10 Precise Moments Wrestlers Should Have Retired

5. CM Punk - WWE Royal Rumble 2014

Finn Balor Kane
WWE

CM Punk should have retired as he did at the 2014 Royal Rumble because it was the most iconoclastic, punk rock way to go. People understandably want one last Punk run.

They see dream matches with the generation he inspired, they see a creative regime in dire need of more of that ether, they see that WrestleMania main event - against or at the expense of Triple H, as long as it involves the Game crawling on his hands and knees to hear Punk scratch his balls through a walkie-talkie.

They see unfinished business, but the grand return, the new tron, the kissing and making up with a company that post-Saudi has never felt more pejoratively corporate: that isn't punk rock, and as the man has already half-proven with his Backstage stint, it's not anywhere near the same without the intoxicating anti-establishment vibe.

Punk abruptly removed the lead from the guitar and told the promoter to go f*ck himself, leaving the crowd confused under squalling feedback.

That's the way to go: with a carefree El Torito comedy spot, not a super-serious 25 minute Triple H methodical slog.

Not by re-signing to a major.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!