Baron Von Raschke Officially Oldest Men's Pro-Wrestler To Ever Compete
Baron Von Raschke becomes oldest ever competing pro-wrestling
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Oct 12, 2026
Baron von Raschke has become the oldest ever competing men’s pro-wrestler, entering the ring again at the age of 86.
The Baron - a legendary heel of Verne Gagne’s AWA - laced up his boots for Illinois’ indie Dreamwave Wrestling over the past weekend, with Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio noting how The Baron’s appearance makes him the oldest ever men’s pro-wrestler.
F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez shared more details, noting how von Raschke’s appearance for Dreamwave Wrestling was originally just for autograph opportunities, but was eventually convinced to enter the Sidney Bakabella Halloween Gauntlet Extravaganza. Baron went on to win the bout, with promoters not realising that in competing he was setting the record for the oldest ever male pro-wrestler, breaking the record set by 84-year-old Kendo Nagasaki in November 2025.
Baron von Raschke debuted in 1966 for the AWA, with his feared Claw finishing manoeuvre making him one of the most hated names in the industry. Whilst his match over the weekend made him the oldest men’s pro-wrestler at 86, The Baron is still behind Mae Young in the all-time rankings, with the WWE icon having competed at the age of 87 in 2010. Still, not bad going considering this was Baron’s first match in 30 years.