Top 10 best retirement matches in WWE history

WWE has been the ultimate destination of professional wrestlers for over 40 years, where the right talent is acknowledged and the legacy is built. Over the years, WWE has witnessed a number of WWE Stars who have delivered some of the best matches for the company and to fans, leaving their soul and body on the line.

Although wrestlers attain great success and endless reign, there is a point where a star should consider ending his journey, by retiring. Here we take a look at ten of the best retirement matches in WWE history.

10. Batista vs Triple H

Batista attacked Ric Flair during his 70th birthday & challenged Triple H for a match at WrestleMania 35 in a no holds barred stipulation. The match went brutal as both tried to tear each other apart. During the final moments, Ric Flair came out and helped Triple H win by handling the sledge hammer.

The following day on X, Batista officially announced his retirement. Where his career came full circle from joining hands with Triple H and Batista to getting an end to his career from their hands.

9. Randy Savage vs The Ultimate Warrior

Randy Savage and The Ultimate Warrior had a retirement match at WrestleMania VII, where the loser should retire from in-ring action. Randy Savage was a heel and Ultimate Warrior was a face.

Warrior won the match and made Savage retire, however after the match Savage’s manager Sherri tried to attack him, but Miss Elizabeth saved him and ended the six-year long storyline.

Also Read: Top 10 longest reigning WWE Champions of all time

8. Edge vs Alberto Del Rio

At WrestleMania XXVII, Edge defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio and successfully retained the championship title. However the following night on WWE Raw, Edge announced that his neck injury got worse and delivered an emotional retirement speech to end his first run.

7. Jeff Hardy vs CM Punk

On the August 28, 2009 episode of WWE SmackDown, Jeff Hardy faced CM Punk in a steel cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship, where if Hardy loses, he would be leaving WWE. As Punk won, Jeff Hardy went emotional and left the company to treat his multiple injuries, teasing retirement.

6. Trish Stratus vs Lita

In 2006, Trish Stratus faced Lita in her retirement match at Unforgiven PPV in a Women’s Championship match in her hometown Toronto. Stratus defeated Lita and retained her Women’s Championship and retired as a champion with seven Women’s Championship wins, which is the most at that time.

Also Read: Top 10 wrestlers with most WWE World Championships in history

5. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock

At WrestleMania XIX, Stone Cold Steve Austin faced his great rival, The Rock in his retirement match. Austin vs The Rock co-main evented the show, where Austin lost the match to Rock after three Rock Bottom and retired in the grandest stage and ended the feud.

4. Cactus Jack vs Triple H

At No Way Out 2000, Cactus Jack faced Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match, where Triple H defended the World Championship and Cactus Jack defended his career on the line. The match went wild as Jack fell from top of the cell, Triple H followed him, hit a Pedigree and ended Mick Foley’s career. However, Linda McMahon later reinstated him.

Also Read: Top 10 greatest WWE WrestleMania matches of all time

3. The Undertaker vs AJ Styles

The Undertaker faced AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard match at WrestleMania 36. The Undertaker returned with the American Badass gimmick for the match after a long time. The match was held in a boneyard, in a horrifying cinematic theme, where Taker defeated Styles and announced his retirement later.

2. Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels

At WrestleMania XXIV, Ric Flair faced Shawn Michaels in his retirment match. The match was ultimately one of the best matches of the show.

During the final moments, Michaels went emotional and said “I’m Sorry, I Love You” and hit a Sweet Chin Music to end Flair’s 35-year-old career. After the match, Ric Flair had a standing ovation and was thanked by the WWE fans and made him emotional.

1. Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker

In 2010, Shawn Michaels strived hard to face Undertaker in a rematch at WrestleMania 26, but failed. After Michael’s cost Taker’s World Championship. Taker accepted Michaels challenge but issued a Streak vs Career stipulation, where if Michaels failed to break Taker’s streak, Michaels will be forced to retire from in-ring competition.

The match was so close where Michaels took Taker to the limit with a lot of near falls. During the final stage, Undertaker asked Michaels to stay down, but Michaels taunted Taker’s cut-throat and slapped him. Taker delivered a jumping Tombstone Piledriver and ended Michaels career with an 18-0 streak. The following night on Raw, Michaels received a great send-off from the WWE Universe.

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