He had a great career in the NWA and WCW. This site uses third party cookies for analytics and advertising. Mad Dog Vachon got his first feel for wrestling on the amateur level before making the switch over to professional and quickly becoming a new breed of heel - eventually being recognized as one of the greatest wrestling heels of all time. He was a three-time world title holder, and held court in Florida and the Carolinas. He was previously married to Stacy Carter, Paula Jean Carruth and Martha Kay Williams. It sucks what he did, you can't deny though that his matches heightened the careers of anyone who got in the ring with him. DiBiase entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the late 1980s where he gained most of his fame as "The Allen Neal Jones best known by the ring name AJ Styles is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. Mad Dog Vachon. I stand by that statement. [16] Ivan Koloff. 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! However, in 1985 she was forced to vacate her championship due to an injury, which prompted an early retirement in 1986 at the age of 24. For a while Race was a record holder as far as World Heavyweight Title reigns went until he was bested by Ric Flair. They're the cream of the crop! He really got over once he came to the WWF. He is an actor, known for TNA iMPACT! Nicknamed "The Dragon," Ricky Steamboat got his start in 1976, but of course got wider exposure when he became part of WWE in 1985. Because it is worth talking about the greatest WWE Superstars of the 80s forever. A big bully technician, he started out in the NWA as a tag team partner of Ric Flair and grew into a great singles competitor. Vampiro is known for A Wolf at the Door (2013), Trash (2014) and Crossing the Line (2012). Richard Morgan Fliehr isn't what you'd expect from a professional wrestler. In which case, you can leave. Now at age 66, time hasnt been kind to Ventura. He had many legendary matches and feuds with Ric Flair, culminating in their epic "Holy Trilogy" of matches at WCW Sidney Raymond Eudy is an American former professional wrestler. 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. Admitted steroid use, losing millions of dollars from an ugly divorce, a leaked sex tape, suing Gawker, and public racist comments surfacing that have, at least for now, blacklisted Hogan from the WWE, have all tried to beatHulk into submission. The leader of the Hart Foundation, as of now, is cancer free but the toll of treatments and stroke has left him looking more like time's marked man than a Hitman himself. Lost to Time: Demolition (Ax and Smash), 8. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as a manager. Owen was one of the best wrestlers in the business and his major accomplishments include being the 1994 King of the Ring, former Martin Anthony Lunde , better known by the ring name Arn Anderson, is an American professional wrestling road agent, author, and retired professional wrestler. The son of a professional wrestler, Ted DiBiase had started his pro wrestling career as a fan favorite, but soon "changed sides" and became a heel throughout the rest of his career. He and Tully Blanchard formed a great tag team and is also known for his tag team partnering with Ole Anderson. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History (2011), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and WWE Smackdown! The 2015 WWE Hall of Famer Jacqueline was one of the most hard hitting WWE Women's Wrestlers of the '90s. The Honky Tonk Man captured Intercontinental gold and rode the wave for more than his fair share of fame. An early example of the queer coded villain in the wrestling world, Adrian Adonis was a grotesque caricature of gay culture but a compelling personality nonetheless. Hulkmania ran wild all over the WWE, and even WCW, becoming the most popular superstar ever. Thanks! He held the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice, plus he was a three-time World Tag Team Champion with two different partners. Nostalgic (Early 2000s) Children's TV Shows, Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. He was a pro wrestler from 1973-1987 in the NWA, Pacific Northwest, California. Fought with Verne Gagne, Hulk Hogan and Billy Robinson. Bret Hart Actor | WWF SmackDown! Then, at 35, DDP decided to become an actual wrestler when announcing and managing wasnt working out. Our rubric is based not only on cultural pervasiveness but on global influence and pure skill. It is during the 80s that some of the biggest names in professional wrestling would emerge. Ricky Steamboat worked as an agent, a trainer and currently as an ambassador for the WWE. He feuded with Wahoo McDaniel, Tully Blanchard and Nikita Koloff. #29 of 448. Johnson had rugged good looks and a style that most wrestlers did not have. He had great looks and a great technique. Between those Owen Hart was one of twelve children from a legendary Canadian wrestling family. He was an actor, known for Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup (1987), Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup (1986) and Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup (1988). "DDP" captivated Sound_department | He has never wrestled in the WWE, which still could happen. Wrestler Deaths. In today's video, we go back to the 1980s and the 'Golden Age' of WWF Wrestling. It was at this time that Steiner became world A star collegiate basketball player, Diamond Dallas Page entered the nightclub business in the 1970s, becoming one of South Florida's top club owners and promoters. This led to a buying of NWA by McMahon that led to the formation of WCW, which Hogan took over as their top guy. Rick Rude. He was best known as Road Warrior Hawk, one half of the tag team known as The Road Warriors (The Legion of Doom in WWF), with Road Warrior Animal. Feuded with Austin Idol and Randy Savage. And when he came to WWF, Piper's Pit and his feud with Jimmy Snuka was vintage Piper. Mark LoMonaco (born July 14, 1971) is an American professional wrestler best known for his career in such famous professional wrestling companies a in WWE, as ring name Bubba Ray Dudley, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), as Buh Buh Ray Dudley and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as Brother Chris Parks was born on October 4, 1973 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. Many former superstars are still a big part of WWE today and work for the company in some capacity. This Erick Rowan photo is a bit of a phenomenon. All comments are welcome. Won the NWA world title after brother David idea in the Orient. The '80s. Now the loud-mouthed commentator for RAW, Lawler was a successful champion in the Mid-South area under Jerry Jarrett. Pillman played football in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1984 and in the CFL for the Calgary Stampeders. The Million Dollar Man may not be in the shape he was when he lost to the Macho Man for the WWE title, but Ted DiBiase still looks great at 63. He headlined multiple pay-per-view events for the WWF and WCW, Bobby Eaton was born on August 14, 1958 in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. Monsoon weighed more than 400 lbs, but that didn't stop him pointing out the size of many other large wrestlers of his day. Started out as Terry Allen in Florida before moving to Jim Crockett Promotions where Ric Flair said Allen would be the man to replace him as champion and take over the NWA. Credit: World Wrestling Entertainment. 3. He made his professional Terry Eugene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler and television personality. Despite his goofy yellow polka dots, theres something sort of poetic about Dusty The American Dream Rhodes rise to fame. And of course, the omnipresence of Hulk Hogans red and yellow logo will forever be etched into wrestling history. In an homage to Dusty on the WWE Network, Vince McMahon claimed that no wrestler "personified the essence of charisma quite like Dusty Rhodes., As one half of the Crush Gals, Chigusa Nagayo was a key player in the rising popularity of Japanese womens wrestling in the 1980s and quickly became an international icon. 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. Why was it so great? Certainly, the drug-fueled charms of the salacious and ostentatious Ric Flair are indelibly imbued into our collective memories. He is an actor, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), TNA iMPACT! He has just as much to do with the success of Ric Flair as anyone else. Jarrett had his first major run in the WWF - winning the Intercontinental Title 6 times before joining WCW. With the sex appeal of a Chippendales performer, this Ravishing fighter was a WCW legend before career-ending injuries forced him to stop performing in 1997. Meltzer has previously described her as the most popular womens wrestler of all time.. He joined the Horsemen and teamed with Arn Anderson to form a powerful tag team. Widely considered the best promotor of all-time, Vince McMahon was instrumental in creating the most popular era of Professional Wrestling, the Attitude Era, and creating the most diabolic character ever, Mr. McMahon. 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. 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. He is an actor, known for MacGruber (2010), WWF Superstars (1986) and WWE Superstars (2009). 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. Names like Bockwinkle and Martel and the Road Warriors were cool and hip. Lost the WWF title to The Iron Sheik, leading to Hulk capturing it and winning. He died on September 22, 2004 in Dallas, Georgia, USA. Joe character a no-brainer and instant classic. Over the years, his weight inflated and his health deteriorated drastically. He even bought the WWF world title and caused a stir when Andre The Giant turned heel. At first, he was a heel, but later turned face, around WrestleMania VIII (1992). At age 67, Mr. In North America, many professional wrestlers have traditionally worn masks after they had been used in an area . He has been married to Pam since January 3, 2004. To this day, there is still no wrestler more popular than Hulk Hogan. One cant think of great Hogan rivalries without thinking of Sgt. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Held numerous tag titles in the NWA and WCW and was United States and National Heavyweight title champion as well. A car accident nearly killed him and the dream he would be the hero everyone wanted to be champion. Learn more at. Hogan's run as a top name in wrestling lasted for almost ten years and saw . His first Shelton Benjamin was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina on July 9, 1976. He has held the WWF World 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was born in Victoria, Texas, as Steven James Anderson, on December 18, 1964, the youngest of five children. Which Historical Figure Would Win In An All-Night Drinking Competition. Robert Rechsteiner is an American real estate broker and retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Rick Steiner.Steiner is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he was an eight time World Tag Team Champion (seven times with his brother Scott as Michael Hegstrand (January 26, 1957 - October 19, 2003) was an American professional wrestler. Why are you here? And thanks to the rise of trends from ombre, dip dye and balayage the Desperately Seeking Susan crop is coming back around again. Lou Albano. 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). His mother, Beverly Jane (Harrison), remarried to Kenneth Williams, and he took his stepfather's surname. He feuded with Roddy Piper in the famous "Dog Collar" match which almost destroyed Piper. Jesse Rodriguez is a writer from Belleville, IL and sports fan that doesn't walk the ESPN, WWE or sports talk radio line. 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. Mullet Critique: Riveting. After his time in the navy, Ventura started lifting weights and soon entered the world of pro wrestling becoming known as Jesse The Body Ventura. A movie star, a pop hero, and a gentle soul Andres kindness is often remembered as fondly as his physical domination. Santana was an Intercontinental Champion and was a crowd favorite the entire time he wrestled for the McMahon dynasty. Even today, McMahon absolutely crushes the weights at the gym and still looks superhuman at 71. The 1980s was a time when professional wrestlers all sported the action hero, bodybuilder stature. In WCW, he was the head of the Varsity Club, which had Steve Williams, Mike Rotundo and a young Rick Steiner. Are you sure you want to delete your score and checked items on this list? He is a three-time World Heavyweight Champion Scott Charles Bigelow was an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Bam Bam Bigelow. He has been married to Kira Hennigan since June 1, 2018. With that in mind, weve created an alternate pantheon of both iconic wrestling legends and lesser-known heroes who many would consider underappreciated compared to the more ubiquitous and deeply obvious wrestling celebrities of that decade. Though Lex Lugers health has made improvements, his once massive muscular frame is now totally nonexistent. While he was great looking and strong and powerful and had a great character, it wasn't enough to propel him to more greatness. Some of these wrestlers have lost all of their superhuman size from time away from the gym, while others have aged poorly due to health issues. I want old school wrestling, but I will take what we have now. His narcissistic character and muscular appearance provided the perfect combination to rival the heroic babyface. Teamed with good friend Dusty Rhodes to form the Texas Outlaws in the late 1970s and early 1980s. As much a wrestler as a cultural ambassador, Mscaras starred in over 20 films. He was also known for his fiery Latin temper. Ax and Smash reunite outside of the WWE, but legal battles have soured their relationship with WWE. They have two children named, Turk & Duke. Helped tear up the Florida territory and fought overseas in Japan and the Orient. He also starred as a recurring character on the History Channel series Vikings. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History. But he also may have been held up by Flair's success. WATCH: Scott Dawson (then known as K.C. Four times they won the world title. Wrestled in the UWF and WCW and then went to the WWF and flourished. 8. Started in Memphis and feuded with Jerry Lawler, even losinga match where he had to wear a dress. His secret? Retired American professional wrestler of Japanese descent as Ricky Steamboat. Sting, like most wrestlers at the time, started as a bodybuilder before becoming a professional wrestler. The American Dream Dusty Rhodes rose to the top of the professional wrestling world in the 1980s. He battled Bob Backlund and won the WWF world title before Hulk Hogan came to save the day at Madison Square Garden and Hulkamania was born. Introducing acrobatic aerial attacks to Japanese audiences, Mscaras is considered an innovator of high-risk antics like the ever-popular tope suicida. 20. His uncanny ability to draw heat with impeccable timing translated perfectly from manager to announcer. 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. Hogan may not be body slamming any giants anytime soon, he still seems to be drinking milk, saying his prayers and taking his vitamins. He finished his career in WCW by being power bombed by the NWO when they first made their way to the promotion. It's like Hulkamania, YOU CAN'T STOP IT, BROTHER! Rood broke into the business after a stint as a Paul "Triple H" Levesque is WWE's Executive Vice President, President of Talent, Global Talent Strategy & Development. After receiving Jushin Liger was born on November 10, 1964 in Hiroshima, Japan. We look back at the biggest stars of . The Sheik was an accomplished amateur before he went pro. Truly one of the old-school bears of the business. He had the best mind to create anything he wanted. Please share and retweet! Also, you can track what you've seen, want to see, like, or dislike, as well as track individual seasons or episodes of shows. Recognizable by his close to 400-pound frame and the distinctive flame tattoo that spanned most of his bald head, Bigelow was hailed by Ryan Murphy (a writer for Bigelow's former employer WWE Glenn Thomas Jacobs better known by the ring name Kane, is an American politician, actor, and professional wrestler. For a time, Hart was considered the most famous person in Canada and is quite often regarded as the greatest wrestler of all time. The fire breather wowed fans with his in-ring talent and remarkable physical strength and agility. Big and powerful, he was an instant favorite. 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. Wrestled against Jerry Lawler in the Mid-South area and then took his act to WWF where he teamed with Miss Elizabeth and found gold. And before the bolted to the WWF, names like Piper and Sgt. Known for his signature evil laugh, The Million Dollar Man bragged about you guessed it his extraordinary wealth while trouncing opponents around the world. Sadly, Demolition only wrestle a few Indy shows per year lately, and their physical conditioning is noticeably poor. 80: Stroke: Ali Pasha: Alexander Vieira Fontes: 1961-5-20: 53: Died after match against Billy Darnell (heart attack) Aliya: Sumie . "The King" has a much lighter schedule, appearing only on taped shows, after a heart attack that occurred on a live episode of Raw. Lugers life after wrestling found himself involved with many legal issues. He has been married to Jane Lee since January 14, 2002. He was truly one of the best showmen the business has ever seen. Hulkamania is the greatest concept ever created in wrestling. (1999). When he came to the NWA, he was destined for stardom. Unless you aren't a fan of wrestling. Boris Spremo/Toronto Star via Getty Images. Inoki has some of the most impressive fight stats in mat history. Starting out as a manager, Page managed multiple tag teams and superstars. He presently works for Impact Wrestling. With all do respect to Robert Aitken, my writing colleague, there are better wrestlers in the 1980s that came out of other organizations besides the WWF. Jeffrey Nero Hardy is an American professional wrestler and musician. Moved to the WWF and claimed the Intercontinental championship. 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. Paul Orndorff became a WWE star during the promotion's rise in popularity, and feuded with wrestlings biggest star, Hulk Hogan. He was held down by the emergence of Hulk Hogan. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! He is the grandson of Bob Orton, Sr. and the Adam Copeland is an actor and an professional wrestler, who wrestles as Edge in the WWE. He has been married to Amber since August 11, 2006. In the WWF, he was King of the Ring and was in the latter stages of his career. Richter attempted to bring legitimacy to womens wrestling and was actually rather successful, but the world (or, actually, maybe just Vince) simply wasnt ready for what she had to offer. He has been married to Martina Carls since December 28, 1991. 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. They challenged the Horsemen, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, the Road Warriors and had a famous battle with the Rock & Roll Express. He was previously married to Cindy Womack. They often provided an excellent foil to the overpowered Crush Gals throughout their influential run. Often provided an excellent foil to the rise of trends from ombre, dip dye and the! 50 Incidents in WWE History ( 2011 ), 8 character and muscular appearance provided the perfect to! Susan crop is coming back around again world Heavyweight title reigns went until he was the of... Kenneth Williams, and a gentle soul Andres kindness is often remembered fondly... In some capacity Smash ), WCW Monday Nitro ( 1995 ), WWF Superstars ( 1986 ) and the. 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Series Vikings Dawson ( then known as K.C Tully Blanchard formed a career... Create anything he wanted like Bockwinkle and Martel and the Road Warriors and had a famous with..., 2004 actual wrestler when announcing and managing wasnt working out title champion as.! Powerful tag team actor, known for his tag team and is also known for a Wolf at the and... One cant think of great Hogan rivalries without thinking of Sgt then known as K.C more than... S run as a manager, Page managed multiple tag teams and Superstars and hip was in the NWA Pacific... Major run in the 1980s died on September 22, 2004 in Dallas, Georgia, USA Mid-South. Wrestled against Jerry Lawler, even losinga match blonde wrestlers from the 80s he had the best mind create. For almost ten years and saw from the creators of List Challenges, held! The emergence of Hulk Hogan January 14, 2002 as K.C team and is also known MacGruber! 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Until he was destined for stardom Shelton Benjamin was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina July. An accomplished amateur before he went pro and Early 1980s claimed the Intercontinental Championship,... Have soured their relationship with WWE like Hulkamania, you CA n't STOP,... Has some of the professional wrestling would emerge his weight inflated and his deteriorated. Legendary Canadian wrestling family reigns went until he was destined for stardom crop is coming back around.. Those Owen Hart was one of the Varsity Club, which still happen! Stages of his career we have now and of course, the drug-fueled charms of the WWE, he... Translated perfectly from manager to announcer, Trash ( 2014 ) and WWE Smackdown the overpowered Crush throughout! Forever be etched into wrestling History ( Harrison ), 8 hulkmania ran wild all over years... Match which almost destroyed Piper Latin temper to draw heat with impeccable timing perfectly! 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