Life After the Bell: What Happens When Wrestlers Retire? – Professional wrestling can take a toll physically and emotionally on wrestlers. Most of them spend years on the road, away from their homes and families, nursing injuries and performing for thousands of people constantly. The struggle is real. There have been several studies that have shown that wrestlers face a higher risk of dying than athletes who play other sports. For a lot of wrestlers, the decision to leave or officially retire might be because of health struggles and not just a career change.
When a wrestler retires, what they do next is not always the same as what the next wrestler does. Some of them return to the ring a few years down the line, while others go on to do something entirely different from wrestling.
What Wrestlers Do When They Retire
When wrestlers retire, a lot of them leave the spotlight while the others try a different industry. One of the most common things they do is to stay involved in the industry. A lot of retired wrestlers have stayed on to become producers, commentators, or trainers for new wrestlers coming into the industry. Others also provide support for weekly shows, while there are those who become managers in the industry.
A few others find new opportunities altogether, from acting and podcasting to fitness businesses or even local promotions and endorsements. In states like Florida, where wrestling and entertainment are a part of the sports betting scene, some have even partnered with sportsbooks or promoted local FL welcome offers to help platforms attract new bettors. This could be one part of their post-ring branding ventures. They usually have many lined up.
Another option that some of these retired wrestlers take is to sign legends contracts with WWE. These contracts allow them to use their name, their image, or merchandise to stay relevant and make money without being an active wrestler. Some of these older stars are also used as part of video games, and attend fan events. These enable them to keep being visible to their fans even after they have retired for a long time.
One other major path that retired wrestlers take is acting. A lot of retired wrestlers have become famous actors over the years and have earned quite a lot of money from the acting industry. A well-known example is Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. In 2024, he was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, earning $88 million from making movies. He also owns a 40% stake in 40% stake in Teremana Tequila, which is valued at $2 billion. There are a few others who decide to open businesses that are related to wrestling or sports in general.
While many retired wrestlers seem to have it figured out after they retire, many others still struggle with their finances and eventually resort to different things to stay afloat. Numerous reports show that a lot of pro athletes face financial struggles after retirement due to a lavish lifestyle, poor financial management, or a sudden loss of income.
Even though a lot of wrestlers announce their retirement, there have been a few who have returned to the ring over the years, while there are others who consistently have one leg in, they’re neither in nor out.
Apart from The Rock, Where Are Retired Wrestlers Now?
John Cena officially announced that he would be retiring in 2025. Just like The Rock, he has also pivoted into acting, starring in several high-grossing movies such as The Suicide Squad, Fast & Furious Franchise (Fast 9 and Fast X), and Argylle. He is also known for his Make-A-Wish charity foundation, which has a Guinness World Record for granting over 650 wishes, the most that has been granted by a person.
Mark Calaway, also known as The Undertaker, retired in 2020 after his last fight, which marked his 30th year in wrestling. He is considered one of the greatest legends in the sport. After his retirement, he went on a tour for his show called The One Deadman Show. He also has a podcast titled Six Feet Under. He has also stayed involved in wrestling as he helps to train new wrestlers.
Goldberg retired in July 2025 and now lives in Texas, where he is working on a car-themed show called Car-lectibles. He has also been vocal about his support for disaster relief and is passionate about his local community.
There is also Chris Nowinski. He had a very short career (2002-2003) due to a life-threatening concussion. Unlike most athletes, he went back to school and graduated from Harvard as a neuroscientist after retiring. He also now leads the Concussion Legacy Foundation, which researches brain injuries in sports.
Diamond Dallas Page, very popular in the 90s, created a business around his physical fitness routine called DDP Yoga. He has, through his brand, helped a lot of injured wrestlers like Jake “The Snake” Roberts improve their strength and recovery.
Even after retirement, a lot of wrestlers have gone on to become even more famous and successful, while there are others who decide to stay out of the spotlight permanently.
