To make Ricky Steamboat more marketable, WWE decided to rebrand/repackage the wrestler. Santanas impressive 15-year career in the WWF saw him become one of the greatest Mexican wrestlers of all time. Due to his mothers Asian ancestry, the WWE saw it as a good marketing opportunity. One of the best pure strikers in sports entertainment, Ricky The Dragon Steamboat was undeniably one of the most entertaining wrestlers back in the 1980s. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. He first came to the WWF in 1990 as Ted DiBiase's mystery partner at The Survivor Series (1990). During his rather long career with JCP, Ricky Steamboat managed to capture the NWA United States Championship three times, the NWA Heavyweight title two times, and the Tag Team Championship title an impressive six times. His Dog Collar match with Greg Valentine at Starrcade 83 is an all-time classic of violence, but in WWE, his character work hit new levels. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Akira: Its Impact, Legacy And Why You Need To Watch It, Excess in the 1980s: A Movie Retrospective, 10 Epic Rave Anthems From 1991 That Will Spark Nostlagia, Looking Back At The 1988 TV Series Of War Of The Worlds, Streets of Rage 2: The Movie Stills Created With AI, Gladiators: The Saturday Night TV Favourite Returns, Darkstalkers Arcade Classic Coming To The Megadrive. The new stable wasted no time in establishing themselves in the tag team division during their official debut. Many wrestling promotions ran out of ideas mainly due to Andre the Giants size and dominance in the ring. An anti-hero, Randy Savage was a wrestler who was willing to go to any lengths to win a match. Fast forward to July 23, 1984. His character was very over with fans, but he also had a great look about him as well which helped make him into a star even more than his promos did. Considered to be the greatest titleholder of all time by the WWE, Randy Savages in-ring performance saw him bring some level of credibility to the world title. the greatest wrestlers to lace 'em up in the WWE (then WWF) in the 90s. Although he never managed to win any titles in the WWE, Lawler still holds the record for the most recognized titles. The 1980s were a time of great change for pro wrestling. Global Wrestling Federation (GWF). Santana was so dominant during matches that the only that his opponents could control the matches was by taking cheap shots. Theres no harm in going back and adding a few more names to the conversation, so lets talk about a few more wrestlers whose influence on pro wrestling have carried on even after their careers have ended. Like most rookies, the WWE placed the Ultimate Warrior in the C-Shows alongside another rookie Ted Dibiase. Like most professional wrestlers, Tito Santana began in the lower cards with his main role being that of a jobber for bigger and well-known heels. During the 1980s and 1990s, professional wrestling reached new heights in popularity. It achieved the largest recorded attendance for a live indoor sporting event in North America with a claimed figure of 93,173 attendees. It is through these cameos and collaboration with renowned personalities that would ultimately put the WWF on the map and in turn get noticed by various networks such as MTV. 212.63.109.211 One of the biggest names of the 1980s, Hulk Hogan is undeniably the greatest wrestler of the 1980s. McMahon stated in the documentary The UnReal Story of Professional Wrestling that he did not think his father would have ever sold him the company if he knew what he was planning to do. The C-Show is much like the lower card and mainly consisted of jobbers, newcomers, and lower-level TV stars. Richter represented a girl who just wanted to have fun, and through her association with singer Cyndi Lauper, they did just that. He was an actor and producer, known for Global Wrestling Federation (GWF) (1991), Spectrum Wrestling (1977) and WWF Championship Wrestling (1972). The decade also saw a number of legends come into prominence, many of whom have become major pop culture icons. The rich guy gimmick proved to be a slam dunk and has been repeated countless times in the decades since, including with DiBiases own son, Ted Jr., as well as NXTs Cameron Grimes. And they all paid off. However, Crockett's spending had left JCP indebted, with the promotion facing a $5 million deficit. Generally, WrestleMania VI on April 1, 1990, is acknowledged as the end of the 1980s wrestling boom. Moreover, renowned personalities and celebrities such as Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper would also begin to make cameos on WWF shows. CANOE SLAM! After a brief stint in France, Andre the Giant relocated to Canada where he became a sensation hit. Ricky Steamboat would ultimately leave JCP after having to create differences with Dusty Rhodes, a JCP booker. Here are the top 1980s wrestlers: "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka (1980-1991) "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka was one of the most unique characters in wrestling in the 1980s. [7][8] Richter defeated Moolah for the WWF Women's Championship, which the WWF had promoted as having been held by Moolah for the previous 28 years. This eventually struck a friendship between Savage and Hogan. The greatest wrestler ever to step in the ring in Asia, he just may be the greatest wrestler of all times. "[3] On July 14, 1984 later dubbed "Black Saturday" WWF programming began airing in the TBS timeslot formerly occupied by GCW programming. Even for many professional wrestling fans today, the Golden Era of the 1980s is still the best era in the history of the business. Performance & security by Cloudflare. He began wrestling in the mid 1960's under the name Red McNulty. He would acquire several more promotions, including some non-NWA members, in the following year. After Vince McMahon Jr. took WWF from his father, he would begin searching for the top talents in each territory and bring them to the WWF. Jeff Jarrett was trained in the USWA which was run by his father. A 16-time world champion, Ric Flair made history by becoming the first-ever wrestler to hold the WCW International World Championship title and the WCW World Championship title. Has Weed Gotten Stronger Since the 1980s? These fans turned to Atlanta-based WCW broadcast on TBS. RELATED: 10 Best Wrestling Talk Shows, RankedOutside of the ring, Piper would popularize one of the most enduring tropes of pro wrestling television: the talk show segment. Learn more at. The show featured the babyface Von Erich brothers David, Kerry, and Kevin against heels from the stable of Gary Hart, who culminated nearly two decades of his career in Texas by booking the feud between the Freebirds and the Von Erichs in 1982, and then Skandor Akbar's Devastation, Inc. stable in 1983. COLD. Some are cowards, some are obnoxious, and others are dominant. He died on Naoya Ogawa is known for The Wolverine (2013), Golden Bowl (2002) and Bengoshi no kuzu (2006). Jarrett had his first major run in the WWF - winning the Intercontinental Title 6 times before joining WCW. For Piper, his attitude and edginess predated both Stone Cold and ECW. The use of a real-life snake was a great gimmick, but its also a metaphor for his nature as a heel -- hes sneaky, hes scary, and he could strike at any time. It was in Calgary where he met Owen Hart (who also died at a Scott Hall was born into a military family on October 20, 1958. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sportlister_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportlister_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Unlike the modern era, wrestling in the 80s consisted of territories spread out in the United States. On November 21, 1988, Crockett was obliged to sell his promotion to Ted Turner. So, here they are. Multiple NWA territories were very successful in the 1970s and continued that success in the early 1980s. He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s. While not every wrestler was influential from an in-ring perspective, those who didn't have it in the ring made up for it in different ways. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Danny Djeljosevic is a writer based in San Diego, CA. Through the years, WWE has had its share of talented and amazing individuals that have performed and entertained the masses that comprise the WWE Universe. Nowadays, going to Youtube to watch movies and listen to music and entertainment is a daily necessity. 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. He All Japan Pro Wrestling 2002 Real World Tag League Gaora TV Special. Japanese MVP - Kazuchika Okada. "Heroes of World Class DVD a definite treasure". Probably the most recognizable holders of that honor were Judy Martin and Leilani Kai, collectively known as The Glamour Girls. With Jim Crockett Promotions, Ricky Steamboat would be involved in a series of feuds with Rick Flair. He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s.Hogan began his professional wrestling career in One of the most colorful wrestlers in and out of the ring, Randy "Macho Man" Savage became a larger-than-life pop icon along with other wrestling superstars, such as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka (aka "Superfly Jimmy Snuka"), Jesse Ventura and Dwayne Johnson (aka "The Rock").When American-born, Canadian-raised professional wrestler, rock singer, actor and author. He was a great wrestler, but he was also an incredible talker. WWF Superstars: With Vince McMahon, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Curt Hennig. Active wrestlers and on-screen talent appear on MLW Underground Wrestling, MLW Fusion and at live events.Personnel is organized below by their role in MLW. McMahon together with his army of wrestlers had just managed to revolutionize pro wrestling. Savage won multiple titles during his run including three WWF Championships, four WWF Intercontinental Championships, and three WCW Championships. His last name is slightly easier to pronounce than it looks. Finally, there was one woman who made a huge impact in the '80s, yet she never competed in a match. In just a few months after his official debut, Hogan became the new WWF world champion and the face of the company after defeating Iron Sheikh. In the same year, Ricky Steamboat received a contract from WWE chair Vince McMahon. By the late 80s, he had jumped ship to WCW, where his trilogy of bouts with Ric Flair in 1989 are still considered some of the best matches ever. The "Category B Awards" saw winners determined by first place votes. Hart comes from the legendary Hart Family of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They have two children. There were a few exceptions, one of which was "The Ugandan Giant" Kamala. He had endured 36 throat operations as a child. So when you chronicle the decade of the '80s, the argument can certainly be made that the females that participated both in and out of WWE rings carved their niche accordingly, and were the harbingers of things to come going forward. In 1992, Lawler made his WWF debut as a ring announcer on Superstars. Hogan's return to the WWF in February 1993, episode of Monday Night Raw (which replaced another WWF program during the 1980s, Prime Time Wrestling) received a lackluster reaction from the crowds. She also did have her differences with Savage at the time when he and Hulk Hogan were collectively known as The Mega Powers, and even wound up in the corner of The Hulkster for a period of time. In the 1980s, two things became apparent. One of her greatest finds was an Atari 2800 and the game Donkey Kong by Nintendo. Born as Steve Borden, Sting has held the WCW World Title 10 times and multiple other titles. In The 1980s is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. He has been married to Jana Perry since April 24, 2005. List of 80's Tag Teams The British Bulldogs Members: Davey "Boy" Smith, The Dynamite Kid WWE Debut: 1983 Sidekick: Matilda the Bulldog Tag Team Titles Won: One (1986) Fans just appeared to love this newcomer. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers ever and is also considered one of the biggest draws in wrestling history as well. This was made possible due to a working relationship between the WWF and USWA. He competed for Stampede Wrestling, for the Canadian National Wrestling Alliance (no connection to the National Wrestling Alliance) and West Michael Francis Foley was born on June 7th, 1965, in Long Island, New York. Brian Pillman makes the list of a long line of tragic deaths in wrestling. Valois, Andre the Giants manager at the time approached Vince McMahon Sr. Due to his vast experience, Vince McMahon came up with several suggestions that would ultimately change the course of Andre the Giants wrestling career. The pre-seeds, as voted on by the conference's coaches, rank 14 starters in . The reason Yt5s.io is the best youtube downloader . Owen Box is in the Player Spotlight. Hulk Hogan became the top babyface after Verne Gagne retired from full-time wrestling in 1981 and Nick Bockwinkel became the AWA World Heavyweight Champion. The expansion of cable television and pay-per-view, coupled with the efforts of promoters such as Vince McMahon, saw professional wrestling shift from a system controlled by numerous regional companies to one dominated by two nationwide companies: McMahon's World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) and Ted Turner's World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He could talk for days and fans would listen to every word. His father Gory Guerrero became a star in the U.S., an icon in Texas and a legend in Mexico. Within the same year, Vince McMahon came up with one of the grandest/groundbreaking ideas that would transform professional wrestling. In-your-face and behind-the-ring machinations provided hours of entertainment for people of all ages. Andre the Giant would ultimately become a sensation hit with the WWF becoming one of its biggest draws in the 80s alongside Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and Ricky Steamboat. Here's a list of Iowa State's multiple . Loud and energetic to a chaotic degree, Rowdy Roddy Piper can be considered one of the most influential heels of the 1980s thanks to a mix of promo ability and in-ring viciousness. Now the names of Noriyo Tateno and Itsuki Yamazaki might not ring a bell, but WWE fans might very well remember them as The Jumping Bomb Angels. Wrestling fans watched the Undertaker's resurrection from inside the casket.. In her 1987 WWE debut, Sherri won the WWE Women's. He was jovial, but he was also a bit wild. Some of the more well-known promotions included Championship Wrestling from Florida and Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling in Charlotte, North Carolina, were affected. He is an actor, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), WCW Worldwide (1975) and WCW Thunder (1998). He is an actor, known for MacGruber (2010), WWF Superstars (1986) and WWE Superstars (2009). After Lawler piledrove the comedian during a 1982 match in Memphis, the two got into an altercation on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman, in which Lawler slapped Kaufman on-air and Kaufman responded by shouting profanities and throwing coffee at Lawler before storming out of the studio. As many thought that her win over Moolah was somewhat sensational in scope, Martel took that adjective to heart and renamed herself Sensational Sherri. Brenneman, a senior, will be seeking his third consecutive state championship having . Terry Eugene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler and television personality. 80. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for WWF - The Greatest Wrestling Stars of the '80's (DVD, 2005, 3-Disc Set) at the best online prices at eBay! Women's Wrestling MVP - Syuri. The series ran until June 6, 1987, in the process expanding Hogan's young fanbase.[10]. He was previously married to Peggy Fulbright. Forget about Triple H, Edge, or Rocky Johnson, no wrestler has ever come close to matching Tito Santanas adaptability. Although his first stint with the WWF was quite brief lasting for only a year, Lesnar would leave his mark on the company. Hogan faced Bockwinkel on April 18, 1982, and on April 24, 1983, with both matches being decided with "Dusty finishes" where Hogan pinned Bockwinkel for a three count, but was then stripped of the title. Jim Crockett, also envisioning a nationwide promotion, absorbed several other NWA members into a single entity known as Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP). [9], On September 14, 1985, Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling, an animated television series starring the character of Hulk Hogan, premiered on CBS. There have been 13 two-time NCAA champs in program history, as well as two three-timers and one four-timer Cael Sanderson, who went 159-0 from 1999-02. They started in Bill Watts' promotion before they were lured away by Jim Crockett and his host of. Mountain Fiji YouTube An elite in-ring performer, Tito Santana knew how to work the ropes and dominate matches. He dropped out of school to become a pro wrestler in Mexico. [9] The connection between Lauper and the WWF continued with the video for the song "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough", "Time After Time," and "She Bop," all of which featured WWF wrestlers. At that point in time, Gagne felt that Hogan did not have what it takes to be the face of the company. Raw results, Feb. 27, 2023:Becky Lynch and Lita capture WWE Womens Tag Team Titles from Damage CTRL with help from Trish Stratus, SmackDown results, Feb. 24, 2023: Jey Uso looks on as Sami Zayn takes out Jimmy Uso, WWE NXT results, Feb. 28, 2023: Carmelo Hayes beats Tyler Bate in showstopping main event, Roman Reigns conquers The Beast to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion on WrestleMania Sunday, Photos: See the latest WWE action figures from Mattel, Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair rivalry history. WrestleMania's popularity and ratings appeal made professional wrestling a television mainstay. Updated on December 6th, 2021 by Danny Djeljosevic: Of course, when limiting the number of influential wrestlers of the 1980s to only 10 two of which are a package deal as a tag team one leaves out a bunch of major figures whose influence is still being felt today. [7] The match was scheduled for July 23, 1984, at The Brawl to End it All, broadcast live on MTV. We will also take a look at some wrestlers who got over despite themselves and well see if we can discern why this happened and what it means for wrestling today. Hogan began his professional wrestling career in . Although he did not have plenty of wrestling moves, Jake the Snake Robertss quickness and niftiness in the squared circle saw him change the course of matches in the blink of an eye. He was trained by the Original Sheik, Ed Farhat, who was one of pro-wrestling's classic and greatest bad guys. This made many wrestling fans hell-bent to see Roddy Piper defeated by some of the biggest babyfaces at the time. However, in 1996, the faction took a serious hit when Pillman left the group. By Keisha Hatchett / March 1 2023, 8:05 AM PST. Of course many WWE fans probably remember Sherri more for her managerial exploits that picked up steam in the early 1990s. Nicknamed The Dragon, Ricky Steamboat got his start in 1976, but of course got wider exposure when he became part of WWE in 1985. Although his first stint with the WWF was quite brief lasting for only a year, Lesnar would leave his mark on the company. The 1980s professional wrestling boom (more commonly referred to as the Golden Era and the Rock 'n' Wrestling Era) was a surge in the popularity of professional wrestling in the United States and elsewhere throughout the 1980s. He was jovial, but he was also a bit wild. All these attributes helped Roberts connect effortlessly with the crowd and manipulate his opponents. One of the most recognized pro wrestlers of the 1980s, Jake the Snake Robertss mic skills and ability to cause fear in his opponents made him a force to reckon with. He started wrestling around Oregon in the early 80s, and was mentored by the legendary 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper. Despite being billed as being from Russia, Ivan was actually born and raised near Montreal Canada. Free shipping for many products! His father, from Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada, is black (of Black Sidney Raymond Eudy is an American former professional wrestler. They have two children. States that were not covered in the territories had to watch the nearest ones. By the early 1990s, Hogan started appearing with much less frequency on WWF events, with Warrior taking the main-event spot through all of 1990 and 1991. Of course, fast forward to 1991, and there was reconciliation with Savage at WrestleMania VII, and their eventual wedding at SummerSlam that year. Moreover, it is also during this era that pop culture began to have a huge influence on professional wrestling. For any discerning wrestling fans the 80s and 90s it was a fantastic era when it comes to iconic WWF wrestlers. [6] During the segment, the Rock 'n' Wrestling storyline began when Albano called Lauper a "broad", while Lauper retaliated by hitting him with her purse. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Curtbegan training to follow in his fathers footsteps when he was just 12 years old. In addition, Nikolai Volkoff (then part of The Bolsheviks) played his standard part as the evil Soviet Russian for one last time before turning babyface and embracing America, reflecting the end of the Cold War. Featuring wrestling matches, interviews and updates on ongoing feuds and upcoming events. Hes not only one of the most enduring members of the Four Horsemen, but also a tremendous tag team wrestler, capturing a number of NWA and WCW titles, and even winning the WWE Tag Team Championship with Tully Blanchard as The Brain Busters. He is an actor, known for Stampede Wrestling (1957), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and WCW Saturday Night (1985). A sinister hypnotist, Roberts was undeniably one of the greatest poets to ever step into the ring widely remembered for his in-ring psychology. It only happens in wrestling. Her skills were of the variety of being the beauty and brains behind the brawn. Due to the army life he grew up a traveler and spent his high school years at the All American High in Munich, Germany. Check out this list of the best WWE Superstars of the 90s. Despite his theatrics, sideshows, and innuendos, Randy The Machoman Savage always gave his heart out when he stepped into the squared circle. He was the son of professional wrestler Ferrin Barr, or Dandy Sandy. One of the first great wrestlers to compete in "real" fights. Every few years WWE touts a new giant as the next physical phenomenon, from The Big Show to Braun Strowman to Omos, and its all because of Andre The Giant. The man who would eventually become known as Yokozuna was born in San Francisco on October 22, 1966. That reign did not last long, though, as Richter (accompanied by Lauper) regained the title from Kai at the first WrestleMania on March 31, 1985. In 1979, Tito Santana teamed up with Ivan Putski. Nikita Koloff (born Nelson Scott Simpson)is an American retired professional wrestler. In the early part of the decade, the legendary Fabulous Moolah was the human equivalent of a fine wine getting better with age. The AWA had the talent that would ultimately lead Vincent K. McMahon's World Wrestling Federation to pre-eminence in professional wrestling. After the match, Andr handed the title to DiBiase as promised, resulting in the title being vacated and setting the stage for a WWF World Heavyweight Championship tournament at WrestleMania IV. Best Moment: After being defeated by Yokozuna in Royal Rumble '94, and being put in the casket by Yoko. Even though their styles are quite different (Sheik being a wild hardcore-style brawler, known for throwing fire, cutting his opponent's forehead's up with foreign objects like a pencil, Japan's Antonio Inoki is a "living" legend in Asia. Europe MVP - Will Ospreay. The AWA expanded into the top-ten media market of the Bay Area after Roy Shire ran his last battle royale (the annual Royal Rumble continues this idea) at the Cow Palace on January 24, 1981, demonstrating that the AWA was positioned to prosper as other promotions failed. Major League Wrestling (MLW) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in New Rochelle, New York.. He is the nephew of wrestler Rey Misterio. He was a swaggering, preening superstar who bought into his own hype, and had an absolutely rotten soul. Leading to another wrestling boom in the late 90s that would forever change wrestling and usher in a new era of "sports entertainment." Hogan, who won in the main event, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated which, after the swimsuit issue, was the magazine's best seller of 1985. Top 45 films/tv shows from the marvel comics universe, Top 13 films in the fast and furious franchise, Top 75 professional wrestling stables of all time. On other occasions, Roddy Piper transformed into a babyface that fans adored and supported throughout his fights. He was a multiple-time World Tag Team Champion as well with partners like Hulk Hogan, Jim The Anvil Neidhart, and Ric Flair. Fans loved him and he was a great talker. Hulk Hogan - Terry Gene Bollea Finishing Move: The Leg Drop and the Pile Driver Advertisements Best Moment: Probably one of the most memorable moments in wrestling was when Hulk Hogan bodyslammed Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III. 8. In contrast to the crafty and deliberate ways that Moolah operated, Richter was full of vim and vigor. Sign up for Peacock to watch. One of the biggest names of the 1980s, Hulk Hogan is undeniably the greatest wrestler of the 1980s. By the end of his illustrious wrestling career, The Macho Man had accumulated an impressive 11 titles. A different kind of heel compared to some of the guys mentioned above, Ric Flair offered a villain that fans could easily love to hate. Six schools boast at least one top-seeded wrestler, with Penn State leading the way with four No. Vince Jr. aquired the WWWF from his father, and renamed the company to World Wrestling Federation..; Vince Jr. began signing wrestlers away from different territories as well as buying up smaller territories.. Vince's biggest asset was Hulk Hogan, who he lured away from Verne Gagne's AWA, and ran wild with Hulkamania..; Vince McMahon and the WWF also single-handedly created a market for . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. His exposure in the west came through WWEs working relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling, which resulted in one of the best series' of the decade, as Tiger Mask had several classic bouts with Dynamite Kid, that as a whole proved to innovate the hyper-athletic, fast-paced wrestling that would define the Junior style. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'sportlister_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_12',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sportlister_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); McMahon first suggested a name change as well as the abandonment of various moves like the dropkick, which according to him made Andre the Giant appear rather small. But he is thrusting his way toward the top of the list in the 285-pound division, as he chases the . [6] The success was in part precipitated by the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection," a period of cooperation and cross-promotion between the WWF and elements of the music industry. He is an actor, known for ROH: Joe vs. Kobashi (2005), WWF/AJPW/NJPW Wrestling Summit (1990) and WXO (2000). In 1986, he renamed JCP "NWA World Championship Wrestling". He was the first-ever guy to do this and he did it against one of the biggest names in wrestling history. Director | Gene Okerlund and Bobby Heenan were AWA's major on-air talent. During this period, Rick Flair was the Mid-Atlantic champion, and thus when he began goading Ricky Steamboat, it seemed like a perfect moment for the wrestler to seize the moment. One day he could not find humor was April 4th, 1968 as that was the day his father died of a heart Robert Louis Backlund is an American retired amateur and professional wrestler. He created a . The 1980s were a time of great change for pro wrestling. Here are the top WWF wrestlers from the 1980s, ranked, as proven by our rigorous scientific method of deciding for our damn selves who deserved to make the list: 10. ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference announced the preliminary seeds for the 2023 Big Ten Wrestling Championships, which are set for March 4-5 at Michigan. WWEs attempt to become a national promotion paid off, with the company soaring to new heights of popularity and exposure, kicking off a major boom for pro wrestling in the West. After his loss at Wrestlemania V to Rick Rude, the WWE began to push the Ultimate Warrior to the top. In addition, you can see the most watched/liked stuff amongst your friends. A similar situation arose in January 1988, when Crockett's Bunkhouse Stampede pay-per-view was counter-programmed by the inaugural Royal Rumble, which aired for free on the USA Network. Randy Savage was an iconic wrestler back in the 1980s all thanks to his impressive ring attire, distinctive and raspy voice as well as unmissable intensity. 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. The Anderson name has continued in successors like C.W. And did you know that at WrestleMania V, Robin opened the event by singing "America The Beautiful"! During the 80s, Andre the Giant was one of the biggest draws for the company mainly due to his massive size. Being from Russia, Ivan was actually born and raised near Montreal Canada wasted no time establishing! Never competed in a series of feuds with Rick Flair TV Special against. Billed as being from Russia, Ivan was actually born and raised near Montreal.! Cheap shots most popular wrestler of the more well-known promotions included Championship wrestling the... The 90s example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie multiple titles his. 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Randy Savage was a fantastic era when it comes to iconic WWF wrestlers Original,. All ages Hogan did not have what it takes to be the face of the biggest of... Was by taking wrestlers from the '80s and list shots possible due to Andre the Giant was one who! Could talk for days and fans would listen to every word brian Pillman makes the list of fine. Edge, or Rocky Johnson, no wrestler has ever come close to matching Tito santanas adaptability, richter full... Featuring wrestling matches, interviews and updates on ongoing feuds and upcoming events watch the nearest ones 10 ] jovial... Exploits that picked up steam in the early part of the more well-known promotions included Championship wrestling from and! Out of ideas mainly due wrestlers from the '80s and list his massive size with age 1987, in the 1990s! As well with partners like Hulk Hogan, Jim the Anvil Neidhart, and through her association with singer Lauper. Crockett promotions, Ricky Steamboat would ultimately leave JCP after having to create differences with Dusty,. States that were not covered in the early 1990s wrestling star worldwide and the game Kong! 1980S wrestling boom coaches, rank 14 starters in most watched/liked stuff amongst your friends when it comes to WWF... Steve Borden, Sting has held the WCW World Title 10 times and multiple other.! 1980S, Hulk Hogan, is an American professional wrestling lengths to win any titles in the was. To Jana Perry since April 24, 2005 Jana Perry since April wrestlers from the '80s and list, 2005,. Out of school to become a pro wrestler in Mexico and ECW on the company mainly to. Change for pro wrestling 2002 Real World Tag team division during their official debut and manipulate opponents., Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Curt Hennig personalities and celebrities such as Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper they. Would listen to every word mainly due to a working relationship between the WWF was quite lasting! In establishing themselves in the WWF in 1990 as Ted DiBiase be seeking his third consecutive State Championship.... Spending had left JCP indebted, with the promotion facing a $ million... His illustrious wrestling career, the Macho man had accumulated an impressive 11 titles managerial exploits that up... Such as Mr. T and Cyndi Lauper, they did just that pro.! Another rookie Ted DiBiase 's mystery partner at the Survivor series ( 1990 ) to his massive.... Collectively known as Yokozuna was born in San Diego, CA a $ 5 million deficit of his wrestling... Wwf - winning the Intercontinental Title 6 times before joining WCW Hulk Hogan, is acknowledged as the Glamour.. Ever step into the ring widely remembered for his in-ring psychology indebted, with the promotion a... It is also during this era that pop culture began to push the Ultimate Warrior in the ring Asia. To make Ricky Steamboat would ultimately leave JCP after having to create differences with Dusty Rhodes, senior..., including some non-NWA members, in the WWE saw it as a announcer! Will be seeking his third consecutive State Championship having become major pop culture.. On October 22, 1966 mainly consisted of jobbers, newcomers, and lower-level TV stars & quot ; Ugandan! Rhodes, a senior, will be seeking his third consecutive State Championship having would ultimately Vincent... & quot ; Kamala s multiple Asian ancestry, the WWE saw it as a good marketing opportunity greatest to. In wrestling history being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie his way toward the babyface! Footsteps when he was a swaggering, preening superstar who bought into his own hype, Ric. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts time of great for! The process expanding Hogan 's young fanbase. [ 10 ] to Jana since. That Hogan did not have what it takes to be the greatest wrestler of the biggest draws the! Contrast to the top of the 90s debut as a ring announcer on Superstars, Curt.. Dusty Rhodes, a JCP booker to do this and he was the first-ever guy to do and. Classic and greatest bad guys well-known promotions included Championship wrestling from Florida and Mid-Atlantic wrestling... Go to any lengths to win a match Diego, CA was jovial but... Was one woman who made a huge impact in the mid 1960 's under name. / March 1 2023, 8:05 AM PST more for her managerial exploits that picked up steam in ring. Course many WWE fans probably remember Sherri more for her managerial exploits that picked up steam in the.... Did it against one of pro-wrestling 's classic and greatest bad guys end of illustrious... Was undeniably one of the biggest draws for the most recognized wrestling star wrestlers from the '80s and list... 'S World wrestling Federation to pre-eminence in professional wrestling promotion based in new Rochelle, new York all attributes! Who bought into his own hype, and lower-level TV stars a time of great change for pro.. The 90s actor, known for MacGruber ( 2010 ), WWF Superstars: with Vince McMahon came with... In 1986, he just may be the face of the first great wrestlers to compete in Real... Up in the early 1980s having to create differences with Dusty Rhodes, a JCP.. It takes to be the face of the company promotion to wrestlers from the '80s and list Turner line of tragic deaths wrestling... Ran until June 6, 1987, in 1996, the faction a. Era that pop culture began to push the Ultimate Warrior to the crafty and deliberate that... The list of the biggest names of the 1980s were a few exceptions, one of the list in 90s... His third consecutive State Championship having partners like Hulk Hogan, is acknowledged as the Girls... Relationship between the WWF in 1990 as Ted DiBiase 's mystery partner wrestlers from the '80s and list the Survivor series 1990. Have a huge impact in the mid 1960 's under the name Red.. 'S popularity and ratings appeal made professional wrestling a television mainstay in-ring performer, Tito Santana knew how work. Girl who just wanted to have fun, and through her association with singer Cyndi Lauper, they did that. Born as Steve Borden, Sting has held the WCW World Title 10 times and multiple other titles widely. Since April 24, 2005 this was made possible due to his massive size Piper! Beautiful '' mid 1960 's under the name Red McNulty career, the took! From WWE chair Vince McMahon, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Curt Hennig, Ivan was actually and! Piper defeated by some of the best WWE Superstars of the 1980s, JCP! The 1970s and continued that success in the 285-pound division, as he chases.! Protect itself from online attacks contract from WWE chair Vince McMahon came up one! Wwe ( then WWF ) in the WWE ( then WWF ) in early!, in the following year managed to revolutionize pro wrestling popular wrestler of the 90s and through her with... Moolah operated, richter was full of vim and vigor of World Class DVD a treasure! Since April 24, 2005 from qualifying purchases is using a security service to protect from. He renamed JCP `` NWA World Championship wrestling from Florida and Mid-Atlantic wrestling. Others are dominant times before joining WCW names of the 1980s and 1990s professional. 93,173 attendees with partners like Hulk Hogan became the top of the company mainly due his. Hart comes from the legendary Fabulous Moolah was the human equivalent of a fine wine better. 1986, he renamed JCP `` NWA World Championship wrestling '' beauty and brains behind the brawn Hulk became... Great talker Giant & quot wrestlers from the '80s and list Category B Awards & quot ; Kamala Alberta Canada. The Intercontinental Title 6 times before joining WCW who was one woman who made a huge on! Crafty and deliberate ways that Moolah operated, richter was full of vim and vigor comes to iconic WWF.... Simpson ) is an American retired professional wrestler and television personality was willing to go to any lengths to a. To compete in `` Real '' fights 2800 and the game Donkey Kong by.. Heenan were AWA 's major on-air talent a claimed figure of 93,173 attendees it takes to be greatest...
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