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They say that, in politics, a week is an age. What, then, could you say of 30 years or more in the crazy world of professional wrestling?
If so much can change in the space of seven days in many walks of life - not least the fast-paced, always-eventful environment that is WWE - the differences you'd encounter in comparing one generation in time to another is frightening.
To test that very theory, we have scoured through the archives of some of WWE's biggest, boldest and most memorable stars to compile an incredible gallery of Before and After shots - and some of them are truly sensational.
We've all grown familiar with, for example, what Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon look like now - but could you close your eyes and picture them some ten, 20 or 30 years ago? Fear not - we've saved you the trouble and done the hard work for you!
From Hall of Fame wrestlers to iconic managerial figures, here are some faces you're sure to know - but some versions of them you probably wont!
Hulk Hogan
The man behind the 80s movement to bring wrestling into the mainstream, and the hero of Hulkamania - is there really any star bigger in the history of the business than Hulk Hogan?
He's more than a household name now as a WWE Hall of Famer but, as with any competitor, he had to start somewhere. This incredible shot taken from early in Hogan's wrestling career shows his stunning physique and flowing, long, blonde locks - though that's not to say the Hulkster isn't still, as they say, put together!
From the yellow and red of his first WWF run to the white and black of the NWO and beyond, there's little doubting this man's status as an all-time legend.
Mark Henry
Mark Henry made his WWE debut in the mid-1990s, fresh from the Olympic scene and ready to make his mark, initially with a feud against Jerry 'The King' Lawler. Henry was, arguably, the precursor character to Kurt Angle, who would go on to find fame with the same style of gimmick some three years later.
Henry, of course, would be repackaged a number of times during his career - from the Nation of Domination, to Sexual Chocolate no less, this Texan proved to be one of the most likeable, versatile and endearing stars WWE have produced over the years. It's safe to say he's changed a lot!
Kevin Nash
Kevin Nash recently confirmed his retirement after three decades as an active wrestler.
His career will likely rank up there as one of the best of any 'big man' to enter the world of professional wrestling - from his menacing, early days as Big Daddy Cool Diesel in the World Wrestling Federation, to his stint in WCW as one of the Outsiders and, latterly, the NWO.
His robust style, coupled with some unbelievable athleticism for a man his size, means Nash will likely long be remembered for a career that included his winning the WWE Championship in just eight seconds in late 1994.
Gerald Briscoe & Pat Patterson
These two wily veterans have incredible wrestling backgrounds and careers; Briscoe as one of the famed Briscoe Brothers alongside sibling, Jack, and Patterson of course as the first ever Intercontinental champion in WWE.
It is meant as no disrespect, then, that wrestling fans of a certain age will actually remember them for altogether different reasons - the above comparison image summing that up perfectly. Back in the late 1990s and the turn of the millennium, the duo were shot back into the spotlight as aides to Mr McMahon or, as they would be known, The Two Stooges.
The pair didn't always get a long - as you can see above - they even went at it themselves in a bizarre encounter at the 2000 King of the Ring.
Rikishi
Fans will fondly remember the dancing, gliding, nifty-footed Rikishi from his later WWF/WWE days, flanking Too Cool as a fun-loving tag team and sweeping many a foe to one side.
For some with longer memories, though, will recall that Rikishi actually found fame in WWE many, many years earlier as one half of the original Headshrinkers tag team that made their debut in 1992.
Menacing, troublesome and without mercy, the pair gobbled their way through the tag team division to become champions in the 1990s, before Rikishi would later embark on an equally-successful singles run.
Shawn Michaels
Easily one of the biggest and most prominent names on our list, Shawn Michaels also draws arguably the greatest contrast when comparing his present-day self to that of his youthful, chipper self, who found success in the WWF in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of The Rockers.
A multi-time tag team champion, Michaels' career accomplishments are probably without equal; he first won the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania XII in 1996, but has a string of Intercontinental, European and Hall of Fame accolades to his name - not least that of The Showstopper for his uncanny ability to, well, stop the show!
Michaels himself happily quips about the fact that he probably looks his age but, in fairness, after a career as eventful as his, it's difficult to expect anything less. A true icon and a legend.
Jimmy Hart
Pound for pound, one would have to argue that the Mouth of the South, Jimmy Hart, is the most legendary manager of all time in professional wrestling, such was his catalogue of clients in WWE, WCW and beyond. In fact, if you look back at some early 1990s WWE action, it's hard to find a heel that wasn't managed by Jimmy, complete with his booming voice and trademark colourful jackets.
His most noted and iconic piece of equipment, though? His trusty megaphone, of course!
Jerry 'The King' Lawler
Jerry Lawler, now in his 70s, is comfortably one of the most recognisable voices in wrestling history. Fans all over the world will know his work from behind the commentary desk but, in truth, Lawler actually boasts an equally-impressive wrestling career - though little of that actually came from his time with WWE.
Back in the early 1990s when Lawler debuted with the company, he swiftly became a heel commentator and a regular champion for all things evil. He was the perfect foil for Vince McMahon and, latterly, Jim Ross.
Ric Flair
The greatest this, the most memorable that - we've thrown a lot of hyperbole and accolades out there so far in our compilation, but there's one that surely stands without any dispute whatsoever - the greatness of Ric Flair!
The Nature Boy, still stylin' and profilin', was a megastar away from WWE, but also achieved real notoriety within the company, too, once winning the Royal Rumble to capture the then WWF Championship after spending a whole hour in the match.
The 16-time world champion may not have been in the best of health in recent years, but that smile and stance is recognisable anywhere, any time. Woooo!
Sean Waltman
Some may know him as Sean Waltman, some may call him X-Pac. Me, however? He'll forever be known as the 1-2-3 Kid! The Kid caused one of the biggest upsets of the 1990s with his shock success against Razor Ramon on an episode of Monday Night Raw, and went on to have some fantastic matches with the likes of Bret and Owen Hart, firmly established as one of WWE's hottest young prospects.
In 1996 he departed to WCW but, less than a couple of years later, would return as X-Pac and join the re-formed D-Generation X. From there the rest is likely history - this former tag team, European and Intercontinental champion racked up wins and titles that speak for themselves.
The Million Dollar Man
Everybody's got a price for the Million Dollar Man, so said Ted DiBiase, the wicked, dastardly wrestler turned manager who was one of the best heels in the business back in the 1990s.
Once famed for 'buying' the WWE Championship, DiBiase was, for many, without equal on the microphone, as well as being a sound performer in the squared circle, too, before back issues forced his retirement from active wrestling in 1993.
His trademark, booming cackle of a laugh still draws a warm reaction wherever its heard. If it doesn't win people round, it doesn't matter - the almighty dollar will!
Christian
Fans may well remember Christian as the super-cool former World Champion and legend of tag team wrestling, alongside his trusted friend and partner, Edge.
In truth, though, Christian's early days in WWE saw him look, sound and feel altogether different, as this fantastic shot of him in his 'Brood' days show. He's captured what was the late-1990s equivalent of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship, but had little interest in gold. Back then, all The Brood cared about was a lust for blood and gore!
Quite a departure from the master of the Peeps, Christian reinvented himself perfectly.
Sgt. Slaughter
Listen up, you maggots! In a world full of colourful characters and fan favourites, Sgt. Slaughter was comfortably one of the most hated heels in WWE back in 1990-1991 when he turned his back on his country to align himself with the country's sworn enemies.
Winning the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble in 1991 from the Ultimate Warrior, Sarge's reign was relatively short - he lost it at WrestleMania months later to Hulk Hogan, but did so much damage in the interim that many fans never forgave him.
He later worked as an on-screen authority figure as the Commissioner of what was then the WWF.
Santino Marella
There were fewer more fun-loving characters in WWE in the last 15 or so years than the Italian supremo that was Santino Marella.
Winning the Intercontinental title on his debut - apparently plucked out of the crowd in his hometown to take a crack at then champ, Umaga - he quickly captured the hearts of fans around the world.
Santino would, of course, later become known as a comedy figure in WWE - but a good one at that - raising smiles as recently as the 2020 Royal Rumble with his surprise cameo.
Vince McMahon
How could we put together a list of this type without including the boss himself? Mr Vince McMahon's role in the industry of professional wrestling will likely never be eclipsed. At times controversial, but always daring, risky and willing to do whatever it takes, McMahon helped build a multi-billion dollar enterprise that has dominated the wrestling landscape for decades.
Many will say that, comparing a young Vince McMahon to the version of today, aged 74, shows that WWE's figurehead can't go forever... but you try telling him that!
