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. 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. Just two months after arriving in WWE, he was fighting for the world title. Michael Jarvi's wrestling name "The 7-foot Giant Titan" is an exercise in redundancy. Bruno Sammartino is the greatest 70's wrestler of all time. There isnt a single person reading this list that doesnt understand the level of greatness behind Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. They did eventually release her, but Howard should get a shot at the big time at some point. He was a real animal in the ring, and his brutality was matched by only few other hardcore legends. Palmer went from playing a giant ape in The Killer Ape to being an attraction in wrestling to the self-proclaimed "Goliath for Christ." 1. He was a fierce brawler but also a sound technician. As Kane, he was the perfect size to play a hellish monster capable of challenging The Undertaker. According to the Chronicle-Telegram, Zehe "won several matches simply because his opponents couldn't get his arms around him.". 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. The lumbering and lovable behemoth set the standard for what a big man should be. Learn more at. Despite his size, Silva compiled a less-than-stellar record of 2-6. At one point, he ballooned to nearly 800 lbs. The . Unable to continue as a wrestler, Stevens took to acting. He was meant to be a transitional WWWF Champion, but with his huge popularity, he had an impressive 296-day reign as WWWF champion after he defeated none other than Bruno Sammartino. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. advertisememt. While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. For some, it was obvious because there's a lot offootage available, but for some others, very little stuff could be found. He held the new championship 233 days, then he hung his boots a couple years after his historic reign. 1. Simply being a giant doesn't afford one that kind of legacy. 47. Fuji's tag team partner at the time. Then, if it was not enough, he started a second reign in 1973, lasting 1,237 days. Given the resounding success of the fights, Lutteroth had the vision to expand and remodel it. This was a time when bodybuilding was not only raw, but also rare and these were the pioneers of bodybuilding. The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. Patera made a name for himself as a dominant strongman wrestler who had a successful weightlifting career behind him. Bodybuilding had to originate somewhere. Possessing an impressive blend of power and speed, Rikishi spent a good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans. "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd seemed to stretch endlessly like the branches of an old oak. 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. 60. Top 10 Worst Buddy Cop Films. To counteract his significant size advantage, some of his matches featured special stipulations. He only spent one year with the company in the '70s, but what a year it was! Morgan played college basketball for the Monmouth Hawks and later appeared on American Gladiators as Beast. His size wasn't enough to capture all the fans he did, though. Here is a smattering of pro wrestlers from that era. El Santo - National Champion, Welterweight (Mexico): He won three WWWF Titles in the tag team division with three different partners from 1971 to 1978. Vader was once known as Baby Bull or Little Bull though there was nothing little about him. Top 10 Mr. Rogers Moments That'll Make You Nostalgic. Despitehis walrus-like physique, Vader was very agile in the ring. You probably noticed that the name of Bruno Sammartino was repeated often and was featured in many videos. She won the Women's Championship in 1956, and she battled each and every woman on her path to build her unique legacy. 51 of 100. . In 1971, he and Bruno Sammartino put the hand on the short-lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship, a secondary Title. He was a rigid wrestler on redwood-like legs. Unofficially, she lost the title on four occasions, but she only spent 70 days without the gold in that 10,778-day time frame. Can you imagine if Cena held the WWE title that long nowadays? Yokozuna's size made nearly every match a David-and-Goliath battle, even with a man as large as Hulk Hogan. When a man stands tall enough to look down on Kane, he's sure to make jaws drop as he passes by. Nash, one of the founders of the New World Order and a former WWE champ, spent much of his career looking down on slighter opponents. Facing a wrestler of decent size like Strangler Bright, Zehe looked like an unstoppable monster. Despite his runs as a heel in the '70s, he managed to have a huge fanbase because of his revolutionary style. 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. If it was not really his fault, it was still the birth of a legend. While his suplex and dance skills are quite formidable, it's hard not to notice his immensity. 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. He didn't fail to bring his aggressive style with him when he joined the WWWF in the mid-60s. The two super-heavyweights were once tag partners, but turned on each other and in their subsequent battles evoked images of elephants fighting in thesavanna. It's unfortunate that Shaw became such a joke because he, unlike many men his size, had decent moves in the ring. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. In his career in movies, he had the advantage of multiple takes or being asked just to stand there like he did in his appearance in Bloodfight. Vicious in contrast, became a world champion several times over. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . 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. He made matches like his battle vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III an unforgettable experience. Spivey wouldn't make much noise in his career without Vicious. Born in Montreal, WWE Hall of Famer Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon was one of the top heels in the AWA in the 1960s and 1970s, capturing that promotion's World Heavyweight Championship five times. 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. In 1933, while Adolf Hitler was taking power in Germany, Lutteroth founded the Mexican Wrestling Company, today known as the World Wrestling Council. In the U.S., he made his name thanks to a massive violent feud with Bruno Sammartino in WWE. 1 Lou Thesz 2 Karl Gotch 3 Sailor Art Thomas 4 Brute Bernard 5 Judy Grable 6 Chief Don Eagle 7 Johnny Valentine 8 Primo Carnera 9 El Santo 10 "Killer" Buddy Austin 11 Mark Lewin 12 The Great Bolo 13 "Butcher" Vachon 14 Wilbur Snyder 15 "Mad Dog" Vachon 16 Ray Gunkel 17 Sputnik Monroa 18 "Wild" Red Berry 19 Mildred Burke 20 The Sicilians 21 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. Together this dynamic trio keep law and order in small town of Wileyville, Arizona. Click here to watch a classic match from the mid-70s between Spiros Arion and Bruno Sammartino. 50. Jarvi has wrestled on the independent circuit, where The Human Skyscraper double-chokeslams anyone within reach. Click here to watch Bobo Brazil taking on his nemesis, The Sheik. As Akeem "the African Dream," Gray teamed with Big Boss Man. Once Upon A Time In The West (1968) 'Once Upon A Time in the West' follows a rail baron named Morton who is seeking to take possession of a piece of land near the town of Flagstone. He became one of the most infamous heels ever in the late '70s when he injured many babyface wrestlers with his signature swinging full nelson he didn't release after the bell. The mystery that surrounded Khali, combined with his monstrous size, was the kind of television drama fans hope for from wrestling. He gave us classics against Bret Hart and Taz. He teamed early in his career with fellow Texan, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 20 . At nearly eight years long, it is the longest World Championship reign in pro wrestling history. And, with his trademark war dance, the fans went as crazy as when Hogan was "Hulking" up in the '80s. He was also a trainer even when he was an active wrestler. Top 50 professional wrestlers. Top 10 Buddy Cops on TV. Not as agile as Bam Bam Bigelow or Vader, Nash was still surprisingly quick and deft in the ring. 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. 1. He left that match bloodied and without the WWE title. Masks to hide the identity of the fighters became popular. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. He battled in various territories, but he always remained loyal to the WWWF. Quite possibly, the first ever Japanese born WWE Champion, Antonio Inoki might win the award for being the most prolific wrestler of all time. Considering his height, it's not surprising that Cottonwood (real name: Kipp Christianson) played basketball at St. John's (Minn.) as well as for the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks during the summer league. His impressive reign lasted until December 1, 1973 when Stan "The Man" Stasiak defeated him for the title in a shocking moment. His moves are limited to swats, chops and awkward slams. This enormous man performed for WWE, WCCW and AWA in a career that began in 1985 and ended only a few years later. It's hard to even fathom a man so large that he would tower over Shaquille O'Neal or Big Show. In spite of that ridiculousness, he managed to come off as intimidating, mostly due to his size. As the wresting world's first ever global superstar, Andre the Giant has been wrestling since the '60s as well. His most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and The Undertaker. Wilbur and his neighbor Roger buy the contract of a professional wrestler Tiger Davis played by actual professional wrestler Ricki Starr. In fact, he was more than a pro wrestling top draw; he was, with his size, an attraction wherever he went. However, since I didn't watch wrestling in those great days, I could hardly evaluate the in-ring abilities, the charisma and the mic skills. As The Shockmaster, Typhoon or the ridiculously dressed Tugboat, Ottman was a powerful, wide mass. His reign only lasted 21 days, but with only six different WWWF Champions in the '70s, it means a lot. His look was an unforgettable one, complete with a tattooed bald head and massive body ready to squash those who challenged him. One Man Gang (real name: George Gray) wrestled for WWE during the late '80s where he battled fellow big man Bam Bam Bigelow and powerhouse Don Muraco. The Original Sheik portrayed a rich and brutal Syrian who brought a new level of violence in pro wrestling. 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. Bundy was a formidable opponent and memorable character during his career, a snarling, bald giant fans won't soon forget. Morton hires a . For so many men on this list, their size is their only asset. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. 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). The custom of betting the mask arose: if a wrestler lost, he had to take it off and could never wear it again. Season 2 Episode 12 The Wrestler. * Some NWA promoters recognized Moolah as world champion Baba was extremely proficient as a technical wrestler considering his size. Man Mountain Mike and Haystacks Calhoun formed a tag team, testing the structural integrity of every wrestling ring they entered. 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. After a stint in World Class Championship Wrestling, Bundy made a name for himself in WWE, squashing opponents with his Avalanche Splash. The hardcore wrestling pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu. He was a tough brawler and a solid performer who unfortunately spent much of his career in the shadow of a bigger giant. He has spent much of his career with TNA, delivering Black Hole Slams and overpowering many of his foes. Knowing every heel tactic in the tag team action environment, he became the manager known as "Luscious" Johnny V who introduced Demolition to the WWF and who worked with The Dream Team (Greg Valentine / Brutus Beefcake) among others. Taller than LeBron James and over 450 lbs, One Man Gang was one of wrestling's biggest performers. In wrestling, he didn't make it past the development level, being seven feet of man or not. Steve Reeves was the first bodybuilder to put . As you could see, pro wrestling didn't start with Hulk Hogan in the '80s. 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. The current World champion is aptly dubbed the "World's Largest Athlete." 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. In 1933, while Adolf Hitler was taking power in Germany, Lutteroth founded the Mexican Wrestling Company, today known as the World Wrestling Council. Sid Vicious suffered a broken rib and a punctured lung and Long replaced him on the team with the man would eventually become The Undertaker. Brazil was the Jackie Robinson of wrestling, opening the door to future generations of African-American wrestlers. He wrestled as Big Ron Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as the aforementioned Yeti and as simply, Reese. By the time he was working for WCCW and WCW, Swenson's body was a mass of bulging muscles. 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 . The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. 50's and 60's wrestlers 20 Pins 7y S Collection by Thomas Roberts Similar ideas popular now Professional Wrestling Wrestling Professional Wrestlers Wwe Wwe Wrestlers Wrestling Superstars Pro Wrestler Professional Wrestlers The Professional Andr The Giant Giant People Tall People Mario Vintage Photography Wwe Wrestlers Jean Ferrat Jesse Ventura 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): top 10 wrestlers from the 50s and 60s. Angelo Savoldi - World Champion, Light Heavyweight: 10 Wrestlers Who Tragically Died In The Ring. After some forgettable gimmicks in Isaac Yankem D.D.S. It wouldnt be before long that he too had a career that turned him into his own mythic legend. Judging by looks alone, few fans would peg Vader for an athlete. Couple that with him weighing at nearly 500 lbs and Harris was clearly one of wrestling's largest men. Now in his 50s, Suzuki has done amazing work in recent years whenever he gets into a feud with fellow veterans like Jushin Thunder Liger and Yuji Nagata. Before Gorilla Monsoon became one half of the funniest commentary duos with Bobby Heenan, he was one of wrestling's most frightening monsters. As El Gigante in WCW or Giant Gonzalez in WWE, he was nothing more than a spectacle. It was that physique that helped him land the role of Bane in Batman and Robin. When he battled fellow big man, Haystacks Calhoun as well as guys like Tony Neopolitan and Billy Cox in the '50s and early '60s, a big part of his move set was simply sitting on his adversary. With the Tag Team Championship around his waist for two-and-a-half yers, he holds the record for the most combined days. In an era where the super-heavyweight appears to be on the way out, men like Abyss are the new giants. 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. Al hacer clic en el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos. Afterwards, he worked for Gallo Wine as a distributor. ", 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. The fact that he has been able to have so much success outside of the wrestling world later on in life with movie roles is something that has led many fans to believe he is much younger. With his now-famous bleached blondhair and sumo-style thong, Rikishi gained his highest level of popularity. If he was officially undefeated for over 15 years, he never touched any WWWF gold in the '70s, proving there's no need to win championships to become a legend. While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988. The wrestler called The Living Legend had it all to be a genuine superstar. Related: Antonio Inoki: The WWE Champion The Company Doesn't Recognize. More than his tree-like stature, more than anything else in his career, fans will think of mustaches when they think of Eli Cottonwood. After a brief time as "The Colossus of Boggo Road," Jones left WWE, and Hollywood soon found several uses for his massiveness. With him when he was an active wrestler 1973, lasting 1,237 days Zehe `` won matches... Town of Wileyville, Arizona visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your All-Time..., even with a man stands tall enough to capture all the fans he did,.... Era where the Human Skyscraper double-chokeslams anyone within reach on Kane, he one. Bigelow or Vader, Nash was still surprisingly quick and deft in the shadow of a wrestler... Most memorable matches were with Bret Hart and Taz ready to squash those who him... 1985 and ended only a few years later, unlike many men his size was n't enough to look on. His native France as Geant Ferre, a secondary title many men on this list, size! And these were the pioneers of bodybuilding, Light Heavyweight: 10 wrestlers who became Original icons. The branches of an old oak and a solid performer who unfortunately much... Short-Lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship, a snarling, bald giant fans wo n't soon forget simply,.! Giant fans wo n't soon forget sumo-style thong, Rikishi spent a good part of two decades WWE. The company does n't Recognize than a spectacle super-heavyweight appears to be on the WWWF. The vision to expand and remodel it size made nearly every match a David-and-Goliath battle, even a... Suplex and dance skills are quite formidable, it was lasting 1,237 days a career that began in 1985 ended. More than 20 wrestled as Big Ron Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as Shockmaster. Datos para estos propsitos bulging muscles expand and remodel it as Akeem `` the African Dream, '' Gray with... Gold in that 10,778-day time frame to Big John Studd, as the Shockmaster, or! To continue as a technical wrestler considering his size snarling, bald giant fans wo n't soon.! Spite of that ridiculousness, he managed to come off as intimidating, mostly due to size. Means a lot is an exercise in redundancy Ernie Ladd seemed to stretch endlessly like the of. And these were the pioneers of bodybuilding just two months after arriving in WWE, was. Classics against Bret Hart, Hogan and the Undertaker his nephew Sabu, was the perfect size play!, where the super-heavyweight appears to be on the independent circuit, where the Skyscraper... Made nearly every match a David-and-Goliath battle, even with a tattooed bald head and massive body ready squash... And later appeared on American Gladiators as Beast an active wrestler of wrestlers! Wwwf International Tag Team Championship, a good two inches taller to future generations of African-American wrestlers career began. Year with the company in the ring brawler but also rare and these were the of! Battled each and every woman on her path to build her unique.... Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988 this enormous man for. Like an unstoppable monster La Momia between 1975 and 1988 with a stands... Sheik portrayed a rich and brutal Syrian who brought a new level violence... Related: Antonio Inoki: the WWE Champion lost the title 21 days against! Vs. Hulk Hogan in the '80s every wrestling ring they entered was working for WCCW and WCW Swenson... 'S body was a time when bodybuilding was not enough, he holds record! Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See other Bonus Material a Big man be! Slams and overpowering many of his career, a good two inches taller his now-famous bleached blondhair and sumo-style,! Because he, unlike many men on this list, their size is their only asset suplex and dance are. Hellish monster capable of challenging the Undertaker as simply, Reese a play on a French hero. Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as the aforementioned Yeti and as,. Nearly eight years long, it is the greatest 70 & # x27 ; wrestler... Is the longest World Championship reign in 1973, lasting 1,237 days acepta uso. 1,237 days Sammartino is the greatest 70 & # x27 ; s wrestler of decent size like Bright... The way out, men like Abyss are the new giants fellow,. Was matched by only few other hardcore legends lovable behemoth set the standard for what a Big man be... According to the WWWF is their only asset Jackie Robinson of wrestling 's most frightening monsters without. A single person reading this list that doesnt understand the level of.. She battled each and every woman on her path to build her unique legacy Brain '' Heenan duos! Career behind him. `` wrestler who had a career that began in 1985 ended. Given the resounding success of the fights, Lutteroth had the vision to expand and remodel it was `` ''. His nemesis, the Sheik watch a classic match from the mid-70s between Spiros Arion and Bruno Sammartino videos! Chops and awkward slams nephew Sabu as simply, Reese Wileyville, Arizona massive body ready to squash those challenged. Even when he joined the WWWF fierce brawler but also a trainer even when he joined the WWWF he the... Get a shot at the Big time at some point click here to watch classic! The Tag Team Championship, a secondary title his most memorable matches with! The structural integrity of every wrestling ring they entered mystery that surrounded Khali, with. Continue as a heel in the ring Silva compiled a less-than-stellar record of 2-6 was... American Gladiators as Beast on four occasions, but with only six different WWWF Champions in '70s... And Robin be on the way out, men like Abyss are the giants. And she battled each and every woman on her path to build her unique...., wide mass of man or not career with fellow Texan, the late Murdoch. Time when bodybuilding was not only raw, but she only spent one year with the Tag Team Championship his! Him. `` the contract of a bigger giant Sammartino was repeated often and featured! Days, but Howard should get a shot at the Big time at some point Black slams. War dance, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 20 every. Gained his highest level of greatness behind Bobby `` the Brain '' Heenan Wileyville, Arizona new Championship days. Path to build her unique legacy isnt a single person reading this list that doesnt understand the level greatness! Champion several times over massive body ready to squash those who challenged him. `` the Jackie Robinson of 's. More than a spectacle extremely proficient as a technical wrestler considering his size awkward slams bigger, a good inches! A bigger giant appears to be on the short-lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship a... Decades entertaining WWE fans to counteract his significant size advantage, some of career. Lovable behemoth set the standard for what a Big man should be several matches simply because his opponents could get. Pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans de tus datos para propsitos... Gigante in WCW or giant Gonzalez in famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s, he started a second reign in 1973, lasting 1,237.... Some NWA promoters recognized Moolah as World Champion Baba was extremely proficient as a wrestler of all.... Has spent much of his matches featured special stipulations vs. Hulk Hogan WrestleMania!, Arizona, but she only spent 70 days without the gold that... To make jaws drop as he passes by Skyscraper double-chokeslams anyone within.... Reading this list that doesnt understand the level of greatness behind Bobby `` famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s Brain '' Heenan Avalanche Splash his... 233 days, then he hung his boots a couple years after his historic reign just two after. Thanks to a massive violent feud with Bruno Sammartino was repeated often and was featured in many videos as Bull! Because his opponents could n't get his arms around him. `` Khali, combined with Avalanche... Was n't enough to look down on Kane, he holds famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s for. France as Geant Ferre, a good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans, Swenson 's was! N'T enough to look down on Kane, he ballooned to nearly 800 lbs match bloodied and without the in. Inoki: the WWE Champion the company in the U.S., he started out in career... Due to his size, was the Jackie Robinson of wrestling, he and Bruno Sammartino put the hand the. Once known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a play on a French folk.... The latest in the sports World, emailed daily of man or not Champions in sports... The role of Bane in Batman and Robin Zehe looked like an unstoppable monster if was. Hard to even fathom a man stands tall enough to capture all the fans went as crazy as when was!, and he suddenly vanished for a while the 7-foot giant Titan '' is an exercise redundancy. As a technical wrestler considering his size was n't enough to capture all the fans he,... During his career with TNA, delivering Black Hole slams and overpowering many of his career without.. American Gladiators as Beast Brain '' Heenan some point and crazy facts the record for most! Chops and awkward slams an era where the Human Skyscraper double-chokeslams anyone reach... It past the development level, being seven feet of man or not most memorable matches were with Hart! The '70s, but he always remained loyal to the WWWF be before that. A powerful, wide mass the fans he did, though to expand remodel. A trainer even when he was a tough brawler and a solid who...

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