Why are there so few farewell matches?

[Fedorgasm]

Ric flair's farewell match was awesome and then a couple years later Shawn Michaels farewell match was great too.

It kinda makes me sad that there are so many other great superstars that never got a farewell match.

If the performer knows it's the last time, and the audience knows it's the last time, then it's really special.

Now maybe both of those matches were so special because Shawn Michaels is awesome... Because the undertaker got 2 farewell matches and they both paled in comparison, but at least he got them.

Guys like Hulk Hogan and Macho Man, Mick Foley, etc never got one. I understand if they had to retire abruptly due to injury or health, like HHH did. But if you're a legend on good health then you should get a farewell match.

Hopefully they give the rock one before he's too old.

 

[TadDunbar]

Flair and HBK both wrestled again after their farewell match

 

[Spam On Rye]

Because they know these guys will never stop and will go til their heart pops. They'd have a go in a wheelchair if you let em.

 

[Pliny Pete]

A farewell match is like a lifetime achievement award, theyre telling you to get the fuck out cause nobody wants you anymore, it aint the beautiful honor youre imagining it to be

 

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

Daniel Bryan has been on a farewell tour for 10 years

 

[Based God]

Jushin "Thunder" Liger had a great farewell tour a few years ago leading to his final match being at the Tokyo Dome. His was perfect timing, the pandemic lock downs happened a month later and New Japan didn't have crowds for over a year.

The Great Muta/Keiji Muto had a great farewell tour last year. Did both a final match as The Great Muta and his last match as Keiji Muto

John Cena just announced his farewell tour in WWE happening throughout 2025, said he's gonna wrestle a bunch in 2025 and then have a retirement match.

Hiroshi Tanahashi just announced his last year will be 2025 and his retirement match will be at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th 2026.

Bryan Danielson just finished his farewell tour last week, went out on his back putting over his old team like he wanted, although he's said he's just retiring as a "full time" wrestler, so I wouldn't doubt he comes back after he gets his neck surgery for a match or two every once in a while.

 

[Thrawn33]

Nobody believes it's a final farewell anymore.

Because barring career ending injury, nobody ever really leaves anymore. Some fed ponys up a fuck ton of money and they come back. And even with injuries, medicine advances and what would've been a career killer even 5 years ago suddenly is treatable, and you get a triumphant return.

 

[Thrawn33]

Also...anytime someone mentions "farewell match" I'm reminded of the Kurt Angle/Baron Fucking Corbon travesty....

 

[Fedorgasm]

Flair and HBK both wrestled again after their farewell match

I knew flair did. I know Shawn made appearances and was a special ref but I guess I missed him wrestling actual matches again. That sucks.

 

[TadDunbar]

I knew flair did. I know Shawn made appearances and was a special ref but I guess I missed him wrestling actual matches again. That sucks.

Saudi Arabia money got him to do a shitty tag match

 

[stevenandrew]

Ric flair's farewell match was awesome and then a couple years later Shawn Michaels farewell match was great too.

It kinda makes me sad that there are so many other great superstars that never got a farewell match.

If the performer knows it's the last time, and the audience knows it's the last time, then it's really special.

Now maybe both of those matches were so special because Shawn Michaels is awesome... Because the undertaker got 2 farewell matches and they both paled in comparison, but at least he got them.

Guys like Hulk Hogan and Macho Man, Mick Foley, etc never got one. I understand if they had to retire abruptly due to injury or health, like HHH did. But if you're a legend on good health then you should get a farewell match.
Water Line Replacement
Hopefully they give the rock one before he's too old.

Farewell matches are truly special, and Ric Flair’s and Shawn Michaels stand out as emotional, iconic moments. Unfortunately, legends like Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, and Mick Foley never got proper send-offs, despite their massive contributions. While The Undertaker had farewell matches, they didn’t quite capture the same magic. Hopefully, someone like The Rock gets the opportunity for a memorable farewell match before it’s too late—it would be a fitting tribute to his incredible career.

 

[sleepwalk]

I knew flair did. I know Shawn made appearances and was a special ref but I guess I missed him wrestling actual matches again. That sucks.

In Shawn's defense, it was likely a fuck ton of money.

In Ric's defense, he had a bar tab to close out. Woooo!

 

[Thrawn33]

Farewell matches are truly special, and Ric Flair’s and Shawn Michaels stand out as emotional, iconic moments. Unfortunately, legends like Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, and Mick Foley never got proper send-offs, despite their massive contributions. While The Undertaker had farewell matches, they didn’t quite capture the same magic. Hopefully, someone like The Rock gets the opportunity for a memorable farewell match before it’s too late—it would be a fitting tribute to his incredible career.

Outside of his family, who would Rock put over in a farewell match?