How WWE Must Execute Brie Bella's Final Appearances Before Reported Retirement

Brie Bella's envoy before she parts ways with WWE is a chance for both a fitting tribute and a way to kick-start another wrestler's young career.

That swansong appears to be on its way sooner than expected. During a February appearance on Good Morning America, Brie told Kayna Whitworth that she would announce her retirement sometime in the summer. That process has reportedly since sped up.

Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet reported, "The wrestler is hanging up her boots following the Raw after WrestleMania." This is in part due to a health issue troubling her husband, Daniel Bryan.

If Brie is indeed that close to walking out the door, WWE would be wise to harness her exit as a means to generate momentum for others.

That should first come at WrestleMania. While the match isn't official, it's looking clear that either a four-on-four or five-on-five battle between much of the Divas division is on the way. 

Lana and Brie have been at the forefront of this ongoing story.

The Ravishing Russian, who will be making her wrestling debut, should provide the bout's lasting image. Have Emma and Naomi carry the load for the rookie but introduce Lana as an in-ring competitor by booking her to create the match's climax.

Let Lana and Brie's animosity be the focus of the contest, and then let the Russian heel score the winning pinfall.

That will give the villain plenty to brag about moving forward. It gives her a signature win, even in the context of a crowded matchup.

Beyond that, WWE owes it to Brie to offer her a grand sendoff.

She and her sister Nikki have been the centerpieces of the women's division for close to 10 years now. They have been the female faces of the company, whether it be at charity events or as part of the Total Divas reality show. 

While no in-ring maestro, Brie has still been a star.

Fans named her and her sister the winner of the Slammy Award for Diva of the Year in 2013. Note too that she and AJ Lee were the only two women in the top 10 of best sellers for WWE Shop merchandise in the late summer and early fall in 2014, per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestleView.com).

With that in mind, it's only appropriate to treat her like a star on the way out.

On her final Raw, WWE should collect her career highlights in a video package. This is an easy way to spotlight what she's done for the company and stir up emotion in her fanbase. And going this route makes more sense than letting her give a Bryan-like farewell speech.

Brie has never been a talented talker. Leaning on visuals of her Divas title win, her match with Stephanie McMahon and chanting "Yes!" along with the crowd is the more entertaining option.

Next pitting her against one of the division's better heels for her final match is the right way to go. Have her go up against Naomi or Charlotte, especially if she's enraged due to losing her championship at WrestleMania.

WWE can then accomplish both honoring Brie and elevating a current competitor. 

Have a scrappy Brie fight off her foe's cheating tactics en route to a big win. She can celebrate the victory with the crowd, chanting "Yes!" Following that moment of glory, Naomi or Charlotte should ambush her.

Credit: WWE.com

A vicious attack creates a opening for memorable drama. The heel can garner some heat by beating on Brie until she needs medical attention. The cavalry can soon come charging toward the ring in the form of Becky Lynch. 

WWE can expertly shift from a celebration of a departing star to highlighting a current one. Lynch would get the boost of saving her fellow wrestler; the villain on the attack would add a dastardly act to her resume. And Brie can leave the WWE stage, gutting it out through her storyline injury, taking one last dramatic walk to the locker room.

Those images and what they would spark would maximize Brie's final moments as a WWE star. With her apparently ending her run in short time, that's the kind of salute that's in order.