List of oldest surviving professional wrestlers
This is a list of oldest surviving professional wrestlers. As of 2017, there are 42 living veterans from the "Golden Age of Wrestling" (1950s–1970s) over 75 years old. The last surviving wrestler from the "Pioneer Era" (1900s–1940s) was American wrestler Angelo Savoldi (born April 21, 1914, aged 99 years, 145 days). The title of the oldest verified wrestler of all time belongs to Polish-born American wrestler Abe Coleman (1905–2007), who lived 101 years, 189 days. But the oldest in the wrestling industry was promoter Harry Elliott who lived 101 years, 314 days. The current oldest living wrestler is Joe D'Orazio from the UK. The oldest female wrestler was Princess Bonita (1919–2014), aged 94 years, 273 days. But the female in the wrestling industry was Betty Wagner, the valet of Gorgeous George who lived to 98 years old in 2011.
The oldest female wrestler to have a match is Mae Young, who defeated LayCool in a WWE Raw handicap match on November 15, 2010, at the age of 87. The oldest male wrestler was Killer Kowalski, who won on an independent show in Massachusetts on March 14, 2008, at age 81.
List[]
Oldest wrestlers ever[]
Rank | Name | Sex | Age | Birth | Death | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | M | 101 years, 313 days | August 16, 1904 | June 25, 2006 | Was the promoter of Seattle wrestling, from 1958 to 1969 he was the sole promoter in Washington, Idaho, and Northeast Oregon. Oldest in the wrestling industry ever verified.[1] | |
2 | Abe Coleman | M | 101 years, 189 days | September 20, 1905 | March 28, 2007 | Oldest wrestler ever verified. Born in Poland.[2] |
3 | Angelo Savoldi | M | 99 years, 152 days | April 21, 1914 | September 20, 2013 | Last surviving veteran of the "Pioneer Era". |
4 | Joe D'Orazio | M | 99 years, 153 days | July 27, 1922 | Living | Oldest British wrestler in history, referee, and British Wrestlers Reunion President. |
5 | Jackie Stallone | F | 98 years, 297 days | November 29, 1921 | September 21, 2020 | Manager and promoter for Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling form 1986 to 1989. Mother of Sylvester Stallone. |
6 | Dan McLeod | M | 98 years, 6 days | June 14, 1860 | June 20, 1958 | Last surviving American Heavyweight Champion and veteran of the "Farmer" Burns-Frank Gotch era.[2] |
7 | F | 98 years | 1912–1913 | June 3, 2011 | First wife and valet of Gorgeous George.[3] | |
8 | Pedro Septién | M | 97 years, 273 days | March 21, 1916 | December 19, 2013 | Mexican actor, wrestling announcer and baseball broadcaster. |
9 | M | 97 years, 119 days | April 17, 1922 | August 14, 2019 | Second oldest British wrestler ever behind Joe D'Orazio. Began his career in the 1940s. source Cauliflower Alley Club | |
10 | Jack LaLanne | M | 96 years, 119 days | September 26, 1914 | January 23, 2011 | World-famous fitness guru had a brief pro wrestling career in 1938. |
11 | M | 95 years, 328 days | March 18, 1893 | February 9, 1989 | Promoted wrestling in Florida[2] | |
12 | Bill Mercer | M | 95 years, 317 days | February 13, 1926 | Living | Voice of World Class Championship Wrestling. |
13 | Meshulam Riklis | M | 95 years, 54 days | December 2, 1923 | January 25, 2019 | Turkish-Israeli businessman that owned Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling from 1986 to 2001. |
14 | M | 95 years, 34 days | August 16, 1916 | September 19, 2011 | Former manager of Gorgeous George | |
15 | F | 94 years, 273 days | May 31, 1919 | February 28, 2014 | Oldest female, mainly wrestled as Princess White Dove | |
16 | M | 94 years, 111 days | December 22, 1922 | April 10, 2017 | Wrestled only in Winnipeg, Canada. | |
17 | Octavio Gaona | M | 94 years, 96 days | March 22, 1902 | June 26, 1996 | First ever to participate in a Luchas de Apuestas. |
18 | M | 94 years, 74 days | December 20, 1918 | March 4, 2013 | Wrestled in the Central States and was a light heavyweight champion. | |
19 | James Dudley | M | 94 years, 22 days | May 10, 1910 | June 1, 2004 | First African-American promoter & manager working under Vincent J. McMahon |
20 | Billy Varga | M | 94 years, 1 day | January 10, 1919 | January 11, 2013 | Former NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Champion and actor |
21 | Neff Maiava | M | 93 years, 355 days | May 1, 1924 | April 21, 2018 | Born in American Samoa. Top star in 50th State Big Time Wrestling during the 1950s and 1960s.[4] |
22 | George Larson | M | 93 years, 328 days | October 28, 1914 | September 20, 2008 | Olympian freestyle swimmer. Later became a football player turned wrestler. |
23 | M | 93 years, 288 days | November 10, 1921 | August 25, 2015 | Wrestled in Quebec and Canada | |
24 | M | 93 years, 215 days | June 3, 1887 | January 4, 1981 | [2] Wrestled in Wyoming, Midwest and Australia. | |
25 | M | 93 years, 212 days | November 30, 1908 | June 30, 2002 | [2][5] Promoted the Gulf Coast territory. |
Oldest female wrestlers ever[]
Rank | Name | Sex | Age | Birth | Death | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | F | 94 years, 273 days | May 31, 1919 | February 28, 2014 | Oldest female, mainly wrestled as Princess White Dove | |
2 | Mae Young | F | 90 years, 308 days | March 12, 1923 | January 14, 2014 | Oldest person to wrestle ever at 87 years old. Wrestled for WWF from 1999 to 2000, 2004 and 2010. |
3 | F | 90 years, 217 days | March 2, 1930 | October 5, 2020 | [6] | |
4 | F | 90 years, 57 days | May 25, 1931 | July 21, 2021 | ||
5 | Gladys Gillem | F | 89 years, 218 days | January 6, 1920 | August 12, 2009 | Feuded with Mildred Burke. |
6 | Cora Combs | F | 88 years, 96 days | March 17, 1927 | June 21, 2015 | |
7 | Yukiko Tomoe | F | 86 years, 56 days | November 1, 1935 | Living | Oldest living female wrestler. First Japanese woman to win the NWA World Women's Championship in 1968. |
8 | F | 85 years, 281 days | March 21, 1936 | Living | Wrestled in the WWF in 1980. | |
9 | F | 85 years, 202 days | June 8, 1936 | Living | Wrestled mainly in Hawaii. | |
10 | Kitty Burke | F | 85 years, 140 days | August 20, 1926 | January 7, 2012 | |
11 | Irma Gonzalez | F | 85 years, 129 days | August 20, 1936 | Living | Wrestled mainly in Mexico and WCCW. Oldest surviving Mexican women wrestler. |
Oldest wrestlers currently living[]
Rank | Name | Sex | Age | Birth | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Joe D'Orazio | M | 99 years, 153 days | July 27, 1922 | Oldest British Wrestler in history, referee and British Wrestlers Reunion President. still living. |
2 | Bill Mercer | M | 95 years, 317 days | February 13, 1926 | Voice of World Class Championship Wrestling. |
3 | M | 93 years, 141 days | August 8, 1928 | Born in Greece, Lives in Melbourne, Australia, GTV 9 Heavyweight Champion, Wrestling 1950s, 1960s, 1970s.[7] | |
4 | “Cowboy” Bob Ellis | M | 92 years, 287 days | March 15, 1929 | Known as the inventor of the bulldog.[8] |
5 | Samson Burke | M | 92 years, 263 days | April 8, 1929 | Oldest Canadian Wrestler. Known as Sammy Berg. Also was a bodybuilder, swimmer, and actor. |
6 | Allan Pinfold | M | 91–92 years | 1929 | Wrestled in Australia and was a 3 time Australian Light Heavyweight Champion. |
7 | Bill Verna | M | 91–92 years | 1929 | Aussie wrestler won the British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship. |
8 | M | 90 years, 84 days | October 4, 1931 | Son of Octavio Gaona. | |
9 | Hank Garrett | M | 90 years, 62 days | October 26, 1931 | Wrestled as The Minnesota Farm Boy from 1957 to 1966. |
10 | Gene LeBell | M | 89 years, 79 days | October 9, 1932 | Los Angeles promoter and announcer |
11 | M | 89 years, 54 days | November 3, 1932 | Raised in Texas. Wrestled for Pacific Northwest, WCCW and NWA Georgia. | |
12 | Steve Novak | M | 89 years, 33 days | November 24, 1932 | Wrestled in Studio Wrestling out of Pittsburgh in the 1950s and 1960s. Also wrestled as The Battling Bohemian and Red Menace. |
13 | M | 88–89 years | 1932 | Wrestled in the UK, Germany and Japan. | |
14 | Keita Meretana | M | 87–88 years | 1933 | Former NWA New Zealand Heavyweight Championship |
15 | Max Crabtree | M | 87–88 years | 1933 | English wrestler and promoter for Joint Promotions. Brother of Shirley Crabtree. |
16 | Karl Von Steiger | M | 86–87 years | 1934 | One half of The Von Steigers tag team. |
17 | M | 86 years, 347 days | January 14, 1935 | Wrestled in the WWWF from 1964 to 1969. Also later on in his career he wrestled as Enforcer Luciano in NWA Hollywood. | |
18 | Dory Dixon | M | 86 years, 329 days | February 1, 1935 | First Jamaican wrestler in the WWWF |
19 | Hisashi Shinma | M | 86 years, 280 days | March 22, 1935 | President of the WWF from 1978 to 1984. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2019. |
20 | Billy Two Rivers | M | 86 years, 236 days | May 5, 1935 | Wrestled mostly in Canada and the U.S. An actual Mohawk chief. |
21 | Paul Diamond () | M | 86 years, 64 days | October 24, 1935 | Wrestled for NWA Vancouver and AWA from 1960 to 1972 |
22 | Yukiko Tomoe | F | 86 years, 56 days | November 1, 1935 | Japanese female wrestler. Oldest living female wrestler. Former NWA World Women's Champion |
23 | Earl Maynard | M | 86 years, 29 days | November 28, 1935 | From Barbados former Mr. Universe, a bodybuilder wrestler in the 60s and 70s and teamed with Rocky Johnson. He wrestled for Pacific Northwest, Stampede, NWA, and WWWF. |
24 | Tony Kontellis | M | 85–86 years | 1935 | Wrestled in Australia and WWWF |
25 | Eddie Sharkey | M | 85 years, 326 days | February 4, 1936 | Wrestled in AWA. Owns Pro Wrestling America. Also has trained many wrestlers like Rick Rude, Bob Backlund, Jesse Ventura, etc. |
26 | Ricky Hunter | M | 85 years, 301 days | March 1, 1936 | Wrestled mainly in Florida and WWF as the Gladiator |
27 | F | 85 years, 281 days | March 21, 1936 | Wrestled in Tennessee and WWF in 1980. | |
28 | Beauregarde | M | 85 years, 242 days | April 29, 1936 | Musician and wrestled in the Pacific Northwest. |
29 | F | 85 years, 202 days | June 8, 1936 | Wrestled mainly in Hawaii. | |
30 | Irma Gonzalez | F | 85 years, 129 days | August 20, 1936 | Wrestled mainly in Mexico and WCCW. Oldest surviving Mexican women wrestler. |
31 | Pepper Martin | M | 85 years, 98 days | September 20, 1936 | Canadian actor and five time NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion. |
32 | M | 85 years, 83 days | October 5, 1936 | Mexican wrestler who teamed with the Great Goliath. Well known in Los Angeles, Texas and WWWF from 1972 to 1974. | |
33 | Emile Dupree | M | 85 years, 68 days | October 20, 1936 | Canadian wrestler and promoter for Grand Prix Wrestling in New Brunswick. Father of Rene Dupree. |
34 | Eddie Morrow | M | 84–85 years | 1936 | From Martinique wrestled for Pacific Northwest and Stampede Wrestling. Brother of Gerry Morrow. Resides in Calgary, Canada. |
35 | Mark Lewin | M | 84 years, 286 days | March 16, 1937 | Multi-time regional champion. Worked as Purple Haze. |
36 | Kenny Jay | M | 84 years, 275 days | March 27, 1937 | Wrestled for American Wrestling Association from 1962 to 1985. |
37 | Erich Froelich | M | 84 years, 238 days | May 3, 1937 | Born in Germany, wrestled mainly for NWA All-Star Wrestling in Vancouver, Canada. Lives in Canada. |
38 | Paul Vachon | M | 84 years, 81 days | October 7, 1937 | Former AWA Tag Team Champion. Brother of Maurice Vachon. |
39 | Raúl Reyes | M | 84 years, 15 days | December 12, 1937 | Wrestled in Mexico. |
40 | Omar Atlas | M | 83 years, 249 days | April 22, 1938 | Venezuelan wrestler. Former . Worked for WWF from 1986 to 1992. |
Oldest Midget wrestlers to perform[]
Rank | Name | Sex | Age in last match | Birth | Death | Date of last match | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lord Littlebrook | M | 66 years, 10 days | January 3, 1929 | September 9, 2016 | January 13, 1995 | Wrestled his last match with Little Tokyo as they lost to Bobby Dean and The Karate Kid at a NWC in Las Vegas, Nevada. |
2 | M | 65 years, 283 days | July 21, 1946 | Living | April 29, 2012 | Wrestled his last match with Harry Hulton as they defeated The Mauler in a handicap match for a CWF event in Peavine, Alberta Canada. |
Oldest wrestlers to ever perform 70 and over[]
Rank | Name | Sex | Age in last match | Birth | Death | Date of last match | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mae Young | F | 87 years, 248 days | March 12, 1923 | January 14, 2014 | November 15, 2010 | She took part in a Falls Count Anywhere 2-on-1 Handicap Match against LayCool on WWE's Old School Raw, when she put her foot over Layla for a pinfall victory outside the ring. |
2 | Killer Kowalski | M | 81 years, 153 days | October 13, 1926 | August 30, 2008 | March 14, 2008 | Kowalski wrestled his last match as he defeated Gino Giovanni with the clawhold at Top Rope Promotions in Fall River, Massachusetts. |
3 | The Fabulous Moolah | F | 81 years, 61 days | July 22, 1923 | November 2, 2007 | September 21, 2004 | Teamed with Mae Young to defeat Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson in a tag team match at the WWE SmackDown taping. The match aired on TV two days later. |
4 | Dominic DeNucci | M | 80 years, 82 days | January 23, 1932 | August 12, 2021 | April 14, 2012 | DeNucci wrestled his last match at a PWS card in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, teaming up with Shane Douglas to defeat the team of Lord Zoltan and Shawn Blanchard. |
5 | Tinieblas | M | 80 years, 71 days | June 8, 1939 | Living | August 18, 2019 | Last wrestled at the 2019 Expo Lucha convention in San Diego, California, teaming up with Dr. Wagner Jr. and Octagón to defeat the team of Fuerza Guerrera, Misterioso Jr., and Pirata Morgan. |
6 | Ox Baker | M | 80 years, 0 days | April 19, 1934 | October 20, 2014 | April 19, 2014 | Wrestled his last match on his 80th birthday against Bobo Brazil Jr. at a CCW card in Marion, Ohio.[9] |
7 | M | 79–80 years | 1931 | July 21, 2020 | January 28, 2011 | Last known match took place in Carnoustie, Scotland. | |
8 | Great Kojika | M | 79 years, 243 days | April 28, 1942 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled on November 7, 2021, for Niigata Pro Wrestling's 10th Anniversarry show in Niigata, Japan, where he teamed with Tatsumi Fujinami, LEONA defating Daisuke Sekimoto, Kosuke Sato and Yuya Aoki. |
9 | Bob Armstrong | M | 79 years, 220 days | October 3, 1939 | August 27, 2020 | May 11, 2019 | Armstrong's last match was for Continental Championship Wrestling in Dothan, Alabama, where he defeated The Assassin. |
10 | Dory Funk Jr. | M | 79 years, 26 days | February 3, 1941 | Living | February 29, 2020 | Most recently wrestled on February 29, 2020, for his own FC !Bang! promotion in Belleview, Florida, teaming with The Steiner Brothers (Rick Steiner and Scott Steiner) to defeat the team of Blain Rage, Jake Logan, and Shane Chung. |
11 | M | 78 years, 66 days | March 10, 1915 | December 8, 1993 | May 15, 1993 | Wrestled his last match at a USWA event in Nashville, Tennessee, teaming with Brian Christopher in a loss to Frank Morrell and Koko B. Ware. He died a few months later. | |
12 | Jimmy Valiant | M | 77 years, 186 days | August 6, 1942 | Living | February 8, 2020 | Most recently wrestled on February 8, 2020, for WrestlePro in Rahway, New Jersey, where he teamed with Buster Jackson to defeat the team of Colt Cabana and CPA. |
13 | M | 77 years, 45 days | January 1, 1942 | Living | February 15, 2019 | Last wrestled on a show independently produced by Keiji Muto in Tokyo, Japan, where he teamed up with Great Kojika and Tiger Toguchi in a loss to the team of Heisei Ishingun (Akitoshi Saito, Masashi Aoyagi, & Shiro Koshinaka). | |
14 | Gypsy Joe | M | 77 years, 36 days | December 2, 1933 | June 14, 2016 | January 7, 2011 | Joe wrestled his last match at the Gypsy Joe retirement show held in Tullahoma, Tennessee by the Southern Wrestling Federation. |
15 | Mil Máscaras | M | 76 years, 237 days | July 15, 1942 | Living | March 9, 2019 | Last wrestled for Lucha Libre Acapulco in Acapulco, Mexico, teaming with Capitan Atomo and Dragon Lee to defeat the team of La Bestia del Ring, Rey Bucanero, and Valiente. |
16 | Jackie Fargo | M | 76 years, 82 days | June 26, 1930 | June 24, 2013 | September 16, 2006 | Wrestled in a tag team match with Jeff Justice and Officer McKenny to defeat Dr. Tom Prichard, Beau James and The Sheik of Araby for Big Time Wrestling in Granite Quarry, North Carolina. |
17 | M | 76 years, 52 days | January 30, 1937 | December 7, 2018 | March 23, 2013 | Wrestled in a tag team match with Shawn Blanchard and Lou Martin to defeat Bobby O, Kris Kash, Shane Starr and Justin Sane for Keystone State Wrestling Alliance in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. | |
18 | Bill Dundee | M | 76 years, 51 days | October 24, 1943 | Living | December 14, 2019 | Wrestled last for Bobby Eaton: A Night Of Appreciation event in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he teamed with George South, Beau James, and Stan Lee as they lost to Bobby Fulton, Brad Thomas, Ryan Dookie, and Shane Williams. |
19 | Kenny Jay | M | 75 years, 77 days | March 27, 1937 | Living | June 16, 2012 | Last wrestled in an 11-person Royal Rumble style match, where he entered last and won, last eliminating Erik Lockhart, for Rock n Roll Wrestling in Wahpeton, North Dakota. |
20 | Bushwhacker Luke | M | 74 years, 353 days | January 8, 1947 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled on September 11, 2021, for GWA Florida in Ocala, Florida where he defeated Gangrel. |
21 | Octavio Gaona | M | 74 years, 304 days | March 22, 1902 | June 26, 1996 | January 20, 1977 | Wrestled his last match at a show in Guadalajara, Mexico teaming with his grandson, Arturo Gaona and Bucanero I defeating Babe Sharon, Comando I and Luis Chavir. |
22 | Lou Thesz | M | 74 years, 246 days | April 24, 1916 | April 28, 2002 | December 26, 1990 | The former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion last wrestled Masahiro Chono for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Hamamatsu, Japan. He lost to Chono. |
23 | M | 74 years, 109 days | March 18, 1945 | Living | July 5, 2019 | Last wrestled on for ABC Wrestling teaming with Christophe Cassagne losing to the Brutal Butcher Team in Béziers, France. | |
24 | Chick Donovan | M | 74 years, 48 days | March 7, 1947 | Living | April 24, 2021 | Most recently wrestled for KLT Promotions in Rome, Georgia, teaming with Mike Jackson against Bryce Cannon and Cornelious Pepperbottom in a match that ended in a No Contest. |
25 | The Great Gama | M | 73–74 years | May 22, 1878 | May 23, 1960 | 1952 | Sources say that Gama remained active as a wrestler until 1952. |
26 | Johnny Saint | M | 73 years, 349 days | June 29, 1941 | Living | June 13, 2015 | Wrestled for Italian Championship Wrestling in tag team match with Manuel Majoli to defeat Mr. Excellent and Psycho Mike. |
27 | Kim Duk | M | 73 years, 219 days | February 7, 1948 | Living | September 14, 2021 | Wrestled for NPH Japan Pro-Wrestling 70th Anniversary show in Tokyo, Japan, where he participated in a battle royal won by Masaaki Mochizuki. |
28 | José González | M | 73 years, 208 days | March 18, 1946 | Living | October 12, 2019 | Wrestled his last match as Invader #1 for World Wrestling League in Caguas, Puerto Rico, teaming with El Bronco I as they challenged champions La Artilleria Pesada (Lightning & Thunder) for the WWL World Tag Team Championship; the match ended in a No Contest. |
29 | Adrian Street | M | 73 years, 191 days | December 5, 1940 | Living | June 14, 2014 | Wrestled his last match for NWA Wrestle Birmingham, in Birmingham, Alabama. |
30 | Estrella Blanca | M | 73 years, 92 days | January 15, 1938 | November 15, 2021 | April 17, 2011 | Wrestled his last match on a AAA show in a loss to El Pistolero in San Pedro Cholula, Mexico. |
31 | Terry Funk | M | 73 years, 85 days | June 30, 1944 | Living | September 23, 2017 | Last wrestled for Big Time Wrestling in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he teamed with The Rock N' Roll Express as they defeated Doug Gilbert, Jerry Lawler and Brian Christopher. |
32 | Mr. Wrestling II | M | 73 years, 33 days | September 10, 1934 | June 10, 2020 | October 13, 2007 | Last wrestled for Hawai'i Championship Wrestling as he teamed up with Steve Corino and won the HCW Kekaulike Heritage Tag Team Championship title. |
33 | M | 73 years, 27 days | March 10, 1946 | Living | April 6, 2019 | Last wrestled for New Age Wrestling in Australia, defeating Bo Boman. | |
34 | Yoshiaki Fujiwara | M | 72 years, 244 days | April 27, 1949 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled on October 16, 2021, for All Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan, where he teamed with Masao Inoue, Kikutaro and Devil Murasaki defeating Great Kojika, Masanobu Fuchi, Chikara, and SUSHI . |
35 | John Cena Sr. | M | 72 years, 155 days | June 16, 1944 | Living | November 18, 2016 | The biological father of John Cena. He wrestled his last match defeating Chad Epik at House of Bricks Pro Wrestling in New Bedford, Massachusetts. |
36 | Ron Fuller | M | 72 years, 140 days | September 7, 1947 | Living | January 25, 2020 | Last wrestled on January 25, 2020, for Continental Championship Wrestling in Dothan, Alabama, teaming with Jimmy Golden to defeat The Dirty Blondes (Leo Brien and Mike Patrick). |
37 | Woody Farmer | M | 72 years, 109 days | December 25, 1935 | February 29, 2012 | April 12, 2008 | Wrestled his last match for Bay Wrestling Federation in Alameda, California, teaming with his son Shane Kody and his grandson Riot in a 6 tag match. |
38 | El Satanico | M | 72 years, 62 days | October 26, 1949 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled on December 21, 2021, for CMLL in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he teamed with Rey Bucanero and Al Carrillo losing to Atlantis, Felino and Negro Casas. |
39 | Mitsuo Momota | M | 72 years, 33 days | September 21, 1948 | Living | October 24, 2020 | Most recently wrestled on October 24, 2020, for All Japan Pro Wrestling's Raising An Amry Memorial Series in Tokyo, Japan, where he wrestled teamed with Takao Omori, Masanobu Fuchi, Black Menso-re and Ryuki Honda defeating Ryoji Sai, Yoshi Tatsu, Yusuke Okada, Chikara and Ishkiki in a 10 tag match. |
40 | M | 72 years, 27 days | April 20, 1943 | Living | May 17, 2015 | Wrestled his last match for FMLL teaming with Mano Negra and Jalisco as they lost to Blue Panther, Damián 666, and Negro Navarro in El Monte, California. | |
41 | Jerry Lawler | M | 72 years, 28 days | November 29, 1949 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled on December 18, 2021, at Battleground Championship Wrestling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania losing to Bully Ray. |
T-42 | The Sheik | M | 71–72 years | June 9, 1926 | January 18, 2003 | 1998 | Wrestled his last match in Japan. |
Billy Riley | M | 71–72 years | June 22, 1896 | August 27, 1977 | 1968 | Last known match took place in 1968. | |
43 | M | 71–72 years | November 1949 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled on December 18, 2021, at Impact Wrestling's Throwback Throwdown II - IPWF Winter War '84 in Louisville, Kentucky where he teamed with Johnny Swinger to defeat KTD and Chris Sabin. | |
T-44 | Gustav Frištenský | M | 72 years (unverified) | May 18, 1879 | April 6, 1957 | 1951 | It is said that Gustav Frištenský wrestled until the age of 72. |
Warren Bockwinkel | M | 72 years (unverified) | May 21, 1911 | March 25, 1986 | 1983 | It is said that Warren Bockwinkel, father of Nick Bockwinkel, wrestled until the age of 72. | |
45 | Jimmy Snuka | M | 71 years, 362 days | May 18, 1943 | January 15, 2017 | May 15, 2015 | His last match was at an ECPW event, where he teamed up with Frankie Flow to defeat the team of Andrew Anderson and Jason Knight. |
46 | Ultraman | M | 71 years, 321 days | July 14, 1947 | Living | May 31, 2019 | His last match was teaming with El Solar and Super Astro as they defeated Black Terry, Negro Navarro, and Mano Negra at an event in Cuautitlan, Mexico. |
47 | M | 71 years, 304 days | November 15, 1946 | Living | September 15, 2018 | His last match was teaming with Shigeo Okumura and Felino as they defeated, Mano Negra, Solar I, and Villano IV at the ExpoMuseo event in Benito Juarez, Mexico. | |
48 | F | 71 years, 138 days | January 30, 1923 | October 14, 1999 | June 17, 1994 | Wrestled in her last match in a tag team match with Stormy Apple as they lost to Josie Navarro and Margaret Garcia at Ladies International Wrestling Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. | |
49 | John Pesek | M | 71 years, 124 days | February 21, 1894 | March 21, 1978 | June 25, 1965 | Wrestled in his last match defeating Frenchy Roberre at a Pacific Northwest Wrestling event in Portland, Oregon. |
50 | Afa Anoa'i | M | 71 years, 100 days | November 21, 1942 | Living | March 1, 2014 | Wrestled his last match with his sons Afa Anoa'i Jr., LA Smooth, Samu and his grandson Lance Anoa'i. They defeated Homicide, AC Anderson, Eric Cobain, Havok and Mustafa Aziz in a 10 tag match for his promotion World Xtreme Wrestling in Allentown, Pennsylvania. |
T-51 | Ivan Koloff | M | 71 years, 83 days | August 25, 1942 | February 18, 2017 | November 16, 2013 | Wrestled his last match as he lost to Bob Armstrong at Superstars of Wrestling 1 in Rome, Georgia. |
Stu Hart | M | 71 years, 83 days | May 3, 1915 | October 16, 2003 | July 25, 1986 | Wrestled his last match in a tag team match with his son, Keith defeating Honky Tonk Wayne and JR Foley at Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. | |
52 | Bob Orton Jr. | M | 71 years, 47 days | November 10, 1950 | Living | Still Active | Most recently wrestled for Pro Wrestling Epic on November 5, 2021, where he defeated Johnny Blade in Brownstown, Illinois. |
53 | Jaque Mate | M | 70 years, 351 days | September 29, 1948 | Living | September 15, 2019 | Wrestled his last match at the VerdugoMania 3rd Anniversary show in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico, teaming with Jaque Mate Jr., Rafaga, and Rayman in a loss to the team of Américo Rocca, El Gallego, Huracan Ramirez, and Starman. |
54 | Katsuji Ueda | M | 70 years, 236 days | December 15, 1945 | April 20, 2017 | August 7, 2016 | Wrestled his last match for Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan, defeating HASEGAWA and The Shooter in a MMA Three Way match. |
55 | Nikolai Volkoff | M | 70 years, 203 days | October 14, 1947 | July 29, 2018 | May 5, 2018 | Wrestled his last match for Battleground Championship Wrestling in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, teaming with Jim Duggan to defeat the team of Mecha Mercenary and Nicky Benz. |
56 | Baron Michele Leone | M | 70 years, 67 days | June 8, 1909 | November 26, 1988 | August 14, 1979 | Wrestled his last match defeating Rat Ferraro at a wrestling event in Montreal, Canada. |
57 | The Great Kabuki | M | 70 years, 22 days | September 8, 1948 | Living | September 30, 2018 | Wrestled his last match at a show that was independently produced by Masakatsu Funaki in Osaka, Japan, teaming with Giant Small Baba, Small Antonio Inoki, and Teruko Kagawa to defeat the team of HIRO Dai Circus Yasuda, Mitsukuni Daiso, Waka Shoyo, and Yamaishi Meijin in an 8-person tag team match. |
Oldest wrestlers still wrestling[]
Rank | Name | Sex | Age | Birth | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Great Kojika | M | 79 years, 243 days | April 28, 1942 | Still wrestles for All Japan Pro Wrestling and is a co-promoter for Big Japan Pro Wrestling. |
2 | Bushwhacker Luke | M | 74 years, 353 days | January 8, 1947 | Still wrestles in independent shows as of September 2021. |
3 | Yoshiaki Fujiwara | M | 72 years, 244 days | April 27, 1949 | Still wrestles in Japan as of October 2021. |
4 | El Satánico | M | 72 years, 62 days | October 26, 1949 | Still wrestles for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre as of 2021. |
5 | Jerry Lawler | M | 72 years, 28 days | November 29, 1949 | Still wrestles for VCA Wrestling and USA Championship Wrestling in Tennessee. |
6 | M | 71–72 years | 1949 | Still wrestles for independent shows as of 2021. | |
7 | Bob Orton Jr. | M | 71 years, 47 days | November 10, 1950 | Wrestles in independent shows as of 2021. |
8 | Canek | M | 69 years, 191 days | June 19, 1952 | Wrestles in Mexico as of November 2021. |
9 | Dick the Bruiser Jr. | M | 69 years, 145 days | August 4, 1952 | Wrestles in independent shows as of October 2021. |
10 | Black Terry | M | 69 years, 115 days | September 3, 1952 | Wrestles in Mexico as of November 2021. |
11 | Fuerza Guerrera | M | 68 years, 14 days | December 13, 1953 | Wrestles in Mexico as of December 2021. |
12 | Ricky Knight | M | 68 years, 3 days | December 24, 1953 | Wrestles in England as of December 2021. |
13 | Tatsumi Fujinami | M | 67 years, 364 days | December 28, 1953 | Wrestles in Japan as of December 2021. |
14 | Masanobu Fuchi | M | 67 years, 347 days | January 14, 1954 | Wrestles for All Japan Pro Wrestling as of 2021. |
15 | Tony Atlas | M | 67 years, 248 days | April 23, 1954 | Wrestles for in independent shows as of September 2021. |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Oliver, Greg. "Seattle promoter Harry Elliott dead at 101". canoe.com. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Will, Gary (December 1998). "Gary Will: Deceased Pro Wrestlers – A Tribute to Mat Stars of the Past". GaryWill.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2015. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
- ^ https://prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/article10018832.shtml
- ^ Dave Meltzer (May 5, 2018). "Prince Neff Maiava passes away at 93 years old". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- ^ Mooneyham, Mike (December 29, 2003). "The Wrestling Gospel According to Mike Mooneyham: Wrestling Lost Memorable Names In 2002". MikeMooneyham.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2008. Retrieved November 4, 2009.
- ^ Mooneyham, Mike [@ByMikeMooneyham] (October 6, 2020). "Deepest condolences to @nicklaroberts and family on the passing of her mom Lorraine Johnson at age 90. One of the most beautiful and athletic women wrestlers during the '50s and '60s ... she and Penny Banner were women's world tag-team champions with looks and talent to spare. t.co/O5GfUklP1O" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Peter Yakka Facebook
- ^ "Cowboy" Bob Ellis profile, from LegacyOfWrestling.com
- ^ Wrestling Promo - Ox Baker Final Match. Dave Burzynski. April 2, 2014. Archived from the original on March 30, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
External links[]
- Lists of oldest people
- Lists of professional wrestlers
- Lists of living people