5 WWE Superstars who should retire in 2017

For some WWE superstars, their time has come and gone. Their contributions are thoroughly appreciated, but sometimes you can overstay your welcome and the aura becomes diminished and less-appreciated. There are a few WWE talents who fall in this category. Moreover, there are some who still have a few good matches left in them, but it only would draw a positive response if it is booked correctly.

Otherwise, it would flop and lead spectators to ask for their exit. While the dynamic of veterans is important in adding much-needed layers to this “New Era”, there are some that should respectfully be on their way out of the door.

Here are five WWE superstars who should retire in 2017.

5: Mark Henry

While the “World’s Strongest Man” has experienced success on live events and Main Event episodes throughout the year by teaming with fellow former World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger, his television win-loss record as a whole has been quite embarrassing. Henry has spent a majority his career reinventing himself as a character, with moments as being a huge task for The Undertaker to overcome at WrestleMania, Kurt Angle at Royal Rumble, being a dominant ECW Champion managed by WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas, and creating a Hall of Pain which no man desires to visit.

In fact, the peak of his “Hall of Pain” era lead him to his greatest success, dominating Randy Orton to become the World Heavyweight Champion. However, Henry never managed to reach this same level of success. He was instead being utilized as a glorified enhancement talent for names such as Rusev and Sheamus. Henry has been an ambassador for WWE for a number of years now, most recently to promote the Olympics. He should not worry about having a job for the company after his in-ring career is over, so it might as well be.

4: Goldust

From an exotic upper-mid card mainstay of the Attitude Era to a modern-day comedy act, the character of Goldust has experienced a number of incarnations over the 20-year span. Goldust’s character immediately made a statement during his debut, eyeing Razor Ramon and creating shock and suspense along the way. He was so popular, that he became WWE Intercontinental Champion one year after his debut.

Unfortunately, his unattractive booking during much of the Attitude Era (i.e. Marilyn Manson-dust, Vader-dust, Dusty-dust), combined with battling his personal demons, led to a negative turn in his career. Goldust would then have an incredibly positive turn, committing to be in the best shape of his wrestling career when he returned in 2008.

His WWE career further became a poetic swan song when he teamed with his brother Cody Rhodes in 2013 and eventually captured the WWE Tag Team Champions by defeating the Shield. When the brothers split, Goldust wallowed in the mid card, before forming a comedic tag team known as Golden Truth with R-Truth.

While the team is a funny addition to the Raw roster, it is not strong enough for Goldust to remain an active talent. Instead, he should return to his role as an agent, as he has a plethora of knowledge to share with the new talent.

3: Kane

2017 would be the 20^th Anniversary of Glen Jacobs as Kane. While trying to make a name for himself in the company with gimmicks such as Isaac Yankem, D.D.S. and, the fake Diesel, being repackaged as The Undertaker’s younger brother seeking revenge after being burned as a child has undoubtedly paved a hall of fame career for the multiple time world champion.

While he has been a consistent name for the company over the past two decades, his character has not received the rightful booking on a number of occasions. Instead of persistently being a dominant name, he often found himself throughout his career on his back looking at the ceiling at the expense of other talents. His character did experience a much-needed revival in 2010 when he became the World Heavyweight Champion and was involved in the intriguing Undertaker “vegetative state” angle.

Outside of that, his character remained inconsistent and in need of retirement. Kane is a shoo-in Hall of Famer who deserves a proper sendoff. Possibly one last run as Intercontinental Champion to elevate the status of the title would work. However, the interest of the Big Red Machine continues to diminish, and calling an end to his career should happen sooner than later.

2: Big Show

Similar to Kane, Big Show has also seen himself on the losing end of many feuds since his debut in 1999. Though being one of the most decorated talents in the company with reigns as World, U.S., Intercontinental, Tag Team, and Hardcore Champion, the overbooking of face and heel turns have created a lack of consistency for Big Show. The fans have not been able to buy into his character without having to be disappointed a short time later.

He has been a great acquisition for the company during his 17-year tenure, proving with matches against Brock Lesnar, Mark Henry, Sheamus, and Roman Reigns that his enormous size does not create many limitations in the ring.

At 44, Big Show has created a hall of fame resume, even having to make outsiders such as Akebono, Floyd Mayweather, and Shaquille O’Neal look good. Despite these accolades, even fans are getting tired of him as an on-air talent, as “Please retire!” chants have made its way on television during his matches.

Big Show was recently drafted to the Raw brand but has yet to be utilized. Recently, he did state in an interview that he will retire after WrestleMania 33. Hopefully, this is not a work, as it is indeed time for Big Show to hang up his boots.

1:The Undertaker

The Undertaker has undoubtedly cemented himself as one of the greatest and most respected talents to have stepped foot in the WWE. Having one of the most legendary careers of any pro wrestler – no matter what the promotion is – he’s created so many memorable moments throughout his 26-years career for the company. However, his aging stature has created a lack of being able to perform like the years past.

Fans saw this when the streak was finally broken at WrestleMania 30 against Brock Lesnar. Not only was the streak ending one of the most shocking moments in WWE history, but his apparent physical incapabilities made for a slow and lethargic match overall.

While he has managed to grow his hair back and is in a better ring shape, the Undertaker has mostly availed himself to be a WrestleMania attraction. With the streak already broken, even his presence at this event is not as important. There have been many reports that his match at WrestleMania 32 with Shane McMahon may have been his last.

Of course, since WrestleMania season is mainly his longest time with the company, there is always the chance of him popping up, so a retirement has not been announced. Indeed a match at WrestleMania 33 with John Cena would be interesting to see if built correctly. With this exception, Undertaker is at the stage of accepting that his amazing WWE career should be reaching its final moments, and it is time for The Deadman’s career to rest in peace.

Follow Chris Featherstone @cravewrestling