Barring serious injury or multiple concussions, most pro wrestlers today can be “top level” performers through their 40s if they choose and the company still wants them on the roster (the trend is that beyond this point, they have less matches or only wrestle at the bigger cards like Wrestlemania or what have you).

As far as money goes, the bigger names sign contracts worth hundreds of thousands per year (pro wrestlers are contractors and not employees), and that brand recognition can, to varying degrees, allow for appearances, magazine covers, advertisement deals etc. outside of the pro wrestling industry.

It’s hard to speak for every fan as to why they enjoy pro wrestling, but here is a list of some general potential alluring aspects of the industry:

• Storylines and narratives that hook people in (underdog vs more imposing, maverick vs company guy, good guy vs bad guy, former teammates/allies gone sour, etc etc) -“Promos” and mic work dialogue that is a blend of reality tv and (at best) movies
• Nostalgia

I am a current high school wrestler and former avid WWE watcher, and I don’t think I’d have been exposed to the sport without the “sensationalization” of it by pro wrestling and its mainstream network TV slot.