Chris Jericho and the 10 Best Active Wrestlers over 36 in WWE

The big news of the week has placed legendary NFL quarterback Peyton Manning front and center of an NFL offseason that has claimed his career as an Indianapolis Colt.

The four-time NFL MVP will now be the prized commodity in free agency as quarterback-hungry teams—and even organizations that may be greedy—line up for his services.

At age 36, Manning will look to go the way of Brett Favre and Joe Montana as a quarterback who was able to find success with a new team on the back end of his career. 

Perhaps the heartbroken, yet high-profile free agent can find solace in the art-imitating-life world of professional wrestling.  Here's a world where older wrestlers are the only type of wrestlers Vince McMahon trusts, sometimes to his own detriment. 

Of all the superstars currently on the WWE roster, a significant portion of the featured talents are 36 years or older.  Many of these stars can still go, while some may be closer to retirement than resurgence. 

To be able to compete at a high level despite being at an advanced age takes passion and commitment, which are traits common to each individual on this list.

 

10. R-Truth, Age 40

R-Truth may have never been a real threat to win a world title, but he works hard and does what so many WWE superstars have failed to do in becoming a solid, long-term midcarder. 

While Truth's role seems unenviable, he is always in the mix in some way shape or form.  Much of Truth's success during his second and most recent run in the WWE is due to the fact that he remains in phenomenal shape coupled with his unmistakable charisma.

Truth has reinvented himself recently through a "Lil Jimmy" gimmick where the former United States champion plays an entertainingly delusional character who talks to an imaginary child wrestling fan.   

9. Sting, Age 52

Sting gets by here on name brand only, yet he still keeps himself relatively relevant if nothing else as a potential name who the Undertaker could face at a future WrestleMania. (What?  It could still happen, right?)

Sting has scaled back his wrestling duties for TNA over the years, yet he still competes at a competent level, and the face painting he uses as part of his ring attire keeps him relatively ageless. 

The "Insane Icon" recently assumed general managerial duties, and he continues carrying out his duties as the General Manager as Impact in addition to a budding feud with TNA Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode. 

8. Kane, Age 44

Kane's age may shock even the most committed wrestling fans given the shape he keeps himself in and his still-impressive athleticism for a big man. 

Throughout the years, few wrestlers have worked the big man style better than Kane as the "Big Red Machine" is capable of having a strong match with an array of wrestlers, especially when saddled with the proper ring general.

Kane recently returned to the WWE to feud with John Cena, and he now looks to be preparing to feud with Randy Orton come WrestleMania. 

7. Christian, Age 38

Christian is currently recovering from injury and recently returned at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to show his support for show killing General Manager John Laurinaitis. 

When healthy, Christian is a very strong worker and will go down as one of the most underrated wrestlers of all time. 

Christian enjoyed two stints as world heavyweight champion last year, albeit brief runs, and upon his return he figures to factor heavily in the ongoing power struggle between John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long. 

6. Kurt Angle, Age 43

Kurt Angle is an Olympic athlete through-and through, and his competitive spirit never dies.  At age 43, Kurt Angle is still one of the better workers in wrestling and is even preparing for an improbable return to the Olympics. 

Angle will forever be one of the single-most complete professional wrestlers of all time, and while one last run with the WWE may be out of the question for now, Angle is in the midst of a rather interesting feud with fellow former WWE superstar Jeff Hardy in TNA. 

5. The Big Show, 40

The Big Show looks to be missing out on a potentially mouth-watering mainstream WrestleMania matchup with Shaq. However, he is still very much in the WrestleMania picture as he continues to feud with Cody Rhodes.

Show has enjoyed a nice, long wrestling career despite his 500-lb. frame and was an incredible athlete in his prime. 

There is still some value in Big Show as the WWE benefits from the gigantic superstar as a special attraction, yet one who can still work a full-time schedule when need be. 

4. The Undertaker, Age 46

The Undertaker is clearly in the twilight of his career as a semi-retired wrestler, but the WWE looks to make the most out of the banged up legend as a special attraction who defends his iconic WrestleMania undefeated streak once a year. 

Taker's last match at last year's WrestleMania against Triple H was one of the best of his career.  He figures to duplicate his strong chemistry with the Game with a third WrestleMania match, tying another legendary WrestleMania rivalry that pit "Stone Cold" Steve Austin against the Rock. 

3. The Rock, Age 39

For purposes of this list, the Rock is being considered an "active" wrestler despite not being a full-time wrestler.  Afterall, he is set to face John Cena at WrestleMania and is scheduled to appear at the next four RAW Supershows (risky). 

When the Rock isn't spending his time charitably ceding verbal showdowns to John Cena, he is still the most electrifying man in sports and entertainment and easily the biggest star in the WWE when available. 

The Rock figures to help make this year's WrestleMania the biggest of all time, as anything less than one million buys for a WrestleMania highlighted by the Rock vs. John Cena will be considered a failure. 

2. Chris Jericho, Age 41

Chris Jericho looks to be in the best shape of his career as he prepares for what should be a show-stealing wrestling match against CM Punk to determine who the best in the world is with little regard for that silly little belt Punk carries around.  What was it called again?

Anywho, while Jericho's character still seems to be a work in progress, he has not lost a step in the ring since returning.  And while he has switched up his in-ring style since his high-flying cruiserweight days, Jericho remains one of the smartest and most talented ring generals of all time.

Throw in some Hall of Fame-caliber mic work, and Jericho will unquestionably go down as one of the all-time greats. 

1. Triple H, Age 42

Groan if you want, but even as a part-time superstar and an on-air authority figure, Triple H is one of the most influential superstars of all time for better or for worse. 

Like many of his 40-and-over counterparts, Triple H is no longer expected to work a full-time schedule, yet he works hard when called upon and is a WWE lifer. 

Triple H is set for yet another big match against the Undertaker come WrestleMania XXVIII, and with Shawn Michaels to be infused in what looks to be the final chapter of the Triple H-Taker saga, there remains a looming possibility of Michaels coming out of retirement for an astronomical showdown with his longtime friend at next year's WrestleMania. 

WrestleMania is around the corner!  What are the best WrestleMania moments of all time?  Tune into B/R Video and find out!