Veteran wrestler Mercedes Martinez says she will retire in 2026 after feeling underused in her last years with AEW. She became a free agent at the end of 2025 after five years with the company and plans to finish on her own terms.
Background
Mercedes Martinez has worked in pro wrestling since 2000. She spent five years with AEW and left the company when her contract ended at the close of 2025. Martinez announced earlier this year that 2026 will be her final year in the ring.
Why She Made the Decision
Martinez told an interviewer that being unused in AEW over the past year to two years hurt her confidence. She said sitting on the shelf made her question if she could still compete with the top wrestlers and whether the company wanted to use her talent.
She explained that the lack of work and creative chances affected her headspace. Martinez also said she had pitched ideas while under contract, but those concepts did not happen. When she realized AEW would not renew her contract, she chose to retire on her own terms and in the style she loves.
Martinez discussed these thoughts in an interview on The A2theK Wrestling Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lssKnLjLFDk&t=1s
Her View on Wrestling Style and TV
Martinez noted that her wrestling style may not always fit the TV format. She wondered if some wrestlers were hesitant to work with her in the ring. Still, she thanked the opportunity she had been given over the years and acknowledged the doors it opened for her career.
Looking Ahead
Martinez said she will spend her final year performing in the way she prefers. She plans to close her career on her own schedule and with matches that match her approach to wrestling. After more than two decades in the sport, she will step away from active competition in 2026.
Martinez’s decision highlights how veteran performers sometimes struggle for spots on modern TV shows. Her announcement adds to a growing conversation about how promotions use experienced talent and how that affects retirement plans for long-time wrestlers.
