Top 10 Wrestlers Blacklisted By WWE. Muhammad Malik Khan would later find success as an actor and eventually find work as a security guard at a Dubai supermarket. These famous Americans are from the political, business, entertainment and professional . The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Before he donned tie-dye and began to dance around to the Insane Clown's Posses music, WWE put his size to use as a more domineering presence known as The Interrogator. His first reign, in 1975, lasted 105 days, and he teamed up with Victor Rivera who was later replaced by Pat Barrett. With wrestlers not wrestling exclusively for one promotion, Andre became the most popular wrestler of the decade. During the '60s and '70s, Andre wrestled all over the world, and yes, he was big in Japan and wrestled huge matches against the likes of fellow list members who we will see in upcoming entries. I also discovered many gems of the WWWF era before it became the WWF. to these sites/people. 1959-11 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) In fact, he was more than a pro wrestling top draw; he was, with his size, an attraction wherever he went. Giant Baba became one of the key figures in all of Japanese wrestling. Sheamus, John Cena and Josh Mathews combined don't quite weigh as much as Humphrey did during his career. He was a real animal in the ring, and his brutality was matched by only few other hardcore legends. For so many men on this list, their size is their only asset. Ultimately, the 1980s are most widely thought to represent the golden age of women's wrestling and the point at which . A budding star, the Aussie known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a career in WCW. There was a time for which I will call the "Silver Era" which took place back in the 1940s through the 1960s and has very little recognition today. He won the WWWF US Championship in 1971, but he had to drop it one month later, when he became the WWWF World Heavyweight Champion on February 8, 1971. The best quality video I could find was Stan Stasiak vs. Tony Garea in three parts: part 1, part 2 and part 3. Can you imagine if Cena held the WWE title that long nowadays? Before Gorilla Monsoon became one half of the funniest commentary duos with Bobby Heenan, he was one of wrestling's most frightening monsters. With his rising popularity, he eventually won the WWWF Tag Team Championship on two occasions. In the halcyon days of the 1950s and early '60s, the promos and interviews existed solely to heighten the drama of the matches. The wrestler called The Living Legend had it all to be a genuine superstar. Strongbow will probably be most remembered for his Native American gimmick, with the complete outfit, including his famous traditional headdress than for his achievements. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Those I ranked are only the tip of the iceberg because other legends and pioneers existed before them. Harley Race Satiating its obsession for girth, wrestling's promoters have found real-life Goliaths and showcased them for fans. When a man battles The Great Khali and stands face to face with him, there's no doubt about his enormity. Most men Bigelow's size probably have trouble getting in and out of their car, but his career was a constant defiance of physics. The Big Red Machine has developed a resume worthy of the Hall of Fame. 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. Iron Sheik. 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). . Click here to watch Strongbow taking on Professor TanakaMr. Ray Stevens. It was here that he tagged with Kevin Nash, who was known then as Vinnie Vegas. Wrestlers in the 6 . ( United States Champions) Mark Lewin & Don Curtis Antonino Rocca & Miguel Perez Fabulous Kangaroos ( International Champions) Ben Sharpe & Mike Sharpe ( World Champions [San Francisco]) Jackie Fargo & Don Fargo Reggie Lisowski & Stan Lisowski Bill Miller & Dan Miller Ivan Kalmikoff & Karol Kalmikoff ( World Champions [Minneapolis]) Records differ on Palmer's actual height. Khali is as stiff as a mannequin. It's hard to imagine someone Big John Studd's size being dwarfed, but that will happen when you face off against Andre the Giant. Top 25 1950's Westerns. The NWCA is very proud of the rich history of the sport of wrestling and many famous Americans who have once wrestled. No one on this list changed with the times more than the legendary Terry Funk. But before he became the best manager in the history of the sport, he actually did have an in ring career that started way back in 1961 with names like Dick the Bruiser and Sam Mushnick before promoters realized Heenans mouth was much better than his ring work, which was also pretty good. You can also click here to watch another poor quality video (Sammartino defeating Stasiak for the WWWF Title). Regardless of how he performed in the ring, Vicious always looked the part of the massive monster. Top 10 Times Wrestlers Fought While Injured . . He can also brag to have faced all the greats of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham. As Kane, he was the perfect size to play a hellish monster capable of challenging The Undertaker. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. Dorrel Dixon - World Champion, Middleweight: However, the former nWo star is currently 62-years-old . The former NXT contestant and bodyguard for Alberto Del Rio looked to be making a name for himself with his new funky gimmick, but his momentum has slowed. The custom of betting the mask arose: if a wrestler lost, he had to take it off and could never wear it again. He bumbled about the ring worse than Giant Gonzales or The Great Khali ever did. His nickname is used by today's wrestlers as a tribute to his legacy, and they are now known as Superstars. The Twin Towers, as they were called, came in at a combined weight of over 760 lbs. Even at that lowest estimate, Palmer had to appear monstrous standing next to his wrestling opponents in the '50s. The hardcore wrestling pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu. His lengthly career started in 1962 under the tutelage of Nick Bockwinkel. 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): He had the strength, the technical abilities, the charisma and that mythic "it" factor to draw the audiences. 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. The San Diego Chargers drafted him as a defensive lineman in 1961 and he soon became an intimidating presence on the football field. 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. He looks more like a truck driver. World Title Vacant, Challengers: Bobby Bonales, Alejandro Cruz, El Enfermero, Cavernario Galindo, Humbero Garza, Carnicero Grimaldo, Rene Guajardo, Memo Rubio, El Santo, Huroki Sito, Welterweight: Dwarfing a man the size of Mason Ryan is accomplishment a rare few can claim. It's difficult to determine some wrestlers' true size with a business so famous for twisting the truth and exaggerating reality. Facing a wrestler of decent size like Strangler Bright, Zehe looked like an unstoppable monster. Larry Chene, Mike Clancy, Jack Curtis, Mike DiBiase, Pepper Gomez, Red McKim, Sonny Myers, Angelo Savoldi, Joe Scarpello, Oni Wiki Wiki. El Santo - National Champion, Welterweight (Mexico): (1999). Baba s famous steak & lemonade menu Golden age of old Mexican wrestlers One of his trademarks was to cut his opponents' face with a pencil hidden in his outfit. Ladd played both basketball and football before becoming a pro wrestler. John Cena. Antonio Posa - World Champion Maillet was a powerhouse with decent mobility, but never caught a ton of momentum. His weight fluctuated throughout his career. When the former baseball player met the Rising Suns first legend, Rikidozan, that was it for Baba, and he began training to become a pro wrestler. However, before his run as manager, Mr. Fuji was one of the greatest tag team specialist ever. Andrews didn't move particularly well. Even when he was Paul Wight, he was taller than most everyone else. A former lieutenant during the Revolution, Lutteroth had a deep fascination with wrestling. 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. And, with his trademark war dance, the fans went as crazy as when Hogan was "Hulking" up in the '80s. Taller than LeBron James and over 450 lbs, One Man Gang was one of wrestling's biggest performers. Paul Bunyan had to seem as unreal as the lumberjack from American folklore from who he took his ring name. Classic Pro Wrestling matches of the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's (****3/4 and above) Allan Blackstock 42 videos 7,561 views Last updated on Oct 15, 2022 Here is a selection of matches that are. It's normal because he was like the main attraction for all those years. Kurt Nielsen of Slam! Even without the name, it's clear that Jarvi is a large man. We'll likely never see such a combination of greatness and size again. ", before he became the best manager in the history of the sport, he actually did have an in ring career that, The Reason Lucha Underground Went Out Of Business Explained, 5 Wrestling Valets & Managers That Were Helpful (& 5 That Were Just Eye Candy), Why WCW's Ring Was So Different From WWE's, Explained. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. After I completed my previous top 25 lists covering the 1990s and the 2000s, I thought about doing one more list with the '80s, but there are already two of those that have been published recently. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. 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. 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. He was in the first Wrestlemania against Hogan and Mr. T. As a competitor,. With a body that looks capable of no more than stumbling around, Baba dropkicked, headlocked and chopped his opponents in his more than 3,000 matches. Just two months after arriving in WWE, he was fighting for the world title. Widely respected for his integrity and personal principles, Sammartino was one of the most popular wrestlers in the 60's and 70's. Born and raised in a small Italian town, Bruno Sammartino's childhood was quite tough. 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. Steve Reeves was the first bodybuilder to put . Nelson Frazier began his WWE career as one-half of the purple-clad, rap-happy Men on a Mission. Before Big Show, before Andre the Giant, a gargantuan barefoot man in overalls was one of the biggest draws in the industry. Mike Shaw later used the ring name Man Mountain Mike, though he was nowhere near as large as Fletcher. Vicious in contrast, became a world champion several times over. Credits for information on this site are given 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. Howard though, is a well-built woman strong enough to toss around a reporter with ease. This enormous man performed for WWE, WCCW and AWA in a career that began in 1985 and ended only a few years later. Stan Hansen was one of the toughest wrestlers in the '70s, running through everyone and making his name in both the United States and Japan. Once fans figured out that Khali's wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez's, interest began to taper off. Throughout his whole career, Killer Kowalski was a top heel everywhere he wrestled, and he cemented his status when he ripped off an opponent's ear in the ring. 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. He was often a top contender to the WWWF Championship, and he battled Bruno Sammartino on several occasions in high-profile matches. Chyna. The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. Known as Colossus the Gladiator or Giant Warrior, Bearden had hisfirst match in 1987 and wrestled for decades. Jackson Andrews wrestled for FCW from 2009-2011, where his colossal frame was his main asset. King Kong Bundy was one of many giants Hulk Hogan was asked to slay during his dominant run in the '80s. Despitehis walrus-like physique, Vader was very agile in the ring. 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. Even today, there are wrestlers who wont dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry. * Some NWA promoters recognized Moolah as world champion He gave us classics against Bret Hart and Taz. Titanes also had a cheating referee Hctor Oscar Brea as William Boo. 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. He has been married to Christina Beddoes since November 8, 1986. * Championships in parentheses ( ) are noted according to the approximate date of the information, usually three or four months prior to the publishing date, in order to give a better idea of why the wrestlers may be ranked. In real life, he was Max Palmer, an actor and evangelist born in small-town Mississippi. Click here to watch the only excerpt I found of Backlund winning the WWWF Championship and click here to watch him against Pat Patterson in a cage match in 1979. The man known then as "The Giant," became a mammoth-sized part of WCW in 1995 and immediately drew comparisons to Andre the Giant. A monster heel, Studd brought a stretcher to the ring as a means of intimidation. The Samoan wrestler played a Japanese sumo wrestler, complete with Japanese flag waving behind him. The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. Like many of the most massive of wrestling's giants, The Great Khali has offered fans little more than sideshow novelty. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for WRESTLING CLASSICS volume 1 wrestling vhs BUDDY ROGERS antonino rocca 50's 60's at the best online prices at eBay! Silva at first tried to use his height to pursue a career in basketball. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History (2011), WCW Monday Nitro (1995) and WWE Smackdown! In real life Ricki Starr was also an accomplished ballet dancer which comes into play during the episode as his character Tiger Davis takes up ballet . Hellish monster capable of challenging the Undertaker tutelage of Nick Bockwinkel n't weigh! There are wrestlers who wont dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry the perfect size to a... 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