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This week, 'Woken' Matt Hardy said goodbye to fans at a WWE Live event, and announced his in-ring retirement on Twitter.
His retirement ends a life dream fulfilled, as Matt (alongside younger brother Jeff) wrestled since they were children, forming their own promotion: OMEGA.
From there, the duo competed in the WWE, having success both together with Tag Team Championships, as well as separately.
But sadly, Matt is not the first superstar to retire early, and even more sadly, probably won't be the last.
Here are 6 superstars who had to hang up their boots a bit too soon...
#6 Paige
As the Anti-Diva, the British star was a true phenom in NXT, becoming the first ever NXT Women's Champion.
Joining the main roster the night after WrestleMania 30, Paige was able to upset then Divas Champion AJ Lee to win the Divas Championship, becoming the first and only woman in history to hold both belts simultaneously.
Paige would become a three-time Divas Champion, Paige entertained the fans with her offense as well as her unique look: with her pale goth aesthetic contrasting with so many women at the time.
Unfortunately, a series of injuries left Paige sitting out most of 2016, and she retired in early 2018.
Whilst she has done well as the SmackDown Live General Manager, you have to wonder about what would happen to stars such as Alexa Bliss and Ember Moon if Paige was still competing.
#2 Tyson Kidd
One of the most technically gifted and underrated superstars, Tyson Kidd is perhaps best known for his teams with David Hart Smith and Cesaro, and real-life wife Natalya Neidhart.
After Smith left the company, Kidd found a second wind, competing in NXT, and received an opportunity at the NXT Championship, but was unsuccessful.
He also had success as his wife's manager, but often spent matches on his phone, supporting her only in being there, with his mind somewhere completely different.
In June 2015, Kidd suffered an injury that could've been much worse, in his spine, with analyst Dave Meltzer comparing it to the injury of former Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who was left quadriplegic until his death.
Nowadays, Kidd has transitioned to a backstage role, and appears regularly on Total Divas on E!.
#3 Corey Graves
With a unique look and unique move-set, it seemed that Corey Graves would have been a perfect fit for NXT, and is a former NXT Tag Team Champion.
Despite having plenty of X-Factors that could've led Graves to the NXT Championship, he would retire relatively early into his WWE career.
A series of injuries and failed medical tests led to his retirement, though WWE did offer Graves a tryout as a commentator, as a sign of good faith.
Nowadays, Graves is on the RAW Commentary team, alongside veteran Michael Cole, and their latest commentator, Renee Young.
#4 CM Punk
It's hard to say whether CM Punk retired early, or if he was just done with the industry.
In 2011, Punk had a possible career-high, winning the WWE Championship in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, dethroning John Cena, in an incredible story that blurred the lines between fiction and reality.
Yet by 2014, Punk was drained and walked out on the company the night after that year's Royal Rumble, with backstage disputes and injuries being a part of his decision to leave.
Things were not made better when Punk received his termination papers on his wedding day, though WWE CEO Vince McMahon has said that was coincidence and publicly apologized to Punk on the Steve Austin podcast.
Now, Punk competes in the UFC but is yet to score a win after 2 fights.
#5 Bret 'Hitman' Hart
A former WWF and WCW World Champion, Bret Hart is considered one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time.
After an incredible career in the WWF, Bret left for WCW after the infamous Montreal Screwjob in 1997, which saw Bret lose the WWF Title match despite never tapping.
Bret competed for WCW for three years, before a spear by Goldberg and a series of concussions made the Hitman hang up his boots.
Now, the Hitman makes sporadic appearances for the WWE and has beaten a battle with prostate cancer.
#6 Edge
The retirement of the Rated R Superstar is one of the hardest to experience, not just for Edge, but for the WWE Universe.
A multiple-time World Champion, Edge began his carer in Canada, teaming with best friend Jay (Christian) Reso.
In the WWE, Edge had captured several titles by 2003, before a serious neck injury kept him away for 14 months, before returning on RAW in April 2004.
In 2006, Edge captured his first of 11 World Championships, though he has said in interviews since that he knew he was on borrowed time after returning in 2004.
On the RAW after WrestleMania 27, Edge announced his retirement, with doctors warning him that continued wrestling could leave him paralyzed.
If there is any consolation, the Ultimate Opportunist has said he is pleased to have retired this way, as he knows he cannot come back, so doesn't contemplate it.
Now, he hosts a podcast with Christian and makes occasional appearances alongside fellow Hall of Famer and wife, Beth Phoenix.
