5 most disappointing retirement matches in WWE history

#2. Edge vs Alberto Del Rio - An abrupt WWE retirement match for The Rated-R Superstar

Some WWE fans may call this match underappreciated. However, not many knew beforehand that this would turn out to be Edge's retirement match. It was 2011 and Alberto Del Rio had recently won the 40-man Royal Rumble match.

After winning the Rumble, Del Rio had the choice of which championship he'd contend for. His title of choice was the World Heavyweight Championship. The champion at the time was the Rated-R Superstar. The bout was ultimately the opening match of WrestleMania 27.

The match went on for only 11 minutes and led to Edge retaining the title. He later revealed that due to his injuries he didn't feel any sensation in his hands throughout the match. Although it wasn't an official retirement match, it turned out to be one. Edge announced his retirement from wrestling only a few weeks later.

The match as a whole served as an underwhelming conclusion to The Rated-R Superstar's WWE career, although walking out as the World Champion was the silver lining.

Thankfully, it was a retirement match for one phase of his career. He made his in-ring return nine years later at the 2020 Royal Rumble match. Edge would wrestle a couple more times in 2020, but 2021 proved to be the high-point of his return to WWE.