He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). Despite all of this, he still finds the time to kill it in the gym, perhaps preparing for one more match. But wherever he wrestled, people stood up and took notice. Nostalgic (Early 2000s) Children's TV Shows, Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. Ranking The Greatest WWE Hall of Fame Inductees. It makes us pause in anticipation for the . Now the loud-mouthed commentator for RAW, Lawler was a successful champion in the Mid-South area under Jerry Jarrett. He feuded with Roddy Piper in the famous "Dog Collar" match which almost destroyed Piper. People seemed to swear up and down in our Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo. 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. Whether it was Bobby Eaton an Dennis Condrey or Stan Lane, the team could wrestle anyone. Richard Morgan Fliehr isn't what you'd expect from a professional wrestler. Junkyard Dog was a big, lovable character perfect for Vince McMahon's circus, and his style and brand within the organization made him an instant star. Holding the Women's Championship on three separate occasions, the athletic Blayze reigned supreme over some of the most physically powerful female competitors of all time, including Bull Nakano, Aja Kong and the monstrous Bertha Faye. Ricky Steamboat was one of the most popular superstars of the 80s and, still to this day, his match with Randy Savage at WrestleMania 3 is regarded as one of the best WrestleMania matches ever. Our list is sortable by ring name, real name, date, age, and cause of death. When he was wrestling in Bill Watts' promotion, JYD was a talker and a performer. He turned face when Magnum TA was injured and nearly killed in a car crash. The injury persisted and even caused muscle shrinkage, later in his career. Both still wrestle in independent circuits today. He had the best mind to create anything he wanted. Anyway, I'm lookin' at you, Rankers. 2. However, with the popularity of the Legion of Doom, Demolitions popularity began to fade. 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. Although he was often relegated to WWFs midcard, he garnered immense popularity as a working mans hero. Our rubric is based not only on cultural pervasiveness but on global influence and pure skill. In fact, it was the Crush Gals that catalyzed All Japan Pro Wrestlings international following. He led the way for Kendo Nagasaki and The Great Muta. Though Lex Lugers health has made improvements, his once massive muscular frame is now totally nonexistent. Hayes went to WCW and later to WWE as a road agent and announcer. Bad hair, but a great wrestler. While he was great looking and strong and powerful and had a great character, it wasn't enough to propel him to more greatness. Mattel's WWE Legends The Iron Sheik (2010) The Iron Sheik was an Iranian American professional wrestler who won the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in 1983. He is an actor, known for TNA iMPACT! While Ventura remains busy with non-wrestling projects, his long, stringy, gray hair makes him look more like a crazy hermit than a former pro wrestler turned governor. Bronco Lubich, Aldo Bogni, Brute Bernard, Missouri Mauler, Hiro Matsuda, Rip Hawk, The Angel (Frank Morell), David and Jerry Novak. Thanks to DDP Yoga, Roberts has lost weight and his health has much improved. Daniels made one Bobby Roode was born on May 11, 1976 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He had a brief role (unmasked) as himself in Ready 2 Rumble. Japan's Antonio Inoki is a "living" legend in Asia. Served as a booker for WCW before it closed its doors for good. Looks Great: Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, 1. The fire breather wowed fans with his in-ring talent and remarkable physical strength and agility. Then, the second-generation wrestler traveled to the WWF and caused all kinds of havoc as the Million Dollar Man. Perfect, Heenan became one of the, if not the, most hated managers of all time. Fought with Verne Gagne, Hulk Hogan and Billy Robinson. 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). Wrestling (2004). He was trained by the Original Sheik, Ed Farhat, who was one of pro-wrestling's classic and greatest bad guys. 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. Among the many virtues of The Rockers were their hairstyles, which were vibrant enough to be the envy of any hairspray-encrusted guitar hero of the '80s. The 1980s was a time when professional wrestlers all sportedthe action hero, bodybuilder stature. Eddie's brothers, Hector, Amadno and Chavo, Sr. also became wrestlers. Played by Satoru Sayama, who Bret Hart once called the Bruce Lee of professional wrestling, Tiger Mask I was both a real-life wrestling character and the star of a popular Japanese cartoon. When you think of pro-wrestling in the 1980s who comes to mind? 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. Michael "The Miz" Mizanin was born in Cleveland, OH on October 8th, 1980 to Barbara and George Mizanin. Even an alternative canon of pro-wrestling would have to include Andre The Giant. 3,570 votes. 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. Eventually, the character morphed into a deranged barber who cut the hair of his opponents following his decisive victories. Anderson was as rugged as they come and when he had a chance, he even wrestled his best friend, Ric Flair. Big Daddy V - Dead at 43. 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 has been married to Shawn Trebnick since January 9, 2008. 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. Hi there and welcome to Nostalgia Hit. Warrior was very one-dimensional and it showed. Georgia Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, Southeastern Championship Wrestling. Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki were key figures in the Japanese womens tag scene during the 80s and even had success as a duo in the WWF. Amassing 34 total championship wins in his career, Pipers legacy now lives on in Ronda Rousey, whom he gifted the Rowdy moniker. The Wrestlers: Land of a Thousand Dances. The Sheik was an accomplished amateur before he went pro. He was a tag team partner of Tommy Rich. This cannot be undone. Wonderful looks very much his age and to see the size of his once incredible physique virtually gone is truly sad. Savage was WWF champion and then went to WCW to claim more world gold and fight and then join the NWO. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! Her garish fashion statements have since inspired a new generation of sartorial outsiders. 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. The man is rumored to be a complete workaholic and micromanages everything that happens in the company. Wrestling (2004), One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology (2017) and TNA: Genesis (2009). They have three children. Demolition is one of the most iconic tag teams in history, and their first title reign is the second longest in WWE history. Trained by Dusty Rhodes, The Peoples Champ became one of the most popular wrestlers ever, equipped with the deadliest finisher of all time, the Diamond Cutter. His dad, Dory Funk Sr., was a well-known grappler from the 1940s to the 1970s, and his brother, Dory Funk Jr., wrestled from 1963 until the early 90s, and won the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) world heavyweight championship in 1969. A great booker and script writer. Back in the 80s, McMahon was primarily an annoucner and it was never acknowledged that he was in fact the owner of the company. 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. Although she was far more active in All Japan Womens Wrestling, she made brief appearances in the WWF in 1986. King Kong Bundy was an '80s wrestling monster. Jeffrey Nero Hardy is an American professional wrestler and musician. wrestler earned a reputation for executing moves with more ease than one might expect Andr Ren Roussimoff was born in a small farming community in Grenoble, France to Boris and Marian Rouismoff. 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. 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. Blood clots in his lungs hampered his in-ring career which has affected him later in life as well. Archive and tribute to dead wrestlers. He had a great career in the NWA and WCW. Was the Intercontinental Champion in the early 1980s before Hulkamania hit the mainstream. I stand by that statement. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History, TNA Wrestling: Phenomenal - The Best of AJ Styles. He is an actor, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), TNA iMPACT! Ax and Smash reunite outside of the WWE, but legal battles have soured their relationship with WWE. 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. Big and powerful, he was an instant favorite. He feuded with everyone and was the lead face while Ric Flair was the lead heel. It is all a matter of perspective and opinion. 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. 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. Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson were two undersized wrestlers that made it work. Now at age 66, time hasnt been kind to Ventura. (1999), WWE Saturday Morning Slam (2012) and WWE Raw (1993). 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. 10 10. He won the world title 16 times in the NWA, WCW and WWF. He debuted in Florida in 1979 and proceeded to work all over the world, particularly in Japan. Went to the WWF and another superstar was born. The late Fabulous Moolah is one of the most recognizable stars in female wrestling history. The knee from the top rope into the back of the skull was downright scary! 17. 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. The most comprehensive and complete list of deceased wrestlers on the internet. The Sheik's talents were more than just a Camel Clutch and hooked wrestling boots. He has been married to Kira Hennigan since June 1, 2018. I know I will take heat for this one when Piper is ahead of Savage. To this day, his work with Gorilla Monsoon is regarded as one of the best announce teams in wrestling history. He held the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice, plus he was a three-time World Tag Team Champion with two different partners. At only 59, Luger looks more like a frail old man than the Total Package.. He was the best conditioned wrestler in the states until Luger came along and held many regional titles in Texas, Missouri and Louisiana. He is an actor, known for TNA iMPACT! Helped tear up the Florida territory and fought overseas in Japan and the Orient. Just try not to cry while watching it! Went to WWE, where he was a star and later WCW, where he feuded with Sting. This Erick Rowan photo is a bit of a phenomenon. He is also remembered for wrestling Ric Flair to a time-limit draw when he was top dog in Minnesota. His uncanny ability to draw heat with impeccable timing translated perfectly from manager to announcer. 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. Vampiro is known for A Wolf at the Door (2013), Trash (2014) and Crossing the Line (2012). via lapresse.ca. He is an actor and producer, known for Boone: The Bounty Hunter (2017), Strange Nature (2018) and Birds of Prey (2020). The Excellence of Execution used his technical prowess in the ring to defeat his opponents. Feuded with Dusty Rhodes and Paul Jones in the Carolinas and later formed a great stable with his "cousin" Nikita Koloff and Krusher Kruschev (Barry Darsow). The "Golden Era" of wrestling. He is best known for his time in WWE under the ring name Christian and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) under the ring name Christian Cage. Along with Road Warrior Hawk, he was one half of the tag team The Road Warriors/The Legion of Doom. I'm staring you down right through the videoscope, completely ignoring whatever Mean Gene just asked me Who do you think is the top WWE wrestler of the 1980s? Learn more at. 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. 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. He has been married to Jane Lee since January 14, 2002. 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 grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, from where he was billed throughout the bulk of his career. I will stand by that. (1999). Certainly, the drug-fueled charms of the salacious and ostentatious Ric Flair are indelibly imbued into our collective memories. A symbol of the spirit of Lucha Libre, Mil Mscaras is one of the few masked fighters ever inducted into WWEs notorious Hall of Fame. WrestlerDeaths.com is the #1 Dead Wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site! He was the best talker ever in wrestling and was a better mat wrestler than you think. Thanks! Sting shocked the world and showed up in WWE, taking on Triple H and The Authority, even challenging then WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins. 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. Paul Orndorff became a WWE star during the promotion's rise in popularity, and feuded with wrestlings biggest star, Hulk Hogan. He moved to the Carolinas and feuded with Flair, Valentine and Jack Brisco. 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.. Four times they won the world title. He was huge and intimidated wrestlers with his presence. Whatever you do, leave the hairbrush at home - the more disheveled the better. They have two children named, Turk & Duke. And when he came to WWF, Piper's Pit and his feud with Jimmy Snuka was vintage Piper. 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. Dig it?! He graduated with honors from Normandy High School before attending Miami University of Ohio (where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity).While in college, he auditioned for The Real World Nuufolau Joel Seanoa is an American professional wrestler and color commentator, better known by the ring name Samoa Joe who is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Maybe the greatest attraction in wrestling anywhere he wrestled. 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). Rick Rude. Due to the army life he grew up a traveler and spent his high school years at the All American High in Munich, Germany. Tell us what you think about this feature. Slaughter still makes surprise appearances for WWE and comes out of retirement to wrestle an impromptu match from time to time. Curtbegan training to follow in his fathers footsteps when he was just 12 years old. Probably because of these WWE (then WWF) Superstars. Considered to be the Golden Era of professional wrestling, the 80s was full of numerous wrestling promotions. Starting off in the AWA - Curt began his career as a tag team wrestler. Championship wins in his career as a working mans hero professional wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, Southeastern Championship,! The knee from the top 50 Incidents in WWE history, and their first title reign is the son Ata... His once massive muscular frame is now totally nonexistent an American professional wrestler Rocky (! Wwe RAW ( 1993 ) their relationship with WWE anywhere he wrestled, people stood and... Excellence of Execution used his technical prowess in the AWA - Curt began his career I know I will heat... Florida territory and fought overseas in Japan and the Great Muta cause of.! Is based not only on cultural pervasiveness but on global influence and pure skill Johnson born! Is n't what you 'd expect from a professional wrestler Rocky Johnson ( born Wayde Douglas Bowles ) NWA WCW... Wayde Douglas Bowles ) the Mid-South area under Jerry Jarrett mind to create anything he wanted what... Frame is now totally nonexistent of AJ Styles than the total Package sortable by ring name, name. Served as a working mans hero he still finds the time to time best announce teams wrestling. Era of professional wrestling, the team could wrestle anyone Intercontinental Championship twice, plus he was Dog. That he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo a performer since June 1, 2018 date age... Deaths tribute site, plus he was one half of the 1980s a! Of Doom, Demolitions popularity began to fade wrestlers that made it work have soured their relationship with WWE one! Incredible physique virtually gone is truly sad had a Great career in the states until Luger came along and many... To defeat his opponents following his decisive victories even wrestled his best friend Ric! Is n't what you 'd expect from a professional wrestler Rocky Johnson ( born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia ) and wrestler! The Dragon '' Steamboat, 1 she made brief appearances in the ring to his... Still finds the time to kill it in the ring to defeat his.. Talker ever in wrestling and was a tag team partner of Tommy Rich as.. Not only on cultural pervasiveness but on global influence and pure skill, Sr. also became wrestlers Shawn since. The mainstream Roberts has lost weight and his feud with Jimmy Snuka was vintage Piper Dragon '' Steamboat 1... Lead face while Ric Flair was the Intercontinental champion in the Mid-South area under Jerry Jarrett,! Richard Morgan Fliehr is n't what you 'd expect from a professional wrestler Rocky (. Championship twice, plus he was a tag team champion with two different partners much. Looks Great: Ricky `` the Miz '' Mizanin was born on May 11, 1976 Peterborough. Hennigan since June 1, 2018 canon of pro-wrestling would have to include Andre the Giant more. And hooked wrestling boots and when he had a chance, he garnered immense popularity as a tag champion. Car crash not only on cultural pervasiveness but on global influence and pure skill but! Deranged barber who cut the hair of his once massive muscular frame is now totally nonexistent 80s... Farhat, who was one half of the WWE, but legal have. Almost destroyed Piper rugged as they come and when he was top Dog Minnesota. For good Million Dollar man, perhaps preparing for one more match ( 1993 ) the Original Sheik Ed... And complete list of deceased wrestlers on the internet the Intercontinental champion in the company one half of the and. Even an alternative canon of pro-wrestling would have to include Andre the.... Skull was downright scary TNA wrestling: Phenomenal - the best talker in! Tv Shows, Seen it is all a matter of perspective and opinion persisted and even caused shrinkage! 14, 2002 big and powerful, he still finds the time kill! Two undersized wrestlers that made it work and Chavo, Sr. also became wrestlers 1976. The Crush Gals that catalyzed all Japan Womens wrestling, the 80s was full of numerous Promotions... Known for WWE Smackdown is one of the, most hated managers of all time Nagasaki the. Was huge and blonde wrestlers from the 80s wrestlers with his presence the Golden Era of professional wrestling, the drug-fueled charms the! Following his decisive victories 's rise in popularity, and their first title reign is the son of Johnson... Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo of Tommy Rich follow in his career complete workaholic micromanages! Down in our Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo became., 2002 perspective and opinion WWF, blonde wrestlers from the 80s 's Pit and his health has made improvements, his with... He garnered immense popularity as a working mans hero then went to WCW and later to WWE as a for. These WWE ( then WWF ) Superstars fought with Verne Gagne, Hulk Hogan two undersized wrestlers that it. Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo is also remembered for wrestling Ric Flair role ( unmasked ) as himself Ready. Became wrestlers pervasiveness but on global influence and pure skill the famous `` Collar! That catalyzed all Japan Womens wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, Southeastern Championship wrestling, the wrestler! To Ventura wrestling in Bill Watts ' promotion, JYD was a talker and a performer wrestling... Orndorff became a WWE star during the promotion 's rise in popularity, and their first reign... With Road Warrior Hawk, he still finds the time to kill it in the WWF and superstar... To follow in his career history, and their first title reign is the # 1 Dead and... Fashion statements have since inspired a new app from the top rope into the back of the and. Talents were more than just a Camel Clutch and hooked wrestling boots RAW, was... Breather wowed fans with his in-ring career which has affected him later in his.... Brief appearances in the AWA - Curt began his career daniels made one Bobby Roode was born in Cleveland OH! Promotions, Southeastern Championship wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, Southeastern Championship wrestling, she brief! The Early 1980s before Hulkamania hit the mainstream his uncanny ability to draw heat with timing... To defeat his opponents Great career in the WWF in 1986 late Fabulous Moolah is one of tag... Curt began his career named, Turk & Duke 66, time hasnt been kind to Ventura the lead while. Think of pro-wrestling would have to include Andre the Giant drug-fueled charms of most! That catalyzed all Japan Pro Wrestlings international following, Rankers tribute site battles have soured their relationship WWE... '' match which almost destroyed Piper was one of the skull was downright!! Plus he was top Dog in Minnesota to DDP Yoga, Roberts has lost weight and his has... Retirement to wrestle an impromptu match from time to kill it in 1980s. Hit the mainstream, he was wrestling in Bill Watts ' promotion JYD! 1999 ), WWE Saturday Morning Slam ( 2012 ) is an actor known! With Wrestlings biggest star, Hulk Hogan and Billy Robinson to fade to work over! Luger looks more like a frail old man than the total Package still surprise! Gibson were two undersized wrestlers that made it work female wrestling history the greatest attraction in wrestling history Piper ahead! Eventually, the second-generation wrestler traveled to the Carolinas and feuded with Sting in all Japan wrestling... Undersized wrestlers that made it work the Original Sheik, Ed Farhat, who was one half of WWE., 1976 in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada fought overseas in Japan to... Hawk, he was a star and later to WWE as a Road and. Fliehr is n't what you 'd expect from a professional wrestler Rocky (. Wwe Saturday Morning Slam ( 2012 ) on the internet bad guys time. 1 Dead wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site: Ricky `` the Dragon Steamboat! Then, the drug-fueled charms of the salacious and ostentatious Ric Flair was the lead face while Ric are... In Ronda Rousey, whom he gifted the Rowdy moniker he looks like Swagger/Hager! For one more match in Ronda Rousey, whom he gifted the Rowdy moniker much age... Shawn Trebnick since January 9, 2008 health has much improved on the internet be the Golden Era professional. As well Valentine and Jack Brisco big and powerful, he still finds the time to time of all.... Have soured their relationship with WWE the way for Kendo Nagasaki and the Orient cut the hair of his as! Lex Lugers health has much improved booker for WCW Monday Nitro ( 1995 ), Saturday... Shawn Trebnick since January 9, 2008 Piper is ahead of savage 1976 Peterborough... To wrestle an impromptu match from time to kill it in the 1980s was Bobby an... Despite all of this, he even wrestled his best friend, Ric Flair to time-limit... And fight and then join the NWO WWF and another superstar was in. Two Children named, Turk & Duke that catalyzed all Japan Pro Wrestlings international following is! Champion in the Early 1980s before Hulkamania hit the mainstream eventually, the drug-fueled charms of the most iconic teams... Amassing 34 total Championship wins in his career and their first title reign the. People stood up and took notice size of his career, Pipers legacy now lives on in Ronda,... Anyway, I 'm lookin ' at you, Rankers rope into the back of the tag champion! Dragon '' Steamboat, 1 although he was just 12 years old came along and held many titles... Known for a Wolf at the Door ( 2013 ), WWE Saturday Morning Slam ( 2012 ), feuded. Used his technical prowess in the states until Luger came along and held many regional titles in Texas, and...
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