The 1980s and 1990s were known by many as the golden era of the WWE.
Let’s check in on some of the biggest stars from those decades and see what they’re doing these days.
Kevin Nash – Then
Kevin Nash was a huge star as Diesel in the WWE in the early 1990s before leaving for WCW.
He then started the wildly popular nWo with Scott Hall.
Kevin Nash – Now
It wasn’t a surprise to many when “Big Sexy” appeared as a stripper in the smash hit Magic Mike and its sequel, Magic Mike XXL.
He continues to make other appearances in films and television shows and has been inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Triple H – Then
Triple H overcame a slow start with WCW to catch on in a big way in the WWE.
First as the snobby Hunter Hearst Helmsley – Then as the rebellious leader of DX.
Triple H – Now
Triple H is married to Stephanie McMahon and has taken on the role of WWE’s executive vice president of talent, live events and creative.
He only wrestles occasionally now, although he had a short WWE title run early in 2016.
Booker T – Then
Booker is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E), and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
He holds 35 championships between those organizations, making him one of the most decorated wrestlers.
Booker T – Now
In 2002, Booker was appointed the SmackDown General Manager.
He then announced his retirement from the in-ring competitions on July 20, 2016.
Shawn Michaels – Then
Michaels helped transition the WWE from the cartoonish appeal of Hulk Hogan and the other 80s stars to the Attitude Era.
The multiple time WWE Champion was known as perhaps the greatest in-ring performer in history.
Shawn Michaels – Now
He is an avid outdoorsman and hosts a successful TV show, Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures.
The Rock – Then
The Rock started out as the cocky villain fans loved to hate and blossomed into one of the most popular baby faces in WWE history.
His memorable catchphrases were surpassed only by his electrifying in-ring performances.
The Rock – Now
After The Rock made his film debut in The Scorpion King in 2001, he was off and running.
He is now the biggest box office star in the world, although he still makes time for occasional appearances in the WWE.
Ric Flair – Then
He quickly won the WWE title in the 1992 Royal Rumble and also enjoyed a memorable feud with Randy “Macho Man” Savage.
Ric Flair – Now
He’s now back with the WWE and appears on television occasionally, although with more frequency since his daughter, Charlotte, has become a successful wrestler.
Lita – Then
She appeared alongside the popular Hardy Boyz and even employed the same high-risk wrestling style as Matt and Jeff.
Lita – Now
Lita’s punk rock persona wasn’t a facade, as she proved when she formed the band The Luchagors.
She also hosts a radio show and has been inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Bret Hart – Then
Bret Hart – Now
He ended a longtime feud with Vince McMahon in 2005 before being inducted in the Hall of Fame and continues to make sporadic appearances in the organization.
Roddy Piper – Then
Hulk Hogan may have gotten a lot of the credit, but “Rowdy” Roddy Piper deserves some for his role as the WWE’s best villain in the 1980s.
It was Piper that helped headline the first-ever Wrestlemania, teaming with Paul Orndorff against Hogan and Mr. T.
Roddy Piper – Now
Unfortunately, Piper died in 2015 at the age of 61. He was known for his acting in They Live and many other movies and TV shows.
Piper loved wrestling and continued to make appearances for WWE and on the independent circuit until his death.
Jacqueline – Then
Jacqueline was a successful wrestler and women’s champion during the Attitude era.
She was known for her toughness, beauty, and frequent wardrobe malfunctions.
Jacqueline – Now
Since leaving the WWE, she had a stint in TNA several years ago.
She was also inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016.
Goldberg – Then
Goldberg made a name for himself with an audacious winning streak that supposedly ran to 173 matches.
He eventually made his way to the WWE.
Goldberg – Now
He most recently returned to WWE in October 2016, where he has been feuding with Brock Lesnar.
Yokozuna – Then
Rodney Agatupu Anoa’i is also known as Yokozuna. His name refers to the highest rank in professional sumo wrestling in Japan. He was the 1993 winner of the Royal Rumble.
Also, he shockingly defeated WWE Hall of Famers Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan in the main event of WrestleMania IX and the 1993 King of the Ring.
Yokozuna -Now
He strived to weigh between 850 and 900 lbs in order to set a new record for heaviest professional wrestler ever!
Randy Savage – Then
Macho Man won 29 titles during his 32 year career! He held six world championships between the WWF and WCW. He won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship twice and the WCW World Heavyweight Championship four times!
Randy Savage – Now
His wife, “Miss Elizabeth,” managed him for most of his career. After he retired, Savage was the Slim Jim spokesperson and also appeared in some TV shows like Baywatch, Walker, and Mad About You.
Andre the Giant- Then
No one can forget Andre the Giant. He was a literal giant standing at a height of 7 feet 4inches and weighing 520lbs!
Besides his huge stature, he is known for his famous fight with Hulk Hogan culminating at WrestleMania III. Many people also recognize him for his role as the giant in The Princess Bride.
Andre the Giant- Now
He spent the rest of his career in All Japan Pro Wrestling and Mexico’s Universal Wrestling Association. He retired in 1992 and sadly died a year later from congestive heart failure.
Jake Roberts – Then
Jake “The Snake” Roberts was a huge star in the 1980s.
He was known as the intellectual, dastardly villain who brought a huge python to the ring with him for all of his matches.
Jake Roberts – Now
DDP helped Roberts get his life back on track, and Roberts was inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.
Honky Tonk Man – Then
The Honky Tonk Man had a memorable Intercontinental Championship run of over 64 weeks.
All the while annoying fans with his dirty victories and trademark guitar.
Honky Tonk Man – Now
Believe it or not, the Honky Tonk Man still competes on the independent circuit to this day.
He is not a man who gives up, ever.
Mick Foley – Then
He won titles and fans’ hearts as Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and of course, Mankind.
Mick Foley – Now
Foley has found success outside of the ring as an author and most recently, as a comedian of sorts.
Foley travels around the world, speaking to audiences and telling humorous stories from his career.
Scott Hall – Then
He was also a huge star in the WWE as Razor Ramon.
Scott Hall – Now
Most recently, Hall had a well-publicized relapse in September 2016, but has since said that he’s back on track and sober again.
The Ultimate Warrior – Then
During his two stints in the WWF/WWE he was a two-time Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and a one-time a WWF World Heavyweight Champion after famously defeating Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VI. He was the first wrestler to hold the two titles at the same time.
The Ultimate Warrior – Now
Sadly, James died in 2014.
Just three days before he had been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and even appeared at Wrestlemania XXX. He was 54.
Batista – Then
Among his accolades, he was a four-time Heavyweight champion and a tag team champion three times. He also won the Royal Rumble twice.
Batista – Now
Batista was released from his WWE contract in 2015, although there were rumors of him appearing at Wrestlemania in 2016.
Besides wrestling, Batista has had an MMA career and has appeared in numerous films, including James Bond’s Spectre. He is part of the cast for Blade Runner 2 which comes out in 2017.
Big Show – Then
The Big Show was originally a part of WCW before moving over to WWE in 1999 as a part of Vince McMahon’s crony gang ‘The Corporation’.
Real name Paul Donald Wright, he is a seven-time world champion.
Big Show – Now
Big Show is still a part of the WWE and wrestles on the Raw brand.
Apart from his wrestling career, he has appeared in a number of films, including the likes of Adam Sandler’s The Waterboy.
Randy Orton – Then
Randall Keith Orton joined WWE in 2001 after getting kicked out of the United States Marines Corp.
His father, Barry Orton, was also a professional wrestler and actually encouraged his son to stay away from the business.
Randy Orton – Now
Randy Orton is now a 12-time world champion and is part of the SmackDown brand.
He is another wrestler to make the jump into the acting scene and has a major guest part in the new show Shooter.
Sable – Then
Sable reinvented the concept of women’s wrestling in the 1990s.
She did that while breaking free of husband Marc Mero to become a huge star in her own right.
Sable – Now
Sable has been married to current WWE star Brock Lesnar since 2006.
She has had two children with Brock and became a grandmother in 2012 when her first daughter, Mariah, had a daughter of her own. That’s right; Sable just might be the world’s hottest grandma!
Sid – Then
Sid was known as Sycho Sid, Sid Vicious, and Sid Justice during his WWE and WCW run.
He won several world championships with his trademark powerbomb.
Sid – Now
Sid made his return to WWE television in 2012 and has also appeared in several films.
He has been married to wife Sabrina for 33 years.
Edge – Then
Real name Adam Joseph Copeland, this Canadian wrestler joined the WWE in 1997 and has since won seven tag team championships with his ‘brother’ Christian.
He won 31 different championships over the course of his career.
Edge – Now
Vince McMahon – Then
Up until 1997, McMahon was mostly known as the lead commentator for the then WWF, before the Mr.McMahon character evolved into major storylines.
Vince McMahon – Now
US President Donald Trump was involved in a storyline with the ‘villain’ persona of Mr. McMahon. He currently serves as the CEO and major shareholder of the WWE.
Hulk Hogan – Then
Hogan’s star power helped build the WWE from a regional promotion to a worldwide juggernaut.
Hulk Hogan – Now
Although his popularity is still evident when he makes public appearances, he’s endured a messy divorce, the embarrassing leak of a sex tape and a resulting lawsuit, in which he was victorious.
Stone Cold Steve Austin – Then
He defined wrestling for a generation while becoming one of the biggest mainstream stars in WWE history, even as injuries cut his career a bit short.
Stone Cold Steve Austin – Now
He also has a successful podcast and hosts the shows Redneck Island and Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge
The Undertaker – Then
As The Undertaker, Mark Calaway scared kids while winning match after match with his manager, Paul Bearer, by his side.
The Undertaker – Now
His retirement has been rumored many times over the past few years, but he hasn’t stepped aside for good yet.
Trish Stratus – Then
Trish Stratus was arguably the most popular women’s wrestler of her era and the first true WWE Diva.
Although she was one of the most beautiful women in the WWE, she was also a former fitness model who dedicated herself to learning the craft of wrestling.
Trish Stratus – Now
She has also appeared in several direct-to-video movies and runs the yoga studio Stratusphere in Toronto.
Kane – Then
Real name Glenn Thomas Jacob (Glenn!? Come on!), Kane was rolled out in 1997 as the younger brother of The Undertaker.
Kane won 18 championships during his career in the WWE, becoming the world champion on three occasions.
Kane – Now
He has unmasked in recent times and has a new persona called ‘Demon’.
He sure does look like one too.
Kenny Dykstra – Then
A former member of WWE’s Spirit Squad-turned- student/author/fitness guru/ordained minister/autism behavioral expert, Dykstra doesn’t speak of his life in terms of events, but in opportunities. The trip that took him to WWE Headquarters for the first time was an opportunity to apply for a job at WWE.
Getting worked over at Killer Kowalski’s school was an opportunity to prepare himself for WWE talent scouts. When he made it to the big show, being one-fifth of the notorious Spirit Squad was an opportunity to make his mark.
Kenny Dykstra – Now
And getting released just as he was hitting his solo stride opened up a wealth of opportunities to fulfill dreams both lifelong — playing college football — and unexpected, like writing a children’s book or the pursuit of his Master’s degree at Nichols College.
“I just have the type of personality where, if somebody challenges me, I have to act on it, I have to do it, I have to excel at it,” Dykstra told WWE.com. “I never say never.”
Juventud Guerrera – Then
Today, he’s working on a television show, which he will host, “TV Show La Arena.” “It’s a trendy and sporty show with interviews, but there’s also a lot of lifestyle segments,” he explained.
“We cover things like fitness, fashion, restaurants, and hotels.” Guerrera recently wrapped filming the pilot episode, which he is hoping to premiere in December. “TV Show La Arena” also serves as a record of all the interesting places Juventud travels to compete in the squared circle.
Juventud Guerrera – Now
“That’s what I like in wrestling when there’s respect, kindness, and emotion, which I can show in the ring. This is one of the happiest times in my life.” In other words, for Juventud Guerrera, everything is just juicy.
Hardcore Holly – Then
Hardcore Holly had a reputation as one of WWE’s toughest, surliest competitors. Holly faced setbacks of his own when a neck injury put him on the sidelines for more than a year.
He returned to WWE in 2004 to challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship at that year’s Royal Rumble, but was soon sidelined again by a nasty staph infection that nearly cost him his arm. He fully recovered and got back in the ring, however, joining the rebooted ECW.
Hardcore Holly – Now
He is all about the leisure life these days.
The life for WWE stars after they make their mark is usually a sweet one.
