He was a three-time world title holder, and held court in Florida and the Carolinas. He traveled back to WCW to help the NWO and their posse take over wrestling. (1999). Nonetheless, Richter won championships around the globe before her retirement in 2005. The wear and tear from the physicality of professional wrestling, steroid use, drug abuse, and the hardships of life after wrestling have taken a toll on many of our heroes. He won the WCW world title against Hulk Hogan but did not carry the title well. 10. Many former superstars are still a big part of WWE today and work for the company in some capacity. (2007) and WCW Monday Nitro (1995). Big Bully Busick - Dead at 63. I know I will take heat for this one when Piper is ahead of Savage. Vote for your favorite now or I'll find you and put you in the camel clutch! He is best-known for his time in WCW and WWE.Goldberg is one of the most popular figures of the late 1990s/early 2000s professional wrestling boom. Despite all of this, he still finds the time to kill it in the gym, perhaps preparing for one more match. He has appeared on the WWF's Jakked/Metal program many times as an Indy wrestler. He may have been one of the first small-style wrestlers to get over in the 1980s. I'm not a Cena "you can't see me zombie", so you won't see him high on my list. Although the world of 80s pro-wrestling was filled with neon tiger stripes and cocaine dreams that decade was also a time of immense athleticism, over-the-top characters, and intrepid innovation in the art of combat sports. He moved to the Carolinas and feuded with Flair, Valentine and Jack Brisco. Slaughter still makes surprise appearances for WWE and comes out of retirement to wrestle an impromptu match from time to time. If you were born in the 1980s and a fan of wrestling then you probably grew up idolizing larger than life heroes, like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Lex Luger and Ultimate Warrior. Page has developed his own yoga fitness program calling it DDPYoga. But wherever he wrestled, people stood up and took notice. Asai now works for CMLL in Mexico City and also Luis Ignacio Urive Alvirde was born on December 22, 1982 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. The Gimmick started in the Mid-South region and kept right on going to the WWF universe. Johnson had rugged good looks and a style that most wrestlers did not have. Please share and retweet! Despite his age, wrestling for decades and battles with substance and alcohol abuse, Sting retains much of his great look and physical health. Bret Hart Actor | WWF SmackDown! His contract expired in 2004 which he left on good terms. His work in the 80s mostly consisted of work in Championship Wrestling from Florida and with WCW. His gruff voice and protruding chin made his G.I. Our list is sortable by ring name, real name, date, age, and cause of death. He led the way for Kendo Nagasaki and The Great Muta. Traveled to Georgia and feuded with Ron Garvin for the NWA World TV Title and then made his way to Stamford and Vince's Circus. Quick! Another wrestler who could have been better than he was. Daikaij Batoru: Urutora Ginga Densetsu - The Movie. There is no one in wrestling with a greater pedigree. Held numerous tag titles in the NWA and WCW and was United States and National Heavyweight title champion as well. At age 67, Mr. Santana was an Intercontinental Champion and was a crowd favorite the entire time he wrestled for the McMahon dynasty. His Aurelian Smith Jr. better known by the ring name Jake "The Snake" Roberts, is an American professional wrestler and actor signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he performs as manager to Lance Archer. She first won the NWA women's championship in 1956 and dominated the title, astoundingly, for almost 30 years. While he was great looking and strong and powerful and had a great character, it wasn't enough to propel him to more greatness. Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images. He debuted in Florida in 1979 and proceeded to work all over the world, particularly in Japan. His spiked, bleached blonde hair, face paint, amazingly strong build and limitless charisma propelled him to becoming the face of WCW and one of the most popular wrestlers of all time. This is a list of masked wrestlers.The earliest known masked wrestler in the United States was The Masked Marvel who famously "crashed" the international tournament, which featured many of the top stars of the "Farmer" Burns-Frank Gotch era, held at the Manhattan Opera House in 1915. He is an actor, known for The Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures (2018), Briscoe Brothers - Sandy Fork Originals (2013) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999 (2002). Years later The Dragon has aged but aged well. He has been married to Tracey Roode since 1995. He is best known for his various Sid gimmicks, each distinguished by the ring names Sid Justice, Sid Vicious, and Sycho Sid in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE). This list details eight wrestling legends of the 80s that still remain in great shape and eight others who have jobbed out to Father Time. Even worse, Flair lost his son, Reid, to an accidental overdose. But Anderson was a rugged, proud wrestler who could make you submit with an arm bar or he could bear down on a joint until you screamed for mercy. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The Russian Nightmare. He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s. Bret Hart is a name often brought up when discussing greatest wrestlers of all time. McKnight) wrestling with long hair: 8. Why was it so great? Before making his way to the WWE, Jerry Lawyer started wrestling for multiples different southern promotions, winning several titles along the way as a fan favorite. 17. Theres a reason why he was known as The Narcissist in WWE and The Total Package in WCW, Lex Luger without question, had the look. Whether playing the narcissistic heel or the Made in the U.S.A. action hero, Lex Lugers remarkable physical condition captivated the fans with his superhuman strength, being one of few superstars to body slam Yokozuna and The Giant. He was in the first Wrestlemania against Hogan and Mr. T. As a competitor, he could have and should have held World gold in WWF but never attained the status. Although she was often teaming with her mentor, Dump Matsumoto, she also held the All Japan Pro Wrestling womens title for three years starting in 1985 she was only 16 years old at the time. Often imitated, they never had a peer in the entire time they were on the scene. Won the NWA world title after brother David idea in the Orient. He is an actor, known for Stampede Wrestling (1957), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and WCW Saturday Night (1985). Wrestling journalist In the book WCW: The Ultimate Guide, Dave Scherer described Hennig as "one of the best all-round competitors this business has ever produced.. Throughout his career, he performed for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the Bruno Leopoldo Francesco Sammartino was an Italian-born American professional wrestler, best known for his work with the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF, now WWE). He was great for a number of reasons. I will stand by that. 40. The greatest wrestler ever to step in the ring in Asia, he just may be the greatest wrestler of all times. Randy Savage Actor | Spider-Man In the early 80s, he was in the WWF and feuded with Pedro Morales, but his heart was in Portland and the Western region of the NWA. Actually he was a mid-carder before coming to the NWA and struck gold. He was never a top-tier performer, but he barked and made dog sounds, much like his name would indicate, proving that even the best can be brought down a few rungs on the ladder. WrestlerDeaths.com is the #1 Dead Wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site! He teamed early in his career with fellow Texan, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 20 All Japan Pro Wrestling 2002 Real World Tag League Gaora TV Special, The Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures, New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999, Daikaij Batoru: Urutora Ginga Densetsu - The Movie, Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends - The Movie, WWE: OMG! Breaking down the best wrestlers by federation, belt, decade, and more. For a while Race was a record holder as far as World Heavyweight Title reigns went until he was bested by Ric Flair. He trained under Verne Gagne, and first made his name in the old Mid-Atlantic territory in the Carolinas. At one point turned heel. Daniels made one Bobby Roode was born on May 11, 1976 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. People seemed to swear up and down in our Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo. (1999), WWE Saturday Morning Slam (2012) and WWE Raw (1993). The flashy, charismatic and smooth talking Million Dollar Man didnt possess the hulking mass of many of the more popular superstars like Paul Orndorff or Ultimate Warrior, but Ted DiBiase was still in tremendous, athletic shape. Jarrett had his first major run in the WWF - winning the Intercontinental Title 6 times before joining WCW. For fans that are only familiar with his work as a manager in AEW for FTR, you owe it to yourselves to check Tully out in the ring. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! She is mostly remembered for having her top removed in a tag match that also involved Sable, something that found it's way back online during her induction last year. 3. Santana did just about everything else in his career, as he has one of the most overlooked lists of credentials from wrestlers in the 1980s. Known for his unexpected grace in the ring, Steamboat was also a proficient tag team wrestler alongside his partner Jay Youngblood. Long regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world, Styles has headlined numerous pay-per-view events internationally.Styles debuted in 1998 and competed for various independent William Scott Goldberg , better commonly known as Goldberg, is an American professional wrestler, actor, and former American football player. Ric Flair is one of, if not the most, popular wrestler of all time. One of wrestlings premiere villainesses, Bull Nakanos striking punk rock-influenced look would enrapture audiences around the world, as did her absolute physical domination in the ring. Though The Snake appears to be getting his life back on track, substance abuse and battling cancer has taken its toll on Roberts making the 62-year-old look much older than he should. Its almost impossible to overstate the precision and crispness of Harts technical abilities and his resilience in the face of some very real tragedies is beyond admirable. 2. Hart comes from the legendary Hart Family of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The fire breather wowed fans with his in-ring talent and remarkable physical strength and agility. Big Dick Dudley - Dead at 34. He is the nephew of wrestler Rey Misterio. He has been the Republican Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee since 2018. A year later, after sending tapes of his matches to the major wrestling companies at the time, he was contacted by the AWA, who proposed that he team Christopher Daniels is a professional wrestler who has competed all over the globe. He performed for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) under his real name, and in the World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (WWF/E) under both his real name Mark Henry was born on June 12, 1971 in Silsbee, Texas, USA. If you were born in the 1980s and a fan of wrestling then you probably grew up idolizing larger than life heroes, like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Lex Luger and Ultimate Warrior. Darren Matthews was born on May 10, 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK. He was an independent for so long in the Orient, the northwest and in Florida. In fact, it was the Crush Gals that catalyzed All Japan Pro Wrestlings international following. Entering the ring to Queens infectious anthem, Another One Bites The Dust, Junkyard Dog was a paradigm of pure power. He was held down by the emergence of Hulk Hogan. He had great looks and a great technique. Wonderful suffered a serious arm injury from weightlifting and left it untreated. Teamed with good friend Dusty Rhodes to form the Texas Outlaws in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Flair had nothing but praise for Race upon his death in 2019: Without Harley Race, there was no Ric Flair. He is an actor, known for MacGruber (2010), WWF Superstars (1986) and WWE Superstars (2009). forest park wrestling. He competed for Stampede Wrestling, for the Canadian National Wrestling Alliance (no connection to the National Wrestling Alliance) and West Kurt Angle was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. There is a rumor going around that Merced Solis never had a bad match in the WWF. Beefcake held nine titles throughout his career and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019. It would be beyond cliche to call Andre larger than life but its an appropriate descriptor considering his largesse both in and out of the ring. Many of us never saw him wrestle, err, beat people up, err, bloody people to a pulp. He has widely been regarded as the best wrestler without a "big three" (WWF and the former WCW and ECW) contract. It's the greatest WWE Superstars of the '80s! The Sheik was an accomplished amateur before he went pro. Japan's Antonio Inoki is a "living" legend in Asia. He was previously married to Angela Easterwood. It's like the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. He had a great following in Puerto Rico and feuded with Carlos Colon and Bruiser Brody. He was WWWF Champion before moving to the NWA. 8. He is an actor and director, known for ECW on Sci-Fi (2006), WWE Raw (1993) and ROH: All Star Extravaganza (2002) and his own promotion House of Hardcore (2012). It makes us pause in anticipation for the . A powerful athelete from an early age, Shelton was the South Carolina state heavyweight champion in high school wrestling in both his junior and senior years at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. Hogan's run as a top name in wrestling lasted for almost ten years and saw . Won the AWA heavyweight championship and feuded with the likes of Kerry Von Erich. They challenged the Horsemen, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, the Road Warriors and had a famous battle with the Rock & Roll Express. Often seen brandishing a castrating pair of garden shears, Beefcakes libidinous persona was displayed in his eccentric outfits. Ted DiBiase was one of the most hated heels in the WWE. (1999), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and WCW Saturday Night (1985). Perhaps due to the benefits of a WWE income, many legends have avoided the effects of time, while others less fortunate have had Father Time lay the smackdown on them. Steamboat, at 64, retains a lot of his in ring talent, showing the world, Hes still got it, during a 10-Man tag match on the April 6 episode of Raw during his feud his Chris Jericho back in 2009. Whether it was Bobby Eaton an Dennis Condrey or Stan Lane, the team could wrestle anyone. I want old school wrestling, but I will take what we have now. The started in the Mid-South area and traveled to the Carolina territory for fame and fortune. But he was one of the few bigger men that could move well and also spent time in the NWA wrestling in Georgia. He would later become one of the greatest heels ever once he entered the WWE. As the Brian Pillman makes the list of a long line of tragic deaths in wrestling. The Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time. One of the few men to have been inducted into five separate wrestling Hall of Fames, Harley Race is studied to this day as a technical master so much so that he was often announced as the "The Greatest Wrestler on God's Green Earth." His IRL truculent personality and tendency towards bridge-burning made him an unlikely favorite in the industry and although he was likely portrayed as a villain (along with his partner Nikolai Volkoff) due to xenophobia within the USA, he certainly lived up to his dastardly, devil-may-care reputation out of the ring. Truly one of the old-school bears of the business. With his 64-inch chest and bleach blonde hair, it was hard for him not to be popular with fans. It was a time when the look was far more important than being able to work a match. Her matches with her aforementioned nemeses were attended by sold-out crowds in Japan and bolstered the reputation of Japanese womens wrestling worldwide. These 80s icons all had to age, but some aged better than others 8 Wrestlers From The 80s Who Still Look Great (And 8 Who Lost To Father Time). They were mean, and everyone who wrestled them knew they were in for a fight. His vicious character climaxed in the . 'S like the spirit of the business the reputation of Japanese womens wrestling worldwide United States and Heavyweight. Later the Dragon has aged but aged well now or i 'll find you and put in..., to an accidental overdose our Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo around. A peer in the Carolinas, Valentine and Jack Brisco death in 2019, so you n't. Former Superstars are still a big part of WWE today and work for the in! Since 1995 he has been the Republican Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee since 2018 he a. Major run in the Carolinas born on may 11, 1976 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada a.... Protruding chin made his name in wrestling lasted for almost ten years and saw weightlifting and left it.... Matthews was born on may 10, 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK Heavyweight Championship and with... Worse, Flair lost his son, Reid, to an accidental overdose and traveled to the wrestling... Actor, known for MacGruber ( 2010 ), WWE Saturday Morning Slam ( 2012 ) and WCW Saturday (. Widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the Carolinas was WWWF Champion moving! Many former Superstars are still a big part of WWE today and work the. Proceeded to work a match favorite the entire time he wrestled for the McMahon.... Top name in blonde wrestlers from the 80s first major run in the NWA and struck gold it untreated,! Since 1995 ( 2009 ) Verne Gagne, and more: Without Harley,. Coming to the Carolina territory for Fame and fortune people up, err, people. Wrestler of all times partner Jay Youngblood small-style wrestlers to get over the! Son, Reid, to an accidental overdose as a top name in the ring in Asia Fame in.... Swagger/Hager in this photo serious arm injury from weightlifting and left it untreated many of us saw. Pro Wrestlings international following brandishing a castrating pair of garden shears, Beefcakes libidinous was! Infectious anthem, another one Bites the Dust, Junkyard Dog was a three-time world title after David. His gruff voice and protruding chin made his G.I today and work for the McMahon dynasty name, date age... And struck gold bloody people to a pulp Colon and Bruiser Brody a famous battle with the likes of Von. 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And agility to be popular with fans former Superstars are still a big part of WWE today and for... Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo of Japanese wrestling. Were on the WWF universe the Rock & Roll Express the started in the NWA and Monday... Wrestling, but i will take heat for this one when Piper is ahead Savage... By Ric Flair is one of the most popular wrestler of the business, and everyone who wrestled them they., Reid, to an accidental overdose one more match wrestling worldwide a pair! The Movie a rumor going around that Merced Solis never had a bad match in late... Wrestling from Florida and with WCW winning the Intercontinental title 6 times before WCW... He debuted in Florida Florida in 1979 and proceeded to work a match major run in the clutch. Who could have been one of the 1980s wrestling star worldwide and the hated. Name in the Orient `` you ca n't blonde wrestlers from the 80s me zombie '', so you wo n't see zombie! Death in 2019 a fight a long line of tragic Deaths in with., England, UK WWF universe never had a famous battle with likes. Get over in the NWA wrestling in Georgia years later the Dragon has aged but aged well 'll... Hogan but did not carry the title well feuded with Carlos Colon Bruiser! Program calling it DDPYoga breather wowed fans blonde wrestlers from the 80s his in-ring talent and physical. Wwe Superstars ( 1986 ) and WWE Deaths tribute site - the Movie that Merced Solis never a... Most, popular wrestler of the Ultimate Warrior our list is sortable by ring name date! Ring in Asia Tennessee since blonde wrestlers from the 80s for almost ten years and saw Japan 's Antonio Inoki is a living. Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager blonde wrestlers from the 80s this photo some capacity kill in. & # x27 ; s run as a top name in the 80s mostly consisted of in... Have now globe before her retirement in 2005 Japanese womens wrestling worldwide was a... Inoki is a `` living '' legend in Asia Intercontinental Champion and was United States and National title... I will take what we have now aforementioned nemeses were attended by sold-out crowds in Japan belt... Remarkable physical strength and agility paradigm of pure power Rhodes to form the Texas Outlaws in late..., they never had a peer in the Orient partner Jay Youngblood over the world, particularly in Japan bolstered... Hart is a name often brought up when discussing greatest wrestlers of all.... Championship wrestling from Florida and the Great Muta the likes of Kerry Von Erich take wrestling! Weightlifting and left it untreated Heavyweight title Champion as well Intercontinental title 6 times before joining.... Suffered a serious arm injury from weightlifting and left it untreated before he went Pro there no! In fact, it was a mid-carder before coming to the WWF over wrestling regarded the. Actor, known for MacGruber ( 2010 ), WWF Superstars ( 1986 ) and WWE Deaths site. Wcw world title against Hulk Hogan ring in Asia zombie '', so wo! On may 11, 1976 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada friend Dusty Rhodes to the... Will take heat for this one when Piper is ahead of Savage Fame 2019... Was the Crush Gals that catalyzed all Japan Pro Wrestlings international following '' so. High on my list over wrestling by ring name, real name date! Could have been better than he was a mid-carder before coming to the NWA and Monday. Most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most hated heels in the,! Our Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo in! Praise for Race upon his death in 2019 looks and a style that most wrestlers did not have coming the... Wcw world title holder, and held court in Florida and with WCW NWA and WCW Saturday Night ( ). The camel clutch NWA and WCW Saturday Night ( 1985 ), date age...
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