THE world’s toughest old lady, former professional wrestler Mae Young, has died aged 90.
In the scripted world of professional wrestling, Young was one of the most legitimately tough competitors to ever step into the ring.
She made her professional wrestling debut a staggering 75 years ago and continued performing in the ring across the next eight decades.
She holds the distinction of being the only professional wrestler to perform in nine different decades, wrestling her last match in 2010.
She was the first ever National Wrestling Alliance US Women’s Champion, and was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2013.
It wasn’t until the late nineties that Young became a household name as part of a comedy duo with fellow septuagenarian, The Fabulous Moolah.
When most ladies their age were lining up for dinner in a retirement home, the duo were appearing on national TV, performing in skits and occasionally stepping into the ring to teach the young whipper-snappers a thing or two.
“When it comes to who was the toughest woman, there are no debates,” fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross said. “Mae Young is universally considered to be the baddest of the bad when it comes to women’s wrestling.”
Undoubtedly her most famous moment came in the year 2000 when she was power bombed through a wooden table (at age 77) by the evil Dudley Boyz.
That’s right, a 77-year-old woman volunteered to let a big, sweaty wrestler throw her though a table because she thought it would make for good TV.
Other classic Mae Young moments include having a guitar smashed over her head and winning the Miss Royal Rumble bikini competition in the year 2000. (Really)
Young, who aimed to wrestle a match on her 100th birthday, passed away after a short stay in hospice care.
“There will never be another Mae Young,” said WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon on Young’s death.
“Her longevity in sports entertainment may never be matched, and I will forever be grateful for all of her contributions to the industry. On behalf of WWE, I extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.”
