5 WWE Superstars who could retire after WrestleMania 36
This year’s WrestleMania 36 does not quite have the fanfare of previous editions due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the smaller show on offer. Nevertheless, there will still be a lot of interest from passionate fans, with several mouthwatering clashes set to take place.
WrestleMania usually indicates the end of certain feuds, as well as the beginning of new ones. But, the show could also hint at careers of legendary WWE Superstars coming to an end. This year is no different. Following The Show of Shows, we may see WWE drop hints at some Superstars bringing their career to an end.
Let’s take a look at 5 WWE Superstars who could retire after WrestleMania 36:
5. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio has been one of WWE’s most important Superstars over the last two decades, wowing fans with his athleticism, as well as being an inspiration to millions of youngsters all over the world. Mysterio made a return to WWE in 2018, which was most likely going to be his last return to the company.
In the second part of last year, his son Dominick, who is a budding wrestler, was also added to his storyline. This was mostly done to set-up the big entrance of Cain Velasquez, a former UFC fighter and an adversary of Brock Lesnar.
While speaking to Gary Cassidy of Sportskeeda last year, Mysterio said that he would like to see his son wrestle in WWE in 2020 and that he would retire after sharing the ring with him. WWE could perhaps bring back Mysterio’s son Dominick following WrestleMania 36, and put the two in a feud with the likes of Andrade and Angel Garza.
Mysterio and Andrade have been in a feud recently and it would be fitting to see Andrade retire Mysterio, which would be a real passing of the torch moment.
4. Big Show
Big Show made a surprise return to WWE earlier this year, when he came to the aid of Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe who were in a feud with Seth Rollins and AOP. The WWE legend wrestled for the first time in over a year in January and went on to have another match on RAW.
But, he hasn’t been seen on television since, which could have been due to The Street Profits feuding with Rollins, Murphy and AOP, as well as Samoa Joe’s wellness policy violation, which led to his suspension.
Big Show has not been in a serious feud in a long time, and it seems like there’s no one he can feud with currently on the RAW roster as well. The 7-foot giant revealed around two years ago that he still has a lot to offer to WWE, but having not featured for the entire 2019, and very briefly featuring in 2020, we could see him hang up his wrestling boots after WrestleMania 36.
3. Goldberg
WWE have been criticised heavily for their use of Goldberg over the last year, firstly for his disastrous match against The Undertaker, and then for him being crowned Universal Champion. The WWE Hall of Famer is set to defend his title against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 36, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise if Reigns emerges victorious.
Perhaps that could be Goldberg’s last match in WWE as that would be a brilliant way to put over Reigns. Goldberg has achieved it all in professional wrestling, but it’s quite clear that he’s way past his best at 53 years of age.
The WCW icon could perhaps announce on the RAW after WrestleMania 36 that the previous night’s match was his last in WWE and he could praise Reigns to put him over even more.
Goldberg did recently reveal that he wants to wrestle in Israel, which could be his last match in professional wrestling. This is what he had to say:
“I’m considering my retirement match in Israel. As a matter of fact, my agent and I talked about that a minute ago and that’s a big topic of conversation right now, so its something we’re going to consider.”
2. The Undertaker
The Undertaker will be in yet another match at WrestleMania, this time facing former WWE Champion AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. The Phenomenal One has called out The Phenom and even his wife Michelle McCool, while also breaking kayfabe and using Undertaker’s real name, Mark Calaway.
This brought out a different side of The Undertaker on last week’s RAW, where he had a character similar to The American Badass gimmick that he used almost two decades ago. Reports have suggested that we could see a different Undertaker at WrestleMania 36, which could perhaps be an indication that his Deadman character is coming to an end.
Vince McMahon is reportedly a big fan of AJ Styles, as per this report, and Styles could be the one to finally retire The Undertaker, at this year’s WrestleMania. WWE may want to shock fans at The Show of Shows, which will not have the glamour and scale of past shows, but they could compensate with a huge story like The Undertaker retiring.
1. John Cena
When John Cena recently returned to SmackDown and made his speech, it felt like he was finally going to call it quits, but he was interrupted by The Fiend. The Fiend and Cena will face off at WrestleMania 36, in what will be the latter’s first match in WWE in over a year.
Cena has time and again spoken about how he is on the verge of calling it quits, although he did reveal that he will be involved with the WWE forever.
“When do I walk away with a sense of mental and physical sanity? I’m right at that precipice. I feel great, I’m in the best shape of my life. It’s not that I couldn’t continue, but I think from this point on I run the risk of tipping that balance the wrong way,” said Cena in an interview last year.
The 16-time world champion may well have his final match at WrestleMania 36 as he has achieved everything there is to achieve in the WWE. The Fiend winning would help his character get some much-needed momentum once again after that shocking loss against Goldberg.
