The Ruthless Aggression Era gave a new direction to WWE after the Attitude Era, helping the company to develop several new stars. This time period for the company essentially began in 2002, and it lasted six years until PG Era had arrived in 2008.
The Ruthless Aggression Era saw the departure of two Attitude Era legends, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, but the company still didn't struggle with star power in this era. With edgy storylines and incredible performers, it was one of the greatest times in WWE. Looking back, some stars are younger than you might think, while others are old enough to be surprising.
10 Younger Than You Think: Mickie James (41 Years)
While talking about the Ruthless Aggression Era, Mickie James' name can't be ignored from the women's division. Starting her main roster journey in 2005, Mickie was a pioneer of the division, winning six Women's Championship.
The fans might be surprised to know that Mickie James is a couple of years younger than her fierce rival, Trish Stratus. At the age of forty-one, she is still an active member of the WWE roster.
9 Older Than You Think: JBL (53 Years)
JBL was a late bloomer in WWE, whose singles push came in the latter days of his career. JBL came to WWE in 1995, which was way before the Ruthless Aggression Era.
He received a major push as a main event Superstar in 2004, as he won the WWE Championship and went on to be crowned the longest-reigning champion of the decade. However, the current fifty-three-year-old won the belt in his late 30s.
8 Younger Than You Think: Randy Orton (40 Years)
Given Randy Orton was the youngest World Champion in the history of WWE, he started his professional wrestling career at an early age. He began training in WWE in 2001 and made his official main roster debut a year later when he was just twenty-two years old.
Orton is still at the top of the ladder, having won the WWE Title in 2020. Considering his fitness and performance in the ring, Orton could remain the main event Superstar for a few more years.
7 Older Than You Think: Batista (51 Years)
Unlike Randy Orton, his Evolution tag team partner Batista was a lot older than him. Even though Batista made his debut in 2002, he was already thirty-three years old at that time, which was why he had the shortest wrestling career among all Evolution members.
Batista was one of the noteworthy names from the Ruthless Era, as he not only headlined WrestleMania but also won the WWE Championship multiple times. The Animal is currently a retired wrestler, and he is fifty-one years old.
6 Younger Than You Think: The Miz (40 Years)
The Miz tasted major success in the PG Era, but his career started in the Ruthless Aggression Era. The A-Lister was a Tough Enough contestant in 2004. Seeing the potential of The Miz, WWE offered him a contract and started his main roster career in 2006.
The Miz has been wrestling for fourteen years, and he is a key member of RAW and the current Money in the Bank holder. He has recently turned forty.
5 Older Than You Think: Victoria (49 Years)
Victoria had a stupendous career in WWE, and she had significant success in the Ruthless Aggression Era. Victoria entered the wrestling business in her early 30s, making her debut in 2002. She was part of the company until the end of the Ruthless Aggression Era, and she also won the Women's Championship twice.
Victoria is presently forty-nine years old. Furthermore, she has also retired from the squared circle recently.
4 Younger Than You Think: Brock Lesnar (43 Years)
While Randy Orton was the youngest World Champion in history, Brock Lesnar was the youngest WWE Champion in history. With his superhuman strength and larger than life character, the Beast Incarnate took WWE by storm after making his main roster debut in 2002. He was certainly destined to be the biggest star of the Ruthless Aggression Era, but he left the company within two years.
Lesnar is still one of the biggest draws in WWE, although he hasn't wrestled after WrestleMania 36. The former Universal Champion is forty-three years old now.
3 Older Than You Think: Rob Van Dam (50 Years)
With his high-flying wrestling style and swiftness in the ring, Rob Van Dam stood out from the rest in the Ruthless Aggression Era. After making a name in ECW, he quickly turned out to be a star in WWE. The former ECW World Heavyweight Championship led WWE's version of ECW to success.
Although RVD left WWE long ago, he has been still a big name in other promotions. He has touched the half-century mark in December, but he hasn't shown any sign of slowing down.
2 Younger Than You Think: Kelly Kelly (33 Years)
When Kelly Kelly commenced her journey in WWE, she was only nineteen years. Her appearance certainly landed her a contract, though she didn't have any prior wrestling experience. Still, she became a fan favorite name of the women's division.
The former Divas Champion left WWE in 2012 when she was just twenty-five years old. Her current age is thirty-three.
1 Older Than You Think: Booker T (55 Years)
Booker T was in the Invasion storyline when WWE bought WCW. While he made a name for himself in the Ruthless Aggression Era, he was already a notable name in WCW where he was the last WCW Champion.
Booker T's WWE career didn't last much longer beyond the Ruthless Aggression Era. Today, he is fifty-five years old and a member of the WWE commentary panel.