Despite the fact that it is ‘scripted entertainment’, WWE is a highly physical affair. Men and women put their bodies on the line, for days, months and years and sometimes even decades for our entertainment.
While there is a steady crop of young talent that emerges from WWE’s developmental system, their skills are honed by the veterans in the business who steer and navigate them inside the ring, and through their careers.
This is a tribute to the elder statesmen of WWE, men who live to entertain. Men who do not let their age slow them down, in their quest for glory. However, before we talk about the 5 oldest men in the company, here are a few honourable mentions.
Honourable Mention 1: The Undertaker (52)
The Undertaker wrestled Roman Reigns, this year at Wrestlemania 33, and in a symbolic show of retirement, hung up his gloves, hat and his iconic trenchcoat. One assumes that he is done with wrestling after a storied career and that at the age of 52, he will spend time with his family and follow his other pursuits.
This makes The Phenom our first honourable mention, with three more to go.
Honourable Mention 2: Goldberg (50)
Goldberg wrestled as recently as WrestleMania 33, last month. However, the promo he cut on Raw Talk the night after, out of character, indicated that he may be done once and for all.
While he did mention ‘never say never’, we can say for certain that he’s not an active member of the current WWE roster, right now. At age 50, he’s our second honorable mention.
Honourable Mention 3: Kane (50)
From The Undertaker, we move to his (kayfabe) brother, Kane. Kane was a full-time performer with SmackDown Live as recently as last year. However, as we had reported recently, he is pursuing his political ambitions as well, by contesting to be the mayor of Knox County.
Kane’s return to the company will depend upon how successful his political run is, and so at the age of 50, he becomes our third honourable mention.
Honourable Mention 4: Tajiri (46)
Tajiri is our final honourable mention. He was an integral component of WWE's Cruiserweight Division, until not too long ago. However, Tajiri felt age catching up with him and announced his departure from WWE, last month. We wish him all the best and move on with our countdown.
#5 Big Show (45)
At the age of 45, after innumerable face and heel turns, The Big Show has been putting on some of the best matches of his life against Braun Strowman, having got into the best shape of his life.
The Big Show’s career started off in the mid-90s in WCW and has spanned over two decades through some of the most incredible professional wrestling moments we’ve seen. While he is certainly approaching the end of his run, we're certain that The Big Show does have a few matches left in the tank.
A definite future Hall of Famer, The Big Show proved his detractors, who chanted ‘Please Retire’ wrong, and is doing great things inside the ring, even as of today.
#5 R-Truth (45)
R-Truth has been another mainstay on WWE television over many years now, and he still wrestles at live events as part of the Golden Truth tag team. He may not be the biggest star on the roster, but he is certainly a familiar face in WWE.
It is a testament to the kind of shape he’s kept himself in, that Truth can perform at such a high level. Only a month older than The Big Show, R-Truth is a legend.
#4 Chris Jericho (46)
Chris Jericho may be the top babyface in WWE right now, on either brand. After almost two decades in the business, he is enjoying the best run of his career right now...going toe-to-toe with men much younger than him, and putting on legendary performances every time.
What makes Jericho truly amazing is how he has reinvented himself in the sunset of his career. While most men his age are content to sit on their laurels and collect a paycheck on a part-time schedule, Jericho is constantly upping the ante and stealing the show, week after week.
He truly is the GOAT of WWE. Yes, he may be on tour with his band, at the moment, but we are certain he will come back for yet another amazing run very soon.
#3 Shane McMahon (47)
Shane McMahon is currently the Commissioner of SmackDown Live and wrestles only at special events like Survivor Series and Wrestlemania. Thankfully, his enthusiasm and daredevilry often mask his age.
While Shane O’Mac may not be the most technically sound Superstar, he can certainly go, even at his age. All said and done, he's a McMahon and McMahons have no quit in them at all. It also helps that Shane has kept in shape with some legitimate MMA training.
#2 Triple H (47)
Triple H is not a full-time wrestler, by any means. Some may argue that he is playing a much more important role behind the scenes. As a wrestler, he is always booked in a prominent spot at WrestleMania, with a grand entrance, and more often than not, a very compelling storyline.
While his matches are not in the same league as the legendary ones he’s had in the past, Triple H puts his heart and soul into every performance, even now. Bow down to the Game, mortals!
#1 Goldust (48)
Once upon a time, Goldust had the most controversial gimmick in WWE history. In 2017, when homosexuality is embraced and not demonised, Goldust is a more subdued version of his old self, as part of the Golden Truth tag team.
He will never be a top level star, but the level at which he wrestles even now is to be admired. A practitioner of DDP Yoga, Goldust keeps himself in tip-top shape and even wrestles on the live event circuit quite regularly.
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