WWE: 10 Superstars Who Should Join Edge in Retirement
Last Monday night on RAW, Edge announced his shocking retirement from professional wrestling in what was the most emotional promo since Shawn Michaels last year. A spot has been vacated that will never be refilled. Thank you, Edge.
Anyways, thinking of the Rated-R Superstar's retirement has reminded me of those current WWE Superstars who also should contemplate leaving the squared circle. These veterans with storied careers all have their personal reasons for leaving, and any one of these men could meet the same fate as Edge.
I predict none of these men to be around in a few years from now, but with today's current product, you can never be too sure. With the growing youth movement, no one is safe, especially those who have had their chance in the spotlight.
At last word, let's Bleach it!
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more.
William Regal
1 of 10It kills me to include my favorite Superstar ever in the WWE on this list, but every good thing comes to an end.
At the age of 42, retirement is always being questioned when it comes to one of the greatest wrestlers to never win a World Championship. The rumors were proven true in November 2010 when Regal announced in his hometown of England that retirement was imminent, and even stated he might be gone by the next time WWE came around the area in Europe.
Seeing that WWE is currently touring Europe, it relieves me for the time being knowing that Regal is still present in the WWE. I've come to appreciate each and every match Regal competes in, knowing now it could be his last.
Fortunately, the evil Englishman signed a multi-year contract in late last year, so it pretty much guarantees he will be around for a while to come, training up-and-coming talent and working backstage in a similar fashion to Finlay.
His semi-retirement has already set in, as Regal currently commentates for WWE NXT alongside Todd Grisham.
Goldust
2 of 10
As one of the most decorated and unique Superstars to ever step foot in a WWE ring, Goldust does an incredible job putting the "entertainment" in the acronym WWE, as well providing us with old-school and technical matches.
Goldust has had many tenures with WWE over the last decade, but as time passes, his television time and push begins to dwindle. Honestly, his gimmick isn't suitable for today's PG programming, but he is able to pursue his comedic figure to stay popular with the crowd.
However, in the fall of 2010, the golden one began an unexpected streak of victories on the Monday Night RAW brand, much to the expense of Ted Dibiase. Goldust would even pick up his first pay-per-view victory in years over DiBiase at WWE Bragging Rights in October, simultaneously holding the Million Dollar Championship belt.
Following an abrupt end to the feud, Goldust sustained a shoulder injury that leaves him inactive to this day. It was reported just recently by Goldust via Twitter that retirement is not far off.
Chavo Guerrero
3 of 10
If there is anyone on the WWE roster who should retire, it's this man. In my personal opinion, Rey Mysterio took the spotlight over Chavo following the death of Eddie Guerrero, and has become a mainstream Mexican icon ever since.
Meanwhile, Chavo is subjected to losing to a midget by the name of Hornswoggle? And it's not like he was attempting to put the little green leprechaun over, either. It was simply silly booking with some disrespect thrown in.
Chavo's one and only push came when he won the ECW Champion back in early 2008, but has since become one of the biggest jobbers in WWE history. I've heard rumors regarding Chavo being able to manage his character due to being a relative of the ever-so popular Vickie Guerrero, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Being a veteran and the only active wrestler remaining from the closure of World Championship Wrestling, otherwise known as WCW, has spared him from unemployment. However, he still has much ability and is still able to put on a great match if given enough time.
If you don't believe me, search his match with Kofi Kingston on WWE Superstars from last September on YouTube. That should have certainly been for the Intercontinental Championship.
From my knowledge, there are no recent reports of him retiring anytime soon. But with the way he's currently being booked, I would highly consider it to prevent further embarrassment.
Mark Henry
4 of 10
The World's Strongest Man has been dominating the squared circle since 1996, and has since become one of the most likable and loyal WWE Superstars in recent memory. His dedication to the company earned him a big push starting in late 2005, feuding with main event stars such as Kurt Angle, Batista and the Undertaker.
His pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship dwindled toward the end of 2007 and into the next year, where he would be drafted to the ECW brand and ultimately win the ECW Championship. His renewed push would be a perfect environment for beginning rivalries with already established stars such as Matt Hardy and Finlay without burying anyone.
And that leads to the present Mark Henry: a lovable, friendly Goliath...much similar to the Great Khali! I don't mind him being a comedic figure and winning matches every now and then, but it's surprising to see how much he's fallen due to the PG product.
If I just began watching WWE yesterday, and I was told Mark Henry once challenged the Undertaker to a Casket Match at WrestleMania, I would have laughed hysterically. It goes to show that although he still holds the capability to put on a decent match, his character has been beaten to a pulp and it is time to hang it up.
Being a longtime veteran, I wouldn't expect any more pushes for the man who dresses like the Kool-Aid figure. Much similar to Goldust, Mark Henry has stated recently in an interview with The West Australian that he plans to retire in the next 18 months.
Jerry Lawler
5 of 10
I know what you're thinking, and yes, he's a member of the RAW commentating team. But technically, he can be considered be a member of the active RAW roster due to his recent in-ring work with WWE Champion The Miz, Jack Swagger and even fellow broadcast partner Michael Cole at WrestleMania 27.
I have been pleasantly surprised about what he can being to the table at the age of 61, providing us with decent matches in recent months. However, it has bugged me he tends to both announce and wrestle in the same night, so I don't see why he can't just pick one at this point.
Following Extreme Rules, I surely hope we've seen the last of him in the ring. Earning meaningless victories over rising talent such as Miz and Jack Swagger doesn't help anyone, and will only be hurting Lawler in the long run.
Big Show
6 of 10
I have stated this numerous times in the past, and I apologize for repetition, but Big Show bothers me. It bothers me seeing him literally destroy amazing talents such as Jack Swagger, CM Punk and the Corre, and in the process making them look weaker than ever.
But my real question is, why? What does WWE see in him today that makes them think destroying possible money-makers will benefit anyone?
I realize that with today's PG product, Big Show is much better in his comedic face role and a vicious monster at times. With that being said, it doesn't seem like any more World Championships are in his future, so what does the World's Largest Athlete have left to prove?
I do not see many more feuds for him on the horizon, and without recent discussion of retirement, it worries me we might be seeing a lot more of Big Show for years to come.
Kane
7 of 10
Being in the business for nearly 13 years, Kane has been able to accomplish almost everything in it, from challenging the Undertaker's streak to most recently becoming the only Superstar in history to win the WWE, World Heavyweight and ECW Championships in WWE history.
In recent years, Kane has been used more of an enhancement talent to other talent in his own interest. However, he was given one last reign as World Champion for the latter half of 2010, before being demoted to where he is now.
The Big Red Machine still has much ability to put on decent matches, and just watch his Last Man Standing Match with Edge on the first SmackDown of 2011 if you don't believe me. It's depressing to me to witness a once-huge threat to the WWE roster transformed into a cowardly beast who loses nearly every week.
Kane has give various different reports saying he would either retire soon or in a few years due to having some left in the tank. If continues to lose meaningless matches, I'd much rather see him retire in peace while he still has some credibility left.
Rey Mysterio
8 of 10
In all honesty, I will be the first one to admit that I'm not Rey Mysterio's biggest fan and not too fond of his character. I respect the guy and all he's done for the company, but his work in recent years has either bored me or annoyed me due to being played out constantly.
His wrestling ability is still as mighty as it was years ago, but the gimmick of winning almost every week has become tiresome in my opinion. Burying talent such as Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre and CM Punk isn't helping anyone, and I'm hoping Cody Rhodes doesn't meet the same fate.
My point in all this ranting is this: His time as a top star has come and gone, and with the new Latino additions of Alberto Del Rio and Sin Cara to the roster, it would be best to let them shine as rising talent. I do not see many feuds for Mysterio on the horizon that we haven't seen before, so what left is there to accomplish in the WWE for the Ultimate Underdog?
Retirement talks became hot topic for Mysterio nearly a month ago, with rumors floating that the Master of the 619 planned on retiring following WrestleMania 27 due to being upset regarding his current position in the company. Unfortunately for me, these reports proved to be false and Mysterio claimed he has many years left in him despite his old age.
Although I would not enjoy seeing Mysterio retire so suddenly similar to Edge, I would much rather see Mysterio take a back seat to the younger talent if he chooses not to hang up his boots at this time.
Triple H
9 of 10
As stated by Triple H himself in a promo on RAW, he is one of the select few still a part of WWE nearly a decade and a half later, making him one of the most decorated veterans in history.
The Game can still wrestle at a competitive level, giving us intense matches in the last few years with Randy Orton, John Cena and, most recently, the Undertaker. However, HHH has also been the topic of recent criticism of being one of the WWE's most overrated wrestlers due to his high position in the company and ties with the McMahon family.
I won't take sides on that discussion, but I can agree with the fact that Triple H has been envied over the years by those who are vying for his spot at the top of the company. An example being his match with the Undertaker at WrestleMania 27, where I feel he should let have younger talent earn a match with the Deadman at next year's Mania such as Wade Barrett or Sheamus.
Since his injuries sustained last year, Triple H has spent more time in the office and has brought many new changes to the business aspect of WWE, such as the signing of Mexican sensation Sin Cara. It has been speculated the Cerebral Assassin will take over the throne that is the WWE once Vince McMahon is relieved of his duties.
Knowing this, Triple H has contemplated in-ring retirement to spend full time behind the scenes. He has claimed this retirement may happen within the next year. I have no complaints, as maybe the rising stars may finally be able to get over without some specific veterans criticizing their every move.
The Undertaker
10 of 10
This pick has to be the most obvious, given that I have saved the best for last. The Undertaker is probably the most respected Superstar in the WWE locker room today, and from my knowledge is the longest-lasting active wrestler still with the company.
Through good and bad, the Undertaker has always stayed loyal to World Wrestling Entertainment during the tough times, most specifically during its rivalry with World Championship Wrestling in the late '90s. Due to that, the Deadman has been given one of the top positions on the WWE roster with his amazing matches contested, suspenseful storylines, and his courageous contribution in putting over rising talent over the years.
Being a staple in the Friday Night SmackDown brand since 2002, Undertaker has benefited from a taped show with the lighter road schedule. At the old age of 46, retirement is highly discussed amongst the IWC for the Phenom every year following a serious injury that deems him inactive indefinitely. He was fortunate enough to return healthy enough for WrestleMania 27 this year.
In my personal opinion, I believe Taker should retire peacefully immediately after his predicted victory at WrestleMania 28. I found it ridiculous WWE would pull the "Undertaker is dead" angle so early, as I've always predicted it happening following his record-breaking, memorable 20th victory on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
It's come to the point where Taker can only compete for a limited time each year, and an ultimate retirement is inevitable. We can only hope he can retire with class, and fight his last match against a worthy opponent.
However, one thing is certain: The day the Deadman finally walks away from the ring for good, the WWE landscape will be changed forever.
Hope you've enjoyed reading, Bleachers! Make sure to leave your feedback below on my suggested Superstars that should retire, and some possible names I might have missed. GSM out.
Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling for more of GSM's writings, along with WWE/TNA news, recaps, and more.
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