10 WWE Wrestlers Who Retired In Their Prime
2. Dean Ambrose
Jon Moxley's inspired New Japan Pro Wrestling debut was perhaps one of the best in wrestling history - not least because he spent much of the match bidding farewell to Dean Ambrose.
WWE couldn't have been nicer about the retirement of a much-loved character - it was almost as if they simply didn't believe he'd follow through with his intent to exit. The maiden NJPW match was one of several confirmation that his departure was for keeps.
He failed to break a table with the intended original spot, but caught himself realising he could just do another spot to smash it up instead. Opponent Juice Robinson kicked out of his Dirty Deeds DDT, forcing Moxley to debut a spiked Death Rider version to claim the United States Title in his first match. He smiled in a sicking smile in between the moves - it was as if the gimmickry of old was being exorcised via his screaming and gurning grins.
Dean Ambrose really had retired. On evidence of Night One in the new old gimmick, he may never come back.