last WWE match - 2014)
Having been a commentator in WWE for around seven years, a lot of fans may be surprised to find out that Corey Graves was a promising NXT Superstar once upon a time. However, frequent concussions caught up to him in 2014 and forced a change in role within WWE.
Graves may have some hope of an in-ring return, with Daniel Bryan and Christian returning from concussion-related retirements in the past few years. However, he does not have an emotional connection with WWE fans as a wrestler at this point.
Nevertheless, Corey Graves does have a ready-made feud with The New Day, if he gets cleared to wrestle again. He has beefed with the group throughout his commentary run thus far.
#2. The Undertaker (Last WWE match - 2020)
The Undertaker retired from WWE at last year's Survivor Series. This time, it feels like he will stick to his retirement. However, one can never be certain with The Deadman. All it would take is one convincing phone call from Vince McMahon for 'Taker to show up for a match at WrestleMania 38.
The WWE legend last wrestled at the Show of Shows in 2020, winning the critically-acclaimed Boneyard Match. Undertaker's cinematic clash against AJ Styles seemed like the perfect send-off for him.
But what if he feels like having one final retirement match in front of the fans? We may never know until The Undertaker gets inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
#1. Ronda Rousey (Last WWE match - 2019)
Ronda Rousey is considered by WWE to be retired, which doesn't seem like much of a surprise. Her last appearance for the company came over two years ago, in the main event of WrestleMania 35. Rousey lost her RAW Women's Championship to Becky Lynch in a triple threat, also involving Charlotte Flair, that night.
The former UFC star is currently pregnant with her first child, meaning a potential WWE return would not be possible in 2021 at the very least. However, Ronda Rousey could very well return to the company in a part-time role in the future.
There is still steam behind a singles match between Rousey and Lynch, which would be perfect for WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood. But it remains to be seen if The Baddest Woman on the Planet has the desire to step back in the ring again.
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