The glorious history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) company has witnessed numerous spine-chilling bouts and nail-biting retirement matches that have left wrestling aficionados from all over the world teary-eyed. From gripping storylines to blood-curdling rivalries, the iconic characters of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) have undoubtedly succeeded in grabbing enormous attention from the massive fan base of combat sports from all over the world. Well, watching their favourite characters bid adieu to the world’s most prestigious wrestling platform has undoubtedly been one of the most traumatising and emotional instances for the hardcore fans of WWE. Have you ever wondered about the most emotional retirement matches in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four most emotional retirement matches in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) company.
Top 4 WWE Retirement Matches That Left the Fans Emotional
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Ric Flair vs. Shawn Michaels – WrestleMania 24, 2008
Often hailed as one of the most iconic bouts in the history of WWE, the “Ric Flair vs Shawn Michaels” face-off at WrestleMania 24 in 2008 is at the first spot in our list of the top four most emotional retirement matches in the history of WWE that left the fans teary-eyed. The company made it quite clear in the promo that if Ric Flair lost the match against Shawn Michaels he would announce his official retirement. While the fans were cheering out loud for the wrestling legend Ric Flair, who had already established himself as a 16-time World Champion, the WWE sensation Shawn Michaels ended up defeating him in the final minutes of the match. Interestingly, just before ending Ric Flair’s legendary WWE career with his final chin-hitting move, Shawn Michaels whispered “I’m sorry, I love you” in his ears.
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Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker – WrestleMania 26, 2010
At the second spot in our list of the top four most emotional retirement matches in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) company, we have the sensational bout between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26 in 2010. Well, popularly promoted as “Streak vs Career”, the bout between the two greatest WWE legends who went back and forth with their deadly moves was witnessed by billions of hardcore wrestling fans from all around the world. Although Shawn Michaels unleashed his beast mode inside the ring and executed his most lethal moves against The Undertaker, the dead man of the World Wrestling Entertainment company clinched the bout and put an end to Shawn Michaels career with the WWE, leaving his fans heartbroken.
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Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin – WrestleMania 35, 2019
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four most emotional retirement matches in the history of WWE that left the fans teary-eyed, we have the iconic battle between Kurt Angle and Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35 in 2019, which left the fans in shock and disbelief. The WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has already announced his farewell tour in 2019, leading him to his final retirement match against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35. Although fans anticipated the World Wrestling Entertainment company to fix Kurt Angle’s final battle against a formidable and prominent WWE name, the company ended up booking him against Baron Corbin for his career’s final match, which turned out to be a major disappointment for a majority of his fans. Shockingly, Baron Corbin proved to be an underdog who fearlessly countered Angle’s offense and hit his finisher, End of Days.
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The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles – WrestleMania 36, 2020
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most emotional retirement matches in the history of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) company, we have the spine-chilling bout between the Undertaker and AJ Styles at the WrestleMania 36 event in April 2020. Often popularly referred to as the “last ride” and the “Boneyard Match”, the blood-curdling bout is still fresh in the minds and hearts of hardcore WWE fans. The Undertaker made his entry in his iconic American Badass biker persona, riding a motorcycle and AJ Styles arrived in a hearse. The Undertaker lived up to his undefeated legacy and brutally defied AJ Styles, marking his last in-ring triumph. The Undertaker’s final retirement match undoubtedly left millions of his fans teary-eyed and emotional. Nevertheless, his legacy continues to resonate in the realms of the World Wrestling Entertainment company.
