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

#2 Edge

The Rated-R Superstar

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.