The Golden Oldies of WWE

By
PWMania.com Staff
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As the years pass by, hair turning different shades of grey if they still have any left, accompanied by creaking bones and an assortment of ailments to complain about, most seniors are content to enjoy a more sedentary pace of life. But not those who have ever stepped into the professional wrestling ring, it seems.

WWE owner, promoter and executive Vince McMahon is perhaps the best and most recent example. The self-made billionaire could be kicking back and enjoying the easy life, counting his cash and enjoying the action like every other fan. But that’s not in the DNA of McMahon, given his plans to fight 34-year-old SmackDown commentator Pat McAfee at WrestleMania 38.

If that actually happens, he will become the oldest male wrestler ever to compete in the WWE, at the age of 76 no less. Already confirmed is the return of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, who at the age of 57, will be fighting against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38, no less than 19 years after his last WWE appearance. These golden oldies get us thinking, who are the oldest ever to wrestle in the WWE?

5 – Sting (56)

Despite having absolutely nothing to do with the namesake English musician, this particular Sting was the most recognizable star of the WCW wrestling company, until it eventually went out of business. After refusing to compete in the WWE and going to TNA Impact Wrestling instead, Sting eventually relented and fought in WWE for the first time at WrestleMania 31. His final WWE matchup was against Seth Rollins at the age of 56.

4 – Ric Flair (59)

Thanks to the unmistakable white hair, ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair is regarded as the greatest star in NWA/WCW history. He didn’t actually wrestle in WWE until 1991, debuting at the age of 42, going on to win his first world title at the Royal Rumble in 1992. Still regarded by many as arguably the greatest wrestler of all time, Ric Flair came back to WWE numerous times, eventually losing his final matchup at the age of 59, against Shawn Michaels in 2008.

3 – Terry Funk (62)

Although he will probably be remembered mostly under the guise of Chainsaw Charlie, teaming up with Cactus Jack during the late 1990’s in WWE, Terry Funk enjoyed a lengthy and successful career with various professional wrestling companies. Having left the WWE in 1998 aged 54, Funk eventually made his return for one last encounter, featuring in ECW One Night Stand at the age of 62.

2 – Jerry Lawler (62)


Still wrestling today with independent wrestling promotions at the ripe old age of 70, Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler would probably enjoy the occasional cameo appearance with WWE today, were it not for a close call in 2012. Lawler was 62 when he teamed up with Randy Orton, as they beat CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler. However, after that match Lawler suffered a heart attack and his life was ultimately saved by medical staff at the scene. He last made a guest appearance at WWE Raw in Cleveland.

1 – Vince McMahon (67)

You may have guessed it already, given that as the WWE owner, Vince McMahon enjoys certain privileges that others don’t get and he can do practically anything he wants. And yes, he is already the oldest male wrestler to have ever competed in any WWE match. McMahon was 65 when he fought Bret Hart at WrestleMania 26 in 2010. Albeit an unofficial matchup, he then stepped into the ring against CM Pun in 2012, aged 67.

The Final Word

Once the full WrestleMania 38 schedule is published, there will undoubtedly be plenty of interest amongst viewers and bettors alike, keen to back their own personal favorites. Fans as far away as the Middle East will be tuning in, and turning to the best betting sites in the UAE, according to those rated and reviewed by Arabian Betting. Their experts have covered everything Emiriti bettors need to know, including where to find the best odds and offers.

Meanwhile, having looked at the men who have remained in the ring or made valiant returns, the final word actually goes to the ladies. Even if Vince McMahon fights at WrestleMania 38, he won’t be the oldest ever WWE wrestler. That particular honor still belongs to two remarkable female octogenarians.

Fabulous Moolah was always a trailblazer in women’s wrestling and in the 1985, she was claimed the WWF Women’s Championship at the age of 62, and held that title for two further years. In 1998 she returned to the ring at the age of 75, then six years later, competed in her last match at the age of 81. Then in 2010, her close friend Mae Young shocked the world, beating LayCool at the golden age of 87. 

That’s just crazy and remains the record age, meaning that Mae Young had the final word as the oldest ever professional wrestler to grace the WWE ring.

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