In the unpredictable world of WWE, retirement is often painted as a heroic farewell — a final match, a tearful goodbye, and a place in the Hall of Fame. But for some Superstars, the end comes not by choice, but by force. From sudden injuries to backstage politics and unforeseen scandals, here are 10 WWE wrestlers who were forced to retire — whether they wanted to or not.
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1. Braun Strowman – The Monster Silenced
Braun Strowman shocked fans with his unexpected exit in early 2025 after reports emerged of severe spinal complications following a botched powerbomb spot on RAW. While Strowman tried to fight through the pain, WWE’s medical team allegedly refused to clear him. “If I take one more bump,” he reportedly said, “I might not walk again.” Just like that, the Monster Among Men was gone.
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2. Ronda Rousey – Broken Spirit, Not Body
Rousey’s departure wasn’t due to injury, but burnout and friction with WWE management. After a failed comeback storyline and tepid crowd reactions, Rousey reportedly clashed with creative over her direction. When she refused to go through with a planned squash loss to a rising star, the decision was made backstage to quietly retire her from all future programming. “She didn’t quit,” said one insider, “She was pushed out.”
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3. Samoa Joe – Commentary Over Combat
Though Samoa Joe dazzled fans in NXT and main roster feuds, lingering concussion issues kept him sidelined. While Joe pivoted to commentary, insiders claim he was desperate to return to the ring. WWE, fearing liability, allegedly forced his permanent in-ring retirement in 2022. Joe now calls matches he wishes he could still fight in.
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4. Paige – Dreams Cut Short Again
Despite a miraculous return in 2022, Paige’s second comeback was short-lived. A re-aggravated neck injury during a house show sealed her fate. WWE doctors pulled her license to compete indefinitely. Paige later admitted: “They didn’t give me a choice this time.”
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5. Jason Jordan – Talent Lost to Time
Once touted as a future main-eventer, Jason Jordan’s in-ring career ended after a neck injury in 2018. While he stayed on as a producer, WWE made it official in 2023: Jordan would never wrestle again.
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6. Tyson Kidd – A Move That Ended a Career
A brutal botched Muscle Buster from Samoa Joe in 2015 nearly paralyzed Tyson Kidd. WWE has since protected Kidd from all in-ring contact, quietly retiring him to a behind-the-scenes role. The match wasn’t even televised.
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7. Bo Dallas – The Disappearing Act
Bo Dallas vanished from TV in 2020. Rumors of mental health struggles and personal loss circled, but WWE never addressed his status. Sources claim he was offered a quiet retirement package and walked away.
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8. Eva Marie – The Heat Was Too Hot
While injuries weren’t the issue, fan backlash and constant online criticism led WWE to cut ties with Eva Marie in 2021. “It was a mutual decision,” a WWE rep claimed — but many say she was told to never step in the ring again.
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9. The Great Khali – Forced Out by Health Risks
WWE quietly ended Khali’s in-ring run after severe knee issues and breathing complications made performing unsafe. He was reportedly advised by multiple doctors that continued wrestling could be fatal.
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10. Lars Sullivan – Too Controversial to Continue
After multiple controversies emerged online, Sullivan was quietly let go. WWE reportedly told him he would never return, regardless of fan demand or rehabilitation.
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Conclusion
Whether by injury, controversy, or politics, not all careers get a fair ending. In WWE, retirement isn’t always a cho
ice — and for these 10 Superstars, it came like a chair shot out of nowhere.
