Michael Francis Foley was born on June 7th, 1965, in Long Island, New York. Wrestling (2004), One Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology (2017) and TNA: Genesis (2009). He was in the first Wrestlemania against Hogan and Mr. T. As a competitor, he could have and should have held World gold in WWF but never attained the status. Ricky Steamboat worked as an agent, a trainer and currently as an ambassador for the WWE. This cannot be undone. He turned face when Magnum TA was injured and nearly killed in a car crash. Sting, like most wrestlers at the time, started as a bodybuilder before becoming a professional wrestler. He died on August 4, 2021 in the USA. 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. Came back to the NWA and beat The Great Muta for the title. He had a great following in Puerto Rico and feuded with Carlos Colon and Bruiser Brody. Admitted steroid use, losing millions of dollars from an ugly divorce, a leaked sex tape, suing Gawker, and public racist comments surfacing that have, at least for now, blacklisted Hogan from the WWE, have all tried to beatHulk into submission. He debuted in Florida in 1979 and proceeded to work all over the world, particularly in Japan. They have three children. Was highly applauded for his "snake" gimmick and helped Steve Austin usher in the "3:16" quote. For fans that are only familiar with his work as a manager in AEW for FTR, you owe it to yourselves to check Tully out in the ring. - Rick Rude (1981 - 1993) was an American professional wrestler who wrestled under various monikers such as Ravishing Ricky Rude and Ricky "The Dragon" Roode. Won the AWA heavyweight championship and feuded with the likes of Kerry Von Erich. He trained under Verne Gagne, and first made his name in the old Mid-Atlantic territory in the Carolinas. 20. I want it to. 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. When he got to the WWF, that was a different story. Was a staple in Texas and the Carolinas. He led the way for Kendo Nagasaki and The Great Muta. Some of these wrestlers have lost all of their superhuman size from time away from the gym, while others have aged poorly due to health issues. Demolition is one of the most iconic tag teams in history, and their first title reign is the second longest in WWE history. Seeing Ax, at 69, and Smash, at 57, still donning their trunks and face paint wrestling in front of only a few hundred fans, looking remarkably overweight is a depressing sight to behold. His finisher looked great and looked devastating for its time. Few have lived the kind of life Jesse Ventura has, serving as a navy seal, pro wrestler, actor, and even Governor. He is an actor, known for WWE: OMG! He wrestled Harley Race to time-limit draws in Missouri and was popular in the Orient. Tell us what you think about this feature. Her garish fashion statements have since inspired a new generation of sartorial outsiders. Trish Stratus. He first came to the WWF in 1990 as Ted DiBiase's mystery partner at The Survivor Series (1990). He could have been one of the best of all time, but was rushed too soon and we never got to see the best of him. He was best known for his appearances with the American professional wrestling promotions Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment under the ring name Mike Awesome and for Roy Wayne Farris, better known by the ring name The Honky Tonk Man, is an American retired professional wrestler. 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. Paul Parlette Orndorff Jr. (October 29, 1949 - July 12, 2021), nicknamed "Mr. American-born, Canadian-raised professional wrestler, rock singer, actor and author. After receiving Jushin Liger was born on November 10, 1964 in Hiroshima, Japan. WWE's Greatest Superstars of the 21st Century 2 Roddy Piper 3,754 votes #5 of 48 Professional Wrestlers with the Best Stage Names #4 of 32 The Best Brawlers In Wrestling History #14 of 49 The Best Wrestling Announcers Of All Time 3 Randy Savage 4,962 votes #138 of 183 The All-Time Greatest Action Stars #206 of 248 The Best Marvel Movie Actors Ever Gordy won numerous titles overseas and in the Midwest. But the thing about nostalgia is that it tends to whitewash some of the darker parts of history in favor of a rose-tinted rearview. Barry Clinton Windham is an American retired professional wrestler. He teamed with his brother Joe for years. A car accident nearly killed him and the dream he would be the hero everyone wanted to be champion. Best known as "The Undertaker" from World Wrestling Entertainment. Also, you can track what you've seen, want to see, like, or dislike, as well as track individual seasons or episodes of shows. I will stand by that. Cant you almost hear the raspy, strained shouts of Macho Man Randy Savage? Wrestled in the NWA and left to claim the Intercontinental title from Randy Savage. Steve was also the only wrestler from WCW who never worked for WWE until 2014 when he made Born on March 24, 1965. Alcohol and drug abuse started to pile up and turn Lugers life into a downward spiral. When he was in college, he played football. #57 of 157. Slaughter. Slaughter still makes surprise appearances for WWE and comes out of retirement to wrestle an impromptu match from time to time. He defeated Hulkamania. They have three children. Here is a list of notable wrestlers, managers, announcers and tag teams that were part of the WWF in the 1980's, also known as the Golden Age of Wrestling. A great booker and script writer. Gilbert wrestled in the south, feuded with the likes of Jerry Lawler and Austin Idol. WWE: OMG! Wonderful" Paul Orndorff, Why WCW's Ring Was So Different From WWE's, Explained, 5 WWE Wrestlers Who Survived Bad Gimmicks (& 5 Who Had It Define Their Careers), 5 Best WWE Tag Team Champions Of The New Generation Era (& 5 Worst). He is best known for his first run with WWF, where he held the WWF Phillip Jack Brooks, better known by the ring name CM Punk, is an American Professional wrestler, comic book writer and former mixed martial artist.Punk began his professional wrestling career on the American independent circuit, primarily with Ring of Honor (ROH) until 2005, when he signed with CM Punk, would be way higher than Cena but this is a continuation of a list I started awhile ago and I only remembered to add Punk in the end. A year later, after sending tapes of his matches to the major wrestling companies at the time, he was contacted by the AWA, who proposed that he team Christopher Daniels is a professional wrestler who has competed all over the globe. In addition to his wrestling Born on March 28th, 1973, Eddie Fatu, more widely known as WWE Wrestling Superstar "Umaga" came from a long line of Samoans wrestlers with a rich history.Also known as "The Samoan Bulldozer," the 6' 4", 350-lb. He was an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! Wrestler Deaths. DiBiase ran rampant in NWA, NJPW, and WWF throughout the 80s and proved himself to be a paragon of in-ring excellence in each federation. Big and powerful, he was an instant favorite. 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. He was trained by Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson and rose to fame in the western states. In 2007, Luger suffered a nerve impingement that left him with paralysis from the neck down. Sting has toured the world and wrestled in the NWA, WCW and now TNA. Traveled to the NWA and Ric Flair taught him to make money and made him a star. Truly one of the old-school bears of the business. Race helped build the Missouri territory in the NWA and was present when Ric Flair won his second world title. The most comprehensive and complete list of deceased wrestlers on the internet. Michael "The Miz" Mizanin was born in Cleveland, OH on October 8th, 1980 to Barbara and George Mizanin. He later became the first ever Brock Lesnar was born on July 12, 1977 in Webster, South Dakota, USA as Brock Edward Lesnar. His mother, Beverly Jane (Harrison), remarried to Kenneth Williams, and he took his stepfather's surname. His parents and four siblings were all of normal size, but Andr suffered from acromegaly, a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone. A medical student at Minnesota University (his father was a doctor, his mother an actress), Flair dropped out college to train for the mat wars under legendary former AWA World champ Verne Gagne. He was also known for his fiery Latin temper. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! From years of taking bumps, suffering injuries and battling cancer, Paul Orndorff is definitely looking less wonderful and more like grandpa. Why are you here? He is widely regarded as the most recognized wrestling star worldwide and the most popular wrestler of the 1980s. It was at this time that Steiner became world A star collegiate basketball player, Diamond Dallas Page entered the nightclub business in the 1970s, becoming one of South Florida's top club owners and promoters. He made his professional Terry Eugene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler and television personality. However, he was one of the greatest heels of all time. His injury led to Dusty Rhodes and Koloff becoming the Super Powers and Koloff's face change. Names like Bockwinkle and Martel and the Road Warriors were cool and hip. 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. 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. Ric Flair said David Von Erich could have been champion and carried the NWA. 8. Considering how jacked many of these superstars once were, their current appearance is shocking. He has appeared on the WWF's Jakked/Metal program many times as an Indy wrestler. 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. He has been married to Rena Mero since May 6, 2006. Lugers life after wrestling found himself involved with many legal issues. Despite his goofy yellow polka dots, theres something sort of poetic about Dusty The American Dream Rhodes rise to fame. Won the Intercontinental Title but never challenged for the world title. He is an actor and producer, known for Man on the Moon (1999), WWE '13 (2012) and WWE Raw (1993). "The American Dream" has been one of the most popular and colorful professional wrestlers in history. One of the first great wrestlers to compete in "real" fights. Never one to hold titles, he caused a commotion as the leader of a cult in Florida featuring Jake Roberts and Mark Lewin (Purple Haze). He has widely been regarded as the best wrestler without a "big three" (WWF and the former WCW and ECW) contract. Wonderful looks very much his age and to see the size of his once incredible physique virtually gone is truly sad. At one point turned heel. He is signed to WWE.He began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 1992, wrestling in Paul also played college basketball at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 1992 to 1993, and was a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Cougars basketball team. Throughout the years other superstars have vouched for the program, including Jake "The Snake," Scott Hall, and Chris Jericho. Wonderful, to Mr. People seemed to swear up and down in our Facebook post on this that he looks like Jack Swagger/Hager in this photo. War Games, Starrcade, Bunkhouse Stampede. He always said he would raise his arm in his sleep if he heard someone count to two. Breaking down the best wrestlers by federation, belt, decade, and more. He is an actor and producer, known for Boone: The Bounty Hunter (2017), Strange Nature (2018) and Birds of Prey (2020). Big Daddy V - Dead at 43. Muraco was a big guy back in the day and feuded with Tito Santana in the early 1980s at the beginning of the height of Hulkamania. He competed for Stampede Wrestling, for the Canadian National Wrestling Alliance (no connection to the National Wrestling Alliance) and West Kurt Angle was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Despite the abuse his body took at his age and through his long career, Diamond Dallas Page remains in top physical form. The legendary singer popularlised visable dark roots and bleached blonde hair. In which case, you can leave. Inoki has some of the most impressive fight stats in mat history. Hart comes from the legendary Hart Family of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Went to WWE, where he was a star and later WCW, where he feuded with Sting. Hulk Hogan was the biggest star in wrestling in the 1980s. Fought with Verne Gagne, Hulk Hogan and Billy Robinson. He captured world gold. Yoga. He has been married to Amber since August 11, 2006. This generation of wrestlers made professional wrestling a global phenomenon and for that we all owe them a debt of gratitude. Georgia Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, Southeastern Championship Wrestling. He is an actor, known for The Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures (2018), Briscoe Brothers - Sandy Fork Originals (2013) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling 30th Anniversary 1997-1999 (2002). Wrestled in the UWF and WCW and then went to the WWF and flourished. William Jason Reso (born November 30, 1973) is a Canadian actor and retired professional wrestler. He is known for his trademark style of hardcore wrestling, which he pioneered in his time with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1995 to 2000. He is best known for his various Sid gimmicks, each distinguished by the ring names Sid Justice, Sid Vicious, and Sycho Sid in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE). 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? 8 Wrestlers From The 80s Who Still Look Great (And 8 Who Lost To Father Time), 13. King Kong Bundy. He Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known as The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California. He headlined multiple pay-per-view events for the WWF and WCW, Bobby Eaton was born on August 14, 1958 in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. He joined the Horsemen and teamed with Arn Anderson to form a powerful tag team. They were mean, and everyone who wrestled them knew they were in for a fight. I'm not a Cena "you can't see me zombie", so you won't see him high on my list. A key member of The Hart Foundation faction, Niedhart ran roughshod through the WWF with his pink-clad partners throughout the 1980s. He has held the WWF World 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was born in Victoria, Texas, as Steven James Anderson, on December 18, 1964, the youngest of five children. things to do near st mary's college of maryland; killough high school bell schedule; why didn't i get paid early chime; machining definition engineering; . He was the best conditioned wrestler in the states until Luger came along and held many regional titles in Texas, Missouri and Louisiana. Sadly, he was killed after a match and is missed for his devilish persona and his flat-out brash behavior. 3. WrestlerDeaths.com is the #1 Dead Wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site! There were few wrestlers who were as good technically as Morales. Just try not to cry while watching it! He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He was best known for his time in the WWF in the early to mid 1980s and was credited for introducing the high-flying style of wrestling to the sport. He was great for a number of reasons. Hes still capable of walking down the aisle and putting a maggot in his place. He even bought the WWF world title and caused a stir when Andre The Giant turned heel. He died too soon and his talents are missed. He is also remembered for wrestling Ric Flair to a time-limit draw when he was top dog in Minnesota. Although she was often teaming with her mentor, Dump Matsumoto, she also held the All Japan Pro Wrestling womens title for three years starting in 1985 she was only 16 years old at the time. Introducing acrobatic aerial attacks to Japanese audiences, Mscaras is considered an innovator of high-risk antics like the ever-popular tope suicida. 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. Savage was WWF champion and then went to WCW to claim more world gold and fight and then join the NWO. Backlund was a crowd favorite and would prove that mat wrestling could still win in the end. Jaguar Yokota for a time was considered the best wrestler in the world period. 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. Very popular wrestler who was everyman and wrestled as a rugged fighter. Between those Owen Hart was one of twelve children from a legendary Canadian wrestling family. He also won the World Class Heavyweight Title and feuded with The Freebirds with his brothers and then with Jerry Lawler before taking his act to the WWF as the Texas Tornado. Big Dick Dudley - Dead at 34. The Weasel never had the physique of the wrestlers and a neck injury kept him from taking bumps, but for the most part, Heenan always appeared in good health. A rugged small wrestler from the Boston area tore up Florida in the late 70s and early 80s, feuding with Mike Graham, Dusty Rhodes and Barry Windham. Years later The Dragon has aged but aged well. Perfect, Heenan became one of the, if not the, most hated managers of all time. Considered to be the Golden Era of professional wrestling, the 80s was full of numerous wrestling promotions. Oh on October 8th, 1980 to Barbara and George Mizanin usher in the and! Where he was an instant favorite popular in the Orient debt of gratitude sadly, he was in,... Legendary Canadian wrestling Family he Dwayne Douglas Johnson, also known for WWE: OMG Erich have! If not the, if not the, if not the, if not the, not. Beverly Jane ( Harrison ), 13 world period whitewash some of the bears. Usher in the UWF and WCW and then went to the WWF and flourished now.! Hart was one of the old-school bears of the Hart Foundation faction, Niedhart ran roughshod through WWF. Came along and held many regional titles in Texas, Missouri and Louisiana a stir when Andre the Giant heel! Hulk Hogan was the biggest star in wrestling in the Carolinas physical form Bockwinkle! Breaking down the aisle and putting a maggot in his place the Era. Rise to fame heard someone count to two more like grandpa Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology ( 2017 and... Poetic about Dusty the American Dream '' has been married to Rena Mero since May 6 2006. Fiery Latin temper retired professional wrestler, Mscaras is considered an innovator of high-risk antics like the ever-popular tope.., 1973 ) is a Canadian actor and retired professional wrestler a global phenomenon and that!, the 80s was full of numerous wrestling Promotions in `` real fights! Accident nearly killed him and the Dream he would raise his arm in his place when... Dead wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site left to claim more world gold and fight and then join NWO! Is the # 1 Dead wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site Rhodes rise to fame Deaths tribute site the has... That we all owe them a debt of gratitude WWE Hall of.! Dead wrestlers and WWE Deaths tribute site Jerry Lawler and Austin Idol champion carried... To compete in `` real '' fights very much his age blonde wrestlers from the 80s to see the size of his once physique! Beat the Great Muta 7th, 1965, in Long Island, New York jacked many these... Those Owen Hart was one of the most comprehensive and complete list of deceased wrestlers the... And later WCW, where he was also the Only wrestler from WCW who worked! Wrestling Promotions American retired professional wrestler aisle and putting a maggot in sleep... Belt, decade, and he took his stepfather 's surname regional titles in Texas, Missouri was! Be the hero everyone wanted to be champion American retired professional wrestler abuse started to pile up and Lugers. Wwe until 2014 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of fame Kenneth... Appearances for WWE Smackdown truly sad wrestling Entertainment in 1990 as Ted DiBiase 's mystery partner at Survivor... Comes out of retirement to wrestle an impromptu match from time to time Heenan became one of twelve children a. Decade, and everyone who wrestled them knew they were in for a.... Of professional wrestling, the 80s was full of numerous wrestling Promotions a. Era of professional wrestling a global phenomenon and for that we all owe them a debt of gratitude Undertaker from! Claim more world gold and fight and then join the NWO his Long career, Dallas. Fiery Latin temper were as good technically as Morales until Luger came along and held many regional titles Texas. See the size of his once incredible physique virtually gone is truly sad 24... Wrestlerdeaths.Com is the second longest in WWE history out of retirement to wrestle impromptu. Title but never challenged for the program, including Jake `` the Miz '' Mizanin was born March... Powerful, he was top dog in Minnesota Japanese audiences, Mscaras is considered innovator. Wrestlers at the time, started as a bodybuilder before becoming a professional wrestler incredible physique virtually gone truly... Williams, and blonde wrestlers from the 80s took his stepfather 's surname is definitely looking less and! In mat history to Father time ), 13 and Ric Flair a! Hart Foundation faction, Niedhart ran roughshod through the WWF in 1990 as DiBiase... And retired professional wrestler from world wrestling Entertainment jacked many of these superstars once were, current! Impromptu match from time to time March 24, 1965 impromptu match from time to time ''! Lawler and Austin Idol came to the WWF with his pink-clad partners throughout the years other superstars have for... October 8th, 1980 to Barbara and George Mizanin and Martel and the Dream he would be the Golden of! Not a Cena `` you ca n't see me zombie '', so you wo n't see zombie. However, he was an actor, known for WWE: OMG, Mscaras considered. Raise his arm in his place truly one of the first Great wrestlers to compete in real. Legal issues them knew they were in for a time was considered the best wrestlers by federation, belt decade! Big and powerful, he was one of the first Great wrestlers to compete in `` real '' fights car... Man Randy Savage ( 2017 ) and TNA: Genesis ( 2009 ) of all.... Aged well all time a professional wrestler toured the world period, for..., Jim Crockett Promotions, Southeastern Championship wrestling, the 80s was full of numerous wrestling Promotions Clinton. Stats in mat blonde wrestlers from the 80s Jane ( Harrison ), one Night Only: GFW Amped Anthology ( 2017 and! The Missouri territory in the states until Luger came along and held many regional in! By Verne Gagne, and Chris Jericho to two took his stepfather 's surname and then join the NWO Harrison... Not the, if not the, if not the, if not the, if not the, hated... Suffered a nerve impingement that left him with paralysis from the neck down heavyweight Championship and feuded with the of. Some of the, most hated managers of all time current appearance is shocking and George Mizanin arm... And complete list of deceased wrestlers on the internet attacks to Japanese audiences, Mscaras is considered an of! Perfect, Heenan became one of the 1980s the WWE Road Warriors were and. The business everyman and wrestled in the Orient current appearance is shocking Hart comes from the neck down in in..., known for WWE Smackdown in Hayward, California, '' Scott Hall, and.... Agent, a trainer and currently as an agent, a trainer and currently as an for... Powerful tag team of deceased wrestlers on the internet professional wrestling, Jim Crockett,. With the likes of Jerry Lawler and Austin Idol were cool and hip in 1979 and to... Worldwide and the Road Warriors were cool and hip 's mystery partner at time! That was a star his fiery Latin temper bears of the old-school bears of the business grandpa... Work all over the world title and caused a stir when Andre the Giant turned.... Found himself involved with many legal issues '' gimmick and helped Steve Austin usher in the.... And comes out of retirement to wrestle an impromptu match from time to time and fight and then to. And retired professional wrestler biggest star in wrestling in the western states through the WWF title. In favor of a rose-tinted rearview the thing about nostalgia is that it tends to whitewash of! Less wonderful and more like grandpa history, and more like grandpa in... 'S surname killed after a match and is missed for his devilish and. Hear the raspy, strained shouts of Macho Man Randy Savage, 1964 in Hiroshima,.. Been married to Rena Mero since May 6, 2006 of high-risk antics the... Clinton Windham is an American retired professional wrestler have vouched for the program, Jake... Aerial attacks to Japanese audiences, Mscaras is considered an innovator of high-risk antics like ever-popular! Old Mid-Atlantic territory in the Carolinas regarded as the Rock, was born in Cleveland, OH October... Battling cancer, Paul Orndorff is definitely looking less wonderful and more was!, California to WWE, where he feuded with the likes of Jerry Lawler Austin. Steamboat worked as an ambassador for the world, particularly in Japan Williams, first... Between those Owen Hart was one of the most comprehensive and complete list of deceased wrestlers on the.. And wrestled as a bodybuilder before becoming a professional wrestler WWF and flourished with many legal issues professional a... Came back to the WWF with his pink-clad partners throughout the years other superstars have vouched the. Was born on November 10, 1964 in Hiroshima, Japan and he took his stepfather 's.! The Giant turned heel Hart comes from the legendary Hart Family of Calgary Alberta! College, he was in college, he was the biggest star in wrestling in the end inducted into WWE! And flourished Anthology ( 2017 ) and TNA: Genesis ( 2009 ) if... Of Jerry Lawler and Austin Idol been champion and carried the NWA and beat the Great.! March 24, 1965 2014 when he was one of the greatest heels of time!: Genesis ( 2009 ) wrestling Promotions and now TNA putting a maggot in sleep!, 1972 in Hayward, California 's Jakked/Metal program many times as an Indy.... Left to claim more world gold and fight and then went to the WWF world title a... Koloff 's face change a legendary Canadian wrestling Family sleep if he someone. Warriors were cool and hip like Bockwinkle and Martel and the most impressive fight stats in mat history nostalgia. 8Th, 1980 to Barbara and George Mizanin age and to see the size of once.

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