10 Oldest WWE Champions Ever
9. Iron Sheik - 41
Date Last WWE Title Won: December 26th, 1983
Age: 41 years, 9 months, 11 days
The key middle-man between eras as Vince McMahon looked to radically alter the entire look and feel of his promotion, hated Iranian heel The Iron Sheik ended Bob Backlund's five year stint with the WWE Title in a festive Madison Square Garden shocker.
Beloved titleholder Backlund had already worked on the card that night, teaming with equally revered manager Arnold Skaaland to defeat Jimmy Snuka and Lou Albano. But it would be Skaaland's fear for the health of his longterm charge that would ultimately see a legendary tenure terminated.
Held in Sheik's deadly Camel Clutch finisher, 'The Golden Boy' threw in the towel for the good of his man's health, after realising that Backlund would never dream of quitting. It was a devastating moment for both and would remarkably contribute to Bob's famous turn a decade later.
Arguably the most famous transitional champion in company history, Sheik would barely appear on television with the title before dropping it to Hulk Hogan less than a month later when the company returned to their home base at the end of January 1984.