7. Mick Foley
Whether performing under the name Makind, Dude Love, Cactus Jack or just plain old Mick Foley, one thing's for sure: the man from Long Island, New York was one of the most beloved characters the WWE has ever seen. Making his name with a series of hard-hitting, stunt-filled matches in WCW, ECW and Japan, Foley arrived in the WWF in 1996 and had successful feuds and classic matches with The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Terry Funk, Steve Austin and The Rock before his character took a more comedic approach in 1999 and Foley began to change his ring style to protect his already broken-down body. After penning a New York Times best selling autobiography and realising that there was a life and career for him after wrestling, Foley started talking about retirement. After losing their vicious championship street fight at the Royal Rumble in 2000, Foley challenged opponent HHH to a Hell in a Cell match at the next month's No Way Out with the stipulation being that if Foley lost he could never wrestle again. Foley lost the match and made a teary exit with fans genuinely sad to see him go. They were convinced that this was Foley's last match. Foley returned, however, just a few weeks later as Linda McMahon's entry into the Wrestlemania four way main event alongside HHH, The Rock and The Big Show. HHH won that match as well and Foley didn't wrestle again for four years although he did serve as commissioner and played special referee in the interim. His match with Randy Orton at Backlash 2004 made Orton a star in the eyes of the fans and proved that Foley could still go in the ring. From there it has been a case of diminishing returns. Foley left WWE in 2008 after he found it difficult to commentate with Vince McMahon barking orders and criticising him directly through his headset. He performed in TNA for a few years in main events but his character's direction and performances were below the usual Foley standard. Now retired for good due to debilitating injuries, Foley has expressed regret that he didn't do so sooner on his own terms. It is hard to disagree with him.