Women's wrestling has never been better in WWE. RAW, SmackDown, and NXT all have unique divisions featuring some of the most talented female performers in the world today. This is in addition to the women's tag team division and even the recently unveiled Speed Women's Championship.
Things are dramatically different from how they once operated. There were times in the past when World Wrestling Entertainment barely had a women's division or outright didn't have any at all, and now there are numerous across a single promotion.
Other changes have been implemented too. There was a time when female, or even male talents were seen as too old to keep around once they approached the 40-year-old mark. This was especially true for the women's division.
Currently, several performers in the women's divisions are not only close to 40 but well into them and seemingly not slowing down. This article will take a look at four active female performers in World Wrestling Entertainment who are in their forties. This excludes inactive stars such as Tamina, who haven't wrestled in a long time.
Below are four active female WWE Superstars you won't believe are in their 40s.
#4. WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax turned 40 earlier this year
Nia Jax is a top competitor currently signed to Friday Night SmackDown. She debuted in 2015 and nearly a decade later, she remains active in the ring. In what may be a surprise to many, Jax was born on May 29, 1984, meaning she is 40 years old.
Throughout her WWE career, Jax found some success. She is a former multi-time Women's Tag Team Champion alongside Shayna Baszler. The Irresistible Force is also a former RAW Women's Champion and the reigning Queen of the Ring.
Currently, Jax is the WWE Women's Champion. She has had the most success of her entire wrestling career over the past year or so, which truly goes to show that age is just a number in modern pro wrestling. At 40, Nia has possibly never been better.
#3. Natalya is 42 years old
Natalya is a veteran wrestler, part of the legendary Hart Family, she first broke into the business in 2000, beginning to wrestle in the years following. She signed with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2007. Another May baby, Natalya was born on May 27, 1982, making her 42 years old at present.
Throughout her time in WWE, The Queen of Harts has managed to win three different titles. She held the Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Tamina, plus Natalya captured both the Divas Championship and SmackDown Women's Championship.
Currently, she is a member of the Monday Night RAW brand. This comes after she re-signed with WWE recently after speculation that she may have been AEW-bound. Instead, she will remain with her home promotion for years to come.
#2. The injured Asuka is 43 years old
Asuka is another long-time veteran of the pro wrestling game. She made her debut 20 years ago in 2004. After 11 years of stepping foot in a ring for the first time, The Empress joined NXT and immediately became a top star on the developmental brand.
Since joining WWE, Asuka has achieved a Hall of Fame-level career already. The talented performer is a former NXT Women's Champion, four-time Women's Tag Team Champion, and four-time world champion. She is also a former Women's Royal Rumble winner.
Currently, The Empress is out of action due to an injury. Prior to that, she was part of the Damage CTRL faction alongside IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai. Asuka will likely return as part of the group whenever she's medically cleared to do so.
#1. Monday Night RAW's Shayna Baszler is 44
The oldest active female performer in World Wrestling Entertainment today is Shayna Baszler. She was born on August 8, 1980, thus making her 44 years old. Shayna was a late bloomer in pro wrestling, having only gotten involved in 2015.
Just two years after joining the pro wrestling ranks, Shayna was signed by WWE. She has since won the NXT Women's Championship on two separate occasions. The Queen of Spades is also a three-time Women's Tag Team Champion, having held the gold alongside both Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey.
Currently, Shayna is part of a faction on Monday Night RAW. She has united with both Zoey Stark and Sonya Deville. As a trio, the group is known as the Pure Fusion Collective, one of the top female stables in WWE today.
These female WWE Superstars are proving every day that age is merely a number.