Bubba Ray Dudley is one of the most accomplished pro wrestlers on the planet right now. With multiple tag team titles reigns and two runs as TNA World Heavyweight Championship on his resume, it looks like Dudley’s career has come to a close in Ring of Honor. During the recent ROH Final Battle event, Dudley teamed up with Tommy Dreamer in a losing effort to the Briscoe brothers. Bubba then went on Twitter and thanked the Ring of Honor fans for allowing him to entertain them over the past year. Bubba spent decades competing as one of the most hardcore wrestlers in the business. Now that he and D-Von Dudley have retired from the ring, perhaps an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame may not be too far off.
It was a hell of a year and a great 26yr career.
Thanks to @ringofhonor fans around the world, especially those in NYC who made my #FinalBattle a memorable one.
Cheers!! pic.twitter.com/SDgtXKCJoS
— Bubba Ray Dudley (@bullyray5150) December 24, 2017
Big Show has been out of action over the past few months as he has undergone hip surgery, but he has impressed audiences in 2017 due to his significant body transformation, as well as due to his matches with Braun Strowman at the start of the year. In a recent interview with WrestleZone, Big Show discussed his matches with Braun Strowman, surgery, and the possibility of retirement. As far as leaving the ring is concerned, Big Show said, “I wouldn’t say I’ve had my last match. I get asked all the time is there another title run, another tag team title run or championship title run. You never say never in this business because anything is possible and anything can happen on Monday Night Raw or SmackDown Live.” No word on when Big Show could return to the ring, but he did say that his surgery is progressing nicely.
It has become common in recent years for WWE performers to have an occasional match on the independent wrestling circuit. The likes of Noam Dar and Jack Gallagher have done it before, and it was just recently announced that Apollo Crews and Oney Lorcan would be appearing on future indy shows. Former NXT Tag Team Champion Alexander Wolfe is the latest wrestler to go back to his roots. He and developmental talent Marcel Barthel recently appeared at a wXw event in Germany. Both of the wrestlers were born in Germany and competed for the wXw promotion prior to signing with WWE, so neither of them were strangers by any means.
HOOOOOOOOLY SHIT! #wXw17thanni pic.twitter.com/YeeoUesVgS
— Vanni (@ReallyVanni) December 23, 2017