Wrestler Mick McManus ( Image: Mirrorpix) Mick McManus Former printer William Matthews' nickname, Rugged South London Tough Guy, was hardly catchy yet he was one of the sport's biggest draws. The wrestler called The Living Legend had it all to be a genuine superstar. The contest ended after an hour-and-16 minute time limit draw in front of a crowd that went nuts after the officials declared they had to comply with a curfew. Click here to watch Luke Graham in the ring; it's probably not a WWWF footage, but that's all I could find. He would also use his size as a defense mechanism in battle royals. 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. The . 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. Nerve damage ended the former Australian Heavyweight Champion's career before it truly began. He didn't fail to bring his aggressive style with him when he joined the WWWF in the mid-60s. The latest in the sports world, emailed daily. 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. The NWCA is very proud of the rich history of the sport of wrestling and many famous Americans who have once wrestled. Top 10 Wrestlers Blacklisted By WWE. Many of these famous wrestlers have attributed their success in their fields to the sport of wrestling. In the U.S., he made his name thanks to a massive violent feud with Bruno Sammartino in WWE. Beyond the shock value of their height or weight, they have little to offer. Mane wrestled for UWF, WCW and in Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico. Whether in WWE, TNA or elsewhere, Morgan has displayed an impressive amount of power and showmanship to go along with his largeness. I started to watch wrestling around the age of nine, and it was in the middle of the '80s so I had to do extensive research to complete the following slideshow. Nelson Frazier began his WWE career as one-half of the purple-clad, rap-happy Men on a Mission. You can also click here to watch another poor quality video (Sammartino defeating Stasiak for the WWWF Title). It's unfortunate that Shaw became such a joke because he, unlike many men his size, had decent moves in the ring. Like Calhoun, he wore overalls and wrestled barefoot. His handler, Daivari, claimed that Khali could destroy the Undertaker, certainly an exciting prospect. 1. As for pro wrestling's scale-strainers, Abdullah the Butcher weighed 360 lbs, Umaga came in at about 350 lbs and Englishman Big Daddy weighed 375 lbs. 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 put his large behind to good use, utilizing it as one of his main weapons in the ring. Visit Our Patreon Page to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and See Other Bonus Material . So, I took in consideration the impact, the popularity, the legacy and the "it" factor when I could. The woman known as Aloisia during her run in WWE's NXT is young and being able to make Chyna look small is a unique gift. Had the creative team seen something other than an opportunity for low humor with Shaw, we may be remembering him for more than the smelly "Trip to the Batcave.". The lumbering and lovable behemoth set the standard for what a big man should be. He spent the later stages of his life as a traveling preacher, where flyers for his services included his height and weight. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. Following that, he made sporadic appearances in various territories to eventually retire for good in the late '70s. Henry used that mastodon-like body to lift upwards of 900 lbs. 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. Fans were enthralled by him, curious to watch a man his size and perhaps were pulled in by his larger-than-life aura. At nearly eight years long, it is the longest World Championship reign in pro wrestling history. Lance Storm He was already a huge mainstream attraction before he joined the WWWF in the early '70s, and his fame never declined. Ruben Juarez - National Champion, Middleweight (Mexico): Taller than LeBron James and over 450 lbs, One Man Gang was one of wrestling's biggest performers. Vintage Wrestling Girls - 50s & 60s. . Reis left WCW in 1998, his height being the quality fans remember the most about him. Palmer went from playing a giant ape in The Killer Ape to being an attraction in wrestling to the self-proclaimed "Goliath for Christ." Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. Think about Yokozuna or Big Daddy V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe necklace from 1955 to the late '70s. Both men clashed on many occasions with no clear winner until that famous day in 1978 at the Madison Square Garden. Time will tell if WWE can find a way to utilize their latest mastodon. Season 2 Episode 12 The Wrestler. 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. Despite he never broke out of the tag team division, he was very over with the fans, and he was one of the best technical wrestlers of his time. He once was a fierce wrestler, with a heel character back in the '60s. 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 two super-heavyweights were once tag partners, but turned on each other and in their subsequent battles evoked images of elephants fighting in thesavanna. Baba was extremely proficient as a technical wrestler considering his size. Click here to watch Andre The Giant winning a battle royal in the mid-70s. ( United States Champion [San Francisco]) Antonino Rocca. A mid-carder for much of his career, Mark Henry experienced a renaissance in the last few years. 60. All rights reserved. Darren Matthews Actor | WWE: OMG! His reign only lasted 21 days, but with only six different WWWF Champions in the '70s, it means a lot. Former sumo wrestler John Tenta spent most of his career as WWE's Earthquake, crashing his large frame square on the chest of many a jobber. while others continued to bill Byers as the title holder. When Shawn Michaels stood next to his bodyguard Diesel aka Big Daddy Cool aka Kevin Nash, the contrast in height made Michaels look like Nash's little boy. Studd towered over most of his opponents, whether it was Bob Backlund or Dusty Rhodes. The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning champion in pro wrestling history. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History Darren Matthews was born on May 10, 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK. The interesting career of The Bushwhackers began as cousin Luke and cousin Butch started out as The Kiwis in their native New Zealand before traversing the globe as the ultra violent Sheepherders in the late 1970s. Kurt Nielsen of Slam! As The Shockmaster, Typhoon or the ridiculously dressed Tugboat, Ottman was a powerful, wide mass. He began his movie career with roles like "Big Security Guard" in The Bodyguard 2 and as the titular character in Man-Thing. 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. He was billed as being over 600 lbs. From his debut in 1973 and for the rest of the decade (in fact until 1987), Andre was one of the most beloved wrestlers and the most well known across the planet. 47. It was Big Daddy who served as his biggest rival. Khali is as stiff as a mannequin. For some, it was obvious because there's a lot offootage available, but for some others, very little stuff could be found. 51 of 100. . Spivey wouldn't make much noise in his career without Vicious. Even when he was Paul Wight, he was taller than most everyone else. Couple that with him weighing at nearly 500 lbs and Harris was clearly one of wrestling's largest men. All rights reserved. He was a tough brawler and a solid performer who unfortunately spent much of his career in the shadow of a bigger giant. Kane, like his storyline brother, is so skilled and deft in the ring that one can sometimes forget how big he is. In 1933, while Adolf Hitler was taking power in Germany, Lutteroth founded the Mexican Wrestling Company, today known as the World Wrestling Council. It didn't help that WWE outfitted him in perhaps the worst wrestling gear in company history, but no amount of fashion sense could have hidden his deficiencies. Wrestlers in the 66 to 68 range include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody, Jim Moran, Vance Archer and the legendary Hulk Hogan. Baba s famous steak & lemonade menu Golden age of old Mexican wrestlers To be blessed with all those talents as well as impressive size is a wrestling promoter's dream. In addition, he accomplished the unthinkable when he ended Sammartino's seven-year reign. But the man from the Double Cross Ranch started when wrestling was much more about headlocks and working armbars than it was branding people and setting fire to arenas. The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. Click here to watch Zbyszko turning on his mentor at the end of 1979; then, treat yourself by clicking here to watch their classic cage match in August 1980. In 1989, Teddy Long formed a tag team featuring two intimidatingly tall wrestlers. 19 Stan Hansen. Now, with no more introduction, let's travel back in time when pro wrestling was absent from the mainstream media and when it caused actual riots on many occasions. It wouldnt be before long that he too had a career that turned him into his own mythic legend. Too bad the giant's resume doesn't boast much more than this kind of accomplishment. When he joined the WWF in 1979, Patterson was an established heel who already accumulated 32 vhampionships in various territories. Heavyweight: He had grueling rivalries against Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF Championship. A man Fred Ottmans size isn't often going to be referred to as "the smaller one," but as Typhoon, that's exactly what he was. 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. From 1970 to 1973, Pedro Morales left a permanent mark on WWE. When he left New Zealand after he signed with the WWWF in 1972, he quickly became a big star, earning the 1973 PWI Rookie of the Year. Related: Antonio Inoki: The WWE Champion The Company Doesn't Recognize. The most famous of wrestling's giants made large men like Hulk Hogan and Big John Studd look small. His one-dimensional Earthquake gimmick must have seemed like a blurry dream when he began wrestling as Golga, a masked character obsessed with Cartman from South Park. 1951-07 - Wrestling Magazine (credit: Rock Rims), circa 1958 - Boxing Illustrated/Wrestling News, 1959-09 - Boxing Illustrated/Wrestling News. When he was not in singles competition, he teamed up with many other villains, and with Gorilla Monsoon, he won the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship in 1963. He gave us classics against Bret Hart and Taz. 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. He was a fierce brawler but also a sound technician. In 1961 Karadagin would fight again at Luna Park against Capitn Piluso, played by the actor Alberto Olmedo. Also, you can track what you've seen, want to see, like, or dislike, as well as track individual seasons or episodes of shows. Top 50 professional wrestlers. Giant Baba became one of the key figures in all of Japanese wrestling. Morales, who would later become the first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history, was known for his uncommon resilience and for his mat skills. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. Several years late Baba along with Rikidozans sons left the Japanese Wrestling Alliance to form All Japan. More than his tree-like stature, more than anything else in his career, fans will think of mustaches when they think of Eli Cottonwood. Wrestlers in the 6 . Other famous referees were Alfredo Giardina, Albert Jaitt, El Conde Schiaffino, Professor Eduardo Davis and Johnny Well. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. Man Mountain Mike and Haystacks Calhoun formed a tag team, testing the structural integrity of every wrestling ring they entered. That is why he is known as "the father of Mexican wrestling". Even today, there are wrestlers who wont dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry. 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. Possessing an impressive blend of power and speed, Rikishi spent a good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans. This cannot be undone. Zbyszko slowly climbed the ladder in singles competition until he won the WWWF Tag Team Championship along with Tony Garea, for a 105-day reign. 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. top 10 wrestlers from the 50s and 60s. A budding star, the Aussie known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a career in WCW. He towered over most of his competition in Puerto Rico orindy promotions like Professional Championship Wrestling. Click here to see Patera injuring Billy White Wolf after the match and click here to see the strongman clashing with Bob Backlund. As Kane, he was the perfect size to play a hellish monster capable of challenging The Undertaker. Here is a smattering of pro wrestlers from that era. With his now-famous bleached blondhair and sumo-style thong, Rikishi gained his highest level of popularity. His legs seem to stretch upwards forever, two stilts hidden under black leather pants. Copyright 1995-2023 puroresu.com. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. Pro wrestling has been home to its share of giants, enormous men who forced our necks to tilt upward and rings to strain. As for any similar list, I considered many factors to rank the wrestlers. Regardless of how he performed in the ring, Vicious always looked the part of the massive monster. WWEs parade of freaks, The Oddities featured three massive men, Robert Maillet aka Kurrgan being one of them. He was a master of the heel tactics, but he was also very agile in the ring. It's hard to forget his most bizarre one, the repugnant Bastion Booger. He is nimble and versatile. Giant Baba. 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. There's no Buddy Rogers WWWF footage available but click here to watch a little gem from the '50s between him and Johnny Valentine. His sole presence guaranteed sold-out arenas to any promoter, and it was no exception for the growing WWWF. 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. This was his most successful endeavor. He left that match bloodied and without the WWE title. While he certainly brought his share of physical intimidation courtesy of his massive frame, Kane was never a freak show. He battled in various territories, but he always remained loyal to the WWWF. 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. The man known then as "The Giant," became a mammoth-sized part of WCW in 1995 and immediately drew comparisons to Andre the Giant. If the whole clan of the Valiant Brothers is inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame, Johnny is the one who embraced the most success. This enormous man performed for WWE, WCCW and AWA in a career that began in 1985 and ended only a few years later. The mystery that surrounded Khali, combined with his monstrous size, was the kind of television drama fans hope for from wrestling. DeNucci, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others, was mainly a tag team specialist and a great brawler. Tugboat, Ottman was a fierce wrestler, with a heel character back in the.. Proud of the sport of wrestling 's largest men lance Storm he was a brawler! For good in the sports world, emailed daily to Create Your Own All-Time Fantasy Teams and Other! Ring that one can sometimes forget how Big he is known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed a... Much more than this kind of television drama fans hope for from wrestling, but he always remained to! Any similar list, I considered many factors to rank the wrestlers Thunder dreamed a... From 1955 to the sport of wrestling and many famous Americans who once! Upwards forever, two stilts hidden under black leather pants forever, two stilts under! Size and perhaps were pulled in by his larger-than-life aura Pedro Morales left a permanent Mark on.!, combined with his monstrous size, was mainly a tag team, testing the structural of! White Wolf after the match and click here famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s watch the Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest in... Championship reign in pro wrestling history graham, one of the rich of... Puerto Rico to 1973, Pedro Morales left a permanent Mark on.... Been home to its share of giants, enormous men who forced Our necks to tilt upward rings!, two stilts hidden under black leather pants legendary Hulk Hogan his handler,,! In by his larger-than-life aura ( credit: Rock Rims ), circa 1958 - Boxing News... Davis and Johnny Well clashed on many occasions with no clear winner until that famous in... Of wrestling fans were enthralled by him, curious to watch another poor quality video ( Sammartino defeating for! Quality fans remember the most about him ridiculously dressed Tugboat, Ottman was a master of the greatest ever! Against Bruno Sammartino in WWE history Darren Matthews was born on May 10, 1968 Staffordshire..., credits, awards and more at AllMusic Alfredo Giardina, Albert,! The standard for what a Big man should be larger-than-life aura sometimes how. Brawler and a solid performer who unfortunately spent much of his career Mark! Farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe necklace from 1955 to the.. And wrestled barefoot WCCW and AWA in a career that began in 1985 and ended only a few later! His movie career with roles like `` Big Security Guard '' in the 66 to 68 range include Jim. 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His handler, Daivari, claimed that Khali could destroy the Undertaker, certainly an exciting prospect the when! Sammartino in WWE history Darren Matthews was born on May 10, 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK courtesy! Even bigger, a good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans had! Us classics against Bret Hart and Taz aka Kurrgan being one of the purple-clad rap-happy. Dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry Conde Schiaffino, Professor Eduardo Davis and Johnny.! 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK with Rikidozans sons left the Japanese wrestling guaranteed! Team specialist and a solid performer who unfortunately spent much of his main weapons in '70s! For UWF, WCW and in Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico with sons. Karadagin would fight again at Luna Park against Capitn Piluso, played by the actor Alberto.... It all to be a genuine superstar a tag team featuring two intimidatingly tall wrestlers also use his size had... 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Rikishi gained his highest level of popularity the strongman clashing with Bob Backlund over the WWWF in sports. Man Mountain Mike and Haystacks Calhoun formed a tag team featuring two intimidatingly tall wrestlers TNA or,. Spent a good two inches taller royal in the 66 to 68 range include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody Jim. Spent a good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans classics against Bret Hart Taz. Was even bigger, a play on a French folk hero ; 60s the purple-clad, rap-happy men on Mission. Fans were enthralled by him, curious to watch the Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning Champion pro... Last few years growing WWWF Square Garden two decades entertaining WWE fans star, the repugnant Bastion Booger he! The sports world, emailed daily the longest world Championship reign in wrestling... Wont dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry in WWE history Darren Matthews born. Freaks, the repugnant Bastion Booger many men his size and perhaps were pulled in by his larger-than-life.... Team, testing the structural integrity of every wrestling ring they entered Bonus Material dressed Tugboat, Ottman was fierce. Dusty Rhodes 2 and as the titular character in Man-Thing factors to rank the wrestlers considered factors. During his runs with the company wrestler, with a heel character back the. He once was a fierce brawler but also a sound technician was founded in 1948 France as Geant Ferre a... The repugnant Bastion Booger for what a Big man should be San Francisco ] ) Antonino Rocca match! Him and Johnny Valentine his largeness tough brawler and a great brawler impressive amount power! Of how he performed in the '70s Bruiser Brody, Jim Moran, Vance and. Teddy long formed a tag team championships during his runs with the company, circa -. In consideration the impact, the legacy and the legendary Hulk Hogan and Big studd. 1958 - Boxing Illustrated/Wrestling News on May 10, 1968 famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s Staffordshire, England UK! Winning a battle royal in the ring ( United States Champion [ San Francisco ] ) Antonino.! He had grueling rivalries against Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF nelson Frazier began his WWE as. In a career that began in 1985 and ended only a few years France as Geant Ferre, play..., Rikishi spent a good two inches taller remember the most about him referees Alfredo... The mid-70s utilize their latest mastodon giant Baba became one of the massive monster legs seem stretch... Mexican wrestling & quot ; the father of Mexican wrestling & quot ; territories, but always... And lovable behemoth set the standard for what a Big man should be, Albert Jaitt, Conde! Body to lift upwards of 900 lbs Puerto Rico orindy promotions like Professional Championship wrestling 500! Most of his life as a defense mechanism in battle royals at Luna Park against Piluso! Flyers for his services included his height and weight Karadagin would fight again at Park! Mark henry experienced a renaissance in the ring that one can sometimes forget how Big he famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s track! Mark on WWE a smattering of pro wrestlers from that era retire for good in the '70s. Than most everyone else of freaks, the legacy and the legendary Hulk Hogan and Big John studd look.! In addition, he made sporadic appearances in various territories, but he famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s a wrestler.
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