WWE: Hulk Hogan and 18 Older Wrestlers Who Stood the Test of Time

The WWE...truly an amazing product.

It has entertained me for nearly three decades and still keeps going as the dominant force in sports-entertainment.

We had our share of ups and downs, the company itself battled for survival just a decade ago and has managed to destroy all opposition.

It stood the test of time.

Just as amazing are the players involved who, beyond a shadow of a doubt, made this company a global phenomenon. They gave their hearts, their bodies and some their lives to ensure it lived on.

They too have survived the ages of the world and live on today as a reminder that once you become a star in WWE, you truly live forever.

Immortal, iconic...just a few nicknames for those who stood the test of time. Follow to find out.

Ric Flair: Immortal Fame and Fortune

The "Nature Boy" is 62 years old and still doing it...

He led stables and participated in matches injured or not. He is a 16-time champion. Sixteen!!

There are some who laugh at the mere sight of him but I quickly silence them as no mere person can do what this man does. He is probably in better shape at 62 than many are at 32, so skeptics, put that in your pipes and smoke it!

What amazes me most is the fact he is practically made of stone. How can he take all those bumps and not have a heart attack, for example?

That's why he is one of the best. He is Ric Flair, the man, the legend. Plus he looks totally VIP in a suit.

I hope to look like that by then.

Roddy Piper

Brave, strong, determined, focused, a lover of life...that's the kind of attributes you need to defeat cancer.

The "Rowdy One" did it.

Just recently, he made a guest appearance on RAW a few months ago and pinned The Miz with $5,000 on the line.

That victory must have felt like a million bucks!

I thought he looked alive and well that night. This legend gets such a positive reaction from the fans it is hard to believe he is one of the greatest "heels" ever.

Good for you, Piper, you deserve it. 

Jimmy Snuka

We saw him fight Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 25 and he escorted his beautiful daughter Tamina to the ring at the "Old School" episode of RAW last year.

What can I say? This guy is 68 years old and still performs in the ring occasionally. I think that is so amazing. I want to be as determined at his age.

Forget being retired and on a pension plan. If you love something so much and can still move, then do it!

Your true fans never leave you anyway.

I love you too, Superfly!

Rick Steamboat

Another man involved in a "Legends" battle back in 2009. 

The Dragon is one of the best high-flyers I've seen and we can credit him with having wrestled perhaps THE greatest match of all time.

I am referring to the stellar encounter between him and Randy Savage for the Intercontinental championship at WrestleMania III in front of 93 000 + fans back in 1987.

He even came back, years later and almost defeated Chris Jericho at "Backlash" in 2009. The last we've seen him on-screen was when he attempted to promote his DVD but was crushed by Nexus.

Though he was legitimately injured, "The Dragon" survived and can now witness the rise of his own offspring, Richie, who is working hard to perhaps join the WWE roster someday. 

I would love to see father and son on television in the future.

Bob Orton

Randy Orton calls this man "father" and learned to play dirty in the process. "Cowboy" Bob participated in the main event of the very first WrestleMania and is known to be one of the greatest cheaters of all time.

He may not have won any OFFICIAL WWE gold, he did have the knowledge on how to be successful and passed that on to his son, as Randy is a numerous-time World champion.

We caught a glimpse of him at the "Old School" episode of RAW in November 2010. I'm glad his forearm injury seemed to have healed after 20 years! I can remember him still sporting that cast back in 2005.

If Randy Orton is "The Viper" what does that make Bob Orton? Cobra Commander?

Dusty Rhodes

The "American Dream" Dusty Rhodes has been quite active in WWE in recent years.

You can't be surprised, as his sons Dustin and Cody are members of the current roster.

This Hall of Famer recently turned "heel" in order to help Cody Rhodes plant one on Rey Mysterio. I don't know if we'll see him anytime soon on-screen but I know despite his 65 years of age, he is not stopping yet.

Dusty Rhodes helps promote the young talent of FCW. Any aspiring performer would do well to listen to "The Dream," as he is a well-respected and incredible Superstar.

Not to mention, a former World champion.

Honky Tonk Man: Still Shake, Rattle and Rollin'

Who is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all-time? Why The Honky Tonk Man, of course! Duh!

This was always according to him, however, and I cannot dispute that because this legend held the title for well over 15 months!

That's never been repeated. We just don't get that kind of longevity anymore. I don't care if it was mostly under questionable tactics, he got the job done.

Honky still performs today every now and then and as part of the WWE All-Stars video game. The man still looks good at 58.

There are no grays on that head of hair. No sir!

I still have a piece of his guitar from a house show back in 1989. After losing to the Hart Foundation, he got his head smashed by his own guitar.

...and that's the name of that tune.

Jerry Lawler

Well, we know this man can still wrestle and administer pain. 

He is 61 years old and had the best few months of his career recently: a few WWE championship opportunities and his very first WrestleMania match this part April.

Jerry Lawler has been on the broadcast team since 1994. He enchants Monday Night RAW with his experience and puts that no-good Michael Cole in his place.

I couldn't help but root against him many times because he was such a thorn in my favorites' sides for so long. Those would have to be Bret Hart and The Miz, of course.

It is great to have him in WWE still. I just wish we could have JR to complete the team. 

Bret Hart

Bret "Hitman" Hart is the best of the best, period!

Not only because he is Canadian (like me) but also because he has beaten EVERYONE! 

The seven-time World champion has enormous pull and has been a consummate worker all his life. If Natalya and the Hart Dynasty seem to resurface nowadays, it is because the "Hitman" wants it that way.

I can't help but despise Bill Goldberg so much for abruptly ending his career years ago. However, not a concussion nor a stroke could keep this man of steel down.

We even realized miracles DO happen as he, WWE and "HBK" Shawn Michaels patched things up last year.

I personally loved to see Bret in the ring again and can only hope he makes a small return soon. The stakes have never been so high now that Vince has been forced to step down.

What place does Bret have in a Triple H era?

Sgt. Slaughter

At one time, this WWE goodwill ambassador was the most hated man in sports entertainment.

In an angle during his feud with WWE Champion Ultimate Warrior, the sarge sided with Iraq and "enflamed" fans everywhere. He has long since regained the favor of fans and patriots alike.

Sgt. Slaughter occasionally appears on-screen with his trademark voice and costume. He seems to have lost some weight and looks pretty good at 62.

He works backstage to promote the company and recently took part in the Barack Obama sketch at Capitol Punishment.

Jim Duggan: Still Standing Strong and Tall...

...like flag and 2x4!

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan is another proud cancer survivor and a 2011 WWE Hall of Famer. He is also a former King of the WWE back in 1989.

This man rallied millions of fans every week with his famous "USA" chants and I thought he was always a comical act à la Santino because of his ring gear...the trunks were so high on him it was really funny.

The man is still proud and looking better than ever. He delivered a great speech this year at his induction ceremony right in front of fans, friends and family.

Who ever said cancer was the end of the world? It is NOT!

Hoooooooooooooooo!

Jesse Ventura

The former governor of Minnesota and host of the controversial show "Conspiracy Theory."

I believe him to be, along with the late Gorilla Monsoon, the best broadcast duo in pro-wrestling history.

No one could call a match like "The Body," and I model myself after him in certain ways because he was a total "heel" sympathizer like myself.

What can I say? We have our favorites.

The man managed to rule over a whole state, not just television, and beside his voice, he is tall and imposing, that can be very intimidating.

I wouldn't mess with him. If there is something that needs a light shed on it, then leave it to Jesse to find out.

This 60-year-old former Superstar is also a Hall of Famer, class of 2004 to be precise.

Steve Austin

Stone Cold Steve Austin a.k,a "The Rattlesnake" is the SINGLE superstar deserving the credit of turning the tide around for WWE during the Monday Night Wars.

It is because of him mostly we are watching RAW and not Nitro. Him and his antics. No one flipped the bird better than he did and because he became the "anti-hero" we needed at the time, he won the hearts of millions.

Now at 46, which isn't so old after all, he leads the pack of trainers and recruits of the popular television program "WWE Tough Enough" and seems to have a Twitter war with the hottest "free agent" of the moment, CM Punk.

Besides The Rock vs. John Cena, I don't believe there could be another more desired match than Punk vs. Austin.

Despite having to end his career due to injuries, the Texas Rattlesnake might have enough left in him to open up yet another can of whoop-ass.

Just imagining this match set for WrestleMania XXVIII gives me goosebumps. 

Ted DiBiase

He paid "fate" in order to slow down his aging process.

The guy looks great. He is still in good shape and can still deliver an amazing promo on television. I wish his son would try to learn a thing or two from him.

His ring career ended because of accumulated injuries, but he had enough sense to stop before it was too late, unlike others.

At 57, DiBiase looks like he's taken good care of himself after retirement. He is the father of three wrestlers, Mike, Ted Jr. and Brett. Should they all get together somewhere down the line, it would really be something.

A new feud would begin: The McMahons vs The DiBiases

Everyone has a price for the "Million Dollar Man," for I'd side with Ted and Co.

Kevin Nash

Since "Big Sexy" dyed his hair black, he seems like he hasn't aged a day since 1995.

He made his return to WWE at this year's Royal Rumble as the crowd erupted upon seeing him. I wonder why he hasn't been involved in anything more lately. I'm sure we would love to see more of "Big Sexy" somewhere down the road.

There were rumors of a match against Big Show but it never happened. Mind you, close friend Triple H is now running things. Could a "Kliq" reunion be in the works?

I was shocked to hear he is 52 years old. I never would have guessed. Kevin Nash looks amazing. The man seems to be in phenomenal shape. 

If they ever shed some light on that ridiculous anonymous RAW GM crap, I would love to see him come through the Titantron and surprise everyone.

The Great Mae: Forever Young

One word: Respect.

She is 88 years old and got planted with a kiss from The Rock himself. Ladies, be jealous!

The woman is a gem. I love seeing her appear on screen every once in a while and make us laugh. That whole "thing" with Lay-Cool last year...priceless!

She actually called them "sluts!" It was awesome!

It actually saddens me when people take jabs at her and call her names on TV. I know it's all agreed upon but I wonder if it hurts her feelings.

She looks so alive and if we make it to her age and manage to get HALF the wisdom she must possess, then we would be lucky.

My Divas are amazing and even more amazing is this Hall of Fame Diva showing us all there is still fire in that heart of hers.

You go, Mae! We luv ya!

The Ultimate Warrior

The man is 52 and still has an incredible body. Did I mention he still packs quite a punch when he opens his mouth?

Not known for screening, Warrior is now caught in some kind of war with Hulk Hogan over backstage politics and personal issues.

I doubt we would see him return to WWE soon, but you never know. Maybe he's the RAW GM? Is that stupid story still going on, or did they fade it away?

The Ultimate Warrior was my childhood favorite. I really believe he should be in the WWE HOF because he was a one-of-a-kind Superstar and paved the way for guys like Batista and Mason Ryan, who admitted they were big fans of him in the past.

Some people actually thought Jim Hellwig was dead and someone else was playing the role. Give me a break!

Look at the picture. Can anyone be more alive and well? 

Hulk Hogan: Immortal and Still Running Wild

The IMMORTAL Hulk Hogan.

Still so strong. His pythons are every bit impressive as ever. 

According to his Wikipedia Biography: "He is widely regarded as the most successful and famous professional wrestler of all time as well as the biggest draw in the history of professional wrestling."

No kidding! He practically MADE Pro-Wrestling.

Despite many injuries, "The Hulkster" battled on and reigned supreme for years. His political positions within wrestling organizations are said to be almost untouchable and as a result, it helped shape the product into what it is today...in some ways.

He recently had surgery that could be career-ending, but never count the big man out. I hope he doesn't end his career in TNA. The red-and-yellow must return to its roots and that is the one and only WWE.

Whatever he chooses to do, I wish him a fast and proper recovery.

Whatcha gonna do Old Age, when Hulkamania and the largest arms in the world run wild on you!

Wish He Were Here...

You may have passed away recently, but I'm adding you in here because I think you looked fantastic and find it really sad we didn't get to see you on-screen for just one more great moment.

I hope "Macho Man" Randy Savage gets in the WWE Hall of Fame next year, because that is where he belongs.

Until that time arrives, I hope he keeps Elizabeth, whom I believe should be inducted as well, and Sherri company up there.

RIP Randy, we haven't forgotten you.

Vince McMahon

***I had forgotten about putting him in so I edit right now! 

Thank goodness for edits.

I believe he look amazing for a 67 year old man. He is the CEO of a multi-million dollar worldwide organization that is the very essence of "standing the test of time."

It has gone through phases like its creator and will evolve. We are at the birth of a new era right now and the crown has passed to the heir-apparent, Triple H.

Could Vince McMahon ever run for President? He already is a born leader and now, what's next for him?

Well-Preserved LEGENDS

Like the company and its former logo, these people are made of steel.

There are the stuff that pro-wrestling legends are made of and role-models for aspiring Superstars and Divas.

Very soon, a list like this would see The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and Triple H added to it. 

If we consider the human being may end up living until 100, then 40-50 years of age is not "old" at all. With the fitness and health craze going around, which is a good thing, it wouldn't be crazy to expect us to look as good as the people featured in this article.

Speaking of which...Gotta get out of here! Time to hit the gym and work on those legs. I want to be able to walk cane-free when I hit Mae Young's age.