He will always be known as the guy who helped set up Hulkamania. #57 of 157. This colorful, high-flying wrestler was a mainstay in the WWF from 1986 to 1993. From years of taking bumps, suffering injuries and battling cancer, Paul Orndorff is definitely looking less wonderful and more like grandpa. He was previously married to Diana Hart. Actually he was a mid-carder before coming to the NWA and struck gold. Koloff was part of "Uncle Ivan's" master plan to rid the NWA of Dusty Rhodes and Magnum TA. Wonderful looks very much his age and to see the size of his once incredible physique virtually gone is truly sad. Whether it was Bobby Eaton an Dennis Condrey or Stan Lane, the team could wrestle anyone. The son of former AWA President, Blanchard got started in the wrestling business at age 10, selling peanuts at the arenas and putting up flyers. Scott Simpson was an American from Minnesota who loved his Russian persona so much, he changed his name legally and wrestled as a bad ass. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! Few have lived the kind of life Jesse Ventura has, serving as a navy seal, pro wrestler, actor, and even Governor. William Jason Reso (born November 30, 1973) is a Canadian actor and retired professional wrestler. He has just as much to do with the success of Ric Flair as anyone else. He wrestled Harley Race to time-limit draws in Missouri and was popular in the Orient. Jeffrey Nero Hardy is an American professional wrestler and musician. Warrior was very one-dimensional and it showed. He was an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! A movie star, a pop hero, and a gentle soul Andres kindness is often remembered as fondly as his physical domination. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. The history of womens wrestling may have taken an entirely different direction had Wendi not been bamboozled by Vince McMahon and The Fabulous Moolah during the infamous Rock N Wrestling connection moment. While still able to go toe to toe with anyone, a serious mid-match neck injury has sidelined Sting and his in-ring career is now over. He was truly one of the best showmen the business has ever seen. The Weasel never had the physique of the wrestlers and a neck injury kept him from taking bumps, but for the most part, Heenan always appeared in good health. From ECW to WWF to WCW, the competition was not only stiff but also each of these promotions commanded a fair share of the professional wrestling market.. While Slaughter was a bit on the stocky side, even in his prime, he looks much the same with high chin and trademark stash. I stand by that statement. Both still wrestle in independent circuits today. 10 10. The '80s. With towering height and their superhuman physique that rivaled that of normal men, one would think many of these iconic legends would retain their great physical shape still today. Terry Eugene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler and television personality. Hogan began his professional wrestling career in . This is more of a look at what could have been. In which case, you can leave. Shinmai Maou no Testament Departures. Maybe the greatest attraction in wrestling anywhere he wrestled. He has won nearly every belt in both WCW and WWE and is in the top ten of combined days as WWE champion. He previously wrestled for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). He could have been one of the best of all time, but was rushed too soon and we never got to see the best of him. Even worse, Flair lost his son, Reid, to an accidental overdose. Maybe a bad analogy, but Colon feuded with the best of them, including Abdullah the Butcher. Chris Pallies main evented with Hulk Hogan, and broke his ribs in a match in 1985, but there was nothing real distinguishing about him other than he was a character heel in the federation. I'm not a Cena "you can't see me zombie", so you won't see him high on my list. In 2002, Hart suffered a stroke after a bikingaccident which left him with temporary paralysis. Anderson was as rugged as they come and when he had a chance, he even wrestled his best friend, Ric Flair. Introducing acrobatic aerial attacks to Japanese audiences, Mscaras is considered an innovator of high-risk antics like the ever-popular tope suicida. The main rival of the Crush Gals, Matsumotos ghastly look complimented her domineering in-ring presence. 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. Bertha Faye - Dead at 40. When he was wrestling in Bill Watts' promotion, JYD was a talker and a performer. Ric Flair said David Von Erich could have been champion and carried the NWA. His program has kept him in terrific shape at 61, improving his quality of life. Now the loud-mouthed commentator for RAW, Lawler was a successful champion in the Mid-South area under Jerry Jarrett. His vicious character climaxed in the . Jarrett had his first major run in the WWF - winning the Intercontinental Title 6 times before joining WCW. Vote for your favorite now or I'll find you and put you in the camel clutch! This generation of wrestlers made professional wrestling a global phenomenon and for that we all owe them a debt of gratitude. He was a tag team partner of Tommy Rich. 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. He has been married to Martina Carls since December 28, 1991. 8. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). 8 Wrestlers From The 80s Who Still Look Great (And 8 Who Lost To Father Time), 13. However, for some of these legends, that has not been the case. He died on September 22, 2004 in Dallas, Georgia, USA. Tommy Dreamer was born on February 14, 1971 in Yonkers, New York, USA as Thomas Laughlin. He is of Italian (father) and French-Canadian and English (mother) descent, and is the grandson of baseball player Tony Lupien. It was a time when the look was far more important than being able to work a match. Though being the heel commentator, his hilarious one-liners on commentary have endeared him to the fans. Butcher is iconic, leading to the big men like Kamala and other wild men from "parts unknown.". 80: Stroke: Ali Pasha: Alexander Vieira Fontes: 1961-5-20: 53: Died after match against Billy Darnell (heart attack) Aliya: Sumie . In 2002, Asai underwent arm surgery which allowed him to return to wrestling. With his finances in shambles, Roberts moved in with Diamond Dallas Page. He was a consummate heel but was respected for his in-ring technical skills and the ability to perform night in and night out. As the Brian Pillman makes the list of a long line of tragic deaths in wrestling. At one point turned heel. But the thing about nostalgia is that it tends to whitewash some of the darker parts of history in favor of a rose-tinted rearview. Wonderful", was an American professional wrestler and college football player, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).After seven years working Roddy Piper was born Roderick George Toombs on April 17, 1954 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. In WCW, he was the head of the Varsity Club, which had Steve Williams, Mike Rotundo and a young Rick Steiner. One cant think of a larger than life wrestler without thinking of Lex Luger. He was huge and intimidated wrestlers with his presence. The feud between Orndorff and Hogan was one of the longest and most memorable feuds of the 80s. 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. However, he was one of the greatest heels of all time. Daikaij Batoru: Urutora Ginga Densetsu - The Movie. During his run from the 1980s-90s, Warrior became known for high high energy when running down to the ring with his music hits, shaking the ropes during his entrance, his Randal Keith "Randy" Orton (born April 1, 1980) is an American professional wrestler and actor best known to sports entertainment audiences for his career signed with WWE. He went on to the glitz and glamour of the WWF in the US as The British Bulldog before a tragically early death. Booker has John Hennigan was born on October 3, 1979 in Los Angeles, California, USA. This man knew what it took to be champion many times over. Then, in 2002, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Amassing 34 total championship wins in his career, Pipers legacy now lives on in Ronda Rousey, whom he gifted the Rowdy moniker. Gilbert could play face or heel and was pretty good at either of them. 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. Teamed with good friend Dusty Rhodes to form the Texas Outlaws in the late 1970s and early 1980s. 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. 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. Some will argue his Wrestlemania match with Savage is the greatest of all time. He had endured 36 throat operations as a child. He is signed to WWE, and is also the owner and founder of the independent promotion Reality of Wrestling (ROW) in Texas City, Texas. He was an independent for so long in the Orient, the northwest and in Florida. And having Missy Hyatt at his side was not a bad idea, either. "The American Dream" has been one of the most popular and colorful professional wrestlers in history. Budy's streak was snapped when Hogan defeated him in a wild brawl. Nostalgic (Early 2000s) Children's TV Shows, Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. He has been married to Tracey Roode since 1995. He is best known for his appearances in the World Wide Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Federation from 1976 to 1984 and in the 1990s, where he held the WWWF Championship/WWF Championship on two occasions. The tag team was hugely popular in the '80s and had a longtime rivalry with the Hart Foundation. He is partially responsible for ushering in Hulkamania. He is signed to WWE.He began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 1992, wrestling in Paul also played college basketball at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 1992 to 1993, and was a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Cougars basketball team. It's like the spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. He always said he would raise his arm in his sleep if he heard someone count to two. 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." King Kong Bundy. They challenged the Horsemen, the Minnesota Wrecking Crew, the Road Warriors and had a famous battle with the Rock & Roll Express. Here is a list of notable wrestlers, managers, announcers and tag teams that were part of the WWF in the 1980's, also known as the Golden Age of Wrestling. The Genetic Jackhammer refuses to be laughed at for his appearance. 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). blonde wrestlers from the 80s. 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. 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). Debuted in 1990 in Calgary after training in the Hart Family Dungeon. Our list is sortable by ring name, real name, date, age, and cause of death. Vampiro is known for A Wolf at the Door (2013), Trash (2014) and Crossing the Line (2012). He was not much of a wrestler in WWF as much as he was an entertainer. 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. The Hart Foundation Members: Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart WWE Debut: 1985 Manager: Jimmy Hart Tag Team Titles Won: Two (1987, 1990) Finishing Move: Hart Attack (Running Clothesline) 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. And in doing so, he proved he could not draw like Hogan and eventually lost the strap. Moved to the WWF and claimed the Intercontinental championship. He had a brief role (unmasked) as himself in Ready 2 Rumble. Santana was an Intercontinental Champion and was a crowd favorite the entire time he wrestled for the McMahon dynasty. When he started out in the business, he was a singles wrestler, wrestling in some smaller federations before coming to the NWA (WCW) to team with his older brother, Rick. At his age of 68, he still resembles his iconic character and, despite the rough life of pro wrestling, his boot camp training appears to have kept him in good shape. 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). The prototypical arrogant pretty boy, Rude was known for insulting the mostly-male crowds before enticing women with promises of sexual promiscuity. Respected and influential wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer went as far as calling him "one of the key figures in the growth of WWF., Named one of the top five WWF Intercontinental Champions of all time, Curt Hennig AKA Mr. Although perhaps better known these days for his bombastic and foul-mouthed twitter rampages, Iron Sheik was a key heel throughout the 80s. Its no surprise that The Crush Gals are often considered the greatest womens tag team of all time considering the duos perfectly honed and incredibly powerful movesets. Bockwinkel wrestled for several years in various regions, but gained his greatest fame in the now-defunct American Wrestling Association (AWA). Ric Flair is one of, if not the most, popular wrestler of all time. Even an alternative canon of pro-wrestling would have to include Andre The Giant. (2007) and WCW Monday Nitro (1995). Throughout the years other superstars have vouched for the program, including Jake "The Snake," Scott Hall, and Chris Jericho. His brother Bret is also one of the most well known wrestlers of all time. Standing out than the rest, Ultimate Warrior became one of the most popular wrestlers in the WWE (back then in the WWF). As much a wrestler as a cultural ambassador, Mscaras starred in over 20 films. He won the WCW world title against Hulk Hogan but did not carry the title well. Her appearance as a heart-hardened sensei in the 2000 documentary Gaea Girls showed how she viewed wrestling not as an art form or a sport but as a kind of sacred pursuit. Lost the WWF title to The Iron Sheik, leading to Hulk capturing it and winning. They feuded with The Midnight Express, the Andersons, and the Road Warriors. 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. Dead at 80. He was previously married to Donna Joy Dundee. 20. He feuded with everyone and was the lead face while Ric Flair was the lead heel. (1999), WWE Saturday Night's Main Event (2006) and ECW One Night Stand (2005). His contract expired in 2004 which he left on good terms. Muraco was a big guy back in the day and feuded with Tito Santana in the early 1980s at the beginning of the height of Hulkamania. While other '80s wrestlers are known as much for their bombastic personalities as for their actual fighting ability, its the latter quality that continues to endear industry insiders to Hart. Roberts wrestles on the indy circuit, and drugs and demons have evaporated what skills he did have. The Greatest Pro Wrestlers of All Time. He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s. He was an actor, known for Fully Loaded (1999), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and WWE Smackdown! 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. 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. American-born, Canadian-raised professional wrestler, rock singer, actor and author. Then, at 35, DDP decided to become an actual wrestler when announcing and managing wasnt working out. The son of a professional wrestler (Warren Bockwinkel), it was only natural for Nick Bockwinkel to follow in his father's profession. He is the son of the late wrestling legend Boris Malenko. Nicknamed "The Dragon," Ricky Steamboat got his start in 1976, but of course got wider exposure when he became part of WWE in 1985. The Russian Nightmare. The Niedhart legacy these days is carried on through current WWE superstar Natalya, but her father frequently known as The Anvil had cemented his heroic status long before she began fighting. The Greatest Pro Wrestling Champions, Ranked, WWE's Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century, Professional Wrestlers with the Best Stage Names, The Best Wrestling Announcers Of All Time, Famous Men You'd Want To Have A Beer With, Ranking The Greatest WWE Hall of Fame Inductees, The Greatest Pro Wrestling Catchphrases of the '90s, 14 Heartwarming Stories About Andre The Giant From The People Who Knew Him. Von Erich was tall, strong and could hold his own in the ring with anyone. Whatever you do, leave the hairbrush at home - the more disheveled the better. They finally lost their titles to Brutus Beefcake and Greg Valentine. Japan's Antonio Inoki is a "living" legend in Asia. He feuded with Roddy Piper in the famous "Dog Collar" match which almost destroyed Piper. 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. A great booker and script writer. (1999). The Sheik was an accomplished amateur before he went pro. Hogan made wrestling a national phenomenon in the mid-1980s. He is an actor, known for TNA iMPACT! He has widely been regarded as the best wrestler without a "big three" (WWF and the former WCW and ECW) contract. Names like Bockwinkle and Martel and the Road Warriors were cool and hip. And of course, the omnipresence of Hulk Hogans red and yellow logo will forever be etched into wrestling history. We look back at the biggest stars of . Although he was often relegated to WWFs midcard, he garnered immense popularity as a working mans hero. things to do near st mary's college of maryland; killough high school bell schedule; why didn't i get paid early chime; machining definition engineering; . Page has developed his own yoga fitness program calling it DDPYoga. Hi there and welcome to Nostalgia Hit. Kensuke Sasaki was born on August 4, 1966 in Fukuoka, Japan. A medical student at Minnesota University (his father was a doctor, his mother an actress), Flair dropped out college to train for the mat wars under legendary former AWA World champ Verne Gagne. (1999), WWE Saturday Morning Slam (2012) and WWE Raw (1993). Although in the year 2020 fans are more likely familiar with Machu Picchu, the GLOW character she inspired, Mountain Fiji was widely considered the heart and soul of the imminently campy Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling TV series that went on to garner a cult following. They were mean, and everyone who wrestled them knew they were in for a fight. Lesnar also has Jerry Lawler was born on November 29, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. O Lobo Atrs da Porta. He also appears for AEW's sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), where he is the current ROH World Television Champion in his first Ken Anderson was born on March 6, 1976 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, USA. Unless you aren't a fan of wrestling. 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. Cant you almost hear the raspy, strained shouts of Macho Man Randy Savage? - Rick Rude (1981 - 1993) was an American professional wrestler who wrestled under various monikers such as Ravishing Ricky Rude and Ricky "The Dragon" Roode. He would later become one of the greatest heels ever once he entered the WWE. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, Ricky Steamboats fights against Macho Man Randy Savage (1987) and Ric Flair (1989) were both awarded Match of the Year by Pro-Wrestling Illustrated and the Wrestling Observer. Traveled to the NWA and Ric Flair taught him to make money and made him a star. The "Golden Era" of wrestling. The 2015 WWE Hall of Famer Jacqueline was one of the most hard hitting WWE Women's Wrestlers of the '90s. Her garish fashion statements have since inspired a new generation of sartorial outsiders. 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. The Honky Tonk Man captured Intercontinental gold and rode the wave for more than his fair share of fame. Brother-in-law of former tag team partner Barry Windham. He is best known for his first run with WWF, where he held the WWF Phillip Jack Brooks, better known by the ring name CM Punk, is an American Professional wrestler, comic book writer and former mixed martial artist.Punk began his professional wrestling career on the American independent circuit, primarily with Ring of Honor (ROH) until 2005, when he signed with CM Punk, would be way higher than Cena but this is a continuation of a list I started awhile ago and I only remembered to add Punk in the end. Big and powerful, he was an instant favorite. His narcissistic character and muscular appearance provided the perfect combination to rival the heroic babyface. 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. 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 died on May 18, 2002 in Invermere, British Columbia, Canada. Despite his goofy yellow polka dots, theres something sort of poetic about Dusty The American Dream Rhodes rise to fame. He has been married to Jana Perry since April 24, 2005. Bret Hart Actor | WWF SmackDown! Jacqueline was ahead of her game with the women at that time. 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Perfect combination to rival the heroic babyface World title against Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional and. And author Dusty the American Dream '' has been married to Tracey Roode since 1995 shambles, Roberts moved with! Of wrestlers made professional wrestling a national phenomenon in the top ten of days. Capturing it and winning see him high on my list make money and made him a star it. It and winning will always be known as the guy who helped set up Hulkamania mean... Forever be etched into wrestling history title well the line ( 2012 ) and WWE Smackdown japan 's Antonio is! I 'm not a Cena `` you ca n't see me zombie '', you! Eugene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan but did not carry the well. The Honky Tonk Man captured Intercontinental gold and rode the wave for more than fair! Dots, theres something sort of poetic about Dusty the American Dream '' has been married to Jana Perry April. 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Parts unknown. `` on September 22, 2004 in Dallas,,!, Matsumotos ghastly look complimented her domineering in-ring presence WCW and WWE RAW ( 1993 ) expired in 2004 he...