Imagine stepping into a roaring arena at 83 years and 203 days old. Most would call it quits, but Dory Funk Jr. just proved age is nothing but a number. But here’s the kicker: he isn’t even the oldest to do it! We dive into the sixteen oldest pro wrestlers who pushed past the limits of time and continued to lace up their boots well into their golden years!
From Dominic DeNucci to Dory Funk Jr. to ‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong, we explore sixteen of the oldest pro wrestlers who defied age and wrestled a match well into their golden years. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
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16. Mil Máscaras (77 years, 60 days) – 2019
Mil Máscaras, in his prime – the masked superhero who helped globalize lucha libre with dazzling high-flying moves in the 1970s, wrestled his final match at 77 years, 60 days old. Photo Credit: WWE.
Match Date: September 13, 2019
Event: LLA Vive El Ring
Location: Arena Coliseo, Acapulco, Mexico
Partners: Capitan Atomo & Dragon Lee
Opponents: La Bestia Del Ring, Rey Bucanero & Valiente
Result: Victory
Born on July 15, 1942, Mil Máscaras debuted in 1963 and became the first luchador to be granted a U.S. work visa, helping to globalize lucha libre.
On September 13, 2019, at 77 years, 60 days, he teamed with Capitán Átomo and Dragon Lee in Acapulco to defeat La Bestia Del Ring, Rey Bucanero, and Valiente.
Unlike peers who retired quietly, Mil Máscaras remained semi-active into 2020, embodying the masked superhero persona he originated and cementing his legacy as a true immortal of the sport.
15. Chic Donovan (78 years, 99 days) – 2025
Chic Donovan (alongside Tommy Dreamer). At age 78, he defied expectations in IWA Deep South’s RassleMania event in Sylacauga, Alabama, on June 14, 2025. Photo Credit: Tommy Dreamer.
Match Date: June 14, 2025
Event: IWA Deep South RassleMania – Pay Per View
Location: J. Craig Smith Community Center, Sylacauga, Alabama
Partners: Robert Gibson
Opponents: Jay Impact & Mr. Hughes
Result: Victory
Born Charles Donovan Kelley on March 7, 1947, Chic Donovan first stepped into a ring in 1977 and became known for his technical grit across Georgia Championship Wrestling, WCW, and WWF.
On June 14, 2025, at 78 years, 99 days, he joined forces with longtime partner Robert Gibson to overcome Jay Impact and Mr. Hughes in IWA Deep South’s RassleMania pay-per-view in Sylacauga, Alabama.
Even as peers retired, Donovan’s precise holds, veteran ring psychology, and unwavering toughness proved that age is no barrier to the enduring spirit of a true wrestling veteran.
As of this writing, Chic Donovan is still actively competing, so we will update his ranking as time goes on.
14. Bob Armstrong (79 years, 220 days) – 2019
Bullet Bob Armstrong alongside his sons “Road Dogg” Brian James, Scott Armstrong, and Steve Armstrong at the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011. Photo Credit: WWE.
Match Date: May 11, 2019
Event: Continental Championship Wrestling
Location: Dothan, Alabama
Opponent: The Assassin
Result: Victory
Note: Final match before his death from cancer on August 27, 2020
The indomitable Bullet Bob Armstrong built a fifty-year career defined by grit, loyalty, and a string of championship reigns—from the Georgia territory to Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
A former U.S. Marine, Armstrong once balanced night firefighting shifts with daytime ring battles before committing full-time in 1970.
Among his many accolades, Armstrong claimed the Southern Heavyweight titles across multiple NWA territories and famously held the NWA Continental Championship title for Continental Championship Wrestling.
On May 11, 2019, at exactly 79 years, 220 days, he headlined in Dothan, Alabama, defeating The Assassin in his swan song match.
Tragically, Bob succumbed to cancer just over a year later, on August 27, 2020. His four sons, Brian "Road Dogg" James, Scott Armstrong, Steve Armstrong, and the late Brad Armstrong, all followed his footsteps into wrestling, cementing the Armstrongs as one of the industry’s most storied families.
13. Mr. Chile (79 years, 279 days) – 2022
Angel Blanco alongside Mr. Chile (at 79 years) and Corporate diam0nd during the buildup to "Fight of Immortals" at VLL Inmortales, July 27, 2022. Photo Credit: Valparaíso Lucha Libre.
Match Date: August 27, 2022
Event: Valparaíso Lucha Libre (VLL Inmortales)
Location: Fortín Prat, Valparaíso, Chile
Partner: Angel Blanco
Opponents: La Momia Porteña & Zaddam
Birth Date: November 21, 1942
Born November 21, 1942, in Valparaíso, Chile, Mister Chile (also billed as Mr. Chile and Mister Chile II) debuted in 1965 and enjoyed a remarkable 57-year career marked by powerhouse strength and his iconic "Salto de la Muerte."
Masterfully conditioned after decades as a bodybuilder and trained by Huaso Briones, he earned acclaim throughout South American lucha libre, winning multiple regional titles, including the Titanes Del Ring World Championship.
On August 27, 2022, at the VLL Inmortales event held at Fortín Prat, Mister Chile returned for his final recorded match, teaming with Angel Blanco against Zaddam and La Momia Porteña. Not only was this bout a reunion of Chilean wrestling legends, but it also marked a long-awaited in-ring encounter—Zaddam faced his master, Mr. Chile, after waiting close to 22 years for this moment.
Mister Chile’s legacy remains in both honor and inspiration, having mentored generations of talent and leaving a powerful mark on wrestling across Chile.
12. Ox Baker (80 years, 0 days) – 2014
Ox Baker has his final professional wrestling match on April 19, 2014, on his 80th birthday in Marion, Ohio. Photo Credit: WWE.
Match Date: April 19, 2014 (his 80th birthday)
Event: CCW “Birthday Bash”
Location: Marion, Ohio
Opponent: Bobo Brazil Jr.
Result: Victory
Note: Wrestled on his exact 80th birthday; died October 20, 2014, at age 80.
Ox Baker, born Douglas A. Baker on April 19, 1934, arguably redefined what it meant to be a fearsome heel.
Towering at 6’4″ with a woolly chest, pointy brows, and an earth-shaking growl, he captivated audiences from his riot-sparking Heart Punch in Cleveland to his Hollywood cameo in Escape From New York.
Yet on April 19, 2014, on his 80th birthday, Baker proved his ring spirit remained unshaken.
Headlining the CCW “Birthday Bash” card in Marion, Ohio, he squared off against Bobo Brazil Jr., unleashing clubbing forearms and his signature Salto de la Muerte before sealing a final victory. It would be his last match before passing away later that year.
Watch the match:
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11. Popoff (80 years, 6 days) – 2023
Seen here still going strong at 72 in 2015, Popoff the Gypsy (Jean-Pierre Pouzade) continues to train in his backyard gym, proving that age is just a number! Photo: Thierry Pasquet/Signatures.
Match Date: March 18, 2023
Event: Rixe Catch
Location: Plouasne, France
Opponent: Charles Crowley
Result: Victory
Note: French wrestling legend who debuted in 1956
French wrestling legend Jean-Pierre Pouzade, who debuted in 1956 under the ring name Popoff the Gypsy, first stepped into a wrestling ring at the age of 15 and went on to become one of France’s most evocative catch performers.
Born March 12, 1943, he headlined Rixe Catch in Plouasne on March 18, 2023, at 80 years, 6 days, pinning Charles Crowley with a perfectly timed arm drag.
Crowned European senior champion in the 1990s and a staple of Paris’s Elysée-Montmartre and Cirque d’Hiver in wrestling’s golden era, Popoff combined powerful "Salto de la Muerte" dives with theatrical flair.
He later trained the next generation in Brittany and remains a fixture on French wrestling podcasts.
His enduring dedication, training outdoors in all seasons, proves why Popoff the Gypsy truly never cast off his cape.
10. Tinieblas (80 years, 71 days) – 2019
Tinieblas (Manuel Leal), who wrestled his final match at 80 years and 71 days old proves that legends never truly retire from lucha libre. Photo Credit: Jose Luna/Secretaria de Cultura CDMX.
Match Date: August 18, 2019
Event: Expo Lucha’s Legends Of Lucha Libre
Location: San Diego, California
Partners: Dr. Wagner Jr. & Octagon
Opponents: Fuerza Guerrera, Misterioso Jr. & Pirata Morgan
Result: Victory
A towering figure in lucha libre history, Tinieblas, born Manuel Leal on June 8, 1939, in Mexico City, made wrestling history on August 18, 2019, at Expo Lucha’s Legends Of Lucha Libre in San Diego, California.
At 80 years, 71 days, he teamed with Dr. Wagner Jr. and Octagon to defeat Fuerza Guerrera, Misterioso Jr., and Pirata Morgan in a six-man tag match, marking his official retirement from the ring after nearly five decades of competition.
Originally a bodybuilder and stuntman discovered by Black Shadow and Dory Dixon, Tinieblas was handpicked by "Lucha Libre" magazine editor Valente Pérez in 1968 to portray a dark rival character to Mil Máscaras.
Debuting on August 20, 1971, at age 32, he became the second luchador (after El Santo) to star in his own comic book series and appeared in numerous films, including "Los Campeones Justicieros" (1971) alongside wrestling legends like Blue Demon and Mil Máscaras.
Despite his late start in wrestling, Tinieblas captured the WWA World Heavyweight Championship and became one of the first luchadores to tour Japan in 1974. His legacy extends beyond the ring through his son Tinieblas Jr., proving that some wrestling dynasties truly span generations.
9. Dominic DeNucci (80 years, 82 days) – 2012
Dominic DeNucci, at age 80, closed out a storied career with one final victory. Photo Credit: WWE, Benny Scala. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Match Date: April 14, 2012
Event: Pro Wrestling Stories card
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Partner: Shane Douglas
Opponents: Lord Zoltan & Shawn Blanchard
Result: Victory
Note: Legendary trainer of Mick Foley and Shane Douglas; passed away August 12, 2021, at age 89
Dominic DeNucci was born Domenico Nucciarone on February 23, 1932, in Frosolone, Italy, and emigrated to Canada as a child.
A mainstay of the NWA territories in the 1960s and ’70s, he captured over a dozen championships, including the NWA World Tag Team and WWE United States Tag Team titles.
On April 14, 2012, at precisely 80 years, 82 days, DeNucci teamed with his protégé Shane Douglas in Toronto to defeat Lord Zoltan and Shawn Blanchard, marking the end of his in-ring career.
Revered for his technical mastery and mentorship, he trained future stars Mick Foley and Shane Douglas before retiring to Pennsylvania.
DeNucci passed away on August 12, 2021, leaving behind a legacy as both a champion and a teacher.
8. Jimmy Valiant (81 years, 7 days) – 2023
“Handsome” Jimmy Valiant over the years. Photo Credit: WWE. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Match Date: August 13, 2023
Event: Revolution Wrestling Authority
Location: High Point, North Carolina
Partner: Rob McBride
Match: 3-on-2 handicap match
Opponents: Jonny Fairplay, Julian Strauss, and Steven Frye
Result: Victory
A legend of Southern wrestling, "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jimmy Valiant (born James Harold Fanning on August 6, 1942) thrilled fans for over six decades with his flamboyant entrance music, colorful tights, and defiant spirit.
Jimmy debuted in 1964 after undergoing rigorous training under wrestling veterans and rose to prominence as one-half of the Fabulous Valiant Brothers, capturing multiple tag team championships in the WWWF.
Reinventing himself as "The Boogie Woogie Man," he blended high-energy entrances, brazen promos, and punishing elbow drops to become a beloved babyface throughout the South.
On August 13, 2023, at 81 years and 7 days old, Valiant teamed with Rob McBride in a demanding 3-on-2 handicap match at Revolution Wrestling Authority’s High Point, North Carolina show, overcoming Jonny Fairplay, Julian Strauss, and Steven Frye.
This final victory capped a nearly six-decade career defined by charisma, resilience, and a heartfelt bond with fans, before transitioning fully to mentoring and promoting the next generation of wrestlers.
7. The Fabulous Moolah (81 years, 61 days) – 2004
The Fabulous Moolah celebrates a win over Velvet McIntyre at WrestleMania 2. [Photo: WWE Network]
Beginning her career alongside legendary WWE Hall of Famer Buddy Rogers, she captured the NWA World Women’s Championship in 1956 and held it for an unprecedented 28 years: a record that will likely never be replicated.
On September 21, 2004, at 81 years, 61 days, she teamed with longtime partner Mae Young on a WWE SmackDown taping to defeat Dawn Marie and Torrie Wilson in what would be her final recorded match.
Though her legacy remains complicated due to allegations about her business practices, her impact on women’s wrestling and her remarkable longevity in the ring cannot be denied.
6. Killer Kowalski (81 years, 153 days) – 2008
Killer Kowalski over the years. Photo Credit: WWE. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Match Date: March 14, 2008
Event: Top Rope Promotions
Location: Fall River, Massachusetts
Opponent: Gino Giovanni
Result: Victory via clawhold
Note: Final match before his death on August 30, 2008
Walter “Killer” Kowalski began wrestling in the 1940s and became one of the greatest villains the sport produced, headlining against stars like Bruno Sammartino for decades.
On March 14, 2008, at 81 years, 153 days, he returned for a Top Rope Promotions card in Fall River, Massachusetts, to submit Gino Giovanni with his trademark clawhold.
This final victory capped a storied career that spanned over 60 years, before Kowalski passed away later that summer, remembered as both a fearsome competitor and a beloved trainer of future champions.
5. KY Wakamatsu (82 years, 153 days) – 2024
KY Wakamatsu indeed competed in a battle royal on June 2, 2024, at 82 years, 153 days, reinforcing his status as one of the oldest wrestlers ever to step into the ring. Photo Credit: AFLO.
Match Date: June 2, 2024
Event: Asian Pro Wrestling
Location: Takachiho, Japan
Match: Battle royal won by Shota
Result: Participated
Ichimasa "Shogun KY" Wakamatsu first trained at the IWE dojo and debuted on September 29, 1973, after fifteen years working as an electrician and stevedore.
Standing 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) and weighing 105 kg (231 lb), he quickly found his niche not just in the ring but also at ringside, managing marquee talents throughout the 1980s puroresu boom.
In New Japan Pro Wrestling, Wakamatsu assembled the Machine Gun Army: Junji Hirata’s Strong Machine, Bill Eadie’s Super Machine, and Giant Machine (Andre the Giant in disguise), leading them to multiple tag title runs and even orchestrating Andre’s rare pinfall victory over Antonio Inoki.
A Wrestling Observer runner-up for Manager of the Year, he later guided legends like Bad News Allen in Stampede Wrestling and spearheaded Isao Yoshiwara’s Super World of Sports stable Dojo Geki.
Beyond wrestling, he promoted Dosanko Pro Wrestling in Hokkaido and served on the Ashibetsu City Council, showcasing his lifelong dedication to both the sport and the community.
On June 2nd, 2024, at 82 years 153 days, he once again stepped into the ring for Asian Pro Wrestling’s Takachiho battle royal, proving that his tactical mind and fighting spirit remain undiminished even decades after his prime.
4. Great Kojika (82 years, 357 days) – 2025
The Great Kojika is one of the oldest wrestlers to lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Photo Credit: ProFightDB.
Match Date: April 20, 2025
Event: Niigata Pro Wrestling
Location: Niigata, Japan
Partners: Tatsumi Fujinami & LEONA
Opponents: Akira Jo, Isami Kodaka & Ryota Nakatsu
Result: Victory
Born April 28, 1942, in Tokyo, Great Kojika debuted in 1963 and went on to co-found Big Japan Pro Wrestling, helping pioneer deathmatches and cultivating Japanese indies.
Over the course of six decades, he has wrestled for DDT Pro, NWA Japan, and AJPW, often sharing the ring with legends such as Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba.
On April 20, 2025, at exactly 82 years, 357 days, he teamed with Tatsumi Fujinami and LEONA to defeat Akira Jo, Isami Kodaka, and Ryota Nakatsu for Niigata Pro Wrestling, cementing his status as the oldest active wrestler in the world and proving that his passion for the ring endures.
3. Kendo Nagasaki (83 years, 36 days) – 2024
Kendo Nagasaki made his final in-ring appearance in November 2024 at the age of 83, staking a Guinness World Record bid as wrestling’s oldest active competitor. Photo Credit: LDN Wrestling.
Match Date: November 24, 2024
Event: LDN Wrestling show
Location: Fairfield Halls, Croydon, England
Partners: Dead Gorgeous (Ben & Jordan Nelson)
Match: Six-man tag team match
Result: Disqualified for "illegal hold"
Note: Applied for Guinness World Record as the oldest active wrestler
British wrestling’s masked icon, Kendo Nagasaki (real name Peter Thornley), defied time by competing in his final match on November 24, 2024, at 83 years and 36 days old.
The masked mystic, known for his hypnotic persona and salt-throwing rituals, teamed with Dead Gorgeous (Ben & Jordan Nelson) in a six-man tag bout for LDN Wrestling at Fairfield Halls in Croydon, England.
Though disqualified for an "illegal hold," Nagasaki quipped post-match: "I was naughty–though that’s why you love me!" This appearance marked his Guinness World Record application for "Oldest Active Professional Wrestler," pending verification.
Nagasaki’s career spanned 60 years, blending occult theatrics with legitimate judo prowess. From unmasking 14 million viewers in 1977 to mentoring LGBTQ+ youth in his later years, his legacy remains as layered as his iconic red-and-white mask.
2. Dory Funk Jr. (83 years, 203 days) – 2024
Dory Funk Jr. takes an explosive bat shot at age 83 during a Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match in Japan on August 24, 2024. Teaming with Osamu Nishimura, Dory faced Atsushi Onita and Raijin Yaguchi in this brutal contest, with Dory and Osamu emerging victorious. The match was part of an event honoring the one-year memorial of Terry Funk and celebrating Onita’s 50th anniversary. Photo Credit: FMW.
Match Date: August 24, 2024
Event: FMW-E Terry Funk Memorial & Atsushi Onita 50th Anniversary
Location: Fujitsu Kawasaki Stadium, Kawasaki, Japan
Match: Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match
Partners: Osamu Nishimura
Opponents: Atsushi Onita & Raijin Yaguchi
Result: Victory
Dory Funk Jr. took his wrestling career to another level when he competed at 83 years and 203 days old, making him the oldest Funk to ever wrestle a match.
On August 24, 2024, Dory defied expectations by competing in a Double Hell Current Explosion Death Match at the FMW-E Terry Funk Memorial and Atsushi Onita 50th Anniversary – Kawasaki Legend 2024 show at Fujitsu Kawasaki Stadium in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. In a hard-hitting Explosion Deathmatch, Dory Funk Jr. and Osamu Nishimura (no spring chicken himself during this match at age 52) teamed up and defeated Atsushi Onita and Raijin Yaguchi.
The match, culminating in Dory Jr. taking an explosive bat to the back, demonstrated his enduring fighting spirit and tenacity—traits that have defined his remarkable career. Despite the intensity of the match, reports confirm that everyone involved emerged from the match in good condition.
Admirably, his brother Terry Funk’s last match was at the age of 73.
Dory Jr., the second-longest reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion, has wrestled for almost every major promotion during his seven-decade career.
Although he originally retired in 2018, he remained active in the industry as a trainer at his wrestling school, passing on his vast knowledge to the next generation.
"In order to make a living in this business," Dory shared in a 2022 interview with Villages News, "you have to devote yourself to wrestling. It’s very competitive, and it takes everything you’ve got to make it to the top."
It’s safe to say that Funk gave everything to the business his legendary father weaned him into.
1. Mae Young (87 years, 248 days) – 2010
The fierce yet wonderful Mae Young. Photo Credit: WWE. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Match Date: November 15, 2010
Event: WWE Monday Night RAW (Old School episode)
Match: Falls Count Anywhere 2-on-1 handicap match vs LayCool
Result: Victory (put her foot on Layla for the pinfall)
Verification: Multiple sources confirm this record remains unbroken
Although Mae Young’s frenetic handicap match on Monday Night RAW barely resembled anything close to a competitive match, the feat is still awe-inspiring as she must’ve prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally for a match at nearly 88 years old (87 years, 248 days to be exact).
Sadly, she would pass away just three years later.
Young was featured on RAW in a segment with CM Punk the year she died after he interrupted her 90th birthday celebration.
Professional wrestling is one of the most physical and dangerous sports and forms of entertainment one can engage in. Kudos to these greats for their passion, toughness, and unbelievable longevity.
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"Evan Ginzburg’s stories are a love letter to wrestling, filled with heart, humor, and history. A must-read for any true fan."— Keith Elliot Greenberg
Ethan Absler is a freelance writer covering professional wrestling for NBC Universal and The USA Network. He is an independent wrestler based out of Chicago with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri.
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