During a recent episode of Something To Wrestle With, WWE Hall of Famer JBL shared his raw emotions about his retirement match against fellow Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 25. Recalling that night, JBL revealed his overwhelming sadness as he realized the match marked the end of his in-ring career. His feelings were so intense that he left the venue shortly after competing, missing out on the post-event celebrations.
Emotional Toll and Personal Memories Behind JBL’s Farewell
JBL described the difficult moments after his final match, explaining how he had been enjoying backstage interactions leading up to the event but still chose to leave early. He reflected on lifelong dreams fulfilled and the bittersweet nature of retiring from a career he had wanted since childhood. Speaking about telling his grandfather he wanted to be a wrestler, JBL emphasized how the career had surpassed all his aspirations, making departure especially painful.
A Deep Love for Wrestling and Acknowledging Friends’ Support
Expressing his passion for the sport, JBL said he cherished every moment inside the ring, finding joy in performing and the camaraderie involved. After the match, he shared a poignant exchange with Rey Mysterio and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, who thanked him personally. Despite the appreciation, JBL felt a strong urge to leave immediately, capturing the mix of pride and sorrow in that final moment.
Watching the Historic Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels Match
Though he almost departed quickly, JBL stayed to watch the subsequent Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels match, which he regarded as the greatest wrestling match he had ever seen. Despite having just retired, he found satisfaction in witnessing two close friends deliver what he considered a masterpiece in wrestling history. That experience gave him a sense of closure, affirming his decision to retire on that day.
Unexpected Return to WWE and Reflections on Retirement
JBL admitted he never expected to return to WWE after his retirement. However, a couple of years later, an invitation from Kevin led him back, driven by boredom and missing his colleagues. He reflected on how perfect his retirement final match was, and yet, life’s uncertainty brought him new opportunities within the company he loved.
The Lasting Legacy of JBL’s Final Night in the Ring
JBL’s heartfelt recounting of WrestleMania 25 offers a glimpse into the emotional challenges wrestlers face when leaving the spotlight. His story highlights the importance of friendships, respect, and personal fulfillment in wrestling careers. The final moments of that night, capped by witnessing an iconic match, gave JBL a meaningful closure and underscored why WrestleMania remains a monumental event for performers and fans alike.
“Absolutely heartbroken. 100%, absolutely heartbroken. I realized that was my last match, and — I mean, heartbroken, that’s the only way I can describe it. I just felt terrible. I didn’t even stay for the rest of the show.”
—JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
“We had a big deal, they’re going to do a pose-off with I think Cody and Santino or something at the WrestleMania party. Kid Rock was gonna be there or something. And I didn’t even stay for that. I’d been having the scenes backstage promoting this thing. We’re having a lot of fun with it. And I didn’t even stay for that. I just drove home. And I watched — I remember I came out of the ring. And you know, I didn’t really want to retire. Literally, I’d wanted to be in this business my entire life. Since I was a kid, one of my youngest memories was telling my grandfather I was gonna be a wrestler. And here I was, I got to live this life. And the life itself exceeded every expectation I ever had about being a wrestler.”
—JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
“I loved every second of it, every bit of it. I loved being in the ring. It was so much fun being out there. And I realized now that it’s over. And I was sitting there and I was talking to Rey, Vince came back and hugged me and told me, ‘Thank you.’ And I remember, I just got my bag and thought, ‘I’m just leaving.’ And ‘Oh, man, this sucks.”
—JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
“But I stayed and watched, I don’t know if they were on right after me or like two matches later. I stayed and watched Undertaker and Shawn. So I stayed there at the monitor before I left. I had my bag, I was about to leave, and I stayed and watched that match because I figured it was going to be something special. And I remember watching that match, and I remember thinking, ‘That’s the greatest wrestling match I’ve ever seen.’ And now, understand my mindset. I just retired. I’m out of the business now. And I sat there, before I left I watched two of my friends go out there and have, in my opinion, the greatest match in the history of this business. The millions of matches, I thought that was the greatest — to this day I think it was the greatest match ever. And I remember thinking, ‘It’s a good day to leave.’ And I just remember smiling at it, thinking, ‘God man, this — it’s the right day to quit.’ Because I remember thinking, sitting, thinking, ‘I’ve watched the greatest match ever. I’ve gone out there and I’ve put over my friend. Every equity that I had in me, I did everything I could to give that to him. That’s a great legacy for Rey, for Eddie Guerrero. And then I gotta watch in my opinion the greatest match ever.’ And I just remember thinking, ‘It’s a good time to leave.’ Got my bag, walked out.”
—JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
“I never thought I’d be back. I didn’t know. You know, life’s long. You don’t know what’s going to happen. I missed it and had the chance, Kevin called me I think a couple of years later, [he] asked me to do something. ‘Hell yeah, I’ll do it. I’m bored. I miss you guys.’ And so it was — after seeing that match, I just remember thinking, ‘Man, this is a perfect ending.’”
—JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
