Mercedes Martinez Announces 2026 as Her Final year in Professional Wrestling
A veteran of nearly 25 years in the industry, Mercedes Martinez has announced that 2026 will be her last year as a full-time active professional wrestler. The surprising decision, shared via social media, marks the culmination of a celebrated career spanning multiple promotions and the independent circuit.
Martinez’s declaration resonated wiht fans and peers alike, offering a deeply personal reflection on her journey.”2026. Different mindset. Different fire. This is my last year as a full-time ACTIVE professional wrestler,” she wrote. “No contracts. No agents.No creative. Just me – and everything I’ve earned over 25 damn years in this business.Wrestling gave me everything.”
The announcement isn’t about a grand farewell tour with major showcases, but a return to the roots of her passion. Martinez emphasized a desire to reconnect with the independent wrestling scene. “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.”
Beyond her own in-ring pursuits, Martinez expressed a strong commitment to the future of the sport. “Giving back. Teaching. Helping the next generation. Passing on what was given to me the hard way. that part means everything,” she stated. “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 as that’s the only way I’ve ever done this.”
martinez’s career began in 2001, with her first recorded match according to Cagematch, and blossomed in the late 2000s. She has competed for some of the most prominent organizations in professional wrestling, including WWE, AEW, and ROH, alongside countless appearances on the independent scene. Her most recent match took place on November 29th, 2025, where she secured a victory over rachael Ellering at the NHPW Final chapter 16 event.
Looking ahead, Martinez acknowledges the uncertainty of life beyond the ring.”The last few years flew by. I don’t know what’s next. All I’ve ever known is wrestling, grinding, and…
Why did Mercedes Martinez make this decision? Martinez is retiring to reconnect with the independent wrestling scene and focus on giving back to the sport by teaching and mentoring the next generation of wrestlers. She wants to wrestle on her own terms, free from contracts and creative control.
Who is Mercedes Martinez? Martinez is a veteran professional wrestler with nearly 25 years of experience, having competed for major promotions like WWE, AEW, and ROH, as well as numerous independent circuits. She is known for her dedication, hard-hitting style, and respect within the wrestling community.
What will her final year look like? Martinez plans to spend 2026 wrestling on the independent circuit, focusing on giving back to the sport, and enjoying one last year of in-ring competition. She doesn’t intend to have a large farewell tour, but rather a return to her roots.
How did her career culminate to this point? Martinez’s career began in 2001 and flourished in the late 2000s. She recently competed in a match on November 29th, 2025, defeating Rachael Ellering. she is now looking towards a final year of wrestling before transitioning to a new phase of her life.
