10 Shocking Wrestler Ages That Will Blow Your Mind

1. Randy Savage

Earthquake Hulk Hogan
WWE.com

At the Elimination Chamber, WWE is set to present a titular attraction that doubles as an indictment of the promotion's ability to build new stars.

Drew McIntyre, the lone exception, is a 35 year-old main event star who is both fresh and a rare product of a failed system. The Miz debuted on the main roster in 2006, and is 40. Sheamus debuted on the main roster in 2009, and is 43. Jeff Hardy fully debuted before there even was a proper developmental system in effect to make the main roster distinct from it, in 1998, and is 43.

AJ Styles debuted on the main roster in 2016, and is 43. Randy Orton debuted on the main roster in 2002, and is 40. None of these men have underwent any dramatic character reinventions that make them feel relevant, fresh, or in any way must-see.

To put into even starker focus just how ancient it all feels, the last of the bunch to make his first appearance in WWE is AJ Styles. In the time since, Finn Bálor has debuted on the main roster and returned to NXT because he was so stagnant.

Randy Savage was a bigger star than the lot of 'em, could still go harder than half, and at 42, he was retired from the ring by Vince McMahon because he was too old and too reminiscent of an older time.

The game is f*cking gone.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!