Traditionally, the life of a WWE Superstar begins at a young age. They come into the company in good health and ready to kick people’s heads in, winning championships in their prime and living out their legacy for years.
Often, they retire in their 40s when they are a lot slower and a shade of their younger selves. Or suffering an injury too devastating, their career is cut short and their legendary status lasts a lifetime.
Even though this is not always the case, everyone does indeed slow down as they age, which means there is a time and a place for winning more championships. You can’t have John Cena finally accomplish his 17th title reign at the age of 60… Well, you could, but it’d be stupid.
As new stars come in, old stars leave. There is a lot of talent well into their 40s wrestling in WWE at the moment (which is classed as old in wrestling terms) – Robert Roode, Rey Mysterio, AJ Styles and Bobby Lashley just to name a few.
These wrestlers can still wrestle effectively and surprise you when you find out their age. But more often than not, time catches up to them.
Therefore, WWE must capitalise on their talents before the clock ticks to retirement or a career-dismantling injury. Here are six WWE stars who must have one more World Title run.
6. Jeff Hardy
The idea of this fascinating list came to mind while watching Jeff Hardy come out victorious in the Symphony Of Destruction match against Elias on Raw.
During this match, Hardy hit a reckless Swanton Bomb landing through violins, Elias, and a table, with his head smacking off the bottom steel step.
This injury could have been a lot more serious than it was, but it never stopped Hardy fighting just like he did back when he leapt from ladders in TLC matches. The last time he jumped from a ladder was only a couple of months ago!
Each time Hardy hits a potentially career-shattering move and still walks away, it has us questioning “When will he go too far?”.
Before this happens, Hardy winning the World Championship again would be a big “thank you” to the lifelong fans of his. Additionally, it would create an interesting dynamic of both Hardy brothers at the top of their games in WWE and AEW.
5. Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio, one of WWE’s all-time greats, totally deserves to win the big one one more time.
Mysterio has achieved so much in his 31-year tenure. Considering he began his career all the way back in 1989, it is truly incredible he is still as fast-paced as he is, sometimes even having the match of the night at the ripe age of 46!
Rey Mysterio may be one of the most adored men in professional wrestling and he has more matches behind him than in front of him. It’ll be a sad day when that scenario occurs but Mysterio understands it is nearly time.
That is the reason he is fighting alongside his son Dominik. Dominik will eventually take over the Mysterio name, bear the mask and ignite his legacy. It is a very wholesome feeling seeing the entire Mysterio family working together every week.
Ultimately, before retirement, Mysterio should have one more WWE World Title run, proving that he still has it but is leaving before his sell-by date.
Then he loses it to a heel Dominik Mysterio. Giving us the father vs son moment before it is too late and passing over the torch to his son. How proud a moment that would be for the popular luchador as he gets a standing ovation before making his final bow.
4. Daniel Bryan
Each time Daniel Bryan wrestles, we should be thankful that we get to watch him in the ring at all. Back in 2016, Bryan cut one of the most emotional promos of all time, announcing his retirement from professional wrestling due to countless concussions.
As much as Bryan resisted this, it was believed WWE medical staff would never clear him for a return. That was until 2018…
Bryan returned to team with Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 34 against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in one of the most impressive returns of the decade. He then went on to wrestle like the retirement was non-existent. He didn’t look sore – he was Daniel Bryan again!
He even had a WWE Championship run in late 2018 into 2019 – turning the belt eco-friendly – and losing it to Kofi Kingston at WrestleMania 35.
Bryan has never been too far away from the World Title picture. However, he is not a spring chicken anymore, being 39 years old with two children. He has said on multiple occasions that once his contract closes, he will switch to part-time status.
This will give him the much-needed family time and can allow for Bryan to make his impact in certain situations, mainly on the road to WrestleMania. Bryan has also discussed that he wants to put over upcoming talent on the way out.
What would be better than a final Daniel Bryan title run and someone like Big E or Chad Gable becoming a megastar overnight by vanquishing the Leader of the “YES!” movement for the title? It is hopeful thinking, but he does have a creative influence backstage…
3. John Cena
John Cena has had an incredible WWE career. He is a definitive future Hall of Famer and is certainly on the fictional WWE Mount Rushmore.
Currently, Cena has been starring in movies and enjoying a successful career outside the squared circle. As a result, he hasn’t completed the accolade he has been trying to achieve for years: Overtaking Ric Flair as the wrestler to hold the most World Championships recognised by WWE.
As of now, Cena and Flair are tied at 16 title reigns, with Cena gaining his last WWE Championship in a fantastic match against AJ Styles at Royal Rumble 2017.
This was an excellent feat but was kind of a lacklustre reign as he lost it a few weeks later in the Elimination Chamber match.
Cena hasn’t been seen since he lost the Firefly Funhouse match back at WrestleMania 36. However, he always mentions that WWE will forever be his home, so disappearing by the hands of Wyatt will almost certainly not be his final rodeo.
Eventually, Cena will be back and chasing the one thing he must reach before settling down from the life that gave him mega success in other professions.
To differ this reign from prior World title runs, WWE could have him win the Universal Championship, something he hasn’t got his hands on before.
2. Sheamus
Sheamus is one of the most successful talents of the modern era and at 42 years old. We have all been more appreciative of his efforts now more than ever.
The Intercontinental Championship is the only title that eludes Sheamus’ fabulous career and undoubtedly the Celtic Warrior will want to clash for that championship before his career sings its final song.
Unfortunately, the Intercontinental Championship is a bit too far from Sheamus currently, as Big E, the current title-holder, is on SmackDown. Sheamus is on Raw rekindling with WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
WWE seems to be building towards the eventual Sheamus betrayal on his buddy McIntyre. Hopefully, fans’ confidence can remain in the company that this build can progress interestingly and slowly, leading to Scotland vs Ireland in the main event of WrestleMania 37.
Have Sheamus win the Royal Rumble, beat the ‘Scottish Psychopath’ on the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All’, and battle until the sun sets on his legendary career.
1. Edge
It is unreal that the ‘Rated R Superstar’ Edge made his terrific return just a year ago. The past year has been so long for everyone, and terribly, Edge ended up back on the injured shelf again.
Luckily, this isn’t one he must retire for and we are expecting Edge to return around Royal Rumble again. With Edge returning to in-ring action for the first time since 2011, fans were gearing up for a plethora of Edge dream matches.
We even have a list of WWE Superstars Edge should face. It was an exciting prospect having the 47-year-old back on our screens.
This came at a hapless time, however. The pandemic swept into our lives in March and resulted in every Edge match happening in an empty arena. He hasn’t even fought in the Thunderdome!
Furthermore, he has only faced Randy Orton upon returning, a guy we have seen him face loads of times before his initial retirement.
Unluckily, the neck injury resulted in the subtraction of many years off Edge’s tremendous career. He isn’t getting any younger, and therefore, he’d benefit from one more title run before it’s too late.
Have him go over to SmackDown on his second return – keeping him far away from Randy Orton. He could win the Rumble match, feud with Roman Reigns, taglining the action: “Spear vs Spear”.
Edge beats the ‘Tribal Chief’ and holds the Universal Championship. He could defend against men such as Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Cesaro… the list is limitless!
Ultimately, Edge must prove why he pushed for a return and didn’t just hang the boots up since suffering his tragic career-ending injury.
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