Report: WWE Getting Stricter About Allowing Older Performers in the Ring

WWE would obviously like to book aging performers like Sting and Hulk Hogan for the WrestleMania 31 card next March.

They're both legends—something even mediocre TNA booking couldn't ruin. And both remain steadily over with wrestling fans, many of whom consider the pair important parts of their childhood.

Featuring Hogan and Sting on the Santa Clara card would also open up the possibility for several “dream” matches. The Undertaker vs. Sting. John Cena vs. Hogan. Sting vs. Triple H. It all sounds very exciting.

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Vince McMahon is surely salivating at the prospect of getting the two former WCW stars in the ring—the buyrate could be tremendous assuming the veterans are booked competently.

Alas, there is one significant hurdle: the physical state of both men. As Dave Meltzer notes in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), WWE has gotten stricter about letting older performers in the ring in these days. In fact, things have gotten to the point that Hogan isn't even allowed to do anything physical on television, not just taking bumps.

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Regarding Hogan and WrestleMania, the decision will largely depend on whether Hogan can pass a physical. This goes for everyone over the age of about 45 that is under consideration for being brought back on the show, including Sting. Since the situation with Jerry Lawler, WWE has instituted strict physicals for older talent before they’ll let them do anything physical, which is why nobody has even been running into Hogan’s fists on Raw.

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While Sting is 55 and has been hampered by injuries in recent years, it's hard to see company doctors not clearing him for at least one match. It doesn't appear to be a risk to let him in the ring one last time—unless his physical condition is far worse than has gotten out.

Hogan, however, is a different matter entirely. The star's physical problems have been well documented—as TMZ once noted, the star has had nine back surgeries. Yes, nine. Even the thought of him getting in the ring again and taking a couple of bumps sounds very daunting. A proper match is probably out of the question.

The company could possibly determine after testing that he's fit to do limited work in a tag match—possibly teaming with Cena against some heels—but even that might be too optimistic.