2. Steve Austin
Stone Cold retired in 2003, losing to The Rock at Wrestlemania 19. Austin has since conceded that he knew it was his last match, but a big fuss and speech just wasn't his style. He lost and ended his career quietly, which speaks measures of the man, he didn't need a pat on the back, he knew his legacy an knew he was untouchable in terms of being "the man". A pattern is developing in that the guys who have stayed retired have had to do so due to injury. Austin is no different, his neck was badly messed up when Owen Hart crocked a piledriver. Austin just couldn't continue to bash his neck. The legacy he had already created though was sufficent, no performer can match Austin at the peak of his run. Stonecold sold out arenas, drew huge PPV numbers, shipped a ton of merchandise and became so popular that Raw drew numbers so big it killed off WCW. He was a hell of a wrestler too, and his promos and connection with the fans were second to none. Austin keeps saying "never say never" when it comes to one more match. He has kept fit, and continues to tease a Wrestlemania bout with friend CM Punk. Both men are huge fans of each others work and it would be a great match, but the match that WWE pitched to Austin most recently was a return bout against Triple H. If Austin was to return it would be the biggest thing ever, bigger and better than Brock or Rock. But for now it seems unlikely. For now Stone cold Steve Austin is retired, and after Ten years it is more likely he never wrestles again than does wrestle again.