Top 5 WWE Superstars who could retire from professional wrestling in 2018

Some of the most memorable, emotional and heart-wrenching moments in professional wrestling have been the last match of a superstars' career. A mixture of sadness and admiration fills the arena, a tear in the eyes of each and every fan, as they stand to their feet and applaud their hero one last time.

Yes, it's a difficult moment when your favourite superstar makes their final walk up the ramp, looking back towards the ring, before descending into darkness backstage, fading away into the history books, as we reminisce on their proudest victories and highest achievements.

Etched in the memories of WWE fans worldwide, there's a catalogue of moments just like this. I can admit it: there have been times when I might have had to wipe a tear or two away myself. Historic moments such as Foley waving goodbye after his barbaric Hell in a Cell match against 'The Game' Triple H, which we thought at the time would be his last.

Shawn Michaels whispering to 'The Nature Boy' how much he loves him, super kicking his idol into retirement. And of course, Santino Marella saying his goodbyes to the fans after suffering a neck injury. Okay, I admit it, I was blubbering like a baby who had just dropped his ice cream at that one.

But who in 2018 is likely to complete the walk down the ramp of retirement and fight their last battle in professional wrestling? Let's take a look at five likely candidates.

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#5 Bigshow

Don't worry Bigshow, there's no need to cry, I'll use my executive power to find your burrito

It wasn't long ago when 'The Worlds' Largest Athlete' had thousands of fans shouting 'please retire' to him each and every week. We all thought it might be time for him to hang up those size 22 boots and go and eat tacos somewhere on a Carribean island.

It would have been the end of a career that stretched over two decades, with highlights such as being a seven-time World champion and an eleven-time tag team champion. Yes, he could have waved goodbye to performing in the squared circle, but the 7' footer didn't give up and trained hard, losing over 70 pounds and looking leaner and meaner than ever before.

Since returning to the ring with his more toned physique, he's had impressive encounters with Big Cass and Braun Strowman. No more do the fans demand that Bigshow retires. Which probably means he should retire and go out at least on a high.

The giant's last match was against 'The Monster Amongst Men' in a steel cage match in September, which incidentally, is the same type of match Bigshow made his first appearance in for WWE, interfering but failing to assist Mr McMahon against 'The Rattlesnake' Stone Cold Steve Austin at the 1999 Pay-Per-View, St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House.

Does this spell the end for Bigshow? I doubt it, as recent reports state he's had successful hip surgery and is pumping iron again at the gym and training for his comeback. But will he be back for long seeing as his current contract ends in February 2018?

If they extend his contract a little further, they could have Big Cass, depending on when he's recovered, and Bigshow both returning at 'The Show of Shows', where Big Cass would retire the giant, picking up a big victory in the process.

#4 Kane

The Big Red Machine might have his power switched off in 2018

'The Monster Amongst Monsters' is back in the main event picture, since returning and waging war on his monstrous nemesis, Braun Strowman. But this really feels like a last attempt surge, before hanging up his mask and putting back on his shirt and tie. The question is, when and how, will 'The Big Red Machine' be sent back to the fire and brimstone that he's known ever since his half-brother, in storyline, burnt him many years ago.

Kane has had an extraordinary career stretching twenty-five years. And now, at 50 years of age, the 7-foot monster can look back and smile at his accomplishments, in that satanic sort of way that he does. Kane started his career back in 1992 but didn't make his televised debut in the WWE until 1995, as Isaac Yankem. The 'Kane' character wasn't born until 1997.

And after a several-month build up, he showcased his new character and finally 'broke' into the WWE, quite literally, at Badd Blood: In Your House, in October 1997, during the first ever Hell in a Cell match between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. Since then Kane has become a three-time world champion and a twelve-time world tag team champion.

So, the question remains, is Braun Strowman going to be the one to retire 'The Big Red Machine' or is that accolade saved for someone else? A 'Deadman' perhaps.

#3 Kurt Angle

It's okay Kurt, Jason Jordan isn't really your illegitimate son.

So, the Olympic gold medallist is back competing in the WWE ring. After all the stress of finding out that Jason Jordan is actually his son, I'm sure Kurt can't have too many years left in him. I mean look, he's already gone bald.

Although the storyline seems to have failed to make the impact WWE would have hoped for, I think there could potentially be light at the end of the tunnel. I'm hoping it turns out Jason isn't really his son in storyline, having used his 'Daddy' for dishonourable purposes and getting ahead in the WWE. Maybe this will set up a match down the line between the two?

However, with so many options for Kurt Angle and so little time left in his career, do we really want to see his final match be against Jason Jordan? It would definitely be a technical masterclass, but wouldn't we rather see Angle battle Joe one more time? Or AJ Styles? Or John Cena? There's plenty of better options.

Kurt Angle could quite easily be considered the best wrestler in history. After winning an Olympic gold medal, with a 'freakin' broken neck' might I add, Angle has gone on to win 13 world championships. I could list plenty more accolades, but I'm not sure there's enough time in the day to do so.

Whoever it is that battles Kurt Angle next year, The 2017 WWE Hall of Fame inductee surely can't have many more matches left in him. Speculation surrounding what plans WWE have for Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 34 is worthy of a whole entire article in itself, but all I wonder is if 2018 will be his last year in professional wrestling. I certainly hope not. And that's true, it's damn true.

#2 Brock Lesnar

Will Wrestlemania 34 be the last time we chant for Suplex City?

'The Beast Incarnate' was rumoured to be ending his career at Wrestlemania 34, where it was also speculated that Roman Reigns will be the one to evacuate him from Suplex City and bury him in his yard.

However, it now seems the current contract of the former UFC star doesn't end until August 2018. Does this mean Brock will stay with the WWE until this date, or will he be allowed to compete for both WWE and UFC?

Hell, anything could happen, we might even see Conor McGregor crossing over again from the UFC, this time into professional wrestling and despite the 115 pounds weight difference, challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal championship at Summerslam 2018.

It has to be said, that Lesnar's current reign with the WWE Universal championship, is rattling the cages of many fans, after having only defended it on three occasions since defeating Goldberg for the championship back in April 2017, at Wrestlemania 33.

However, 'The Beast' is a top draw when it comes to selling tickets, so maybe he shouldn't have to defend it every month. I would back that claim up with telling you how many accomplishments Lesnar has attained during his seventeen-year career, however, you've probably heard it all too often from his loyal advocate, Paul Heyman.

Will 2018 be the year that the reigning, defending, undisputed, WWE Universal champion ends his professional wrestling career? I'd say it's possible, seeing as a UFC return is likely on the cards. I just hope something more unpredictable happens, rather than another 'passing of the torch' moment to Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 34. I mean really, how many torches does Roman need to have?

The Big Dog could be the one that retires the Beast Incarnate, however, we're not sure about the reactions.

#1 John Cena

Whilst you're in the ring, Cena, that weasel Miz is off stealing your roles!

Speaking of passing the torch to Roman Reigns, 'The Franchise Player' isn't really the poster boy for WWE any longer. The sixteen-time world champion is off to brighter horizons, potentially following in the footsteps of The Rock.

John Cena is making several TV show appearances, hosting Saturday Night live and has become a Hollywood Movie star, recently baring all in the movie 'Trainwreck'. But for many of us, we don't want to see John Cena without his clothes on, we'd much prefer to see him wearing the blue and orange and being a hero to the kids, right?

John Cena will never give up, right? Or will he, at Wrestlemania 34, wave goodbye to the C-Nation, meaning The WWE universe might not be able to see John Cena, in a WWE ring again.

He's been the man for the past decade in the WWE, making his first televised appearance for the company in 2002, a year that had a wave of talent walk through the doors. He made his mark immediately on his debut, challenging 'The Olympic Gold Medallist' to a fight.

Since then, the accomplished star has won sixteen world championships, five United States championships, four world tag team championships, two Royal Rumble victories, one Money in the Bank victories...shall I carry on? The fans might not always love him, but one thing is for sure, he's a future WWE Hall of Famer.

I personally think the WWE universe will miss John Cena, as he always created gold on the mic and has had a concession of great matches inside the squared circle. But it does appear that his time, is no longer, now. He's already lost to Roman Reigns earlier in the year, in what many consider to be a climate changing moment in the WWE.

Or could we be mistaken, and is John Cena going to win the 2018 Royal Rumble, win a record seventeenth world championship at Wrestlemania and reclaim his position as 'The Franchise Player' in the WWE?

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