10 Older Wrestlers Who Reinvented Themselves

It's all the more special to see a wrestler of advanced age step firmly outside that comfort zone, and completely reinvent themselves. It's one thing when a younger wrestler, seeking the winning formula that will propel them into the stratosphere, tinkers with different nuances and characteristics, but it's something else to see somebody take on an almost-entirely fresh new persona...
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Cultaholic provides video coverage of professional wrestling - including WWE (including WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown Live, WWE NXT and 205 Live), IMPACT Wrestling (formerly TNA), NJPW, ROH, and more with daily news updates, reviews, highlights, predictions, reactions, podcasts and much, much more.

[@phillipbowman3151]

Chris Jericho and Matt Hardy are the masters of reinventing themselves.

[@DYLANJJK94]

Y2J just plays himself, So He has it good :D

[@hugolalumiere9992]

Jericho is the GOAT. Period. The man is that good.

[@themadrapper101]

The Undertaker

[@duffman18]

Yeah the Undertaker is the master of it. Just looking at the undertaker character, there's been 6 or 7 versions of it, if not more. Also looking it up just now, it's funny how I always thought of Jericho as way younger than Taker, but Taker is only a few years older. He already felt like a big old scary man during the attitude era whole jericho was the young rockstar.

[@barrywallace2744]

@@hugolalumiere9992 Overrated, stupidly overrated. Not as good as people make him out to be. He is a boring wrestler and shit on the mike.

[@malmasterson3890]

Jericho may not be on mount rushmore in terms of icons of wrestling, but in terms of being a true legendary wrestler: the in-ring work, the ability to get over, the character adaptation, moveset innovation, gimmick reinvention, ring generalship. There is no one quite like Jericho.

[@JS5074]

Robbo LUFC the rock could come back as dirt and people would pop

[@malmasterson3890]

@Robbo LUFC The Rock did it once, and all that happened was they allowed the Rock to actually act like himself, but more exaggerated. I know where you're coming from though. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is my role model and I respect him for his meteoric rise and great character. He's an icon and on my Mount Rushmore, but Jericho has adapter and gotten over everything he's done.

[@malmasterson3890]

@Robbo LUFC A face/heel tuner isn't a reinvention of the character, I guess you could argue Hollywood Rock as a reinvention, but he literally is a Hollywood star, so it's not really a character.

[@1cuno]

Robbo LUFC false

[@malmasterson3890]

@Robbo LUFC I said exaggerated, but I guess I should've been more specific. He was known for being very witty and having great comebacks, so they adapted that and change him to The Rock. A heel who could: outwit anyone in promos, claimed to be the people's champion, would often speak in 3rd person, and had dozens of catchphrases. I didn't say he didn't obviously make up stuff and develop a character, it was just the fsct that it developed from the kind of person he was. Not the part that he was a dick who was full of himself and thought he was the people's champion, but that he was very witty and always looking to work an audience.

[@westnile21]

That Hogan “hair metal” analogy was so on point.

[@seedyunderbellygaming7713]

In spite of his lack of hair. LOL

[@Mickey-kr4ci]

Sting's Joker Gimmick was inspired from Cesar Romero's Joker from the Batman TV Series.

[@codycourson1483]

You can definitely see Heath Ledger's Joker in his work as well though

[@PsychomachineryEBM]

Because Romero will be always the man as the Joker

[@Somefrickface]

You could completely fill this list with Chris Jericho

[@downwithputinsaveukraine1313]

Jericovid needs to re-invent a new diet.

[@mspacely6521]

Matt's broken brilliance was truly something. He actually put impact on the map for a few months.

[@Foureyezthegamersucksatgames]

It was actually kurt angle, beer money, etc.

[@mspacely6521]

tv diftv different eras

[@dilanhakyeri640]

By dissing Repoman Cultaholic just turned heel over Simon Miller.

[@aS-df8zj]

.....as they should....why? Here's why!

[@damambinator7740]

Bob Backlund reminds me of Pops from Regular Show. They're both out of their mind in the most endearing and whimsical way.

[@tomtanaka841]

hahaha

[@sirmj1059]

I think kane has reinvented himself more times than i could count msked kane ,unmasked kane , masked kane again, corporate kane , don't want to talk about the last one

[@jesuscage]

True he should've definitely been on the list same with undertaker and Mick Foley with his different character names

[@mayursanghvi5480]

Why don't you want to talk about this last one (idk what it is btw)

[@cqdw-yu9sf]

Jericho and Matt Hardy are the kings of reinventing. I don’t think there’s any argument.

[@LuchoCastle_11]

And Taker.

[@DYLANJJK94]

Expect for Jeff to then took Matt's gimmick from him to get even more over then Matt yet again.....

[@WinWall3227]

@@LuchoCastle_11 why taker he only reinvented himself once and then change back. i love undertaker but his not king of master of reinvented character.

[@Vercingetorix.Fantasia]

@@LuchoCastle_11 no. Takers American badass was god awful .

[@davidbennett4946]

Hardy only had 2 changes to be honest. But broken was great. I think Jericho and sting were the best

[@ryanjohansson8950]

You could have basically an entire Top 10 of Chris Jericho reinventing himself.

[@timothygraham4304]

You saw the thumbnail, right?

[@royal1graphics514]

What about undertaker? he had many like debut with tie, ministry, biker, 2004 return, change from leather pants to tights again bald, long hair grows back, etc

[@Vercingetorix.Fantasia]

The only real different turn for taker was badass taker and it sucked

[@gtaylor2455]

@@Vercingetorix.Fantasia Yeah but when Mark Calloway talks about it he is right. It was needed. Taker had maxed out. Going to biker taker gave Calloway the freedom to do more with the Undertaker when he went back because The American Badasa was more of him merging the two characters allowed the new Undertaker to be more authentic.

[@troyjeffrey4311]

I'm VERY surprised Mick Foley wasn't on the list especially considering you mentioned him during the Terry Funk part. Cactus Jack, Dude Love, Mankind, and just good ol' Mrs. Foley's Baby Boy are all iconic in their own right, but all being the same person is astonishing. Also, shoutout to Mr. America. The hardest the cheek ever felt the press of the tongue.

[@kokotheclown2588]

The fact that Jericho is still call Y.2.J is an example of evolving the name in a major way through decades

[@taylor99307]

The miz. Look at him when he started and him now.

[@TheForeverRanger]

So glad PCO is on here. He has hit his prime when most are hanging them up, especially when they have been on the indy circuit as long as he was.

[@fox9769]

No Bully Ray? From Bubba Ray Dudley to one of the biggest heels in TNA, to the leader of Aces and Eights. Sure it ended horribly with bad booking but he gave us a handful of great promos and good matches as Bully Ray. Bully Ray was one of the best ever on the mic.

[@TheForeverRanger]

Here we are almost a year later and Chris might have finally attained his final form in Le Champion.

[@blacktytrix]

9:34 " money grubbing version of hulk" so hulk Hogan in general?😂😂😂

[@c.k-da-kxnghere]

“And a better rock star to boot” SHOUT OUT TO FOZZY

[@erd1017]

Jericho deserves an entire list about all times he reinvented himself

[@jordanakram5573]

Alice in Chains mentioned on Cultaholic... life complete. I can die happy now

[@multimediatesting720]

Honorable mentions: The Rock, Scott Hall/Razor Ramon, Scott Steiner, Golddust, Mick Foley, and The Godfather

[@jesuscage]

Don't forget glenn Jacobs (Kane) was once known as diesel and fun fact the undertaker was once known as Mad Mark in WCW early 90s and Paul Heyman was his manager....not joking

[@jamiehoward6505]

Joker Sting was amazing

[@chikowashere]

No Mark Henry: Hall of Pain?

[@thejetstarjump]

They miss “sexual chocolate” too much. It’s still raw.

[@Knappula]

How the hell is Scott Steiner not on this list?

[@Filmation77]

Essentially it's the old Hollywood axiom of When Leading Men become great Charater Actors and prolong their Career(people like Brad Pitt,Denzel Washington,Robert Redford ,Leo Dicaprio,) and a couple of Women like Awesome Kong,Velvet Sky and Angelina Love with Mandy Leon in "The Allure" in ROH.or Cult Faves like Aja Kong in AEW or the Returning Jessica Havok in Impact Wrestling(but she's still pretty young TBH)

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

A muscled man enters WWE HQ... Someone: Isn't he...? Another One: Wasn't he...? No One: Is that...? Me: Was that...? Vince: That's a great gimmick,just do it!!!

[@canismajor1186]

I would of thought Matt would be number 2.

[@hafizsyednomanali6868]

Me too Matt Hardy is unappreciated by Cultaholic.

[@canismajor1186]

@@hafizsyednomanali6868 He did eat part of Jack's face once so can't really blame them for holding a grudge.

[@sebastiensalmon4674]

Those lists are so well written ! So good to watch !

[@curbyourcomment2164]

10. Chris Jericho 9. Chris Jericho 8. Chris Jericho 7. Chris Jericho 6. Chris Jericho 5. Chris Jericho 4. Chris Jericho 3. Hulk Hogan 2. Chris Jericho 1. Chris Jericho

[@TheForeverRanger]

While Jericho may be a shell of his former self in the ring, the fact that he is still able to put on decent matches despite the wear and tear is amazing. His match with Omega at DoN may not be a 5-star performance by any stretch, it was still good.

[@pimplinsley2350]

His promos and characterwork have gotten much better with age, so I guess that makes up for his in ring work.

[@michaelbeeson612]

LOVE PCO.

[@rearviewracing4789]

Do you seriously expect Adam to do a WM punishment after he couldn't even say that Booker was a FIVE TIME FIVE TIME FIVE TIME FIVE TIME FIVE TIME champ

[@EDH10]

Mason Ryan, Stevie Ray, Earth...quake... oh wait wrong series.

[@DaveyJonesLocka]

EDH I hear ya. I can’t watch an Adam Pacitti video without hearing that AWESOME SONG

[@zanethind]

WOOOONNNNDEEEERRFULLL! Man I really wish Broken/Woken Matt Hardy was pushed better in WWE since he was super over and I wish he was a World Champion around that time too. Vince not capitalizing on it was a bad decision and a waste

[@BrAnDoN10IsFly]

Matt at 10 🤣🤣🤣 you guys are crazy

[@looneylogic6479]

It’s a shame the WWE can’t reinvent themselves

[@jaketheberge1970]

Not anymore it seems.

[@jaketheberge1970]

At least Vince can't.

[@looneylogic6479]

Jake Theberge exactly

[@ferox965]

How is Steve Austin not on this list? From Stunning to Ringmaster to Stone Cold, this is one of the most successful re-inventions in wrestling history!

[@Mpritchard1995]

Personally Matt hardy V1 was my favourite just cause my name is Matt and he gave me something I could say to anyone and that’s having some mattitude and people hate it lol I grew up with it

[@adambloom3555]

wow I can't beleave you left out the undertaker

[@AS-is4dt]

they have a hate boner for biker taker for whatever reason

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

@@AS-is4dt I know Jack does, but I'm not sure the others do.

[@LuchoCastle_11]

@@AS-is4dt Kind of sounds like Vince. He hated the American Badass gimmick.

[@DaveyJonesLocka]

As well they should have. The reinventing of him as the American Badass was a move backwards, not forwards.

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

@@DaveyJonesLocka What about his reinvention as the lord of darkness in 96 or ministry in 99?

[@JonSmith-hk1bq]

7:56 Hey, roll down windows are great. Never had to worry about a crank refusing to work after winter and having to go to the mechanic to get it fixed. If a dealership offered me the exact same car with mechanical or electric windows as the only difference, I'd go with the reliable mechanical crank any day. So sorry for the diversion.

[@WanderingMindSR]

I was so used to Hulk Hogan being a bad guy in black and white growing up that I was surprised when I found out he was the good guy in red and yellow for so much of his career.

[@frozendilemma]

Seeing Jericho at the top of the list has restored my faith in humanity -- and Cultaholic.

[@jamieholmes4751]

I’ve loved every single one of Chris Jericho’s gimmicks, my favourites being (in no particular order): 1) His suit wearing verbose gimmick 2) The List gimmick 3) His Clockwork Orange gimmick I can’t wait to see what he does next.

[@umakegoodcookies]

Mick Foley went from a very popular established gimmick to an absolutely legendary personality change when he was in his 30s, twice. Early Mankind was amazing, just watch the Jim Ross interviews. And then he somehow turned that character into a comedic babyface a few years later. Whether this counts as an older wrestler I'm not sure but he seems oddly missing from the list.

[@dongadson1099]

I know it was gamma Ray but I just imagined Ric Flair being zapped by a blast from the gamma gun from Fallout 4...him then dropping to his knees, begging the opponent for a time-out, proceeded by poking said opponent in the eyes/low blow.

[@zanethind]

No one is the master of reinvention other than Chris Jericho

[@lostapostle76]

Chris Jericho hasn't changed anything but his clothes. He's played the same character since WCW.

[@jeffreed7540]

I know alot of ppl who always liked Matt Hardy i sure do like Matt Hardy but to me Jeff Hardy is one of my top favorite wrestlers of all time but i do like Matt always have but to me Jeff is better

[@DrewHollenback]

Jericho can get literally anything over, and matt hardys broken thing was fucking genius.

[@kenshigo3833]

The Thumbnail alone is proving why Chris Jericho is the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be!

[@KindredFenrir]

Chris Jericho is currently at my least favorite version of him but he is still one of my favorites currently in the business

[@acefreak9561]

Man i miss the big gold belt

[@ElurJ923]

Beautifully done

[@user-rd8tl5ej4g]

Jericho is such a legend.

[@patrickwoo6770]

Truth...!!!!

[@SHlNRlKlARU]

PCO pronounce Pi-erre Carl Weh-lett

[@jimbo_1312]

Jericho is the king of reinvention alongside matt hardy. Their current incarnations are hands down their best characters.

[@caitorosario2367]

The Rock should at least Reinvent himself like Grow Back his Hair for one last time. And bring back his 1999 through 2000 theme🌪

[@eddievedderface]

The Rock can do a lot of things but curing male pattern baldness isn't one of them.

[@caitorosario2367]

@@eddievedderface i didn't say that The Rock should Grow back his hair , i said Reinvent himself just like Chris Jericho because he creates new Characters , WCW to Japan to WWF to WWE and now AEW. The Rock should at least Bring his 1999 Silk Shirt or something🌍

[@traviskoontz4796]

Cpo is a true comeback story always thought he was a great wrestler

[@antoinesullivan]

6:03 "Booker man" i see what you did there pacitti "i respect you booker man" from pillman to Sullivan in 1996

[@jwfoure]

Classic Rock Express forever 🤘

[@lb2.0.45]

So you guys are just gonna completely leave out the undertaker huh

[@DillonFriend]

Deckard_9732 Jericho is still Jericho. But I see what you’re getting at, Undertaker has pretty much always been Undertaker except for the American Badass

[@jesuscage]

Ikr they put wrestlers who most of us don't remember but forget the dead man

[@jessejames9684]

I was kind of hoping they would.

[@Mrran4life]

It’s crazy how underrated terry funk is

[@jessikatanguay4486]

hey Adam, do you want me to give you french lessons! after earing the way you said the name of PCO (Pierre-Carl Ouellet) i think you need some!!

[@josephbuono5487]

Red 😍

[@Chigen_Atomic]

I had no idea who PCO was when I saw him on Twitter. Looked him up and was like, "Oh." Never watched him back in the day at any point, but my god he made quite the change. I can't tell if Terry Funk is an adrenaline junkie or just can't separate himself from wrestling so he went for extreme. King Booker was great, especially when the facade broke. When you break it down, the idea of Hollywood Hogan is great and makes sense. It'd be great to see something like it. I don't want to be one of those types to call for the recreation of old stables and staples of the industry, but WWE needs something like that. With the state of WWE, you could make someone like that the face, by making them the champion against the established order.

[@markcattigan4237]

Another name for this list- List of Jericho

[@Diamondmite]

Three letters: PCO

[@monwabisikunene2953]

This easily could’ve been the List Of Jericho

[@greenbeansbeansgreen1283]

Matt and Jericho should be number 1 and number 2 ....

[@hafizsyednomanali6868]

Agreed

[@G33kCulture]

Sting at 7 is a slight to the man. He was over as hell to start with, and then literally became WCW with his gimmick change.

[@lordtrigon1733]

I tip my hat to Daniel Bryan and am shocked he didn't even get an honourable mention him and Sting changed paths at the same age.

[@Vaishino]

I expected Stone Cold as #1 when I saw Vince at #2. The Texas Rattlesnake couldn't be any farther removed from his old Stunning Steve Austin of the Hollywood Blondes.

[@supernovamcr]

Vaishino they’re looking more at older wrestlers, I don’t think Austin was that old when he became Stone Cold was he?

[@Vaishino]

@@supernovamcr Only a couple of years younger than Sting, though I'll confess the age at which a wrestler is considered "old" is probably very contentious.

[@MPP316]

Austin should be #1, considering that he became Stone Cold toward the end of his shortened career.

[@Penguin619]

Y'all need to inform the editor to switch those Matt Hardy cones.

[@the1flym459]

Shane McMahon reinvented himself from Boy Wonder to Best In The World

[@johnhunter4854]

I feel like Mick Foley deserves an honorable mention at least.

[@unclesquatch7934]

Chris Jericho is a true master of his craft.

[@tomtom26124]

no fun little song, but Pacitti is still great

[@michaeljohnson2191]

I think Jake Roberts reinvented himself pretty well.

[@jerryjanik480]

Chris Jericho and Matt Hardy versus vs Terry Funk and Jeremy have a kind of AEW would be awesome

[@jasoncorr4619]

I don’t think Terry Funk would be able to compete with them guys now unfortunately but it would be awesome if it was him from the 90’s

[@yousufseedat7736]

Jericho is the sole reason for AEW and his reinventing himself helps thank him

[@dirkmalloy]

Adam you say Pearl Jam weird

[@warrencrabbe69]

Hulk Hogan 🐐

[@kwanbuggs288]

I love king bookaaaa

[@spearpig1034]

I used to think surfer sting and crow sting were two different people.

[@nickcervenka8756]

43 doesnt seem so old now

[@michaelwilliams2231]

10 times Jericho reinvented himself?

[@Chimidway88]

1. Jericho 2. Sting 3 Undertaker 4. Matt Hardy 5. Mick Foley

[@zachminder8084]

King Booookahhhh, one of the best fucking gimmicks ❤

[@wilsonsiqueira9886]

Reinvention is Jerichoooo!

[@CG-zr7rc]

My favourite reinvented wrestler is face big show to heel big show

[@dejesusjason9936]

Matt Hardy is a legend!

[@mauricehayden8835]

DDP fixed Jericho, now that ddpy is huge I personally think it will prolong the life of a wrestlers career

[@themadrapper101]

In the thumbnail the WWF logo is blurred out on Jericho's belt

[@N0rdW1nd]

Let's face it Stings performance as Joker was oscar worthy, even with the crappy booking.

[@jesuscage]

Undertaker should be on the list...most don't know this but he was known as Mad Mark in WCW early 90s with Paul Heyman as his manager.....and before Kane was invented he was diesel...fun facts

[@ryanhoobin]

Whatculture is NXT and Cultaholic is RAW.

[@cosminadrian8484]

Where is Undertaker?

[@zsac18]

shucky ducky QUACK QUACK