I don't think any one of those 4 truly WANTED to retire though, I mean 3 out of the 4 did it because of injuries. And I still think Punk will be back eventually.
Probably Shawn Michaels. He had an amazing ending, went out on top, and has his health.
Trish Stratus for me. She got to retire in her hometown, against her long time rival (and real life BFF) Lita, won her 7th Women's championship, and she retired as Women's Champion
I thought that was a great way for her to go out too
Ric Flair, although i've never been a big fan his retirement was very emotional (I cried :cryingand I loved that all of the divas and superstars came out to bid farewell
Edge...my eldest son was devastated when Edge told everyone he couldn't wrestle anymore, he's still hoping he comes back for 1 more match lol...I must say I was sad to see him go too
My pick is Shawn Michaels...He is the reason I started watching wrestling, and the way his career ended could not have been more perfect...2 incredible matches with Taker and on his own terms
The Undertaker. The way he got destroyed by THE guy, Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania! Nothing could ever top Roman retiring The Undertaker at Wrestlemania.
At the time, I would say Ric Flair’s was the best. All the superstars coming in appreciation, Taker coming out to give him sign of respect, Vince coming out at the end to hug him. That was a great retirement….at the time. Doesn’t help he wrestled after that.
But comparing Edge and HBK, it’s hard. Edge’s retirement came out of nowhere. I mean I know for me, I didn’t hear about until that night on Raw and took a while to digest that it wasn’t an angle. With Shawn you could see it coming. You were still sad he was leaving but you had time to accept it.
If I had to pick one I’d say Edge just because of the emotion of it. Both were emotional but again, Edge’s just came out of nowhere.
To me, the best way to retire is on your own terms and not because a doctor advises you to. And what better way for Mr. Wrestlemania to go out than a compelling, high stakes main event at Wrestlemania.
Edge's was very abrupt & forced (He probably would've been winding down about now, or not...who knows), Flair's was about 10 year late at the least & he's still about every now & then, Bryan's was meh & expected :shrug
Puts over his greatest rival on his way out who had never defeated him before one-on-one in all their previous encounters (not counting Survivor Series 2001), closing the chapter on one of the greatest rivalries of all time and one of the greatest careers of all time.
For me it's Austin. He had an old school retirement at WM on his back against his greatest rival. No speeches, no angles. Just an announcement the following day. Michaels is a close second.
If we're actually talking about ''best'', as in most well-done, then is HBK pretty easily. He retired on his own terms, he put one of the best matches in WWE history before leaving, and he didn't return to the ring afterwards. Just flawlessly done.
I don't get anyone mentioning Bryan, unless you don't like him. Having to retire in your prime, early 30's, due to not being able to keep your brain from getting injured and working the same style despite the fact that he had many, many concussions in the past; there's nothing good about that.
There is nothing good about retirements due to career ending injuries. There is nothing romantic about retiring as a champion in Edge's case. So yeah it sucked with both Edge and Bryan. Flair and HBK's were awesome but since Flair actually fuck that up with his TNA run, HBK take this one. He went out with two back to back all time great match.
Outside of WWE, both Tenryu and Kobashi are awesome.
The Undertaker. The way he got destroyed by THE guy, Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania! Nothing could ever top Roman retiring The Undertaker at Wrestlemania.
Austin's retirement was subtle and had an old school mentality which I liked. He put over his greatest rival.
HBK went out at the very top of his game, and showed why he is the Showstopper. He put over one of his greatest rivals.
Trish retired at the best women's champion in WWE history, added to her legacy and beat her greatest rival.
Edge and Bryan's retirements were forced on them. Edge had done it all at that point but Bryan never got to show what he could do carrying the company, which is a damn shame.
I like the way that nobody except Austin, Vince, Rock, & Jim Ross knew; WWE didn't telegraph his retirement and give him pompous celebration, as they did with Michaels and Flair. Austin's retirement, thus, felt humble.
Rock was also the perfect opponent, given their kayfabe history.
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