10 Depressing Wrestling Retirement Matches
Not every star gets the send-off they deserve as they ride into retirement, permanent or not.
Trish Stratus vs. Lita at Unforgiven 2006. Austin vs. The Rock at WrestleMania XIX. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI. Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV.
These are among the best retirement matches ever put on by WWE. They were full of suspense, emotion, and excitement and served as fitting tributes to the wrestlers they were sending off.
This list is not made up of that kind of match.
No, this is a list of ten retirement matches that served as sad, joyless affairs that may have spiked a rating or drawn some heat but were less than fitting career enders for the competitors who were retiring after the match. In some cases, 'retirement' needs to be qualified because some of these were less than permanent.
Realistically, anyone who puts their bodies and wellness on the line for us fans as wrestlers deserves an amazing end to their career, as they do things most of us simply couldn't, and all for the sake of entertainment.
Unfortunately, this is often not the case, and these ten matches highlight retirement matches that were just depressing to watch.
10. Kurt Angle Vs. Baron Corbin (WrestleMania 35)
At the height of Kurt Angle's popularity, the idea that he would ever go out against Baron Corbin was unthinkable. One of the other SmackDown Six? Sure. Shawn Michaels? Absolutely. Brock Lesnar? Awesome.
Sigh.
For the business, it made sense. Corbin has had the benefit of Vince McMahon loving him since he arrived. He had a long feud with Angle leading up to 'Mania 35. Angle is a pro and would do the right thing by putting over a younger talent on his way out.
Still...
The match was underwhelming, certainly not a showcase of what Angle could do or had been. Corbin has consistently been a heel, and pitting him against one of the most beloved WWE stars ever was a heat generator, but was certainly not befitting one of the greats.
Angle has said recently that he wanted to finish his career against John Cena. When he requested this of Vince McMahon, he was told no because of the work that had gone into the build-up. Angle was also told if he waited another year he could have his match with Cena at 'Mania 36.
Angle declined and was resigned to a retirement match with someone who was certainly not his calibre.