10 Best Retirement Matches In WWE History
5. Randy Savage Vs. Ultimate Warrior (WrestleMania VII)
In terms of pure spectacle, Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior remains one of the biggest retirement matches of all time.
One year prior, Warrior had secured the biggest win of his career by defeating Hulk Hogan to become WWF Champion at WrestleMania 6. He didn’t work out as Hogan’s long-term replacement, however, and Vince McMahon eventually eschewed his push in favour of reviving Hogan’s - but Warrior stayed in the spotlight, and ran afoul of the Macho Man in 1991.
They met in Savage’s retirement match at WrestleMania 7, and completely stole the show. Warrior was always a limited worker, but he upped his game significantly for Savage’s supposed last stand, and the crowd were on the edge of their seat throughout.
Though Savage lost, the aftermath brought one of the most memorable moments of his career. Savage had alienated Miss Elizabeth following the Mega Powers’ explosion a few years prior, and had been working as a heel ever since. Time had healed those wounds, however, and when Sensational Sherri attacked Savage after the match, Elizabeth rushed to his aid and embraced her former partner. It turned Savage face for the first time since 1989, and provided satisfying closure to their long-running story.
Though Savage was largely relegated to house shows following his “retirement,” he wrestled a number of PPV matches afterwards, with WWE stating that this was out of Warrior’s respect for Savage’s existing contract.