1980s: The Golden Age of Wrestling
Anyone who grew up in the 1980s remembers watching WWF on Saturday mornings, and begging their parents to buy the occasional pay-per-view event. Though Ted Turner’s World Championship Wrestling was around, it was a mere pretender to Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (later renamed World Wrestling Entertainment). Here are the most popular wrestlers in the 80s:
Hulk Hogan. His name is synonymous with wrestling, and there’s a possibility WWF wouldn’t have been as popular if it weren’t for his high-energy theatrics. Hogan is Heavyweight Champion for life. By escaping the Iron Sheik’s camel clutch and pinning him to win the title in 1984, Hogan kick-started the Golden Age of wrestling. Anyone remember the words to the Hulk Hogan theme song? Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Real name: Terry Bollea
Signature move: Atomic leg drop
From: Tampa, Florida
Memorable moment in WWF history: Hogan pins Sheik
Andre the Giant. Weighing between 460 and 540 pounds throughout his career, and standing 7′4 tall, Andre was known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” More than any other character, he was the main attraction in this theater of freakishly big, strong and athletic people. First wrestler in the Hall of Fame.
Real name: André René Roussimoff
Signature move: Piledriver
From: Grenoble, France
Died: 1993
Memorable moment in WWF history: Hogan slams Andre
“Macho Man” Randy Savage. His distinctive husky voice was even more fun to mock than Hogan’s, and he always wore a bandanna and sunglasses. He was managed by his real life wife, Miss Elizabeth (who, after the marriage ended, was found dead of a drug overdose in the home of pro wrestler Lex Luger). Savage is the Mario Lemieux to Hogan’s Wayne Gretzky.
Real name: Randall Poffo
Signature move: Diving elbow drop
From: Columbus, Ohio
Memorable moment in WWF history: Savage marries Elizabeth
“Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Note: Roddy Piper was a Canadian, not a Scot! Known for his signature kilt and bagpipe entrance, Piper was one of the most hated wrestlers, but also BY FAR the funniest. His quick wit and unpredictability made him my favorite. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Real name: Roderick George Toombs
Signature move: Sleeper hold
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Memorable moment in WWF history: Snuka on Piper’s Pit
George “The Animal” Steele. This guy used to eat the turnbuckle during his match. Do you believe he was once a teacher? Also acted alongside Johnny Depp in Tim Burton’s Ed Wood. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Real name: William James Myers
Signature move: Full nelson
From: Detroit, Michigan
Memorable moment in WWF history: Steele vs. Savage
The Ultimate Warrior. The complete package for a wrestler. He pinned Hulk Hogan in WrestleMania VI.
Real name: James Brian Hellwig
Signature move: Gorilla press drop
From: Indiana
Memorable moment in WWF history: Warrior vs. Honkey Tonk Man
The Iron Sheik. With the Iranian hostage crisis still fresh on everyone’s minds in the mid 80s, the Iron Sheik, who was actually from Iran, was perhaps the most hated wrestler ever, alongside tag team partner Nikolai Volkoff. In the Hall of Fame.
Real name: Khosrow Ali Vaziri
Signature move: Camel clutch
From: Tehran, Iran
Nikolai Volkoff. The big Ruskie used to sing the Soviet national anthem before matches to a chorus of boos. Note: He wasn’t even from the Soviet Union, but still very much hated during Reagan’s Cold War era. In the Hall of Fame.
Real name: Josip Nikolai Peruzović
Signature move: Bear hug
From: Yugoslavia
Memorable moment in WWF history: Hogan vs. Volkoff
Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Often a bad guy, at least once a good guy, this one-time crack addict was interesting because of the python named Damien that he carried around.
Real name: Aurelian Smith, Jr.
Signature move: DDT
From: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Memorable moment in WWF history: Jake Roberts vs. Andre, John Studd refs
Junkyard Dog. A fan favorite with a chain around his neck who entered the ring to the song “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen. In the Hall of Fame.
Real name: Sylvester Ritter
Signature move: Powerslam
From: Wadesboro, North Carolina
Died: 1998
Hillbilly Jim. This redneck, complete with a straw hat and overalls, was most fun when he wrestled alongside Uncle Elmer, Cousin Luke, and Cousin Junior.
Real name: Jim Morris
Signature move: Bearhug
From: Mud Lick, Kentucky
King Kong Bundy. A classic bad guy, Bundy was fun to watch when he wrestled the big names, like Hogan and Andre the Giant.
Real name: Christopher Pallies
Signature move: Atlantic City Avalanche
From:Atlantic City, New Jersey
Memorable moment in WWF history: Hogan vs. Bundy in cage
Big John Studd. If you’re from Maryland or Virginia, you’ll remember Big John Stud for his Wild World commercials. In the Hall of Fame.
Real name: John William Minton
Signature move: Backbreaker
From: Butler, Pennsylvania
Died: 1995
Memorable moment for Marylanders:
Tito Santana. Another good guy, appeared in the first nine WrestleManias, but only had a 2-7 record. In the Hall of Fame.
Real name: Merced Solis
Signature move: Flying forearm
From: Tocula, Mexico
Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka. Loved jumping off that turnbuckle. In the Hall of Fame.
Real name: James Reiher
Signature move: The Superfly Splash
From: Fiji
Memorable moment in WWF history: Muraco vs Snuka, cage match
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Beat Macho Man in WrestleMania III in one of the greatest matches ever.
Real name: Richard Henry Blood
Signature move: Diving crossbody
From: West Point, New York
Memorable moment in WWF history: Steamboat vs. Savage
Extended version part I of Savage vs. Steamboat.
Extended version part II of Savage vs. Steamboat.
See the rest of our Feature on the Golden Age of Wrestling…
Pages: 1 2
[...] Jefferson and Ridnour on the Move? Hugging Harold Reynolds – Craig Sager Isn’t Listening Gunaxin – 1980s: The Golden Age of Wrestling Sports Rubbish – Video: GP2 Asia Crash Between Sakon Yamomoto [...]
You left out Rick Flair and Thunderbolt Patterson! Two great wrasslin’ stars of the 80’s.
George “The Animal” Steel’s signature move was the flying hammerlock not the full nelson as stated above. A great list though. Too many other great WWF wrestlers to name missing from the list but I think you got the best of the bunch.
Thanks, Jimmy
I used to watch Superstars of Wreslting late at night. That was where all the best wreslters could be seen. Hell, I’d get so pumped I’d almost wreslle someone right then and there.
actually I ran my mouth too soon XD I saw that you pretty much got them all on page 2 good job.
I didn’t see the bushwhackers. Wow, thanks for taking us back in time.
After reading this I bet you’re wondering: What would my Pro Wrestling name be? Well, there’s an answer.
Check out http://www.wrestlingname.com.
Whacha Gonna Do?!?
/self-promoting-spam :-)
i thought ultimate warrior’s move was called the gorilla press and slam? good article.
actually I ran my mouth too soon XD I saw that you pretty much got them all on page 2 good job..
The Million Dollar Man’s Signature move was the “Million Dollar Dream” (aka cross-face chicken wing ala Bob Backlund)
What? You didn’t even mention Lex Luger. The Four Horsemen were a huge deal in the late 80s!
You forgot one of the greatest good guys. Bob Backlund.
tatanka?
[...] Anyway, on Digg this morning there was this article about the Golden Age of Wrestling. I was a pretty big fan when I was a kid. I had a Hulk [...]
i heard a rumor that ricky the dragon steamboat died during a match. is that true? on the list it doesn’t say he’s died!
just saying dog fool dog dog foolie b
[...] From:http://www.gunaxin.com/1980s-the-golden-age-of-wrestling/12052 [...]
This Article is load with in accuracies that most be corrected:
Hillbilly Jim was from Pig Slop, Arkansas
Randy “Macho Man” Savages Signature Moves was known as the ETA(it was an elbow drop off the top rope).
Andre the Giant was listed at 7′5″ but in in Wrestlemania 3 had to wear platforms in his shoes to make him look so much taller than Hogan, actual height was 6′10″
Honky Tonk Man’s Signature move was the “Shake, Rattle and Roll kneckbreaker”
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake signature move was the “Sleeper Hold”. He would put the other wrestler to sleep before cutting his hear.
The Million Dollar Man’s signature moves was “The Million Dollar Dream.” Honestly anyone who watched wrestling in the ’80s would know this one.
The Red Rooster’s signature move was a flying forearm.
Billy, Steamboat is alive and well. Those who have watched wrestling in the past few years would have seen him appear numerous times as a backstage agent for WWE.
Three simple letters…LOD!!!! What happened to the Legion of Doom? You know, the Road Warriors!!!! They didn’t even make the Others list!!!!
OH WHAT A RUSSSSSHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Million Dollar man’s hold was a sleeper hold, Bob Backlund’s chicken wing was a shoulder lock manuver. Not the same move.
The Ultimate Warrior’s move was the goriila press slam and drop, also used consecutive running clotheslines while bouncing off the ropes, followed by a splash and pin.
And besides, the greatest wrestler of ALL-TIME is Bruno Sammartino.
This is a great list. They should make a brand new video game that is only 80’s wrestlers.
Doug,
They are making a legends of wrestlemania game:
http://www.legendsofwrestlemania.com/main.html?lang=en
Mike,
Bob Backlund’s move was the “Crossface Chicken Wing”, and Bruno was an overated clown, who has turned into a giant crybaby, that couldn’t hold Ric Flair’s robe. Harley Race was also a far superior to Bruno.
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What about Ivan Putsky?
[...] 1980’s : The Golden Age of Wrestling (Gunaxin) [...]
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Quick Draw Rick McGraw anybody? How about Tony Atlas? I remember he lifted King Kong Bundy over his head!
I used to watch Superstars of Wreslting late at night. That was where all the best wreslters could be seen. Hell, I’d get so pumped I’d almost wreslle someone right then and there..
George the animal Steele’s finisher was actually called the ‘flying chicken wing’, and consisted of a one armed half nelson in which he picked you up with and shook the shit out of. Always looked so damned painful.
I gotta say, that really brings me back. You are right when you say that it was a great time for wrestling. I don’t bother to watch any now, because it just doesn’t compare. The rivalries are far too contrived. Back in the good days, it was just so much fun.
Thanks
[...] – 1980s: The Golden Age of Wrestling | Gunaxin Anyone who grew up in the 1980s remembers watching WWF (tags: [...]
Where is The Berzerker on this list!?
HUSS
HUSS
HUSS
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HUSS
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