10 Matches That Nearly Made Wrestlers Quit For Good

8. Big Show Vs. Braun Strowman (WWE Raw - 4 September 2017)

rusve shinsuke nakamura
WWE

In a March 2017 interview with Sports Illustrated, Big Show revealed that he planned on drawing the curtain on his wrestling career when his existing WWE deal expired the following February. He claimed there'd be "no last matches, no fanfare, just riding off into the sunset and disappearing," adding that he'd accomplished everything he ever wanted to in the business, and that it was time to let younger generations take the reigns.

This looked to have been fast-tracked last September, as Show wrestled Braun Strowman as part of a surprisingly productive Raw programme. It was a hard-hitting slugfest typical of the bouts they'd had up to that point, and 'The World's Largest Athlete' paid for it, suffering a serious hip injury that was expected to keep him sidelined until after his contract ran out.

As a result, Big Show looked set to retire on a whimper, but while he's yet to attempt a return, it likely won't be the end of him. He has since confirmed that his original exit plans were scrapped on the injury, and after reportedly signing a new appearance-based WWE deal earlier in the year, we'll probably see him again.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.