WWE: 12 Wrestlers With Retirement On Their Mind

Whatever criticism fans may have of the current WWE product, there's no denying that the business is a success right now. The stock price is up this week from around $23 a share to $26 a share, making the company valuation the highest since early in the first year WWE went public. In addition to this news we witnessed Forbes announce Vince McMahon as a legitimate billionaire again this past week, another signal of just how strong WWE are at present and the promising future analysts see for the business. However, one area of vulnerability that investors might be overlooking is the continuation of top level talent to draw viewers in. WWE's bread and butter is their main event draws, the top names people spend time and money to follow. Worryingly the company is struggling to create new stars at a time when the established set are starting to think about retirement. A talent drought is happening and while WWE try to remedy this with the opening of the Developmental Centre and NXT division, it might be all a bit late - a range of top stars are all on their way out in the next few years with no obvious candidates to fill their spots. It's a more pressing matter than fans may realise. This feature will detail the big names who are ready to walk, offering analysis on the time frame this will be in. There's major players who are thinking about the exit as soon as this Summer, with other top stars pencilling in next year and the following as the time to go. Even the very biggest franchise star has talked about wanting to be out of the game within the next five years. Let's talk about the big names and their likely retirement date ...

Honourable Mentions

The feature will stick to the full timers who are going to pose the biggest problem to replace. However, a host of part time draws are also going to cost the company dear with departures in the next few years. It's hard to imagine the likes of The Rock, Batista and Brock Lesnar will want to be competing in WWE rings three years from now, they've made their money and will want to enjoy the fruits of their labour as they head into the start of middle age. We have already seen Shawn Michaels illustrate the fact that top names don't need to work into their later years anymore. Ric Flair's generation did, but this current generation can enjoy retirement. When you think of the money these part timers have made WWE over the past few years it is a big hit for the company to take, before we even get on to the more valuable full time roster.
WWE Writer

Grahame Herbert hasn't written a bio just yet, but if they had... it would appear here.