5 WWE wrestlers who were forced to retire at the peak of their careers

The life of a professional wrestler is anything but easy. From being on the road for 300+ days, to having to maintain their physique round the clock, burnout and injuries are bound to happen.

WWE is a live show, and a wrong move can shorten, or even end one's wrestling career. Wrestlers like Tyson Kidd and Daniel Bryan have been victims of career-threatening injuries, and not many are as lucky as the latter, who made a successful comeback to the ring.

With Paige officially announcing her retirement earlier this week, we take a look at five other Superstars who had no option but to retire at the peak of their wrestling careers.

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#5 Rick Rude

Retirement Year: 1994

Retired at: 35

What I'd like to have right now is for all you fat, out of shape, San Francisco sweathogs to keep the noise down while I take my robe off and show all the ladies what a real man is supposed to look like.

How many wrestlers can cut a promo like the "Ravishing" Rick Rude? One of the best heels of all time, Rude is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers to have never won a world title in WWE/F.

His feud with Jake the Snake Roberts was second only to the greatest of rivalries like The Rock-Stone Cold. It's remarkable how Rick Rude was able to carve such a reputation in a relatively short career.

Rude had successful runs in both WWF and WCW. During one of his matches in WCW in Japan, the WCW International World Heavyweight Champion injured his back after receiving a suicide dive from Sting. Rude did win the match, but due to the severity of the injury, he was forced to retire shortly after.

In 1997, Rick Rude returned to WWF and formed a stable with Shawn Michaels and Triple H, which later became D-Generation X. He died in 1999 due to heart failure and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.

#4 Bret Hart

Retirement Year: 2000

Retired at: 42

The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be

The introductory line is the perfect description of Bret Hart, as he was known for his exceptional technique and in-ring abilities. Hart rose to fame in the 80s in WWF (Now WWE), where he helmed The Hart Foundation stable. Following the controversial "Montreal Screwjob" in November 1997, Hart left WWF for WCW.

Hart defended his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Goldberg at Starrcade 1999. During the match. Goldberg accidentally struck Hart on the head with a brutal kick, severely concussing him. He did return shortly, but in subsequent weeks, he racked up further concussions.

Bret Hart was inactive from in-ring competition since January 2000 and officially retired in October the same year. He did, however, make sporadic appearances as the General Manager of RAW and even headlined SummerSlam 2010 as part of Team WWE.

#3 Christian

Retirement Year: 2014

Retired at: 40

Christian is one of the few men who found success both as a singles and a tag-team wrestler. A Grand Slam Champion with more than 15 title reigns to his name, Christian remains one of the most underrated babyfaces in the history of WWE.

For a good part of his career, Christian managed to remain relatively injury-free. After becoming a huge name in TNA, "Captain Charisma" returned to WWE and became an overnight sensation.

With a torn pectoral muscle, and ankle and shoulder problems, the injuries started amassing which kept him out of action for much of 2012 and 2013. A concussion that he suffered in a match in March of 2014 forced him to retire in the same year.

One of the most fan-favorite performers to ever step into the squared circle, Christian became yet another victim of a history of concussions and other injuries, which caused him to bid farewell to the WWE Universe.

#2 Edge

Retirement Year: 2011

Retired at: 37

Edge is one of the most decorated professional wrestlers of all-time, having won 31 championships in WWE overall. An 11-time World Champion, The Rated-R Superstar headlined multiple pay-per-view events and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.

Edge has had his share of spine and neck injuries, which resulted in his retirement in 2011. Just two weeks prior, he had successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 27. He relinquished the title on a RAW episode and announced his retirement due to spinal stenosis.

Edge had several incredible TLC matches which forced the Canadian superstar to have spinal fusion surgery. Even after toning down his in-ring style after becoming a main eventer, the damage had been done, and the effects of his earlier matches had taken their toll.

#1 Stone Cold Steve Austin

Retirement Year: 2003

Retired at: 38

Arguably the greatest WWE superstar of all time, Stone Cold Steve Austin needs no introduction. From winning three Royal Rumble matches to main-eventing multiple PPVs, Austin established himself as the face of the company in the late 90s. With unparalleled mic skills and charisma, "The Rattlesnake" was set to become the top star in pro-wrestling, but fate had other plans for him.

A botched Tombstone Piledriver from Owen Hart at SummerSlam 1997 broke Austin's neck, and with WWE relying on him to guarantee a profitable future, he rushed his return back to the ring. Just three months into the injury, Austin was back in action and produced some of his greatest performances, but his neck had started giving him trouble once again.

After surgery and missing months of action, Austin was finally released in 2002 due to his physical condition worsening. He did return a final time to face The Rock at WrestleMania XIX, but that was it. After repetitive warnings from doctors, "The Hellraiser" eventually retired from the wrestling business.

Edited by Nishant Jayaram