The Average Age Of WWE’s Main Eventers Show An Uncertain Future

After a hot start creatively with Triple H in charge of WWE, the promotion has cooled off a bit lately, but despite this, their main event scene is doing better than ever. WWE is lucky to have a plethora of men and women who can lead the company. The likes of Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk are megastars, and the top of the women’s division, with Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Tiffany Stratton, are right there with them. WWE is in the middle of one of their best eras, but wrestlers age and the status quo can’t last forever. So just how long can WWE stay as it is, and does NXT have the talent to keep WWE booming?

WWE’s Men’s Roster Has An Aging Main Event Scene

How Much Longer Can Cody Rhodes Be The Face Of WWE?

• Roman Reigns is going to retire in a few years.
• Cody Rhodes can continue to be the face of WWE for a while.
• WWE’s current main eventers don’t have many years left.

For many years, WWE tried their best to make Roman Reigns the face of the company, which failed until he turned heel and became the Tribal Chief of the Bloodline. The last few years, however, have seen the OTC become a part-time wrestler. On May 25, he will turn 40, which means he only has a few years left in the ring. Even he knows this, recently telling Vanity Fair:

“After I finish the contract that I’m in, we probably got another year or two max. Then it’s time to take on a less physical form of entertainment.”

The new face of WWE, Cody Rhodes, is in a similar position. The American Nightmare will turn 40 at the end of June, but unlike Reigns, he still wants to be a full-time wrestler for years to come, last December telling the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast:

“Well, third, 39 now, I’d say my contract is running till I don’t want to wrestle full time, definitely, past 45 okay. drop-in? For sure. Keep myself in shape–” (h/t Fightful)

Cody Rhodes isn’t going anywhere for a while, but what about the rest of the main event roster? CM Punk is 46, with only a few years tops left. The former World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther, is 37, and Jey Uso, the man who beat him at WrestleMania 41, is 39. Other former champions are around the same age as well, with Damian Priest being 42, Drew McIntyre 39, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens 40, Seth Rollins 38, and Randy Orton 45. Sooner rather than later, many men’s stars are going to be retiring, just like the 48-year-old John Cena is at the end of the year.

The Women’s Roster Has Mostly Younger Talent

Rhea Ripley And Tiffany Stratton Will Be Around For A Long Time

• Rhea Ripley and Tiffany Stratton are still rather young.
• Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair are at their peak.
• The remaining Four Horsewomen no longer dominate WWE.

The men’s roster is going to go through a dramatic shift in a few years, but the women’s division has the advantage of being in a much better place. The most over female star, Rhea Ripley, is still just 28 and Liv Morgan will turn 31 in June. There are a few older stars, like Iyo Sky at 34, and Bianca Belair at 35, who are at their peak right now. On the SmackDown side of things, WWE is fortunate to be led by Tiffany Stratton with the WWE Women’s Champion only being 26, but one of her biggest rivals, Nia Jax, is 40. Names like Jade Cargill, Naomi, and Chelsea Green are right there around the main event too, but all three of those women are in their 30s.

Then there’s the question of The Four Horsewomen. Mercedes Mone is in AEW now, Charlotte Flair has had some bad injuries, Becky Lynch just returned from a very long hiatus, and Bayley’s booking is beyond frustrating. How long can the remaining three members stay at the top of WWE? Charlotte is 39, Becky Lynch 38, and Bayley 35. It’s hard to fathom, but in a few years, they will be no more.

NXT Is Stacked With Stars Ready To Move Up

Raw And SmackDown Will Be Fine For Years To Come

• Bron Breakker, Dominik Mysterio, and Lyra Valkyria are stepping up on the main roster.
• Trick Williams and Oba Femi will lead the men from NXT.
• The NXT women’s division is filled with ready talent.

Wrestling is meant to change. Older stars leave and new stars come in, which keeps the product feeling fresh, but when the current main eventers of the men’s and women’s divisions start to retire, will WWE be able to handle the shift? It looks like the company will be in good hands, both from its younger main roster stars, and those waiting in NXT. Bron Breakker is getting a much-deserved big push lately, and being just 27, he can lead the company for the next decade. Dominik Mysterio, who is a year older at 28, will be right there with him. Over in the women’s division, look no further than Lyra Valkyria, who is also 28, to help carry the torch into the future.

Down in NXT, the roster is better than it has ever been. On the men’s side, names like Trick Williams, Oba Femi, Ricky Saints, and Ethan Page are ready now, although Saints and Page are already 35. It’s the dominant women’s division who will really alter WWE. As the last of the Four Horsemen says goodbye in a few years, the company will be just fine, with names like Stephanie Vaquer, Giulia, and Jordynne Grace leading the pack. Those veterans are all around 30 or over, but look out for Roxanne Perez, who has been the face of NXT the past few years and is still only 23. WWE’s main event is going to change drastically by the end of the decade, but don’t be surprised if it gets even better.