The career of a WWE Superstar is fleeting, and often, injuries or age rob fans of witnessing the proper ending to a legend's career. John Cena is one of the biggest stars the wrestling industry has ever seen and has already announced that he will be retiring at the end of 2025.
However, most stars don't get to call their shot, and their careers end unceremoniously. Several legends could decide that they are not happy with the end of their career and could return to the company for one final match next year.
Listed below are six retired WWE stars who should return for one last match in 2025.
#6. Trish Stratus could return to WWE to compete in a retirement match
Trish Stratus seemingly teased an appearance on this Monday's edition of WWE RAW on social media recently. The Hall of Famer has not been in action since her loss to Becky Lynch in a Steel Cage Match at Payback 2023.
Stratus has teased that her story with Zoey Stark is not over after the Pure Fusion Collective star betrayed her last year. The former champion could return to the company soon and announce that she wants to face Stark at WrestleMania 41 next year in Las Vegas in her final match.
#5. Kurt Angle may return for a better ending to his in-ring career
Kurt Angle's illustrious in-ring career came to a disappointing end at WWE WrestleMania 35. The legend lost to Baron Corbin in the final wrestling match of his career at The Show of Shows. The victory did not launch Baron Corbin to new heights in the company, and his time as a WWE Superstar came to an end ahead of Crown Jewel 2024.
Angle does not possess the same athleticism he did during the prime of his career but deserves a more memorable final match than a loss to The Lone Wolf. The company may decide to bring the 55-year-old back to the promotion for a proper retirement match in 2025.
#4. Batista could return for one last match and finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame
Another legend who competed in their final match at WrestleMania 35 is Batista. The Animal squared off against Triple H in a No Holds Barred Match and came up short. The Game picked up the victory in the grueling match, and Batista has not competed since.
The wrestling world has been waiting for years for Batista to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The veteran may decide to return for WrestleMania 41 to compete in one last match and also be honored at the promotion's Hall of Fame ceremony.
#3. Shawn Michaels may decide to have one more match
Shawn Michaels was defeated by The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 in a match that is regarded as one of the greatest of all time. The Heartbreak Kid challenged The Deadman once again at WrestleMania 26 with his career on the line and came up short.
However, Michaels returned for a forgettable tag team match at Crown Jewel 2018. The veteran teamed up with Triple H (Degeneration-X) to defeat The Brothers of Destruction (The Undertaker and Kane). The bout was riddled with botches, and Michaels may decide to return to the ring to write a better ending to his legendary career.
#2. Lita could return to fulfill her promise about the Women's Tag Team division
Becky Lynch and Lita had an incredibly brief run as Women's Tag Team Champions last year before Trish Stratus turned heel and betrayed the popular stars. The veteran appeared on WWE's The Bump last year and claimed that she wanted to elevate the Women's Tag Team division but never got the chance to do so.
The former champion may decide to return to the promotion next year to go after the Women's Tag Team Championship once again. Lita and a partner of her choosing could challenge for the titles at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas as a way to bring attention to the titles on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
#1. The Undertaker could return for one last ride in WWE
The Undertaker called it a career after defeating AJ Styles in a Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36. The bout took place during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a cinematic match. While The Deadman went out on top, he may not be satisfied with how his career came to a close.
The Phenom made a surprise appearance during the main event of WWE WrestleMania XL and chokeslammed The Rock. The legend's interference helped Cody Rhodes capture the Undisputed WWE Championship from Roman Reigns. WWE could consider bringing The Undertaker back for one final match next year as a way for wrestling fans to say goodbye to the legend.