Ex-WWE & Current AEW Star, 45, Announces Shocking 2026 Retirement
2026 seems to be the year of WWE and AEW retirements.
In a shocking move, AEW star Mercedes Martinez has announced her retirement from pro-wrestling. She has revealed that 2026 will be her last year in the business, and penned down an emotional note about the industry and what the businesses have done for her over the years.
2026. Different mindset. Different fire. This is my last year as a full-time ACTIVE professional wrestler.
No contracts. No agents. No creative. Just me – and everything I’ve earned over 25 damn years in this business. Wrestling gave me everything.
It broke me. Built me. Tested me. And somehow still made me fall in love with it again. 2025 wasn’t about being showcased. It was about going back to the indies, back to the grind, back to the reason I started – and remembering exactly who the hell I am.
Giving back. Teaching, Helping the next generation. Passing on what was given to me the hard may. That part means everything.
So 2026 gets one more year of my body, my heart, and my fight. One more year of scars, sweat, pain, and pride. One more year of showing up and giving everything I’ve got – because that’s the only way I’ve ever done this. The last few years flew by. I don’t know what’s next.
All I’ve ever known is wrestling, grinding, and hustling. And for one more year… that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I trust the universe to meet me where I’m at – like it always has.
Goodbye 2025. One last run.
Goodbye 2025.
One last run. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/2PYWIbGQsd— Mercedes Martinez 🏳️🌈🇵🇷 (@RealMMartinez) January 1, 2026
A top WWE superstar has announced his retirement for 2026
John Cena’s WWE Farewell Tour in 2025 was much-appreciated by fans who wanted to see him one last time. Following suit, AJ Styles has revealed that he will retire sometime in 2026. In fact, with WWE setting up a feud between Styles and Gunther, fans have been wondering if The Ring General will retire The Phenomenal One as well.
On the other hand, Brock Lesnar’s retirement in 2026 has been spoken about, while Roman Reigns’ retirement in 2026 has been debunked.