Everyone has to head into retirement at some point. Depending on your career path, that day could come sooner than expected. A perfect example of this is professional wrestlers as there comes a time when their body is tired and needs a well-deserved break. As you might imagine, those final wrestling matches can be quite a spectacle as soon-to-be-retired pros give it one last hurrah.
Many retired wrestlers get restless and come back for one final moment of glory. However, that’s not always a good idea, especially if they retired with injuries. At some point, it’s time to hang up the wrestling belt for good and leave the profession on a high note. So, which pro wrestlers went out with the biggest bang? Let’s take a look at the four best final matches.
These men set the bar extremely high for all those that have and will follow them. On betting websites, the odds were always in their favor to emerge victorious. Whether you enjoy point spread betting or simply betting on the ultimate winner, sports betting can make any match more interesting.
1. "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels
As one of the greatest wrestlers in history, Michaels' farewell to the sport was nothing short of grand. In fact, he bid adieu not just once, but twice. In 1998, Michaels faced a major setback when a back injury forced him into a four-year hiatus, leading to his first retirement. However, he made a surprise return to the ring in 2002 and scooped several titles until that fateful last match.
In what would become his final clash, he faced The Undertaker in a highly anticipated WrestleMania rematch in March 2010. There was a catch though… whoever lost the match would have to retire. Both men gave a stellar performance, delivering a masterclass in storytelling and ring psychology.
Although Michaels didn't come out on top in the match, his emotional post-fight interview revealed a sense of peace with the outcome. In a candid moment, he shared that he had actually made the decision to retire a month prior in order to prioritize his family.
2. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
Steve Austin is regarded as one of the most influential wrestlers in history, known and loved for his unmatched energy and magnetic presence.
After failing to show up at several matches in the months preceding his epic final showdown, his last hurrah quite fittingly came to be at WrestleMania.
The Hall of Famer took to the ring one last time against his long-time rival, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, in a clash that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The match showcased their electrifying rivalry; however, Austin ended up being defeated by The Rock. He attributes this to a bruised and battered body that was riddled with injuries and couldn’t withstand any more knocks.
He would finally come out of retirement in 2022, taking on Kevin Owens at WrestleMania.
3. Ric Flair
Ric Flair's career lasted 50 years, earning him recognition as one of the greatest professional wrestlers. Similarly to Shawn Michaels, Flair retired twice. He faced his long-time friend and protégé, Michaels, at WrestleMania XXIV in 2008 at what would become his first retirement match.
The high-stakes match carried an emotional weight, as Flair's career was on the line. In a display of mutual respect, Michaels reluctantly delivered the winning blow, signaling the end of Flair's illustrious career and leaving fans teary-eyed.
The match earned him the 2008 title of Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s “Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year” award, as well as “Match of the Year.”
That wasn’t to be the end of Flair’s career… not yet anyway. He made a brief reappearance between 2010 and 2012, with his very last match taking place on September 15th, 2011 against his long-time rival Sting. Flair was injured during the match and lost as a result, forcing him to finally accept his wrestling days were truly behind him. He also had a "final" match in 2022.
4. The Undertaker
No list of iconic wrestlers would be complete without mentioning The Undertaker. After a legendary 30-year career, The Deadman bid farewell at WrestleMania 36, in what was dubbed the “Boneyard match”. Known for his mystique and otherworldly presence, The Undertaker faced AJ Styles in a unique cinematic match, which took place in an actual rural cemetery.
True to his name, The Undertaker ended up “burying” Styles in a grave and rode off into the sunset on his motorcycle, ending an illustrious career with his 25th WrestleMania triumph. This dramatic conclusion to his career left fans with a sense of closure and gratitude for witnessing the phenom's awe-inspiring legacy one last time.
Unlike the others on this list, Undertaker's retirement actually stuck.
Final takeaway
While some of these former pros got a second wind and came back for another shot at victory, some, like The Undertaker, bowed out without ever making a return to the sport. Regardless of how their careers ended, those final matches undoubtedly gave fans everything they hoped for and more as they bid farewell to their heroes.
