5 WWE Superstars Who Retired Too Early
5 WWE Superstars Who Retired Too Early
Nobody likes to see their heroes leave their sport too soon. Yes, professional wrestling is a tough industry, but when guys like Ric Flair and Jerry "The King" Lawler perform well into their 60s, fans tend to believe that their favorite wrestlers should be competing in the ring forever.
Some wrestlers retire younger than they should because they have already made enough money to feel comfortable. Others get injured and have no choice but to walk away. The former may have made the right decision for themselves, but not the right one for members of the public. In professional wrestling, great superstars don't come along everyday. So when you have someone special in professional wrestling, it's important to try to keep them on television as much as possible. However, fame can take its toll. Some wrestlers just get too famous and no longer need to compete in order to make money. Wrestlers compete 200 nights a year. As great of a sport as wrestling is, how many people would keep doing it night after night if they didn't have to?
Injuries also make a difference. Wrestlers today won't put personal fame and fortune ahead of their health. Wrestlers with neck injuries smartly walk away from the industry rather than risk permanent damage. Whatever the reason, fans love their WWE heroes. We want to cheer for them for as long as possible. For every Flair, the Undertaker, Sting and Terry Funk who wrestle no matter their physical state, there's other wrestlers who call it quits way too soon, depriving us of years of squared circle magic. Let's take a look at some of the WWE's best and brightest, all of whom should still be competing in the WWE today.
5. Jim Ross
We all know he didn't "retire." The greatest commentator of all time belongs back in the WWE. Guys like The Miz, Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler need someone like Ross to tell their story.
4. Edge
Neck injuries put Edge on the shelf. He was a great talent. Had he not gotten injured, Edge could have been one of the greatest superstars of all time. Let's hope he has some kind of major on-camera role in the WWE in future years.
3. Trish Stratus
She was one of the WWE's most popular Divas. Unlike almost everyone on the current roster, Stratus could actually wrestle and wear the WWE title belt with class. She left to pursue acting, modeling and a family. If she were still around, the WWE Divas title might actually mean something more than just background noise.
2. The Rock
The Rock left the WWE to pursue a career in Hollywood. It's hard to blame him, but we will. The Rock could have been the next Hulk Hogan. He was wildly popular on the microphone and exciting to watch inside the ring. At the height of his popularity, he left to go make movies. It's too bad -- we'll never know how good of a wrestler or personality rhe Rock could have been. He's a legend now, but he could have been the best ever.
1. Shawn Michaels
Michaels retired at 45-years old, but should have kept going. There's no way he should be hunting wild animals for a living instead of tearing the house down as the greatest in-ring performer alive today. HBK had a tough career and made a lot of money. There was no reason for him to continue. But when he left, he walked away from great matches with guys like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler. It's fine that he wants an easier schedule, but Michaels still has a lot to offer inside the ring. He could have put on Match of the Year performances until he's 50.
5 WWE Superstars Who Retired Too Early
Nobody likes to see their heroes leave their sport too soon. Yes, professional wrestling is a tough industry, but when guys like Ric Flair and Jerry "The King" Lawler perform well into their 60s, fans tend to believe that their favorite wrestlers should be competing in the ring forever.
Some wrestlers retire younger than they should because they have already made enough money to feel comfortable. Others get injured and have no choice but to walk away. The former may have made the right decision for themselves, but not the right one for members of the public. In professional wrestling, great superstars don't come along everyday. So when you have someone special in professional wrestling, it's important to try to keep them on television as much as possible. However, fame can take its toll. Some wrestlers just get too famous and no longer need to compete in order to make money. Wrestlers compete 200 nights a year. As great of a sport as wrestling is, how many people would keep doing it night after night if they didn't have to?
Injuries also make a difference. Wrestlers today won't put personal fame and fortune ahead of their health. Wrestlers with neck injuries smartly walk away from the industry rather than risk permanent damage. Whatever the reason, fans love their WWE heroes. We want to cheer for them for as long as possible. For every Flair, the Undertaker, Sting and Terry Funk who wrestle no matter their physical state, there's other wrestlers who call it quits way too soon, depriving us of years of squared circle magic. Let's take a look at some of the WWE's best and brightest, all of whom should still be competing in the WWE today.
5. Jim Ross
We all know he didn't "retire." The greatest commentator of all time belongs back in the WWE. Guys like The Miz, Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler need someone like Ross to tell their story.
4. Edge
Neck injuries put Edge on the shelf. He was a great talent. Had he not gotten injured, Edge could have been one of the greatest superstars of all time. Let's hope he has some kind of major on-camera role in the WWE in future years.
3. Trish Stratus
She was one of the WWE's most popular Divas. Unlike almost everyone on the current roster, Stratus could actually wrestle and wear the WWE title belt with class. She left to pursue acting, modeling and a family. If she were still around, the WWE Divas title might actually mean something more than just background noise.
2. The Rock
The Rock left the WWE to pursue a career in Hollywood. It's hard to blame him, but we will. The Rock could have been the next Hulk Hogan. He was wildly popular on the microphone and exciting to watch inside the ring. At the height of his popularity, he left to go make movies. It's too bad -- we'll never know how good of a wrestler or personality rhe Rock could have been. He's a legend now, but he could have been the best ever.
1. Shawn Michaels
Michaels retired at 45-years old, but should have kept going. There's no way he should be hunting wild animals for a living instead of tearing the house down as the greatest in-ring performer alive today. HBK had a tough career and made a lot of money. There was no reason for him to continue. But when he left, he walked away from great matches with guys like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler. It's fine that he wants an easier schedule, but Michaels still has a lot to offer inside the ring. He could have put on Match of the Year performances until he's 50.
