Despite being such a young company, All Elite Wrestling has seen its fair share of talent who have retired over the past few years.
Whether it be Sting or Christopher Daniels, these stars have made their impact on AEW and then finished up their own illustrious careers.
Looking at the current AEW roster, there are a few names that have reached that stage of their career where they are ready to hang up their boots for good.
Here are seven AEW stars to potentially retire soon.
7. Mercedes Martinez
On January 1, Mercedes Martinez took to social media to reveal that 2026 will be the final year of her full-time in-ring career.
Making her pro wrestling debut in 2000, Martinez has been a pioneer for women’s wrestling on the independent scene for years.
Signing with All Elite Wrestling in 2021, Martinez has not been featured consistently in years, but left her mark most notably with her reign as Ring of Honor Women’s World Champion before dropping the gold to Athena to start her “Forever” reign.
With Martinez announcing her end, fans should see Mercedes being featured to celebrate her accomplishments and influence on where women’s wrestling is today in both AEW and ROH.
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6. Madison Rayne
Another AEW star who is at the end of their in-ring career is Madison Rayne.
The former multi-time TNA Knockouts World Champion has mostly worked with AEW and ROH in a backstage role as a coach.
Starting her wrestling career in the 2000s, Rayne has helped countless women in All Elite Wrestling with her years of experience.
With Rayne announcing that her match on the January 1 edition of ROH TV was a perfect way to end a 20-year ride, her time as an active wrestler appears to be over.
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5. Jeff Jarrett
At the start of 2025, Jeff Jarrett revealed that he had signed a new deal with All Elite Wrestling with the intention of it being the final contract of his career.
With a wrestling career that is now entering his 40th year, Jarrett is one of the most legendary stars on the AEW roster today.
Despite signing that new deal at the start of last year, Jarrett has not been used consistently on AEW TV.
Jarrett is someone who could be hanging up his boots rather soon and should get a proper farewell from AEW to close out his legendary in-ring career.
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4. Dustin Rhodes
Another legend who is reaching the tailend of their career might just be Dustin Rhodes.
In 2025, Rhodes held multiple titles, including the AEW TNT Championship, Ring of Honor World Tag Team Titles and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships.
At 56 years old, Rhodes recently underwent knee replacement surgery that has kept him sidelined since July 2025.
With a possible return to the ring, fans could be enjoying the final run in the legendary career of The Natural in 2026.
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3. Christian Cage
ChristIan Cage signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2021 and has become one of the most valuable talents the company has ever had.
The former two-time TNT Champion is someone who has consistently delivered in the ring, on the mic and as a character throughout his time in AEW.
With more of his career behind him than in front of him, it just makes sense that Cage could be considering when his retirement will actually happen.
Christian retiring should be presented in a major way with everything that he does in his career and for AEW over the past four years.
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2. Adam Copeland
Speaking of Christian Cage, another legendary AEW star who could be reaching the end of his career is his tag team partner and best friend Adam Copeland.
Cope signed with AEW back in 2023 and has been among the biggest stars in the company ever since.
The Rated R Superstar has overcome injury to compete in the ring with the impressive talent on the AEW roster today.
At 52 years old, Copeland could be winding down his Hall of Fame career once and for all with AEW alongside his best friend Christian Cage sooner rather than later.
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1. Samoa Joe
2025 proved to be a year where Samoa Joe reminded fans that he still belongs in the conversation with the biggest stars in All Elite Wrestling today.
“The Samoan Submission Machine” became a two-time AEW World Champion after dethroning Hangman Adam Page for the gold at Full Gear 2025.
However, this title reign was short-lived and Joe has previously stated that he knows retirement is right around the corner.
With everything he has accomplished around the wrestling world and for AEW over the past few years, Joe should be someone who gets a full fledged retirement tour before he decides to hang up his boots for good.
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