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The WWE roster isn't aging, but a handful of top superstars are undoubtedly in the final stages of their careers. This includes superstars who are top champions, have been World Champions not too long ago, and more.
Sometimes, it's hard to accept when a superstar is in the final stages of their career, with The Undertaker perhaps being the foremost example of that. However, the current generation is different, and these top names could retire from WWE in three years or less.
#6. AJ Styles - Another WWE contract expiring soon?
AJ Styles is 44 years old now, which means that the final phase of his wrestling career might happen sooner rather than later. It's different as compared to superstars who started late and got their big break at a later age working a relatively safe style.
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This isn't the case for Styles. The Phenomenal One has had a career that has spanned two decades and nearly one-fourth of that has been in WWE. It's hard to believe that AJ Styles has been in WWE for five-and-a-half years but it has been that long.
Already a grand slam Champion, he is essentially a lock for a future WWE Hall of Fame induction. But how much longer does he have left in WWE?
In 2019, Styles openly admitted that he received an offer from AEW. Since WWE was at the point where they were offering good deals to superstars purely to keep them from signing with AEW, AJ Styles benefited and got a good deal out of it.
Speaking to Ryan Satin on his Out of Character podcast, Styles admitted that it would be hard to walk away from WWE just like that:
“That stuff’s hard,” Styles said. “It’s hard to leave, it’s hard to adjust once you’re done. But I got a taste I guess what that’s like with the COVID stuff, but I didn’t say I liked it. I’m not sure when it’s gonna be over for me but, like I said before, I signed my last contract, so we’ll see when that is.”
He has also admitted that the WWE contract he signed in 2019 will be his last. Speaking to Lilian Garcia on the Chasing Glory podcast, AJ Styles said:
“I had no doubt that you know this is what I was going to do for my career. It really was. And you couldn’t have told me any different. And I can tell you that the contract that I signed, here in the WWE, is my last. This is it for me. This is where I’m going to end my career no matter what happens. I got to, you know? I want to be there for my kids."
While it's not known how long his contract was signed for, two years have already passed. Styles is one of the oldest full-time superstars on the WWE roster and he could retire in less than three years.
#5. Rey Mysterio - Two years left in his WWE contract?
Rey Mysterio is also more than likely set to have his final two years in WWE between now and 2023. The deal that Mysterio signed in September 2018 was for two years and it expired last year during the pandemic.
There were reportedly issues in the negotiations between him and WWE - with Vince McMahon directly overseeing the details of his contract. Rey Mysterio reportedly wanted a pay raise and an 18-month contract, while the company wanted to sign him to a five-year deal.
Ultimately, the two parties met in between and Rey Mysterio was believed to have signed a three-year contract until 2023, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
It's hard to see him extending his contract with WWE beyond 2023. Rey Mysterio turns 47 this December and his best years are behind him. He hasn't been a step behind in terms of his performance, but it's clear that the objective of his current run is to elevate his son Dominik Mysterio.
So far, Dominik has managed to hold his own and is earning the respect of WWE fans. Once he becomes a more established superstar, it wouldn't be surprising to see Rey Mysterio retire by 2023.
#4. Edge - WWE future always hanging by a thread?
Edge could realistically compete in WWE for a few more years given the pace that he's going at. He seems to take lengthy gaps between his big pay-per-view matches as well.
For example, he only wrestled at Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and Money in the Bank this year. While a SummerSlam appearance against Seth Rollins seems all but confirmed, that could be his final match of 2021.
It's hard to blame him or WWE since they have to be careful with him. Edge is another superstar who made a miraculous return to the company against all odds and is competing on the top level, facing the "newer" generation of superstars.
With that said, he has been open in admitting that he is clueless about how long his run could last. All it takes is one major injury or concussion for WWE to completely close the door on his return.
With Edge, it's always a matter of his health and physical condition, which has been great this year. It wouldn't be surprising to see him hang up his boots for good after having a set of great matches by 2024.
#3. John Cena - Decreasing WWE appearances each year
John Cena has gone from being WWE's most polarizing figure to an acknowledged all-time great. It was late 2015 when Cena officially made his transition from being the face of WWE to a part-time superstar.
It was well-deserved, especially since he had an unprecedented 10-year run on top - more than double of The Rock and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin combined.
It seems as though John Cena's appearances in WWE have decreased with each passing year. At first, he would return to programs that would last for a few months. During his feuds, he would appear week-in and week-out.
That began to reduce and by 2019, he was hardly wrestling anymore. His last match in WWE as of this writing was at WrestleMania 36, where he "lost" to Bray Wyatt in the cinematic "Firefly Fun House" match.
John Cena made his long-awaited return to WWE at Money in the Bank 2021, confronting Universal Champion Roman Reigns. He appears set for a feud with The Tribal Chief and is expected to headline SummerSlam 2021 at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Realistically, he will only be in WWE as long as he wants to or is needed. The promotion doesn't need John Cena the way they used to. It wouldn't be surprising to see him completely call it quits from WWE by 2024, especially given the trajectory of his Hollywood career.
#2. Bobby Lashley - Will he retire in WWE?
Bobby Lashley is now 45 years old and is the reigning WWE Champion. While Vince McMahon would have liked for him to be the WWE Champion by 2008, things didn't work out as planned.
Lashley spent an entire decade away from the company before returning. And even post-WWE return, it took him two years to get the momentum he wanted. A lot of that was down to bad storylines and a lack of character work, but in 2020, things picked up.
Bobby Lashley benefited from the empty arena era of WWE and his alliance with MVP and the formation of The Hurt Business turned out to be a career rejuvenator. By 2021, he was in world title contention and has been the WWE Champion for close to half a year.
Even if his reign is to end at SummerSlam 2021, he would have completed a respectable five-and-a-half months as the WWE Champion. The door could be closed on a future MMA return, and it seems more than likely that he will end his wrestling career in WWE.
A three-year window might be all he has. Admittedly, Bobby Lashley is in great shape and could continue well beyond the age of 48.
#1. Roman Reigns - Could retire from WWE earlier than expected
There has been a big change in the lifestyle of WWE Superstars this generation. During the Attitude Era and eras before, wrestlers didn't live the healthy lifestyle that they do today.
While it didn't apply to every wrestler of the past, a large portion of them were victims of the hectic schedules that forced them to resort to alcohol, pills, and in many cases, harder drugs.
The career span of both male and female WWE stars may increase this generation, with virtually every superstar being in top physical condition as well as having a sense of financial responsibility.
It's shocking to imagine Roman Reigns retiring by 2024, but if he does, it would mark the end of a 12-year career in WWE. Reigns has hinted at having Hollywood aspirations, and the possibility of retiring in three years or less.
However, he has the least chance of retiring by 2024 on this list. In an interview ahead of WrestleMania 37, The Tribal Chief said that he was working on further improving his physical condition so he can maximize to his full potential.
Given how motivated Roman Reigns seems to be in his current WWE run, he may just want to expand his wrestling career for a few years longer.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
