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Despite being over 40 years old, a few former WWE Superstars are still in their physical prime.
Several former WWE Superstars have lost their athletic shape since turning 40. A few gained weight and became slower in the ring. Others decided to end their professional wrestling careers and hang up their boots.
Meanwhile, a few other former WWE Superstars have not only stayed in shape but even enhanced their physical condition. Some of them are still active competitors in other promotions. Nonetheless, others have stepped away from the ring to pursue a career elsewhere.
Here are five former WWE Superstars over 40 who are in their physical prime.
#5. Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Christian Cage
Christian Cage joined WWE in 1998. He spent seven years in the company before leaving in 2005. Four years later, the former ECW Champion returned to WWE. Nonetheless, he had to retire in 2014 due to injury.
Cage made several sporadic WWE appearances after his retirement. In January 2021, the former World Heavyweight Champion returned to in-ring action as a surprise entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble match. He then left Vince McMahon's company to join AEW last March.
Before coming out of retirement, the 48-year-old had an insane five-month body transformation. Nutrition Solutions' official Instagram page shared a before and after photo of Cage. The pictures showed the drastic changes his body went through.
"Being a pro athlete his entire life who is well known for his work ethic and competitiveness, Jay committed not just to getting himself back in shape, but getting himself in the best shape of his life at 47 years young! And as you can see, in just 5 months time he’s made some remarkable progress!" Nutrition Solutions wrote in the caption.
The current AEW star also commented on the post, thanking Nutrition Solutions for helping him get in such shape.
"When you wake up in the morning, it's just as easy to set goals as it is to make excuses... but it feels a hell of a lot better when you conquer a goal. Can't thank Chris & the NS team enough for helping get me back to where I wanna be," he wrote.
Cage is currently in the best shape of his life. He looks more shredded than ever. The former European Champion has also proved that he has not lost a step inside the ring as he had several great matches in 2021. He also held the IMPACT Wrestling Championship for two months, between August and October.
#4. Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Carlito
Carlito joined WWE in 2003 and made his main roster debut a year later on SmackDown. He spent nearly seven years in Vince McMahon's company. Nonetheless, WWE released him in 2010 due to a violation of the WWE Wellness Program.
After 11 years of absence, the former United States champion returned to WWE as a surprise entrant in the 2021 Royal Rumble match. He looked in a better physical shape than he was a decade earlier.
In an interview with WWE's The Bump last February, the 42-year-old revealed the secret behind his impressive body transformation.
"It’s funny to me the way people reacted to how I look. I don’t know if it’s a compliment or if I didn’t look good before! When you get to my age, you have to learn about dieting and the importance of it. You get away with it when you’re younger, but now you have to learn how to eat spinach, that’s one thing; spinach, chicken breasts and apples, too," he said.
After participating in the 2021 Royal Rumble match, Carlito competed the following night on RAW. He teamed up with Jeff Hardy to defeat Elias and Jaxson Ryker. The former Intercontinental Champion then left WWE again. He is currently active on the independent circuit.
#3. WWE Hall of Famer Torrie Wilson
Torrie Wilson kicked off her wrestling career in WCW before moving to WWE in 2001. She spent seven years in the company before retiring in 2008 to look out for other opportunities.
Wilson underwent an impressive body transformation in the past few years. She is now in better shape than she was during her time as a wrestler. In an interview with Strong Fitness Magazine, the 46-year-old disclosed her secret to having an impressive physique at her age.
"Even when I was wrestling all those years, I still wasn’t happy with how I looked. I was constantly dieting to look good for a photo shoot, or trying the latest fad diet. I yo-yo’d for many years. Since I quit diets altogether, started eating things in moderation, and focused on lifting weights, I've been leaner and happier," she said.
Since her retirement, Wilson has become a web-based fitness trainer and blogger. She launched a fitness blog and released an on-demand fitness program. The WWE Hall of Famer mainly helps women over 40 get in the best shape of their lives.
Wilson has made a few sporadic WWE appearances in the past few years. She also competed in a few matches, including the 2018 and 2021 Women's Royal Rumble matches.
#2. Former WWE Champion Paul Wight
Paul Wight (FKA The Big Show) competed for nearly four years in WCW before joining WWE in 1999. The 7-foot giant spent around two decades in Vince McMahon's company, during which he became a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion. Nevertheless, he left WWE in early 2021.
A few months before leaving Vince McMahon's company, the 49-year-old underwent an impressive body transformation. The former WWE Champion lost 70 pounds to get in the best shape of his life. In an interview with WWE.com, Wight revealed why he decided to change his body shape.
"It was definitely a conscious decision. You don’t make the transformation I’ve made without a serious commitment to changing 40 years of improper diet and improper training. I wanted to make a change, and I was given the time and opportunity to make a change... what I want to do with myself, and really take this challenge on and see if I could make a change," he said.
Wight is currently active in AEW. The former WWE Champion joined Tony Khan's company in February 2021 as a color commentator and in-ring competitor. Nevertheless, he has only competed in three AEW matches so far.
#1. WWE legend The Rock
The Rock (AKA Dwayne Johnson) is arguably the greatest WWE Superstar in history. He joined Vince McMahon's company in 1996 and spent eight years in WWE before retiring to pursue an acting career in Hollywood.
Although he has always been in great shape, The Brahma Bull is currently in his physical prime. The 49-year-old looked more cut than ever as he prepared for his role in his upcoming movie "Black Adam."
In an Instagram post, The Rock disclosed how he got himself in that impressive shape.
"Been working extremely hard dieting, training and conditioning unlike any other role of my entire career. Manipulating water, sodium, cardio but also having to push and pull real iron to have dense, dry, detailed muscle. It’s a real science that takes months and months to dial it all in with my strength & conditioning coach @daverienzi who keeps a very watchful eye, constantly fine tuning our strategy daily," he wrote.
The Great One is now a Hollywood megastar. Despite having a busy schedule, The Rock has made several WWE appearances over the past decade. He last competed in WWE at WrestleMania 32 when he defeated Erick Rowan in only six seconds.
