5 WWE Superstars who left at the peak of their careers

#2: Trish Stratus retired from WWE the night she became a record 7-time Women's Champion

Trish Stratus was one of the greatest female WWE Superstars of all time. She was one of the first female wrestlers in the company to move away from the "Bra and Panties" stereotype. She had many legendary matches with Lita, with the duo taking part in the first women's match for the main event Monday Night RAW.

Throughout 2006, Stratus feuded with her then-stalker Mickie James, losing the Women's title to the latter at WrestleMania 22 after a 448-day reign. She continued to have run-ins with James and Lita until the Team Xtreme superstar announced the Canadian's impending retirement.

Trish retired after Unforgiven 2006, aged only 31, winning a record 7th Women's Championship in her hometown of Toronto. Talk about going out on top.

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#1: Stone Cold Steve Austin left WWE abruptly in 2002 due to creative differences

On June 11, 2002, an advertised WWE King Of The Ring qualifying match between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and "The Next Big Thing" Brock Lesnar did not take place. The Texas Rattlesnake was booked to lose the match which did not go down well with him. He had beaten NWO's Scott Hall two months prior at Wrestlemania X8.

The toughest SOB in the business walked out on the company. He briefly returned eight months later to feud with The Rock and retired at Wrestlemania XIX due to multiple knee and neck injuries.

Fans can only wonder what magic Austin could have created with the likes of John Cena and Batista had he not cut his career short to preserve his health aged 38.