Professional Wrestling: To Some, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number

Professional wrestling is in a bit of a slump lately, though the general consensus is that things have picked up in recent months. Ring of Honor is now on television with a new TV deal, Impact is doing very well with some of it's new guys (not all but some,) and WWE has been doing some incredible storytelling as of late.

That said, one issue that both WWE and Impact seem to be under scrutiny for, is the lack of pushes for the younger guys in the back. The guys who'll be the future of these organizations in the next 10 years.

Now, I'll state that I'm all for pushes for the young guys. WWE has a wealth of talent in it's roster, but hasn't seen fit to really pull the trigger. Guys like Zack Ryder, Drew McIntyre, John Morrison, Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan, and The Usos are all deserving in some form of another of a bigger piece of the pie than they are receiving, but for some reason, whether it be a lack of trying or lack of importance, WWE doesn't seem to think that way.

Things are arguably worse for the second largest wrestling promotion in America. TNA has some amazing talents like The Pope, Zema Ion, Robbie E., Matt Morgan and several others. Yet none of these men are really doing anything right now. It was only about a year or so ago, The Pope was main-eventing Lockdown, and now he can't even get on the card.

That said, I think in recent months something had been made evidently clear by both companies. Yes, both have problems getting young talent over, but what I'm talking about is the recent show of life from the "Old Guard" if you will. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just look at what's been seen on TV as of late, and who some of the biggest players are.

In TNA, some of the best guys going are the old guys, and I'm not just referring to your typical guys like Sting and Flair. I'm talking about guys who we thought were done. Bully Ray for example, is one of the best at what he does right now, and that's being a trash-talking, tough as nails S.O.B. Who does what he wants, when he wants. It wasn't long ago, people were saying Bully Ray could become World Champion.

Brother Devon, when he's in a speaking role, can bring an intensity and fire to the mic that few can match in TNA. His segments with his boys, The Pope, and Jeff Hardy are a testament to that.

If you didn't know he was about 40, you'd think Christopher Daniels was about the same age as A.J. Styles, (who's no spring chicken himself, mind you.) Yet, even at the big four-o Daniels maintains a level of athleticism few can match, and is no slouch on the microphone.

There are a few more names one could rattle off in TNA, but lets turn our attention to the big one.

The WWE is the largest wrestling company in the world, and it would stand to reason that it has quite a few people who've been there for the long ride. Many would say it's time for them to step aside, but just like in TNA, the Old Guard is showing it still has some gas left in the tank.

R-Truth is about 40 and in my opinion is the best person on the mic in WWE right now, and has been for awhile (yeah, I was a fan before the big heel turn.) It doesn't matter if he's acting like a psychopath, pulling out a new remix, or just making witty banter with The Miz, R-Truth has yet to fail at entertaining, and when it comes to the ring, he's like Daniels. If you didn't look it up, you'd never guess he was about 40.

In the past year, Christian has gone on to do what many thought he would never do in the WWE. Win the World Heavyweight Championship. He even went so far as to prove people wrong and do it again, and he's about 37.

Say what you will about the title reigns. Yeah, he was buried by Orton, but if anyone asks, the epitaph on the headstone reads "Here lies Captain Charisma Christian (Cage.) A former two-time World Heavyweight Champion." Ever since then, Christian has more than proven he can be a main-eventer (regardless of what the WWE seems to think.)

Speaking of a man people said wouldn't win the World Heavyweight Championship, perhaps the biggest name on this list, (and the biggest person,) is Mark Henry. Fifteen years, this man was with the WWE.

In that fifteen years, he has won only one European title and one ECW title. Well now, he can add the big one to that list: The World Heavyweight Championship. Not only did he win the title, but he's proven himself by beating Randy Orton clean and coming out on top over Christian.

Along with that, on his way to the title, he's taken out Big Show, Khali, and Kane. Truly cementing his status as The Man on Friday Nights. (Not forgetting that he's actually drawn higher ratings than Randy Orton did as Champion, so...yeah...take that into account, WWE.)

Look, I'm not saying the main-event scene should just be flooded with veterans. No, that's not going to help the business.

That said, before everyone starts asking "Why is XXX still here, when XXX is wasting away on XXX." It's just a thought, but maybe it takes time to for a guy to hit his stride. I mean, if we're gonna be patient with a guy like CM Punk, who took years to really make an impact, we should be patient with Mark Henry.

We were patient with both, and look what's been happening to both and what they've produced.

(For those of you who say, "Well yeah, but it took him fifteen years to get good," I counter with, if Zack Ryder takes 15 years, but he ends up drawing a 2.6 on the ratings, then I could really care less how long it takes. Can't argue with results.")

Point is, before you start saying XXX should start putting people over and making people retire and such. Think about it.

Could this person have something more to offer with a slight repackaging?

It's just a thought, but I think it's becoming apparent that as far as wrestling goes, age is nothing but a number to some.