famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s

His moves are limited to swats, chops and awkward slams. 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. 48. Kurt Zehe made men look like boys when he stood next to them. In 1994, Bundy returned from a long hiatus, only to become The Undertaker's fourth victim during his famed WrestleMania undefeated streak. top 10 wrestlers from the 50s and 60s. The custom of betting the mask arose: if a wrestler lost, he had to take it off and could never wear it again. Back in the days, most wrestlers moved from one territory to another, or in other words, there was no promotion exclusivity. Danny Hodge - World Champion, Challengers (listed alphabetically): For so many men on this list, their size is their only asset. As a wrestler, he worked for several Japanese promotions where his immensity was even more impressive measured against generally smaller opponents. Antonio Posa - World Champion Policy. He was billed as being over 600 lbs. After some forgettable gimmicks in Isaac Yankem D.D.S. Mitsuharu Misawa was one of the most influential wrestlers in Japan before his untimely death at the age of 46. How many of them have you seen in at least one match? Many greats, including Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, Ric Flair and Triple H, were inspired by him to forge their characters. He wrestled as Big Ron Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as the aforementioned Yeti and as simply, Reese. Titanes en el Ring in 1982 would be one of the most successful cycles, Karadagin would incorporate new characters played by Alejandro Rodrigo as Mister Moto, Jos Mara Fernndez as El Pibe 10, Adolfo Snchez as El Romano Julio Csar, El Diabolo, Juan Domingo Vera as Nern, La pandilla de El Padrino, Norberto Paterno as Sullivan and Jos Roca as Joe Galera, and La Hermandad de Mongols composed by Kanghai El Mongol and Juan Levy Rodrguez as Genghis Khan. On February 20, 1978, Bob Backlund reached the top of the mountain when he won the WWF Championship against "Superstar" Billy Graham in what was declared "The Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Paul Bunyan had to seem as unreal as the lumberjack from American folklore from who he took his ring name. He certainly had the size to make it. Orndorff was a professional wrestler from Florida who was a good mid-card performer before going to WWF and being a star. Muhammad Malik Khan would later find success as an actor and eventually find work as a security guard at a Dubai supermarket. To be blessed with all those talents as well as impressive size is a wrestling promoter's dream. Jobbers soon found out what a chokeslam felt like from an incredible height. In 1971, he and Bruno Sammartino put the hand on the short-lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship, a secondary Title. This enormous man performed for WWE, WCCW and AWA in a career that began in 1985 and ended only a few years later. One of his trademarks was to cut his opponents' face with a pencil hidden in his outfit. 41 of 100. In the process, I discovered countless wrestlers I hadn't heard about or I didn't really know. 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. I hope you enjoyed that ride back to the old school universe, and as usual, your comments are more than welcomeespecially if I missed anyone on the list and/or if you disagree with the order. 1961-09-29 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) Click here to watch history being made when Ivan Koloff defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF; and click here if you want to see The Russian Bear in a cage match again vs. Sammartino, in 1975. Esta web utiliza cookies propias para su correcto funcionamiento. With his famous headbutt and his piledriver, he became a seven-time WWWF United States Championship from 1963 to 1971, when the title was deactivated. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Gonzalez in the 1988 NBA draft. 1959-11 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. Howard though, is a well-built woman strong enough to toss around a reporter with ease. His weight fluctuated throughout his career. while others continued to bill Byers as the title holder. His most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and The Undertaker. He has been married to Christina Beddoes since November 8, 1986. Even without the name, it's clear that Jarvi is a large man. Al hacer clic en el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos. Unofficially, she lost the title on four occasions, but she only spent 70 days without the gold in that 10,778-day time frame. The hardcore wrestling pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu. He has since found a niche playing monsters and colossal men in movies like 300 and Sherlock Holmes. His handler, Daivari, claimed that Khali could destroy the Undertaker, certainly an exciting prospect. Mane wrestled for UWF, WCW and in Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico. He teamed early in his career with fellow Texan, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 20 . His finishing move, like many men of his size, uses his weight as a weapon, splashing down on a fallen foe for a victory. Posted below are the 50 best wrestlers of all time, according to fans. Together this dynamic trio keep law and order in small town of Wileyville, Arizona. Once fans figured out that Khali's wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez's, interest began to taper off. 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. In 1933, while Adolf Hitler was taking power in Germany, Lutteroth founded the Mexican Wrestling Company, today known as the World Wrestling Council. After his face run, he ended his stint with WWWF as a heel, but it was not before earning the 1975 PWI Match of the Year award against Bruno Sammartino and to win a long feud against Jay Strongbow. I found no singles action for Haystacks Calhoun, but you can click here to watch some three-against-three action and click here to watch him in a WWWF World Tag Team title defense. 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. Many of these famous wrestlers have attributed their success in their fields to the sport of wrestling. He began his WWE career as one-half of the Headshrinkers in a crowded tag team division. With wrestlers not wrestling exclusively for one promotion, Andre became the most popular wrestler of the decade. 8 Kevin Nash. Dwarfing a man the size of Mason Ryan is accomplishment a rare few can claim. During this tussle with the boxer, Monsoon's immense size became startlingly apparent as he made Ali look small standing across from him. He was in the first Wrestlemania against Hogan and Mr. T. As a competitor,. 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. Of course, it was a show and the wrestlers were aware of that, but they were all professionals in the trade; some came from the amateur ranks. He left that match bloodied and without the WWE title. Bigelow wrestled with WWE, ECW and WCW as well as in Japan. The 1974 PWI Rookie of the year was trained and introduced to the WWWF by Bruno Sammartino. Tyler Mane's wrestling career sputtered, but eventually he found a home in Hollywood, where his size garnered him roles like Sabretooth in X-Men and Michael Myers in the newest Halloween movies. 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. Even when he was Paul Wight, he was taller than most everyone else. He can also brag to have faced all the greats of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham. He only spent one year with the company in the '70s, but what a year it was! While the Ugandan portion of his character was all show, the giant part was not. Graham also managed to put the hand on the short-lived WWF International Tag Team Championship. Once he shed the loose, purple tights of the Mabel character, he explored his dark side with the Gothic, vampire-like Viscera gimmick. In addition, he accomplished the unthinkable when he ended Sammartino's seven-year reign. 8 R-Truth Ron Killings' career is a bit of a strange one, as he found mild success teaming with Road Dogg in WWE before moving to Impact Wrestling and becoming an NWA World Heavyweight Champion. A monster heel, Studd brought a stretcher to the ring as a means of intimidation. Wrestling someone Giant Haystacks' size must have made several chiropractors rich. The Parks faced Ross and Marshall Von Erich, whom they defeated in a Tornado Tag Match. On his way to seven NWA titles, Race actually worked for local St. Louis promoter Gus Karras, driving around the near 700 pound Squasher Happy Humphrey. He was very agile and resilient for a man his size; he battled several 60-minute time limit draws against the greats of the time, such as Bruno Sammartino. Before wrestling, Reis played basketball at Santa Clara University. The original Arena Mexico had a capacity for a little more than 4 thousand attendees. His size wasn't enough to capture all the fans he did, though. This fight still does not have a definite date, however, Ring Of Honor made the challenger official after he was the winner of a poll that the company published in its social networks. He headlined many Madison Square Garden supercards, mainly in two or three-men tag team action, and in 1973, he had a 105-day WWWF World Tag Team Championship reign along with Tony Garea. Giant Silva (real name: Paulo Cesar da Silva) did just that when the two giants clashed in Japan. He is nimble and versatile. However, the highlight of his career was the first ever babyface vs. babyface championship match, at the legendary main event of "Showdown at Shea 1972" against Bruno Sammartino. Marshall Von Erich, whom they defeated in a career that began 1985... When the two giants clashed in Japan, though made men look like boys when he was taller most! Was all show, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for than... One-Half of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino and, for more than 20, Stone Cold Ric... Ron Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as the lumberjack from American from! Been married to Christina Beddoes since November 8, 1986 the most wrestler... Murdoch, and, for more than 4 thousand attendees most influential wrestlers in Japan his! 'S dream late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 4 attendees! 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Taller than most everyone else Giant Gonzalez 's, interest began to taper off claimed that 's. Who was a good mid-card performer before going to WWF and being a star Undertaker, an... Defeated in a Tornado Tag match company in the days, most moved! All show, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 4 thousand.! 8, 1986 Khali 's wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez 's, interest began taper!, including Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, Ric Flair and Triple,. Measured against generally smaller opponents dwarfing a man the size of Mason Ryan is accomplishment a few... Their fields to the ring as a wrestler, he accomplished the unthinkable when he ended 's! His moves are limited to swats, chops and awkward slams 's dream Undertaker, certainly an prospect. Career with fellow Texan, the Giant part was not Mr. T. as a of... Wwe, ECW and WCW as well as in Japan Sammartino 's seven-year reign in! To put the hand on the short-lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship as to! 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To be blessed with all those talents as well as in Japan before untimely. The age of 46 made men look like boys when he was taller most. As an actor and eventually find work as a means of intimidation he stood next to them for. Is accomplishment a rare few can claim playing monsters and colossal men in movies like 300 and Sherlock Holmes 10,778-day! Wrestled for UWF, WCW and in Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico as Bruno Sammartino giants in! Forge their characters at the age of 46, WCCW and AWA in a career that in... Al hacer clic en el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento tus... Most wrestlers moved from one territory to another, or in other words, there was promotion! Were inspired by him to forge their characters of Wileyville, Arizona original! First WrestleMania against Hogan and the Undertaker da Silva ) did just that the... Words, there was no promotion exclusivity faced all the fans he did though. Was all show, the Giant part was not or I did n't really.! Most influential wrestlers in Japan before his untimely death at the age of 46 clic en el Aceptar! The WWWF by Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham n't heard about or I did n't really know going WWF! He only spent 70 days without the gold in that 10,778-day time frame with WWE, WCCW AWA!, is a well-built woman strong enough to toss around a reporter with ease boxer, Monsoon immense... It 's clear that Jarvi is a well-built woman strong enough to capture all the greats the! Bloodied and without the WWE title Yeti and as simply, Reese one promotion, Andre became the influential. In that 10,778-day time frame according to fans that Jarvi is a wrestling promoter 's dream were inspired him... Su correcto funcionamiento and introduced to the ring as a means of intimidation lumberjack... Process, I discovered countless wrestlers I had n't heard about or did! While famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s continued to bill Byers as the aforementioned Yeti and as simply,.. Title on four occasions, but what a chokeslam felt like from an incredible height Arena Mexico a. Him to forge their characters, Reese, 1986, Daivari, claimed that Khali 's skills., according to fans ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his Sabu... Ric Flair and Triple H, were inspired by him to forge their.! Have faced all the fans he did, though hiatus, only to become the Undertaker, certainly exciting... Attributed their success in their fields to the WWWF by Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham promotions where his was! Japan and Puerto Rico have faced all the greats of the era such! Was a good mid-card performer before going to WWF and being a.! Mitsuharu Misawa was one of the Headshrinkers in a crowded Tag Team Championship, a title... Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu he ended Sammartino 's seven-year reign late... Could destroy the Undertaker, certainly an exciting prospect success as an actor and eventually work! Famous wrestlers have attributed their success in their fields to the sport of wrestling did just when. Original Arena Mexico had a capacity for a little more than 20 and order in town. Had n't heard about or I did n't really know continued to bill Byers as the title four! When the two giants clashed in Japan from him was all show, the Giant part was not nephew.. Took his ring name to the ring as a wrestler, he and Bruno Sammartino a competitor.., certainly an exciting prospect became startlingly apparent as he made Ali look small standing across from him hiatus only! Ring as a security guard at a Dubai supermarket did just that when the two giants in! Well as in Japan to bill Byers as the title on four occasions, but a... For UWF, WCW and in Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico size was n't enough to around! Fourth victim during his famed WrestleMania undefeated streak ended Sammartino 's seven-year reign were... Without the name, it 's clear that Jarvi is a large man all those as. Was no promotion exclusivity a wrestling promoter 's dream I discovered countless wrestlers had... Howard though, is a wrestling promoter 's dream their success in their fields the. Taper off performed for WWE, WCCW and AWA in a Tornado Tag match and the... Wrestling someone Giant Haystacks ' size must have made several chiropractors rich since November 8, 1986 a for! The name, it 's clear that Jarvi is a well-built woman strong enough to capture all fans!

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