The WWE roster today is more stacked with talent from all over the world than it has ever been in the history of the company. Along with the younger talent, we also have some veterans - some like Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy who are a regular part of the shows every week.
In addition, we have some legends like The Undertaker who make an appearance around 2-3 times a year, usually wrestling at one of the 'Big 4' pay-per-views, and other veteran stars like the Big Show and Kane, who make sparse appearances and take part in a few storylines, before taking time off again.
Now, I agree that the choice of retirement from the business is completely the decision of a Superstar, but it might be in the interest of the company and the fans, as well as a few veterans themselves to hang up their boots for good; while there are other stars who might still have some gas left in the tank.
With that in mind, let us have a look at five Superstars who should probably retire soon, and five who can still go on for a while.
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#1 Should not retire - Jeff Hardy
When I had the idea for this article a week or so ago, this slide was supposed to be titled - The Hardy Brothers. But unfortunately, just a few days ago, Matt Hardy announced his in-ring retirement via a video on Twitter after wrestling his supposed last match at a Live Event. This just goes on to show how uncertain the business of pro-wrestling is and to what extent the Superstars are willing to put their bodies on the line for the sake of the fans.
Fortunately however, the younger Hardy seems to only get better with age and is still going ahead with full speed. His match at Hell in a Cell proved just how good he can be, but at 41 years of age, one has to wonder how much longer Jeff will be able to wrestle full-time like he is doing now. This is especially considering the high-risk wrestling style of The Charismatic Enigma. Rumours are abound that he is fighting with a number of nagging injuries such as numbness in his arms, but is fighting through them nonetheless.
Even if he cannot carry on full-time, I feel it will be great to have Jeff appear on a part-time at least, as he still is very much capable of putting on a show stopper every time he is in the ring and the crowd absolutely love him. Here's to hoping that Brother Nero still has some fuel left in the tank to keep going for a few more years.
#2 Should retire - Goldust
It might seem hard to believe, but Dustin Runnels, best known as Goldust in WWE, has been in the business of pro wrestling for almost 30 years. The son of The American Dream took on a character unlike something never seen before in pro wrestling back in 1995 in erstwhile WWF, and boy did it pay off! The bizarre gimmick somehow worked with the audience and more than 25 years later, Goldust is still able to captivate the fans with his unique mannerisms.
Currently though, he is in rehab after undergoing surgery on both his knees back in July. At the age of 49, fans have to wonder how much longer Runnels can go on wrestling. Perhaps the time is right for him retire from in-ring competition, probably after one last brief run in the WWE. He can put his experience to good use by taking on a backstage role with the company, or even continue working as a manager to some Superstar.
#3 Should not retire - Triple H
If I was on the cusp before, about whether it was time for The Game to hang up his boots for good, his first promo hyping up the dream match between himself and The Undertaker at the Super Show-Down changed my mind.
Though the match was announced quite a while ago, it just seemed like a novelty attraction for an overseas show with little at stake, much like the Greatest Royal Rumble. But one passionate promo by HHH on Raw worked extremely well in getting the fans even more excited for their confrontation.
In spite of being semi-retired from in-ring competition, when he does get inside the ring, The Cerebral Assassin always looks like he hasn't missed a beat. It does help that he is still in the best physical shape of his life at 49, and that's saying something!
As long as he is still able to go in the ring, Triple H can put his legacy to good use and make an occasional appearance to put over younger and newer talent, much like he did with Ronda Rousey.
A feud with The Game is sure to propel any rookie's career to the next level, with Seth Rollins being a great example. Though he was already a great in-ring talent and former World Champion, his 'king-slaying' win against HHH did wonders for Rollins.
#4 Should retire - Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle is undoubtedly one of the most skilled and technical performers to ever set foot inside the squared circle. Many of his fellow peers have admitted that Angle picked up the tricks and trade of the pro wrestling business faster than anyone before him.
After his storybook return to WWE in 2016 and HoF induction, Angle has returned to the ring four times for different matches. Though fans were still able to witness some of the old magic he brought to the ring, he was noticeably stiffer. Angle himself later admitted that due to a short training window, he had over exerted himself and was not a 100 percent in the ring.
Now as much as I'd love to see the Olympic Gold Medalist back in action again, keeping in mind his chronic injuries and advancing age, it might be time for Angle to retire from in-ring competition. Perhaps one last dream match at WrestleMania might be the perfect way to bow out.
#5 Should not retire - John Cena
John Cena is unarguably one of the greatest Superstars in the history of WWE. Cena was at the top of the mountain, as the face of the company for more than ten years - longer perhaps than anyone in the history of WWE.
Hardcore fans might complain about his limited move set and a stale gimmick, but even they have to begrudgingly admit that there are extremely few Superstars on the current roster who can match Cena when it comes to connecting with the audience through his promos. Even in the ring, in spite of his limited moves, the in-ring psychology that Cena brings with him every time ensures that the audience is invested in his matches throughout.
Even now, his sporadic appearances are certainly a big deal and hard as it is to believe looking at how rare his appearances have become, he is still the second best merchandise-seller in the company, only having been recently overtaken by Roman Reigns. A feud with John Cena will elevate a Superstar to the main event scene, and looking at the shape he is in, it feels like Cena still has quite a few feuds left in him.
#6 Should retire - Big Show
A veteran of the business, Big Show has been in the WWE for more than 27 years now, having debuted way back in 1999. His huge demeanour has always been a USP that Show has brought to the table, and his recent weight-loss transformation was nothing short of amazing!
But when it comes to character, Show does not have much to offer. He is infamous for having too many face/heel turns throughout his career, though creative is more to blame for this than Show himself. But at this point, the WWE has a roster stacked with talent from all walks of the business and the former 'Giant' does not have anything unique to offer to the business anymore.
Braun Strowman admittedly did add some legitimacy to his monster gimmick after defeating the Big Show, but it is hard to imagine any other Superstar benefiting from a long feud with the 7-footer any more. An occasional marquee match here and there might be a pleasant surprise, but perhaps the time is ripe for Show to hang his boots up for good.
#7 Should not retire - Brock Lesnar
Whether you love him or hate him, Brock Lesnar still manages to have a dominating presence like no one else, every time he appears on the screen. While having a part-time wrestler as the Universal Champion was probably not the best idea, now that he is not the Champion anymore, an occasional appearance from The Beast Incarnate has the ability to shake things up quite well.
Take Hell in a Cell for example, Lesnar's shock appearance saved WWE from having to end with either a title change or a clean loss for Strowman. Yet another feud with Reigns and Strowman does not seem like it has much to offer, and WWE would do well to end the same at the Crown Jewel event and have The Beast Incarnate move on to a fresh feud.
It is highly unlikely that Lesnar will return full time to the company in the future, but an on-off appearance between UFC fights will work quite well to keep the audience invested.
#8 Should retire - The Undertaker
The Undertaker will go down in history as one of the greatest performers in the history of WWE. A 34 year veteran in the industry, 'Taker has pretty much accomplished everything there is to in the pro wrestling business today. That being said, even today, the sound of the immortal gong in any arena sends the fans into a frenzy!
When The Deadman lost to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33, it seemed like a legendary career had come to an end. Indeed, leaving behind his iconic gear in the ring, breaking kayfabe for the first time by kissing his wife Michelle McCool on the way back from the ring - it all seemed like the perfect end to a long and storied career.
However, as it turned out, The Undertaker still had some gas left in the tank. As a lifelong fan, I wish 'Taker could go on forever and never retire, but the time has probably come for him to hang his boots up for good.
He is not able to have long matches anymore, and it looks like WWE is running out of options finding worthy opponents for The Deadman. His match against Rusev at Greatest Royal Rumble was more or less irrelevant, and the same can be said about the short WrestleMania match against John Cena. Though Cena did an amazing job building up the tension with borderline shoot promos, the match itself was not too significant.
That is why I believe the time has come for the veteran to finally step down. As he himself admitted on WWE 24: WrestleMania Orlando, the thing he most fears is becoming a parody of himself and that every time he steps into the ring, he wants to give the fans the best Undertaker he can give them. So, it might be best to step down while still being the most respected and revered wrestler in the history of WWE.
Do you agree with this list? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments section below.