SUMMARY
- Over the years, several WWE stars have retired inside the ring for various reasons.
- However, here's a look at some of the superstars who broke their retirement and returned to action.
Any professional athlete knows that retirement is a difficult time as it signifies the end of their love and dedication to their sport. In the world of WWE, retirements are heartbreaking for both the fans and the wrestlers. It requires a heavy heart and a lot of guts to leave everything inside the squared circle forever.
The emotional connection fans have with their favorite wrestlers is truly unmatched, which breaks after they retire. These heartbreaking moments have always left a void to fill in WWE’s rich history and showcase how brutally it affects everyone.
Over the years, several veterans have talked openly about retiring from in-ring competition. The WWE Universe has encountered several moments where they a bit emotional seeing high-profile talents deliver their promos one last time as an active wrestler of the company.
Legends like Triple H, Ric Flair, and Edge left every wrestling fan in tears when they announced their unexpected retirement. Retirement implies different things to professional wrestlers than it does to most other people. For most superstars, retirement is merely a stage act. So, let’s look at a few wrestlers who broke their retirement to come back.
1. Edge
The Rated R Superstar Edge is undoubtedly one of the most decorated superstars in the history of the WWE. His presence has given unforgettable moments and matches to the company as well as the fans. The Ultimate Opportunist was a massive heel during the Ruthless Aggression Era and had classic rivalries with John Cena, Mick Foley, and many more veterans during this time.
His retirement announcement was the talk of the town just like his matches and rivalries. In 2011, Edge shockingly retired from the company on RAW after defending his World Title at WrestleMania 27. His speech itself was heartbreaking in which he talked about suffering neck-down paralysis which may also take his life. Fans were in tears seeing Edge retiring in his prime.
Edge returning at the Royal Rumble 2020 after 9 years is such an emotional moment. pic.twitter.com/Zgo4pSmrC8
— Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) January 4, 2023
Things took a turn as after nine years, The Rated R Superstar returned to the company at Royal Rumble 2020 shocking everyone. The eleven-time world champion advanced to the final three with Roman Reigns and eventual winner Drew McIntyre after eliminating three other superstars in the Rumble, including Randy Orton, his former tag team partner.
He then went on to win the Rumble match the following year and main event WrestleMania 37 alongside Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan in an epic showdown. After having several rivalries with AJ Styles, Finn Balor, and The Miz throughout 2022 and 2023, Edge’s contract with WWE came to an end. He then paved his way to AEW and is currently one of their top talents.
2. Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan has been one of the most skilled performers of all time and has given some spectacular matches over the years. With his rising popularity, he was a fan favorite in 2013 and was highly liked by the WWE Universe. Bryan’s greatest moment to date occurred at WrestleMania 30 when he won the World Title in the main event against Batista and Randy Orton.
Things for Bryan started to look worse as he suffered several concussions and injuries during 2014-15 and was in a difficult condition. Bryan tried for months to be cleared to compete in wrestling. Bryan said a tearful goodbye and retired on Raw in February 2016 after failing to recover from his injuries. Fans were left in tears after Bryan’s emotional goodbye leaving the squared circle.
Bryan didn’t give up hope even though it seemed like his WWE career was finished. Bryan consulted with more doctors for two years before the WWE eventually gave him the all-clear to enter the ring again in March, following a three-year absence. Soon after his return, he won the WWE Championship in the process. Bryan was also involved in several world title rivalries during this time.
Bryan then debuted in AEW during their All Out Pay-per-view leaving the wrestling world shocked. He made his debut with his real name Bryan Danielson. Bryan has been a part of AEW since then and has had instant classics against Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, and many more top-tier talents.
3. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Dwayne Johnson, popularly known as The Rock, is well-known in both Hollywood and the professional wrestling industries. He had previously joined the WWE in 1996. He then went on to play a significant role in the advancement after that. The Rock engaged in multiple feuds and competed in numerous matches. In addition, he hosted several pay-per-view events.
Not to mention, he is a 10-time world champion in the Stamford-based promotion. Johnson frequently switched between a face-to-heel character and vice versa during his time with WWE. His Hollywood Rock persona became one of his most popular gimmicks in 2003. Unfortunately, it was short and Rocky retired from the company in 2004.
In one of his interviews, Rock opened up about his retirement in 2004. “In 2004 when my contract expired, I had delivered on my agreement with the WWE and with my long-time mentor and very, very good friend Vince McMahon. We shook hands, that’s the way we are.”, stated Rock on his ultimate departure.
I love taking out the trash in the rain.
I’m gonna bleed you boy.
The hard way.
For life.As the Final Boss rides off into the sunset
You and all the @WWE talent and executives remember this…It didn’t have to be this way
But now it’s the only wayDon’t fuck with the Final… pic.twitter.com/66ZGS1mfFN
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 19, 2024
After almost seven years, Dwayne returned to the WWE for a series of matches shocking the fans. During his comeback, he even won the WWE Championship from CM Punk. Speaking of his returns, he kept making sporadic appearances since then until 2024. Rock returned with The Final Boss gimmick for WrestleMania XL sticking more fans to the product and making it a hit.
4. Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels, also known as “The Heartbreak Kid,” is unquestionably a legendary figure in the professional wrestling business. The former WWE star had a storied career in the Stamford-based promotion and is currently a major player in NXT, the organization’s developmental division.
His career has been open to a lot of injuries in the past and has been out of action for several years due to his injuries. However, things got serious for his fans and him when he lost to The Undertaker in a Streak vs Career match at WrestleMania 26. Michaels was forced to retire leaving behind an unparalleled legacy that saw fans getting emotional during his showdown.
After almost eight years out of action, Michaels returned to the ring at Crown Jewel 2018. He teamed up with Triple H and battled Brothers of Destruction in a disastrous match. The match itself was poor and wasn’t the thing needed. It damaged HBK’s legacy and remains a huge disappointment for Michael’s illustrious career.
5. Mick Foley
The prize for the fastest retirement exit goes to Mick Foley. Cactus Jack had declared he was going to hang up the whistle at No Way Out 2000 after losing his fight with Triple H inside Hell In A Cell. However, Foley was able to come out of retirement and be represented by Linda McMahon for WrestleMania 2000’s “McMahon In Every Corner” main event a few short weeks later.
The Hardcore legend has given some of the most brutal moments in professional wrestling’s history and continued to entertain the audience since then. He then again came out of retirement in numerous WrestleMania events and Royal Rumbles signifying his retired status. Foley then made his way to TNA where he encountered several other rivals including Sting, Ric Flair, and many more veterans.
