The Complete A-Z Of WrestleMania

The nature of the wrestling industry insists that generally, you leave it on your back. That is to say, a wrestler has to lose on their final night. Though an accepted part of the job, most wrestlers, given the choice, would almost certainly rather go out on top.

Departing the business at WrestleMania is the definition of going out 'on top'.

Andre The Giant said a fond farewell to WWE rings, working for the final time at WrestleMania 6 in a match which would lead to a babyface turn on Bobby Heenan, drawing rapturous applause as he departed.

Hulk Hogan would temporarily exit WWE in 1992 at the close of WrestleMania 8 having drawn unwanted negative media attention in the burgeoning steroid scandals of the day.

Mick Foley would briefly unretire for his first and only WrestleMania main event, making up the numbers in WrestleMania 16's WWE Title fatal four-way.

But these don't compare to the promoted farewells of two industry icons.

In 2008, Ric Flair would lose an absorbing contest to Shawn Michaels, saying goodbye in epic fashion at the climax of an emotional war. Shawn himself would follow two years later, stealing his last show in an outstanding WrestleMania 26 contest with The Undertaker. They were both glorious final chapters for two of the best to ever grace the canvas.