famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s

Wilbur and his neighbor Roger buy the contract of a professional wrestler Tiger Davis played by actual professional wrestler Ricki Starr. Top 25 1950's Westerns. You can view movies and shows in one place and filter by streaming provider, genre, release year, runtime, and rating (Rotten Tomatoes, Imdb, and/or Metacritic). Heavyweight: During her time with AJW, CMLL and ARISON, Yoshida has displayed a fantastic level of ring execution and ingenuity in the ring, which she shows with her innovative moves the Spider Twistand the. Ray Stevens. He routinely performed moonsaults and corner slingshot splashes, aka Vader Bombs. Privacy 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. WWE misused Vader, turning him more into a jobber to the stars rather than the dominating behemoth he could have been. Famous Americans Who Wrestled. To counteract his significant size advantage, some of his matches featured special stipulations. 1962-08-10 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) Jarvi has wrestled on the independent circuit, where The Human Skyscraper double-chokeslams anyone within reach. He would also use his size as a defense mechanism in battle royals. Time will tell if WWE can find a way to utilize their latest mastodon. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. Bigelow wrestled with WWE, ECW and WCW as well as in Japan. He was never just a physical oddity; he was a compelling performer in the ring. He teamed early in his career with fellow Texan, the late Dick Murdoch, and, for more than 20 . Bundy was a formidable opponent and memorable character during his career, a snarling, bald giant fans won't soon forget. Harley Race 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. Kevin Nash has rolled back the years as of late, putting himself in fantastic shape. The masked monster known as Abyss is an intimidating figure even disregarding his size. Studd towered over most of his opponents, whether it was Bob Backlund or Dusty Rhodes. Even a legendary in-ring talent like Race couldn't do much in the way of wrestling with Humphrey. Nostalgic (Early 2000s) Children's TV Shows, Seen It is a new app from the creators of List Challenges. The Top Ranked Pro Wrestlers of the 1950s 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. Nerve damage ended the former Australian Heavyweight Champion's career before it truly began. Angelo Poffo Angelo Poffo, from Downers Grove, Illinois, was both a hero and a villain to me. He put his large behind to good use, utilizing it as one of his main weapons in the ring. Man Mountain Mike and Haystacks Calhoun formed a tag team, testing the structural integrity of every wrestling ring they entered. He gave us classics against Bret Hart and Taz. It's normal because he was like the main attraction for all those years. His girth made most moves impossible for both Humphrey and his opponent. Just two months after arriving in WWE, he was fighting for the world title. Kamala faced off against the biggest names in the company, from Hulk Hoganto Jake Roberts, the Undertaker to Andre the Giant. Most of the wrestlers didn't even have the physiques or follow the diet and workout regimen that many athletes follow today. and the fake Diesel, WWE found the perfect fit for Glenn Jacobs. His first reign, in 1975, lasted 105 days, and he teamed up with Victor Rivera who was later replaced by Pat Barrett. Credits for information on this site are given Wrestlers in the 66 to 68 range include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody, Jim Moran, Vance Archer and the legendary Hulk Hogan. A monster heel, Studd brought a stretcher to the ring as a means of intimidation. 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 most famous of wrestling's giants made large men like Hulk Hogan and Big John Studd look small. In the U.S., he made his name thanks to a massive violent feud with Bruno Sammartino in WWE. Pro wrestling turned Mississippi native Jim Harris into Kamala, The Ugandan Giant. Once fans figured out that Khali's wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez's, interest began to taper off. Fans were enthralled by him, curious to watch a man his size and perhaps were pulled in by his larger-than-life aura. In addition, you can see the most watched/liked stuff amongst your friends. Top 10 Worst Buddy Cop Films. 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. His wrestling career didn't last long. Are you sure you want to delete your score and checked items on this list? His most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and The Undertaker. 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. He teamed with Earthquake as part of The Natural Disasters, a WWE tag team in the early '90s. If there were some great female wrestlers back in the '60s and in the '70s, none of them could overshadow her, and that's why she's the only woman featured on the current list. Then, in June 1971, he and Tarzan Tyler became the inaugural WWWF World Tag Team Champions. Kowalski, who opened a pro wrestling school after he retired in 1977, trained none other than Triple H and many others. If it was not really his fault, it was still the birth of a legend. Despitehis walrus-like physique, Vader was very agile in the ring. From 1963 to 1971, the man held the WWWF Championship for an astonishing first reign of 2,803 days. 1961-09-29 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) And, with his trademark war dance, the fans went as crazy as when Hogan was "Hulking" up in the '80s. Quite possibly, the first ever Japanese born WWE Champion, Antonio Inoki might win the award for being the most prolific wrestler of all time. Pro wrestling has been home to its share of giants, enormous men who forced our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain. Once he shed the loose, purple tights of the Mabel character, he explored his dark side with the Gothic, vampire-like Viscera gimmick. The mystery that surrounded Khali, combined with his monstrous size, was the kind of television drama fans hope for from wrestling. Before Big Show, before Andre the Giant, a gargantuan barefoot man in overalls was one of the biggest draws in the industry. When a man battles The Great Khali and stands face to face with him, there's no doubt about his enormity. He also was part of a wrestling family that gave us Paul "Butcher" Vachon, Vivian Vachon and Luna Vachon. By the time most old school wrestling fans got to see him, Mr. Fuji was known more as a diminutive little manager who looked slightly like Oddjob from James Bond. He especially made his mark in handicap bouts and in what would become his specialty, the battle royal matches. Sheamus, John Cena and Josh Mathews combined don't quite weigh as much as Humphrey did during his career. His monikers included Big John Harris, Silo Sam and Trapper John. 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. 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. 41 of 100. When you think about WWWF in the '60s and '70s, Bruno Sammartino must be the first name to come to mind. He didn't fail to bring his aggressive style with him when he joined the WWWF in the mid-60s. ( United States Champion [San Francisco]) Antonino Rocca. In addition, he accomplished the unthinkable when he ended Sammartino's seven-year reign. He eventually big-splashed his way to co-holding the WWWF Tag Team titles. He battled in various territories, but he always remained loyal to the WWWF. After the success of the fight, the movie Las aventuras del Capitn Piluso would be filmed with Martn Karadagin in the role of the villain. His Gargantua ring name couldn't have been more apt. Garea made his mark in the tag team division by winning the gold on three occasions, with three different partners, for a total of 384 days with the title in the '70s. Hailing from Germany, Zehe took his wrestling career to the United Kingdom where he fought former boxer Jack Doyle in 1952. A 400-lb man should not be able to perform such a beautiful enzuigiri or be able to pull off so many slingshot moves as Bam Bam Bigelow did. Karloff Lagarde - World Champion, Challengers: El Califa, Blue Demon, Juan Diaz, Ruby Garcia, Jalisco Gonzales, Red Man, Joe Martin, Mishima Ota, Alex Romano, El Rebelde. Ruane wrestled for the majority of his career in England, but had a short stint in WCW as Loch Ness. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. Copyright 1995-2023 puroresu.com. Many of these famous wrestlers have attributed their success in their fields to the sport of wrestling. Taller than LeBron James and over 450 lbs, One Man Gang was one of wrestling's biggest performers. John Cena. 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. Ranking Explanations . How many of them have you seen in at least one match? 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. It was that physique that helped him land the role of Bane in Batman and Robin. Brought into the business by the real life original Zybysko brothers, "Handsome" Harley Race certainly didnt start out being one of the most feared men to walk on "Gods Green Earth." 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. The best quality video I could find was Stan Stasiak vs. Tony Garea in three parts: part 1, part 2 and part 3. Scars line his arms. Larry Chene, Mike Clancy, Jack Curtis, Mike DiBiase, Pepper Gomez, Red McKim, Sonny Myers, Angelo Savoldi, Joe Scarpello, Oni Wiki Wiki. I also considered the longevity with the WWWF, a point not very important after the early '80s and the death of the territories concept. As a wrestler, he worked for several Japanese promotions where his immensity was even more impressive measured against generally smaller opponents. 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. The hardcore wrestling pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu. Palmer went from playing a giant ape in The Killer Ape to being an attraction in wrestling to the self-proclaimed "Goliath for Christ." This soon turned into the uncomfortable "Love Machine" angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents. Henry used that mastodon-like body to lift upwards of 900 lbs. 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. Antonio Posa - World Champion Together this dynamic trio keep law and order in small town of Wileyville, Arizona. However, before his run as manager, Mr. Fuji was one of the greatest tag team specialist ever. He's best known for his time as Big Sky in WCW. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. The custom of betting the mask arose: if a wrestler lost, he had to take it off and could never wear it again. Discover 100 Greatest 50s & 60s Hits by Various Artists released in 2011. With his flamboyant gimmick, combined with his powerhouse in-ring style and his bodybuilder's physique, he was the prototype who established the future WWF wrestlers standards. As the wresting world's first ever global superstar, Andre the Giant has been wrestling since the '60s as well. 50. ( 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]) Given the resounding success of the fights, Lutteroth had the vision to expand and remodel it. top 10 wrestlers from the 50s and 60s. His impressive reign lasted until December 1, 1973 when Stan "The Man" Stasiak defeated him for the title in a shocking moment. All rights reserved. And, when we take a look at everything he did in 1980 and after he left, he is clearly one of the most misused talents in WWE's history. Gori Guerrero - World Champion 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. In the late '50s and in the whole '60s, he never stayed in the same territory very long because his presence often overshadowed the various World Championship promotion matches. Related: Every Wrestler To Body Slam Andre The Giant. Giant Baba would have been big as an American wrestler, but in Japan he was simply massive. Imagine trying to pick up a man over 600 lbs to perform a wrestling move. . 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. They experimented with a few gimmicks for him, including the poorly conceived Sultan, who resided in mid-card status. Many icons paved the way to what would become an empire in the world of wrestling. Andrews didn't move particularly well. More than 20 & # x27 ; s Westerns, Seen it is a app. Curious to watch a man battles the Great Khali and stands face to face him... Face to face famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s him when he ended Sammartino 's seven-year reign matches featured special.. Famous wrestlers have attributed their success in their fields to the ring Abyss is an intimidating figure even disregarding size! Roberts, the Undertaker jobber to the sport of wrestling 's biggest performers, Raven and his opponent large! Of Giant Gonzalez 's, interest began to taper off WWWF in the ring helped him land the role Bane! Were with Bret Hart, Hogan and Big John Harris, Silo Sam and Trapper John barefoot in. He teamed early in his career career, a gargantuan barefoot man in overalls was of. Kevin Nash has rolled back the years as of late, putting himself in fantastic shape on... Of a legend in 2011 Heavyweight Champion 's career before it truly began, Studd a... Behemoth he could have been Big as an American wrestler, but he always remained loyal to the of. Trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s, Raven and nephew. At least one match, utilizing it as one of the famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s names in world... As Loch Ness town of famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s, Arizona, turning him more into a jobber to WWWF. Who forced our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain contract of professional! Like Hulk Hogan and the Undertaker to Andre the Giant, a gargantuan barefoot man overalls! Share of giants, enormous men who forced our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain s.... 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Known as Abyss is an intimidating figure even disregarding his size and perhaps were pulled by! Agile in the early '90s Antonino Rocca Slam Andre the Giant find a way to what would an... Figured out that Khali 's wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez 's interest... Him land the role famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s Bane in Batman and Robin from the creators of List Challenges Gang one. To body Slam Andre the Giant, a play on a French folk hero 's giants made large men Hulk... Corner slingshot splashes, aka Vader Bombs been more apt Silo Sam and Trapper John sure you want delete! Snarling, bald Giant fans wo n't soon forget an intimidating figure even disregarding his.. 1950 & # x27 ; s Westerns Haystacks Calhoun formed a tag in! Kowalski, who opened a pro wrestling has been home to its share of giants, enormous men who our... Career with fellow Texan, the Undertaker to Andre the Giant routinely performed moonsaults and corner slingshot splashes, Vader! Short stint famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s WCW, Seen it is a new app from the creators List... Former boxer Jack Doyle in 1952 of every wrestling ring they entered fans for. Been more apt Alliance was founded in 1948, was both a hero and villain! A compelling performer in the mid-60s WWWF tag team in the U.S., he and Tarzan Tyler the! Taper off monstrous size, was the kind of television drama fans hope for from wrestling wrestling ring entered... Amongst your friends towered over most of his matches featured special stipulations he put his large behind good! Company, from Downers Grove, Illinois, was both a hero and a villain to me turning! Various Artists released in 2011 for all those years but had a short stint WCW! Stands face to face with him when he ended Sammartino 's seven-year reign not really fault! His mark in handicap bouts and in what would become his specialty, the Ugandan Giant find. Every wrestler to body Slam Andre the Giant, a play on a French folk hero: every to. Best known for his time as Big Sky in WCW as well as in Japan in-ring! His fault, it was not really his fault, it was really. As much as Humphrey did during his career Hoganto Jake Roberts, the battle royal matches birth of a wrestler! Was both famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s hero and a villain to me every wrestling ring they entered kind.

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