10 Shocking WWE Raw Moments You Never Saw Coming
3. Edge’s Retirement (11 April, 2011)
As a wrestling fan, few things are more gut-wrenching than saying "goodbye" to a beloved favourite, and Edge's WWE retirement stands as one of the most emotional in company history.
What puts it over the edge is that it came completely out of the blue. Edge had struggled through injuries at times, but was just 37 years old, and seemingly in the prime of his career. Moreover, he'd just successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania XXVII. His career trajectory was pointing upwards, and thus, the revelation that he was having to step away from the squared circle hit like a mortar blast.
Edge's speech was glorious, drawing many a tear inside the building and among the viewers at home. Struggling to contain himself, 'The Rated R Superstar' ran through his health issues, from his neck-break eight years prior, to the lost feeling in his arms. The rollercoaster continued with a nostalgic trip through his life and career up to that point, then, finally, Edge signed off with a big "thank you," declaring: "if you asked me if I'd do it all again, in a heartbeat."
A crushing moment, but at least he got to go out on top.