5 WWE retirement matches that weren't exactly career-ending
In WWE, there's nothing quite as unique as a Retirement Match. Whilst other bouts on the card may have titles and bragging rights on the line, a retirement match means a Superstar, should they come up short, will have to hang up their boots for good. It's an effective way to build some serious drama at the end of a feud if done right.
Unfortunately, even though a retirement match should have an incredible amount of tension and commitment from the WWE Universe, fans have stopped investing in them because of the number of times wrestlers have lost a retirement match only to return at another point.
Here are five WWE retirement matches that didn't exactly live up to the stipulation.
#5 Rey Mysterio vs. John 'Bradshaw' Layfield (SmackDown 2006)
When Rey Mysterio won the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22, everyone was happy. Everyone except John 'Bradshaw' Layfield. Vowing to take the title from the Ultimate Underdog, JBL was sure his size advantage would guarantee him the win, only to be thwarted by Rey in multiple matches.
Frustrated, the Wrestling God vowed to hang up his boots for good if he lost their final match on the May 26th edition of SmackDown, and though he initially won the match, Bradshaw's cheating ways were discovered, the match was re-started and Mysterio retained, forcing the affluent Texan to hang up his wrestling boots.
After over a year on commentary, Bradshaw would return to the ring in late 2007, and would become a main fixture on Monday Night RAW, before retiring again (this time seemingly for good), at WrestleMania 25 in 2009, ironically after a loss to Rey Mysterio.