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A WWE Superstar deciding to retire is never a great sight for the WWE fans (unless it is someone they hate). These situations tend to be emotional no matter which era it happens on but the big factor in between all these is ‘How the superstar ends the career’.There have been superstars like CM Punk and AJ Lee who decided to walk out of the company all of a sudden and then there have been a handful of superstars who decided to end the relationship with WWE on a good note. As you would have already figured out from the title, we are going to concentrate on the second category in the list.So without any more introductions, here is a look at some of the memorable superstars who left WWE on their own terms.
#5 Lita
Lita, alongside Trish Stratus was the definition of WWE’s Women’s division back in the Attitude Era. She started her career as the manager of Essa Rios and later moved together with the Hardy Boys and formed Team Extreme. She had a lot of memorable matches alongside the Hardys and had a singles run in the women’s division later.
The managerial run with Edge was also a success story. She still had a lot of years in front of her when she decided to retire but it was her decision nevertheless. According to her, she had nothing more to achieve in the company. It was a shocking decision and the fans still have high hopes about seeing Lita in the ring again.
#4 Shane McMahon
Being the son of Vince McMahon is probably the fantasy of some wrestling fans out there. Inheriting the wrestling empire is the first big advantage of this but Shane McMahon had other plans. He was an active part of WWE back during the Attitude Era and played a major role in the whole invasion angle.
The passion for wrestling drove him into the ring and within no time, Shane shredded off his businessman skin and transformed into a daredevil wrestler. He had all the ammunition to be the next chairman of WWE but Shane left the company and started his own business.
The decision is still hard to digest for many fans but from what we know, Shane is happy with what he does now and is unlikely to come back anytime soon.
#3 Vickie Guerrero
Vickie Guerrero might not have had a successful career like most of the other superstars in this list but she was an integral part of the company. Keeping away the second name and all the sympathy that she got for being Eddie Guerrero’s wife, Vickie was a solid heel authority figure.
She came out strong from her husband’s untimely death and found a career in the wrestling business. She served as a manager, an authority figure and got in between the ropes every now and then, basically she did everything that WWE asked her to do.
A loyal servant of the company to keep it short, Vickie decided to part away with the company last year and went on to start a new career in medical administration.
#2 Trish Stratus
If Lita was in the list, how can we forget Trish Stratus? She had a career path almost parallel to that of Lita’s. Trish started off her stay in the company as a manager and slowly moved into the women’s division, where she dominated. She soon became the benchmark for every woman that followed both in terms of looks and wrestling skills.
After some legendary feuds in the division, Trish decided to retire at the young age of 30. The former seven-time Women’s champion had the option of staying around and being the backbone of WWE’s women’s division but she chose to hang up her boots and venture elsewhere. She now runs a yoga studio and hasn’t lost a bit when it comes to her looks.
#1 Shawn Michaels
Imagine what would have happened if Shawn Michaels hadn’t retired at WrestleMania 26. He could have faced opponents like Daniel Bryan, Seth Rollins, Brock Lesnar, Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and many more during the run but unfortunately for the fans, Shawn still stands by the decision he made nearly five years ago.
After his career, Shawn became a born again Christian and now runs his own hunting TV show. He however, looks in perfect shape to wrestle and could have easily had another five or six years at the top if there was no stipulation for his last match against Undertaker.
Michaels is still one of the never ending sorrows of WWE fans and there is still a majority that prays to see him back in the squared circle once again.
