In previous eras of pro wrestling, the average length of a wrestling career was significantly shorter than it is today. In the 80s and 90s, when a performer hit the age of 40, they were often looked at as being over the hill, or at least as being close to the end of their run. Today, many pro wrestlers don't even hit their prime until the age of 40.
On the grand stage of WrestleMania, fans have seen several performances from wrestlers over 50 throughout the years. Not all of them were great. However, there were a handful of extraordinary performances that reminded fans that age is simply a number.
10 Vince McMahon At WrestleMania 17: 55 Years Old
In 2001, WWE was riding high as WCW was on its last legs. Right before WrestleMania 17, the shocking news broke that WWE had purchased WCW. Rather than just buying the promotion and ending it there, WWE incorporated the purchase into an ongoing storyline with Vince and Shane McMahon.
In storyline, Shane had purchased WCW right out from under Vince. This added even more intrigue to the pair's upcoming match at WrestleMania 17. At the event, both McMahons left all in the ring. While both performances were gutsy and impressive, Vince McMahon has to be given extra praise for going through such a brutal match at 55 years old.
9 Ric Flair At WrestleMania 18: 53 Years Old
In 2000, Ric Flair attempted to retire from pro wrestling while still a part of WCW. That didn't exactly work out as Flair ultimately wrestled in the final match in WCW Nitro history. By 2002, in WWE, Flair was unsurprisingly working matches regularly. At WrestleMania 18, Flair had his first WrestleMania match in a decade against The Undertaker.
Flair had been handpicked by 'Taker to be his opponent that night. The build to the match was excellent with a reluctant Flair finally being backed into a corner by "Big Evil." The match itself was a hard-hitting affair with Flair selling like only he can. It wouldn't be Flair's best WrestleMania performance ever but it was pretty close.
8 Vince McMahon At WrestleMania 19: 57 Years Old
A big part of the success of pro wrestling over the years has depended on being able to hook fans with compelling stories. This has led to various storylines over the years that incorporated elements of real-life drama. In the 80s and early 90s, Vince McMahon built his wrestling empire around Hulk Hogan. In 1994, Hogan ditched McMahon and joined WCW.
The real-life animosity between the two was used as the backdrop for their grudge match at WrestleMania 19. While Hogan was no spring chicken at the time, Vince McMahon impressed a lot of fans with his stellar performance at 57 years old. The match was far from a technical masterpiece but it over-delivered in the eyes of many.
7 Batista At WrestleMania 35: 50 Years Old
When WWE finds a formula that works, they're smart enough to pump it till the well is dry. By 2019, WWE had squeezed just about everything they could out of Evolution. Everything except one final Triple H vs. Batista match. The two had previously met in the main event of WrestleMania 21 with "The Animal" coming out on top.
In 2019, their feud was revisited and made even more personal when Batista attacked his and Triple H's mentor, Ric Flair. At WrestleMania 35, Batista and Triple H had a hard-hitting clash that was worthy of being Batista's swan song. At just over 50 years old, Batista proved he could still deliver on the big stage, even if he didn't walk away with the win that night.
6 Vince McMahon At WrestleMania 22: 60 Years Old
Vince McMahon truly doesn't get enough credit for his past work in the ring. McMahon is easily the best promoter to ever step foot inside the squared circle. He's had epic matches with some of the biggest names in the sport's history. Easily McMahon's best match ever took place at WrestleMania 22 when he faced off against "Mr. WrestleMania" himself, Shawn Michaels.
Considering that Michaels was McMahon's dancing partner that night, it's no surprise that the match was great. What was surprising though was that Michaels was able to carry a 60-year-old McMahon through Pro Wrestling Illustrated's 2006 Match Of The Year. McMahon deserves major credit for his part in that match.
5 The Undertaker At WrestleMania 36: 55 Years Old
It's been said over the years that the hardest thing a pro athlete can do is bow out gracefully at the end of their careers. Sadly, most legends don't have the self-awareness to realize when the sun has set on their careers. This leads to many big stars sticking around too long and tarnishing their legacy. By 2020, The Undertaker was flirting with tarnishing his WrestleMania legacy.
Since his streak was snapped at WrestleMania 30, 'Taker had lost a lot of his WrestleMania mystique. At WrestleMania 36, in what would turn out to be his final match, The Undertaker cemented his WrestleMania legacy forever. During the cinematic Boneyard Match, 'Taker and AJ Styles stole the show. At 55 years old, Undertaker proved he could still hang with the best and then rode into the sunset.
4 Sting At WrestleMania 31: 56 Years Old
During his long and illustrious career, Sting had accomplished everything there was to do in the wrestling business outside the walls of WWE. In 2014, the iconic performer finally made his way to the world's biggest promotion. After that, one final thing was left on The Stinger's wrestling bucket list, performing at WrestleMania.
At WrestleMania 31, a 56-year-old Sting competed in his first ever WrestleMania match against Triple H. While it wasn't the match fans were hoping to see, Sting shocked many fans with his performance. That night, Sting proved he still had plenty left in his tank, unfortunately, WWE didn't use him to their full advantage.
3 "Stone Cold" Steve Austin At WrestleMania 38: 57 Years Old
There have been certain performers throughout wrestling history who have retired and eventually made their way back to the ring. There have also been others who were able to fight off temptation and stay retired. Many fans thought "Stone Cold" Steve Austin would forever be in the latter category.
In 2022 though, Austin was called out by Kevin Owens for a confrontation at WrestleMania 38. Even after Austin accepted, many fans weren't expecting much. At WrestleMania, the pro wrestling universe collectively dropped their jaws when a 57-year-old Austin defeated Kevin Owens in a No Holds Barred Match. If this was Austin's last match ever, he saved one of his best brawls for last.
2 Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat At WrestleMania 25: 56 Years Old
There are some legendary wrestlers that fans yearn to see wrestle again. Then, there are performers who fans don't realize they miss until they see them wrestle one more time. That was certainly the case with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. Steamboat is arguably one of the best in-ring workers of his generation, but he was never as flashy as guys like Hulk Hogan or Ric Flair. Still, Steamboat is a bonafide legend.
At WrestleMania 25, Chris Jericho squared off in an Elimination Tag Team Handicap Match against a trio of legends that included Steamboat. While Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka didn't impress, the 56-year-old Steamboat turned the clock back to the late 80s with his performance. It was an especially impressive performance considering his long layoff from wrestling.
1 Ric Flair At WrestleMania 24: 59 Years Old
Not many performers have the opportunity to have a storybook ending to their careers. Ric Flair was one of the lucky few who got the chance to wrap his career up on the grandest stage possible. In 2008, though he felt he still had a lot left in the tank, Flair was being pushed into retirement by WWE.
This led to Flair having a Retirement Match at WrestleMania 24 against Shawn Michaels. While Michaels was his typically impressive self, Flair proved he could still hang with the best the business had to offer. Despite coming out on the losing end, the 59-year-old Flair left millions of fans with a good taste in their mouths on the way out. Unfortunately, Flair's fairytale retirement would be short-lived.