Is WWE too old?

[tiger_rick]

Genuine questions here, as mentioned in the Raw thread. Don't need anyone getting butthurt about it. I'm talking about the male roster, for clarity, and I apologise for making any assumptions that come from only following on here.

Is WWE too reliant on old wrestlers?

The biggest story in the company right now is the heel turn of a man who is in his retirement year. He's aligning with a guy who is 52 years old and has a handful of matches left at the most. CM Punk is 46yo. He's mentioned in a lot of the big matches the company has on their hands right now. At worst, these guys are half of the biggest names being promoted for WrestleMania this year, at 46, 47 and 52 years old. Now Punk and Cena can still go, I'm sure, but Cena says he's done this year and I don't know how long Punk has left. Will it come to bite them at some point soon that Mania is built around guys this old? And on a similar note?

Where are the stars who weren't with the company 10+ years ago?

Everyone at the very top of the company has been around forever. There have been breaks but Rock, Cena, Punk, Cody, Orton, Rollins and Reigns debuted in the company (main roster) at least 12 and half years ago. Jey Uso, who is breaking through big time debuted almost fifteen years ago. On the next tier, McIntyre debuted in black and white, Zayn and Owens are coming up to ten years on the main roster. Sheamus 17 years. Rey Mysterio 23 years.

Who are the big stars who haven't already done ten years on their roster? Logan Paul? I would imagine so but he's never going to be a regular is he? Gunther, although he is clearly miles below the level of everyone mentioned as a proper star. Fatu and Breakker seem obvious guys to push in the next generation? Not sure if Dom Mysterio is any good but maybe him too.

When do they need to start to really move these guys into headline roles? Can you keep relying on matches people have seen tons of times and guys like Punk at 46, Reigns who works a light schedule, Rollins who has 13 almost-unbroken years TV age, Zayn, Owens and Drew who have never been top stars and likely never will at this point. 

I don't think it's an immediate worry, everything seems hot but given that business always goes down, do they need to crack on soon before those on top start to decline?

 

[DavidB6937]

They seem to be able to perform at a high level for longer these days so if they're still over, they should use them while they can really.

I think as long as they manage the younger guys and make sure they're not completely failing them, it shouldn't really be a problem. Keep them bubbling under ready to step up or if they're obviously ready and the crowds are behind them then just make that call when it's appropriate.

But I guess the assumption is you'll have opportunities to run with the younger guys in the future, while the older guys will just get older so that's less of an option and more of a 'lets do this now while we still can' type deal.

I don't necessarily think there's one answer and it should very much be dealt with on a case by case basis. Have those conversations as to how long these guys see themselves going. Start planning the booking going forward based on that.

[Carbomb]

From the sound of things, it seems like WWE's pushing of women to be on an equal footing in terms of billing or profile is quite timely, because they form the bulk of the younger main-eventers they have. 

[LaGoosh]

This is what I always think when I see people on here saying stuff like "that would make a great match for Wrestlemania next year". My thought is always "they're in their late 40s, you need to book that shit soon while you still can!".

It's like my endless frustration that AEW don't often book Samoa Joe against their top singles stars. We only have so much Samoa Joe left, book him in endless dream matches for the next 12-18 months then wind him down to tag/trios matches.

[RedTwoster]

It’s a difficult one, because I wouldn’t say WWE feels old, and as long as that’s not the case, it’s probably not a problem. As @DavidB6937 points out, wrestlers are performing at a high level for longer now - and if that’s the case, you’d be mad not to use them. It doesn’t feel like they’re holding young talent back, and we’re getting spectacular final runs from wrestlers like Sheamus, Christian Cage, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Jarrett and Sting.

And none of the above feel like they’re doing anything other than contributing to their respective rosters.

The bigger problem, for me, is that on the men’s side there aren’t many up-and-coming wrestlers who seem ready to fill the gaps that will be left when the likes of Styles, Zayn and Owen’s retire. 

But on the other hand, that presents an opportunity; because they are drowning with talent on the women’s side. If they move towards a 50/50 gender split for TV time, the lack of depth on the men’s side becomes less noticeable. After decades of male dominance, and with the quality of female wrestlers at their disposal, this would freshen up the ‘feel’ of WWE television - and put them in a leading position to snap up the most promising female talent on the independent scene; something I’m not entirely certain Tony Khan is prioritising, meaning it’s much less likely that they’ll end up in a bidding war. 

Edited March 5, 2025 by RedTwoster

[Lion_of_the_Midlands]

WWE are getting to be World Of Sport old. I could easily see Cena going full McManus with his hair. 

It was interesting that I saw a clip of AJ Styles been interviewed by what's his face Van Vliet. AJ said he won't wrestle in his 50s, so only a couple of years left. Perhaps a few others might follow that example. 

Breakker and Fatu seem the next two for the push up the card, they probably have high hopes for Ricky Saints and at some point Scott Steiners lad Brock is going to turn up. He is a massive fucking unit that is gonna be the Scott to Breakkkkers Rick. 

[TheScarlettChad]

Sting wrestled up until 65. Who cares? Its not a real sport, Its how you book the old timers that makes the difference. Hogan had no business being champion at 50 in 2002, but that's because he was broken down, if the old lads can wrestle good, let them.

[tiger_rick]

29 minutes ago, DavidB6937 said:

They seem to be able to perform at a high level for longer these days so if they're still over, they should use them while they can really.

 

5 minutes ago, RedTwoster said:

It’s a difficult one, because I wouldn’t say WWE feels old, and as long as that’s not the case, it’s probably not a problem. As @DavidB6937 points out, wrestlers are performing at a high level for longer now - and if that’s the case, you’d be mad not to use them. It doesn’t feel like they’re holding young talent back, and we’re getting spectacular final runs from wrestlers like Sheamus, Christian Cage, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Jeff Jarrett and Sting.

I agree with both of these points on the individual guys. But does that help with WWE feeling old? Because if these guys can still go and are pushed to their current level, you'll have the same matches at the top over and over. There is definitely a big element of the current audience who will accept that. I feel that everytime I see anyone want Rollins v Reigns, when I've seen that enough to last me all my life. However, I still think it would get to a point, like Reigns vs. Lesnar where there are only so many times you can flog the same horse. They're not there yet but you always need a freshness, don't you?

[tiger_rick]

2 minutes ago, TheScarlettChad said:

Who cares? 

If you don't, why bother replying?

[Lion_of_the_Midlands]

1 minute ago, tiger_rick said:

you always need a freshness, don't you?

Wrestling is like making black pudding. You always need fresh blood and some people won't like the end product. 

[DavidB6937]

11 minutes ago, tiger_rick said:

I agree with both of these points on the individual guys. But does that help with WWE feeling old? Because if these guys can still go and are pushed to their current level, you'll have the same matches at the top over and over. There is definitely a big element of the current audience who will accept that. I feel that everytime I see anyone want Rollins v Reigns, when I've seen that enough to last me all my life. However, I still think it would get to a point, like Reigns vs. Lesnar where there are only so many times you can flog the same horse. They're not there yet but you always need a freshness, don't you?

And that's where the importance of booking the lower/mid card comes in, and actually I think they've done a better job in recent years - especially with the IC title with guys like Drew and Sheamus getting involved and floating back and forth between the top and mid card. There's definitely ways of elevating guys by having them interact with the older ones too.

I'd say on paper it's not an issue in general. It's just very much how any company chooses to book them. It absolutely has to be done with (a) considering what the fans want right now and (b) what's going to come next. There always has to be an idea of what happens if you lose xyz due to injury or retirement or whatever. There has to be other guys who are ready or nearly ready to step into that spot.

[NeverYield]

With sports science and strength and conditioning what it is today, and also things like TRT and stem cell treatment people in demanding jobs and strength/combat sports can have longer careers.

Punks got to be booked in decent angles ASAP because he always seems to be an injury away from zero to hero, which is a shame cos when he's on fire he's brilliant to watch, I found his promo on RAW brilliant this week and lost it when he started beating his arm and mocking Rocks 'bullshit'?

You just know Punk rehabilitation services and techniques for that tricep injury though that were far better than anything from days gone by. 

I think they're all valid points, and whether it's WWE, the boxing, or UFC, or any sport really you always need young talent coming through to keep people interested and invested in following their own journey. 

But yeah as mentioned guys like Breaker and Fatu need to be pushed, and I think they will, they both just have it imo.

[RedTwoster]

7 minutes ago, NeverYield said:

But yeah as mentioned guys like Breaker and Fatu need to be pushed, and I think they will, they both just have it imo.

I have to say, I do think they’re underutilising Breakker at the moment. Clearly he has his best years ahead of him, but I think he’s the kind of wrestler they should be looking to slot into a big match at Wrestlemania. At this stage, for example, I think there’s more to be gained by running Breakker/Logan Paul than there is Paul vs AJ Styles. And I think it’s a more interesting match. 

I do feel like they’re a bit timid about pushing some of the NXT call-ups hard. People - including myself - have suggested Carmello Hayes has been a failed call up; but on reflection, he’s not been given many opportunities to succeed, and he’s certainly been having good matches. He’s also been decent on the mic, and I don’t know what more you could ask from him. 

I can’t think of a male wrestler who has been called up and treated as anything more than a midcarder as of late outside of Solo Sikoa; and even he seems likely to settle in that position. 

[Chili]

I think it's about perception, a lot of the big names now can go a lot longer with their careers and also don't LOOK old as shit. The difference for me is stuff like Sheamus and Christian Cage for example. Both up there but having some of the best work of their lives and are regular characters. I always found it a bit rum when Triple H would have his once a year Mania run because while I get that you want the big stars, he's less than part time and you could have built those stars instead. This isn't about Triple H exclusively but I always felt beating a special guest star really meant fuck all.

[TheScarlettChad]

Hogan at 49 looked ancient. AJ Styles is two years younger right now and looks amazing. Perception is reality.