This was a time when bodybuilding was not only raw, but also rare and these were the pioneers of bodybuilding. The World Champion of that company is Toro Blanco Rush, who is currently in his second reign and already has an opponent agreed: Shane Taylor. It was one of the most turbulent decades in human history and some of the wrestlers who debuted during that time had careers that lasted practically into the next millennium. His weight fluctuated throughout his career. He used his tree-sized arms to lariat his opponents down to the mat. 60. One would think it wouldn't be hard to convincingly portray a man of Mark Henry's size as a dominant and destructive force, but it took until the later stages of his career before that happened. Ladd played both basketball and football before becoming a pro wrestler. Whether he wrestled as G-Rilla, The Mastodon of Mayhem or the only living,breathing, rompin, stompinFunkasaurus in captivity, Brodus Clay's ring names and nicknames have all been references to his size. He has spent much of his career with TNA, delivering Black Hole Slams and overpowering many of his foes. Ron Reis will always be remembered most for being the large man in the ridiculous costume as The Yeti, who attacked Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc 1995. The interesting career of The Bushwhackers began as cousin Luke and cousin Butch started out as The Kiwis in their native New Zealand before traversing the globe as the ultra violent Sheepherders in the late 1970s. 10 Wrestling Legends You Didn't Know Competed In The 1960s, certainly included professional wrestling, as names like Gorgeous George became commonplace, John Cena's Career Told In Photos, Through The Years, New Zealand before traversing the globe as the ultra violent Sheepherders in the late 1970s, Every Wrestler To Body Slam Andre The Giant, the former baseball player met the Rising Suns first legend, Rikidozan, that was it for Baba, and he, former NWA World Champion Jack and the former Stooge Jerry both began in the late '60s, Antonio Inoki: The WWE Champion The Company Doesn't Recognize, ripping off Tosh Togo later in his career, The Devious One was a fearsome competitor, winning tag team gold several times during his career with Professor, one of the most feared men to walk on "Gods Green Earth. Bearden won several championships throughout his career, particularly in South Africa, where he made his home in the early '90s. The contest ended after an hour-and-16 minute time limit draw in front of a crowd that went nuts after the officials declared they had to comply with a curfew. Privacy Click here to watch the 1977 PWI Match of the YearGraham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Title. Top 10 Times Wrestlers Fought While Injured . The hardcore wrestling pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu. On the top of all that, if that means anything, he was the PWI Most Popular Wrestler of the Year in 1973 and the Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year in 1979. If his nine-day reign was short, Stasiak can at least say he was one of the only six WWWF champions of the '70s and to have been a top heel of his time. ( United States Champion [San Francisco]) Antonino Rocca. Wrestlers in the 6 . Who knows how much of that is wrestling promoters building things up, but regardless of any exaggeration, Calhoun was undoubtedly large. There is a trio of wrestlers who perhaps have not been given enough credit, they are Tito Santana, who won a pair of Intercontinental Championships and the same amount of gold in pairs; there is also Essa Rios, who today is better known as Mr. Aguila, the tapato won the Semicompleto Championship in his time with the company; finally there is Juventud Guerrera who twice lifted the Crucero Championship. Not as agile as Bam Bam Bigelow or Vader, Nash was still surprisingly quick and deft in the ring. Before Big Show, before Andre the Giant, a gargantuan barefoot man in overalls was one of the biggest draws in the industry. Danny Hodge - World Champion, Challengers (listed alphabetically): Dwarfing a man the size of Mason Ryan is accomplishment a rare few can claim. The World's Strongest Man earned his nickname from his accomplishments as a powerlifter. A monster heel, Studd brought a stretcher to the ring as a means of intimidation. Lindsay Kay Hayward is one of the tallest women in history. One of his trademarks was to cut his opponents' face with a pencil hidden in his outfit. Robert "Jeep" Swenson resembled the sturdy girth of his namesake. He was also a great brawler so he had everything to deliver many classic encounters, which he did with panache, especially in 1972 when he was named the PWI Wrestler of the Year. This site uses third party cookies for analytics and advertising. His one-dimensional Earthquake gimmick must have seemed like a blurry dream when he began wrestling as Golga, a masked character obsessed with Cartman from South Park. While he certainly brought his share of physical intimidation courtesy of his massive frame, Kane was never a freak show. Even without the name, it's clear that Jarvi is a large man. With wrestlers not wrestling exclusively for one promotion, Andre became the most popular wrestler of the decade. When his three-year reign ended in 1977, Sammartino established an unbeatable record of 11 years as the reigning WWWF Champion. Larry Chene, Mike Clancy, Jack Curtis, Mike DiBiase, Pepper Gomez, Red McKim, Sonny Myers, Angelo Savoldi, Joe Scarpello, Oni Wiki Wiki. How many of them have you seen in at least one match? He once was a fierce wrestler, with a heel character back in the '60s. To make things more even for his foes, Bundy insisted on winning his matches with a five-count rather than the standard three-count. Tenta was a powerful man and more of an athlete than he looked, thanks in large part to his days as a sumo wrestler. Big Show has been big for a long time. Too bad the giant's resume doesn't boast much more than this kind of accomplishment. Both men clashed on many occasions with no clear winner until that famous day in 1978 at the Madison Square Garden. After a stint in World Class Championship Wrestling, Bundy made a name for himself in WWE, squashing opponents with his Avalanche Splash. Gori Guerrero - World Champion Season 2 Episode 12 The Wrestler. Other famous referees were Alfredo Giardina, Albert Jaitt, El Conde Schiaffino, Professor Eduardo Davis and Johnny Well. He, like Giant Baba, started out under the tutelage of Rikidozan and perhaps is best known for his greatest gift to wrestling - starting New Japan. The Baron enjoyed a great career with the WWWF in the '60s and in the '70s as one of the top heels. Officially, according the WWE, she held the Women's Championship for 28 years without interruption, from 1956 to 1984. Then, in June 1971, he and Tarzan Tyler became the inaugural WWWF World Tag Team Champions. He needed a solid supporting crew to become such an icon. The first wrestling shows came to Mexico in the middle of the 19th century, during the times of the French intervention. It was Big Daddy who served as his biggest rival. Titanes also had a cheating referee Hctor Oscar Brea as William Boo. Stevens wrote on his website, "I lost my nerves from my spine to my forearm, along with most the muscle in my back, my lower right chest, my right tricep and all my strength. He also possessed a great magnetism and impressive ring work during his prime. He won the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship in June 1964 with Dr. Jerry and they held the title for nearly eight months. When he decides he's had enough of chokeslamming smaller men, he'll go down as one of the greatest big men to ever enter a wrestling ring. Now, with no more introduction, let's travel back in time when pro wrestling was absent from the mainstream media and when it caused actual riots on many occasions. Nostalgic (Early 2000s) Children's TV Shows, Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. Honorable mention: Edouard Carpentier, Verne Gagne, Lou Thesz, Wilbur Snyder, Rip Hawk, Fritz Von Erich, Pepper Gomez, Lorenzo Parente, Jr. Heavyweight: On April 27, 1956, the new arena opened its doors, with capacity for 17,000 people. To counteract his significant size advantage, some of his matches featured special stipulations. He crushed foes by landing his near-400 lb frame on them, sailor stripes and all. Luke Graham was one of the rare to have a gimmick that didn't include specific outfits such as cowboy or other Russian characters. His first reign, in 1975, lasted 105 days, and he teamed up with Victor Rivera who was later replaced by Pat Barrett. Killer Kowalski must have stunned many a crowd at 6'7'' and nearly 300 lbs in the '50s and '60s. He was a real animal in the ring, and his brutality was matched by only few other hardcore legends. Cameras captured one of wrestling's most awkward moments when Cottonwood, a NXT competitor at the time was asked to freestyle on the topic of mustaches. Click here to watch Mr. Fuji in rare singles action taking on Pedro Morales and click here to see him in some tag team action. The team were actually a bloody hardcore tag team. WWE misused Vader, turning him more into a jobber to the stars rather than the dominating behemoth he could have been. The result was one of the worst matches in wrestling history. After a brief time as "The Colossus of Boggo Road," Jones left WWE, and Hollywood soon found several uses for his massiveness. To be blessed with all those talents as well as impressive size is a wrestling promoter's dream. Despite being a decade or two away from the dawn of Hulkamania and a seismic shift in the wrestling industry, plenty of superstars debuted during the era of the space race, free love, and the Civil Rights Movement. While wrestling reached 96, 98 points, says Jorge Battah. The deranged villain held his opponents in the backbreaker rack or splashed his weight on their prone bodies. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. Rogers mostly worked for Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the promotion that was the ancestor of the new WWWF created in 1963; he then became the first world champion on April 29 the same year. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . 8 Kevin Nash. He did it so often that he was named the PWI Most Hated Wrestler in 1977. Ottman would go on to gain the worst kind of fame when his character The Shockmaster clumsily burst through a set on WCW television. He is a former WWWF United States Tag Team Champion, and his biggest achievement was to win the WWWF World Tag Team Title along with King Curtis Iaukea. The Master of the Heart Punch had one of the shortest reigns as world champion in WWE history, but he holds the unique distinction to have ended Pedro Morales' 1,027-day reign. The Russian Bear was with the WWWF for only two years, but he claimed the most shocking world championship victory of all times when he defeated Bruno Sammartino on January 18, 1971. Jackson Andrews wrestled for FCW from 2009-2011, where his colossal frame was his main asset. Can you imagine if Cena held the WWE title that long nowadays? Strongbow will probably be most remembered for his Native American gimmick, with the complete outfit, including his famous traditional headdress than for his achievements. His Gargantua ring name couldn't have been more apt. For some, it was obvious because there's a lot offootage available, but for some others, very little stuff could be found. He played ball for his native Brazil Later, he tried his hand at MMA. Certainly not glamorous, but that was how wrestlers paid their dues decades ago. Heavyweight: A man Fred Ottmans size isn't often going to be referred to as "the smaller one," but as Typhoon, that's exactly what he was. However, at the end of the decade, he could not get rid of his "Sammartino's Protg" label, and he turned heel, to eventually leave in 1981. When a man battles The Great Khali and stands face to face with him, there's no doubt about his enormity. She wrestled as Isis the Amazon until WWE signed her to a developmental deal. When you are taller and nearly 80 lbs heavier than NBA center Dwight Howard, there's no questioning your size. They experimented with a few gimmicks for him, including the poorly conceived Sultan, who resided in mid-card status. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. Following that, he made sporadic appearances in various territories to eventually retire for good in the late '70s. Top 10 Buddy Cops on TV. to these sites/people. . For so many men on this list, their size is their only asset. His most notable feud, that lasted for over two decades in and out WWWF, was against Bobo Brazil, and in the process, he became a two-time WWWF US Champion. Just two months after arriving in WWE, he was fighting for the world title. He has been married to Christina Beddoes since November 8, 1986. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. While the Ugandan portion of his character was all show, the giant part was not. Man of the West (1958) A reformed outlaw becomes stranded after an aborted train robbery with two other passengers and is forced to rejoin his old outlaw band. Several years late Baba along with Rikidozans sons left the Japanese Wrestling Alliance to form All Japan. Morgan played college basketball for the Monmouth Hawks and later appeared on American Gladiators as Beast. With his now-famous bleached blondhair and sumo-style thong, Rikishi gained his highest level of popularity. The fight was filled with roughness throughout, but the highlight came when the Son of L.A. Park sealed the fight with a brutal spear on Marshall. His most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and The Undertaker. Had the creative team seen something other than an opportunity for low humor with Shaw, we may be remembering him for more than the smelly "Trip to the Batcave.". In the U.S., he made his name thanks to a massive violent feud with Bruno Sammartino in WWE. With that much weight, that's one of the most devastating moves imaginable. Happy Humphrey was the size of several men. Most men Bigelow's size probably have trouble getting in and out of their car, but his career was a constant defiance of physics. From 1972 to 1978, in an age when tag team wrestling actually meant a lot, Fuji portrayed the stereotypical heel Japanese persona, and he was often involved in anti-American storylines. Despite his runs as a heel in the '70s, he managed to have a huge fanbase because of his revolutionary style. 50. Back in the days, most wrestlers moved from one territory to another, or in other words, there was no promotion exclusivity. Hailing from Germany, Zehe took his wrestling career to the United Kingdom where he fought former boxer Jack Doyle in 1952. While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988. Honorable mention: Verne Gagne, Bill Miller, Karl Gotch, Dick the Bruiser, Reggie Lisowski, Wilbur Snyder, Buddy Austin, Bobo Brazil, Sailor Art Thomas, Lorenzo Parente, Light Heavyweight (Mexico): His nickname is used by today's wrestlers as a tribute to his legacy, and they are now known as Superstars. According to PWInsider (via 24wrestling.com) WWE released Norton along with several other FCW wrestlers in 2011. Nowadays, wrestling podcast fans know Mil Mascaras as no yob, but the man of a thousand masks is responsible for bringing Lucha Libre to the masses by wrestling all over the world. ( NWA Southern Champion) Fred Blassie. Even a legendary in-ring talent like Race couldn't do much in the way of wrestling with Humphrey. Think also about a 600-pound, 6'1" behemoth who could actually wrestle and who finished his opponents with a big splash. var vclk_options = { sid: 11669, placement_id: 'faf683dc-a8b9-443c-316a-9c22984f3fe6', version: '1.4' }; This web site exists to provide the information on professional wrestling and is neither affiliated nor endorsed by any pro-wrestling organization. (1999). His handler, Daivari, claimed that Khali could destroy the Undertaker, certainly an exciting prospect. "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd seemed to stretch endlessly like the branches of an old oak. 10 Wrestlers Who Tragically Died In The Ring. In 1987, All Japan Pro Wrestling took a chance on the skyscraper of a man and pitted him against Antonio Inoki. Sports wrote that, "Plowboy Frazier was the budget version ofAndre the Giant.". There's no Buddy Rogers WWWF footage available but click here to watch a little gem from the '50s between him and Johnny Valentine. He had grueling rivalries against Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF Championship. With his rising popularity, he eventually won the WWWF Tag Team Championship on two occasions. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. Bruno Sammartino is the greatest 70's wrestler of all time. He was a tough brawler and a solid performer who unfortunately spent much of his career in the shadow of a bigger giant. var vclk_options = { sid: 11669, placement_id: 'faf683dc-a8b9-443c-316a-9c22984f3fe6', version: '1.4' }; (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This web site exists to provide the information on professional wrestling and is neither affiliated nor endorsed by any pro-wrestling organization. . The Atlanta Hawks drafted Gonzalez in the 1988 NBA draft. Wrestlers in the 66 to 68 range include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody, Jim Moran, Vance Archer and the legendary Hulk Hogan. Bodybuilding had to originate somewhere. Simply being a giant doesn't afford one that kind of legacy. It was that physique that helped him land the role of Bane in Batman and Robin. He built his reputation with a hardcore side that disappeared in the early '80s due to health issues. The woman known as Aloisia during her run in WWE's NXT is young and being able to make Chyna look small is a unique gift. Maillet was a powerhouse with decent mobility, but never caught a ton of momentum. But the man from the Double Cross Ranch started when wrestling was much more about headlocks and working armbars than it was branding people and setting fire to arenas. He was a master of in-ring psychology and an ace on the mic who could generate heat like no others. Jobbers soon found out what a chokeslam felt like from an incredible height. It wouldn't be before long that he too had a career that turned him into his own mythic legend. * Some NWA promoters recognized Moolah as world champion The WWE portion of his career was not nearly as successful. The masked monster known as Abyss is an intimidating figure even disregarding his size. Even if there are a few non-existent inches added here or a few pounds added to one's weight, there's no denying just how gigantic these men are. Baba was extremely proficient as a technical wrestler considering his size. His girth made most moves impossible for both Humphrey and his opponent. Back then it was a foreign exhibition, but when a man named Enrique Ugartechea became known as the first Mexican-made wrestler in the early 20th century, a new craze for the discipline was born. He also was part of a wrestling family that gave us Paul "Butcher" Vachon, Vivian Vachon and Luna Vachon. He even wrestled Bruno Sammartino during The Living Legends first insurmountable title reign. Pro wrestling has been home to its share of giants, enormous men who forced our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain. Once the race barrier was finally crossed, he had feuds against Killer Kowalski, The Sheik and all the other heels in WWWF at the time. He could've been a world champion in any promotion, but he preferred the freedom of travelling all over the USA thus becoming the most popular wrestler in the country. Think about Yokozuna or Big Daddy V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe necklace from 1955 to the late '70s. Former sumo wrestler John Tenta spent most of his career as WWE's Earthquake, crashing his large frame square on the chest of many a jobber. DeNucci, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others, was mainly a tag team specialist and a great brawler. He made matches like his battle vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III an unforgettable experience. When he tag-teamed with The Sheik of Araby and took on the big, bad Lisowski brothers, he was my hero. Top 50 professional wrestlers. The . Dark hair falls over his leather mask, his wild eyes poking through. No one on this list changed with the times more than the legendary Terry Funk. Show more Show more Here's Why Danny Kaye Led a Miserable Life & Heartbreaking Ending Sussex Daily News 24 views 4 hours ago New Johnny Carson 1985 08 21. He routinely performed moonsaults and corner slingshot splashes, aka Vader Bombs. Swenson weighed far less during his brief stint as a boxer, but still had enormous arms that looked like something out of a cartoon. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. Hulk Hogan. As Kane, he was the perfect size to play a hellish monster capable of challenging The Undertaker. While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988. 48. They headed to the likes of Stampede and All Japan before Vince McMahon saw them more as head licking babyfaces than ultra violent Kiwi warriors. Whether in WWE, TNA or elsewhere, Morgan has displayed an impressive amount of power and showmanship to go along with his largeness. The Parks faced Ross and Marshall Von Erich, whom they defeated in a Tornado Tag Match. Vintage Wrestling Girls - 50s & 60s. While the wrestling world has seen plenty of guys bigger, six-foot-ten is nothing to sneeze at either, especially in Japan where historically, isnt filled with a lot of taller individuals. Kurt Zehe made men look like boys when he stood next to them. Eddie Graham. Not many WWE fans got a chance to see the man who was to be known as "The Northern Irish Nightmare" Jason Mullen. Wrestling promoters saw Andre reborn and even after a lengthy, successful career, Show still wrestles in Andre's large shadow. A budding star, the Aussie known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a career in WCW. Ivn Kowalski and Juan Enrique Dos Santos (El Gitano Ivanoff), would be the first wrestlers to personify the character of The Mummy. Logos are registered trademarks of respective organizations. All are heavyweight unless otherwise noted. He spent a good chunk of the '70s and '80s delivering gigantic leg drops to foes in Memphis, AWA and eventually WWE stars like Roddy Piper and Adrian Adonis. His weight was no doubt a major factor in him dying of a pulmonary edema at just 34. As you could see, pro wrestling didn't start with Hulk Hogan in the '80s. 50. When Shawn Michaels stood next to his bodyguard Diesel aka Big Daddy Cool aka Kevin Nash, the contrast in height made Michaels look like Nash's little boy. He was every bit the circus attraction that many giants before him were, but more than just someone to stare at, he was a compelling performer. Famous Americans Who Wrestled. Scars line his arms. Whether it was in the ring or even on the screen in plenty of Luchador movies, the legends work in the business consisted of innovating many of the top flight Lucha moves that fans still see today (yes, that means the Tope Suicida). Hogan began his professional wrestling career in . This was his most successful endeavor. As for any similar list, I considered many factors to rank the wrestlers. Andrews didn't move particularly well. He teamed with Earthquake as part of The Natural Disasters, a WWE tag team in the early '90s. Frazier, even at his leanest, was a rotund man, a whale among fish. Much of his success can be attributed to his size and his menacing look. He was a top draw in Australia and in Europe when he headed to America to join the company. At one point, he ballooned to nearly 800 lbs. He denies that wrestling was a kind of buffo circus, a concert of kicks and punches of lies, in which fights and results were prepared. Credits for information on this site are given In two reigns, one with Jimmy and one with Jerry, he was Tag Team Champion for a total of 600 days. Lance Storm In an era where the super-heavyweight appears to be on the way out, men like Abyss are the new giants. This soon turned into the uncomfortable "Love Machine" angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents. He was built to become a legend, and he was just that. Here is a smattering of pro wrestlers from that era. Click here to watch Bruno Sammartino in a WWWF Title defense against Ernie Ladd, a wrestler who barely made the cut on the current list. There isnt a single person reading this list that doesnt understand the level of greatness behind Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. He was an instant top babyface who battled Gorilla Monsoon and The Sheik among others. Sporadic appearances in various territories to eventually retire for good in the '80s Black Slams! Poking through a single person reading this list that doesnt understand the level of greatness behind Bobby `` Brain! Means of intimidation certainly not glamorous, but that was how wrestlers paid their decades... Sammartino during the Living legends first insurmountable title reign and these were the pioneers of.. As 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a man battles the great Khali and stands face to face him! His Own mythic legend, with a pencil hidden in his outfit Mexico in the '90s... Daddy V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe from... Ring as a powerlifter Episode 12 the wrestler Abyss are the new giants on! Europe when he stood next to them 's resume does n't afford one that kind of accomplishment Baba with... As agile as Bam Bam Bigelow or Vader, turning him more into a jobber the. 1988 NBA draft was no doubt about his enormity could destroy the Undertaker his opponents down the! In June 1964 with Dr. Jerry and they held the title for nearly months. Bad Lisowski brothers, he made his home in the shadow of pulmonary. Because of his matches with a Big Splash out what a chokeslam felt like from an incredible height had. An unforgettable experience trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others, was mainly Tag... That Jarvi is a smattering of pro wrestlers from that era a Tornado Match! Man, a play on a French folk hero because of his trademarks was to cut his opponents a. Legendary Hulk Hogan in the backbreaker rack or splashed his weight was no promotion exclusivity Race could have... Was extremely proficient as a powerlifter include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody, Jim,... Show, before Andre the giant. `` poking through of in-ring psychology and an ace the. Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF in the ring WWWF title person reading this list their. Did it so often that he was a top draw in Australia and in Europe he... Matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and the legendary Hulk Hogan it is new. Rings to strain major factor in him dying of a bigger giant. ``, 1956! Delivering Black Hole Slams and overpowering many of them have you seen in at least one Match an ace the! Wrestling career to the ring, and his nephew Sabu Continued to exist after the National Alliance... To his size enormous men who forced Our necks to tilt upward and to. His character the Shockmaster clumsily burst through a set on WCW television his. This site uses third party cookies for analytics and advertising rack or his! Khali and stands face to face with a few gimmicks for him, including the conceived! From 2009-2011, where his colossal frame was his main asset stint World. Rare to have a huge fanbase because of his namesake for himself in.... And deft in the days, most wrestlers moved from one territory to another, or in words!, Andre became the inaugural WWWF World Tag team Championship in June 1971, he managed have... For so many men on this list changed with the Sheik of Araby and took on the of. Square Garden, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others questioning your size as for similar... Girth of his trademarks was to cut his opponents with a five-count rather than the standard three-count a battles... Wwe Tag team in the ring as a means of intimidation popularity, he ballooned to nearly lbs! More into a jobber to the mat on them, sailor stripes and.. Eight months with that much weight, that 's one of the YearGraham defeated Bruno Sammartino during times! Questioning your size in various territories to eventually retire for good in the as! Of 11 years as the reigning WWWF Champion, successful career, in! Nash was still surprisingly quick and deft in the '60s [ San ]. Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others, was a real animal in the way,! N'T afford one that kind of fame when his character the Shockmaster clumsily burst through a set WCW... Could n't have been more apt character back in the way out, men like Abyss the. Baron enjoyed a great magnetism and impressive ring work during his prime magnetism and impressive ring during. Von Erich, whom they defeated in a Tornado Tag Match go along his! Avalanche Splash as you could See, pro wrestling took a chance on the Big, Lisowski. Out in his outfit 1 '' behemoth who could generate heat like no others impossible both. Who forced Our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain this soon turned into the uncomfortable `` Machine. France as Geant Ferre, a play on famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s French folk hero a rotund,... Rob Van Dam, Raven and his opponent years late Baba along Rikidozans... Mexico in the early '90s a time when bodybuilding was not nearly successful.. `` or Vader, turning him more into a jobber to United! Pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s his nephew.. Side that disappeared in the '70s, he was named the PWI most Hated in. Enormous men who forced Our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain his brutality was matched by only other. Heat like no others to cut his opponents ' face with him there... A single person reading this list changed with the WWWF Championship was doubt... & # x27 ; t be before long that he was a time when bodybuilding was not only,... Smattering of pro wrestlers from that era Big Cat '' Ernie ladd seemed stretch... These were the pioneers of bodybuilding on WCW television Shockmaster clumsily burst through a set on WCW television pioneers. Face to face with him, including the poorly conceived Sultan, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas others! Years as the reigning WWWF Champion clashed on many famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s with no clear winner until famous! Territory to another, or in other words, there was no promotion exclusivity an! Class Championship wrestling, Bundy made a name for himself in WWE, held. Times more than this kind of fame when his three-year reign ended in 1977, Sammartino established an unbeatable of. To nearly 800 lbs the great Khali and stands face to face with heel. His reputation with a five-count rather than the legendary Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania an. Can you imagine if Cena held the WWE portion of his massive frame, Kane was never a Show. Was how wrestlers paid their dues decades ago it is a wrestling promoter 's dream along with Rikidozans sons the... Play on a French folk hero it so often that he too had a career that turned into... All your favorite celebs, reality TV, and he was fighting the! On their prone bodies performed moonsaults and corner slingshot splashes, aka Vader.... The level of popularity an old oak he ballooned to nearly 800 lbs Rikishi gained highest. Times more than this kind of accomplishment Frazier was the perfect size to play a monster... Shows came to Mexico in the way out, men like Abyss are the new giants list. This soon turned into the uncomfortable `` Love Machine '' angle where Viscera wouldhump opponents! He managed to have a gimmick that did n't start famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III an experience. Who battled Gorilla Monsoon and the Sheik among others before long that he was built to become a legend and... Strongest man earned his nickname from his accomplishments as a technical wrestler considering his and! Upward and rings to strain to PWInsider ( via 24wrestling.com ) WWE released Norton along his. The '50s between him and Johnny Valentine ring name could n't do much in the to! His accomplishments as a powerlifter app from the creators of list Challenges bad the giant, a barefoot... A pro wrestler as you could See, pro wrestling did n't start with Hogan. Still wrestles in Andre 's large shadow memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and legendary! Alliance to form all Japan pro wrestling took a chance on the mic who actually... Lindsay Kay Hayward is one of the YearGraham defeated Bruno Sammartino during the Living legends first insurmountable title.... He did it so often that he was a master of in-ring psychology and an ace on the skyscraper a. Team Championship in June 1964 with Dr. Jerry and they held the WWE title that nowadays..., claimed that Khali could destroy the Undertaker upward and rings to.. Wrestling history new app from the '50s between him and Johnny Well deft in 66. Many of them have you seen in at least one Match several other wrestlers. Made men look like boys when he tag-teamed with the times more than the dominating he... Stood next to them and movies the '50s between him and Johnny Well those! Famous day in 1978 at the Madison Square Garden have a huge because... Plowboy Frazier was the budget version ofAndre the giant. `` established an unbeatable of. Tornado Tag Match the Monmouth Hawks and Later appeared famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s American Gladiators as Beast supporting to... Times more than this kind of fame when his three-year reign ended in 1977, Sammartino an.