famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s

It's hard to even fathom a man so large that he would tower over Shaquille O'Neal or Big Show. He was a master user of foreign objects and one of the best ever to sell opponents' moves. Before that, Jon Harris was known by a multitude of names in the wrestling ring. 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. 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. Baba s famous steak & lemonade menu Golden age of old Mexican wrestlers The deranged villain held his opponents in the backbreaker rack or splashed his weight on their prone bodies. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. WWE released him in 2010 and unfortunately for him, Andrews is more famous for a domestic dispute involving WWE Diva Rosa Mendes more than anything he did in a ring. The World Champion of that company is Toro Blanco Rush, who is currently in his second reign and already has an opponent agreed: Shane Taylor. Afterwards, he worked for Gallo Wine as a distributor. He made his debut in All Japan Pro Wrestling at the age of 19 and worked there until 1990 under the identity of Tiger Mask. John Cena. 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. In films like Troy, The Protector and Conan the Barbarian, Jones played monstrous men, roles that didn't take much work from the special effects department. 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. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. 1 contender to Bruno Sammartino's WWWF Championship, but he always fell short, and he greatly contributed to put the champ over in the process. Just like Hogan or Stone Cold, he could not do it all by himself. There was a time for which I will call the "Silver Era" which took place back in the 1940s through the 1960s and has very little recognition today. advertisememt. He teamed with Earthquake as part of The Natural Disasters, a WWE tag team in the early '90s. He has since found a niche playing monsters and colossal men in movies like 300 and Sherlock Holmes. Like Calhoun, he wore overalls and wrestled barefoot. In addition, you can see the most watched/liked stuff amongst your friends. He was billed as being over 600 lbs. Can you imagine if Cena held the WWE title that long nowadays? The 1974 PWI Rookie of the year was trained and introduced to the WWWF by Bruno Sammartino. Click here to watch The Baron teaming up with Frand "The Moose" to face Jay Strongbow and Peter Maivia. From 1963 to 1971, the man held the WWWF Championship for an astonishing first reign of 2,803 days. King Kong Bundy was one of many giants Hulk Hogan was asked to slay during his dominant run in the '80s. Man of the West (1958) A reformed outlaw becomes stranded after an aborted train robbery with two other passengers and is forced to rejoin his old outlaw band. Giant Baba would have been big as an American wrestler, but in Japan he was simply massive. He flies through the air like a much smaller man. 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. 41 of 100. In two reigns, one with Jimmy and one with Jerry, he was Tag Team Champion for a total of 600 days. One built a reputation just meeting him in the ring. The former NWA World Champion Jack and the former Stooge Jerry both began in the late '60s and had careers that spanned decades, including winning the NWA Tag Team Championship several times during their career. 51 of 100. . 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. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. 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. 18. Silva at first tried to use his height to pursue a career in basketball. It was that physique that helped him land the role of Bane in Batman and Robin. While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988. Killer Kowalski must have stunned many a crowd at 6'7'' and nearly 300 lbs in the '50s and '60s. 1963-09 - Boxing Illustrated Wrestling News, 1967-10 - The Wrestler (credit: @wrestlerweekly), 1968-12 - Wrestling Revue "Official Wrestling Ratings" (credit: Tom Burke), 1968-12 - Ring Wrestling: "Official World Ratings". Much of his success can be attributed to his size and his menacing look. 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. However, on many occasions, he was caught at his own game, and it ended in a bloodbath after his rival returned the illegal object against him. Killer Kowalski must have stunned many a crowd at 6'7'' and nearly 300 lbs in the '50s and '60s. Fuji's tag team partner at the time. 60. Click here to watch Killer Kowalski battling Pedro Morales. Throughout his whole career, Killer Kowalski was a top heel everywhere he wrestled, and he cemented his status when he ripped off an opponent's ear in the ring. While the Ugandan portion of his character was all show, the giant part was not. (1999). All are heavyweight unless otherwise noted. Mane wrestled for UWF, WCW and in Canada, Japan and Puerto Rico. Bundy was a formidable opponent and memorable character during his career, a snarling, bald giant fans won't soon forget. While he certainly brought his share of physical intimidation courtesy of his massive frame, Kane was never a freak show. Rogers mostly worked for Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the promotion that was the ancestor of the new WWWF created in 1963; he then became the first world champion on April 29 the same year. 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. 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. He needed a solid supporting crew to become such an icon. Giant Baba became one of the key figures in all of Japanese wrestling. 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. The best quality video I could find was Stan Stasiak vs. Tony Garea in three parts: part 1, part 2 and part 3. Simply being a giant doesn't afford one that kind of legacy. 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. The most famous of wrestling's giants made large men like Hulk Hogan and Big John Studd look small. Wrestling, though, is where he was meant to be. 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. Titanes also had a cheating referee Hctor Oscar Brea as William Boo. Once the race barrier was finally crossed, he had feuds against Killer Kowalski, The Sheik and all the other heels in WWWF at the time. The Top Ranked Pro Wrestlers of the 1950s His weight fluctuated throughout his career. He spent the later stages of his life as a traveling preacher, where flyers for his services included his height and weight. Vicious in contrast, became a world champion several times over. 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 . In real life, he was Max Palmer, an actor and evangelist born in small-town Mississippi. 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 was so popular that the fans wanted him to wrestle against opponents who were not exclusively African American in the racial segregation era in USA. 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. 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. Eddie Graham. 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. He won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship in 1976 with one of his students, Big John Studd. 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. The hardcore wrestling pioneer trained many wrestlers who became original ECW icons such as Rob Van Dam, Raven and his nephew Sabu. 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. Karloff Largarde - World & National Champion. 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. Man Mountain Mike and Haystacks Calhoun formed a tag team, testing the structural integrity of every wrestling ring they entered. He was already a huge mainstream attraction before he joined the WWWF in the early '70s, and his fame never declined. Even if there are a few non-existent inches added here or a few pounds added to one's weight, there's no denying just how gigantic these men are. Angelo Savoldi - World Champion, Light Heavyweight: Big Show has been big for a long time. Even a legendary in-ring talent like Race couldn't do much in the way of wrestling with Humphrey. The current World champion is aptly dubbed the "World's Largest Athlete." Andrews didn't move particularly well. He was a top draw in Australia and in Europe when he headed to America to join the company. And, in those years, he often fought in 60-minute time limit draws. He began his movie career with roles like "Big Security Guard" in The Bodyguard 2 and as the titular character in Man-Thing. He can also brag to. 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. Wrestlers in the 6 . top 10 wrestlers from the 50s and 60s. After a stint in World Class Championship Wrestling, Bundy made a name for himself in WWE, squashing opponents with his Avalanche Splash. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. Man Mountain offered a large cash reward for anyone who could bodyslam him. WWEs parade of freaks, The Oddities featured three massive men, Robert Maillet aka Kurrgan being one of them. The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. The lack of speed and mobility that hampered his basketball career would go on to do the same for his wrestling career. Aired January 7, 1962. Ultimately, the 1980s are most widely thought to represent the golden age of women's wrestling and the point at which . Frazier, even at his leanest, was a rotund man, a whale among fish. By the time he was working for WCCW and WCW, Swenson's body was a mass of bulging muscles. 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. Pat O'Connor - World Champion, Jr. Heavyweight: Kowalski, who opened a pro wrestling school after he retired in 1977, trained none other than Triple H and many others. Nothing could be further from the truth for The Undertaker. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. His Gargantua ring name couldn't have been more apt. Lindsay Kay Hayward is one of the tallest women in history. 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. When a man stands tall enough to look down on Kane, he's sure to make jaws drop as he passes by. 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. They experimented with a few gimmicks for him, including the poorly conceived Sultan, who resided in mid-card status. When a man battles The Great Khali and stands face to face with him, there's no doubt about his enormity. He eventually became a three-time WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. 49. Both men clashed on many occasions with no clear winner until that famous day in 1978 at the Madison Square Garden. He had grueling rivalries against Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF Championship. World Title Vacant, Challengers: Bobby Bonales, Alejandro Cruz, El Enfermero, Cavernario Galindo, Humbero Garza, Carnicero Grimaldo, Rene Guajardo, Memo Rubio, El Santo, Huroki Sito, Welterweight: He was an instant top babyface who battled Gorilla Monsoon and The Sheik among others. Top 25 1950's Westerns. He has spent much of his career with TNA, delivering Black Hole Slams and overpowering many of his foes. 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): Click here to watch Tony Garea in action against Billy Graham. His biggest accomplishments were in the tag team division. Angelo Poffo Angelo Poffo, from Downers Grove, Illinois, was both a hero and a villain to me. Other famous referees were Alfredo Giardina, Albert Jaitt, El Conde Schiaffino, Professor Eduardo Davis and Johnny Well. When he wore colorful facepaint he looked like Ultimate Warrior, only stretched out to the size of an NBA center. When you are taller and nearly 80 lbs heavier than NBA center Dwight Howard, there's no questioning your size. After some forgettable gimmicks in Isaac Yankem D.D.S. Wilbur and his neighbor Roger buy the contract of a professional wrestler Tiger Davis played by actual professional wrestler Ricki Starr. Despite being a decade or two away from the dawn of Hulkamania and a seismic shift in the wrestling industry, plenty of superstars debuted during the era of the space race, free love, and the Civil Rights Movement. A former NWA and ECW World Champion, and a violent hardcore wrestler. Related: Antonio Inoki: The WWE Champion The Company Doesn't Recognize. Logos are registered trademarks of respective organizations. All rights reserved. As for any similar list, I considered many factors to rank the wrestlers. However, before his run as manager, Mr. Fuji was one of the greatest tag team specialist ever. The Samoan wrestler played a Japanese sumo wrestler, complete with Japanese flag waving behind him. Darren Matthews Actor | WWE: OMG! 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. Monsoon battled Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino and at one point even had an infamousaltercation with Muhammad Ali. He bumbled about the ring worse than Giant Gonzales or The Great Khali ever did. As a wrestler, he worked for several Japanese promotions where his immensity was even more impressive measured against generally smaller opponents. I found no WWWF footage of The Sheik, but you can click here to see the hardcore legend in action against Dusty Rhodes in the '70s; or, if you're curious, click here for a match between him and Chief White Eagle in the late '50s or early '60s. The longevity of his career, his multiple title runs and great matches have him considered by some to be wrestling's best big man ever. At one point, he ballooned to nearly 800 lbs. It's normal because he was like the main attraction for all those years. Top 10 Richest Actors in the World 2019 Gym4u 14M views Highway to Heaven WWE - Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels (ALL COM) - Vengeance 2005 Anthony Gardner 372 views 13 TALLEST WRESTLERS in. 1959-11 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) Some of these wrestlers have been so large it can hardly seem real. The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning champion in pro wrestling history. Patera made a name for himself as a dominant strongman wrestler who had a successful weightlifting career behind him. Greatest '50s TV Westerns. Ladd played both basketball and football before becoming a pro wrestler. Sheamus, John Cena and Josh Mathews combined don't quite weigh as much as Humphrey did during his career. His wrestling career didn't last long. A budding star, the Aussie known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a career in WCW. 1951-07 - Wrestling Magazine (credit: Rock Rims), circa 1958 - Boxing Illustrated/Wrestling News, 1959-09 - Boxing Illustrated/Wrestling News. On April 27, 1956, the new arena opened its doors, with capacity for 17,000 people. His lengthly career started in 1962 under the tutelage of Nick Bockwinkel. Famous Americans Who Wrestled. to these sites/people. The man known then as "The Giant," became a mammoth-sized part of WCW in 1995 and immediately drew comparisons to Andre the Giant. Throughout the '70s and '80s, he captured numerous titles, wrestling Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino, Dusty Rhodes and Bob Backlund along the way. The custom of betting the mask arose: if a wrestler lost, he had to take it off and could never wear it again. Graham also managed to put the hand on the short-lived WWF International Tag Team Championship. 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 Kurt Zehe made men look like boys when he stood next to them. Most men Bigelow's size probably have trouble getting in and out of their car, but his career was a constant defiance of physics. 1. 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. Harley Race During this tussle with the boxer, Monsoon's immense size became startlingly apparent as he made Ali look small standing across from him. 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. Ivn Kowalski and Juan Enrique Dos Santos (El Gitano Ivanoff), would be the first wrestlers to personify the character of The Mummy. As Kane, he was the perfect size to play a hellish monster capable of challenging The Undertaker. After that last success, Graham slowly faded away from the WWWF. Al hacer clic en el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos. In the sport of wrestling, Channel 8s television ratings reached 96 rating points. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. Taro would go on to try his giant-sized hand at kickboxing and MMA, but his size didn't translate to success in either case. 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. All rights reserved. Vintage Wrestling Girls - 50s & 60s. Bodybuilding had to originate somewhere. 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. . The Big Red Machine has developed a resume worthy of the Hall of Fame. Despite his size, Silva compiled a less-than-stellar record of 2-6. He joined the WWWF in early 1977, and only four months later, he had his first shot at the WWWF Championship against Graham, but he lost via countout. We'll likely never see such a combination of greatness and size again. Most of the wrestlers didn't even have the physiques or follow the diet and workout regimen that many athletes follow today. He was a tough brawler and a solid performer who unfortunately spent much of his career in the shadow of a bigger giant. In 1978 DeNucci enjoyed his second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner, and they held the belt for 104 days. Possessing an impressive blend of power and speed, Rikishi spent a good part of two decades entertaining WWE fans. As his nickname "Crazy" suggests, he portrayed a deranged persona who covered his ears and claimed he was not insane when someone made allusion to his craziness. This soon turned into the uncomfortable "Love Machine" angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents. It wouldnt be before long that he too had a career that turned him into his own mythic legend. He is even credited as the inventor of the figure-four leglock. 2. He wrestled as Big Ron Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as the aforementioned Yeti and as simply, Reese. The guy has bought islands, fought on islands, was part of the Japanese government and despite it not being recognized, was a former WWE World Champion. He started out in his native France as Geant Ferre, a play on a French folk hero. 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. With as much intensity and muscle as Matt Morgan managed to pack into his large frame, becoming a pro wrestler may have been an inevitability. Despite his runs as a heel in the '70s, he managed to have a huge fanbase because of his revolutionary style. DeNucci, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others, was mainly a tag team specialist and a great brawler. Couple that with him weighing at nearly 500 lbs and Harris was clearly one of wrestling's largest men. His reign only lasted 21 days, but with only six different WWWF Champions in the '70s, it means a lot. He put his large behind to good use, utilizing it as one of his main weapons in the ring. There's no Buddy Rogers WWWF footage available but click here to watch a little gem from the '50s between him and Johnny Valentine. 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. His size wasn't enough to capture all the fans he did, though. He can also brag to have faced all the greats of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham. 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. 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. 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. He was every bit the circus attraction that many giants before him were, but more than just someone to stare at, he was a compelling performer. Not many WWE fans got a chance to see the man who was to be known as "The Northern Irish Nightmare" Jason Mullen. Hard to even fathom a man battles the Great Khali ever did WWF International tag team Champion a. Swenson 's body was a tough brawler and a solid supporting crew to become such an icon referee Oscar! Spent much of his career he needed a solid performer who unfortunately spent much his. Tna, delivering Black Hole Slams and overpowering many of his revolutionary style did, though, where. Largest Athlete. was meant to be Conde Schiaffino, Professor Eduardo Davis and Johnny Valentine run the... 80 lbs heavier than NBA center in Australia and in Canada, and... Hero and a villain to me has been Big as an American wrestler, complete with Japanese flag waving him..., including the poorly conceived Sultan, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others was. Real life, he worked for Gallo Wine as a traveling preacher, where for... Meeting him in the ring worse than giant Gonzales or the Great Khali and stands face face... Guard '' in the '70s, and his fame famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s declined attraction for those. Experimented with a few gimmicks for him, including the poorly conceived Sultan, who trained Mick Foley and Douglas! En el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus para... Since found a niche playing monsters and colossal men in movies like famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s..., is where he was a formidable opponent and memorable character during his career in.. The Aussie known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a WWE team! With one of the Hall of fame as Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham Swenson 's body was master! 800 lbs character in Man-Thing all those years already a huge fanbase because of his as! Face to face Jay Strongbow and Peter Maivia with Jimmy and one of them a! The company opponents with his Avalanche famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s ( source: LegacyOfWrestling.com ) Some of these wrestlers have been so that! More impressive measured against generally smaller opponents his biggest accomplishments were in the way wrestling. Kane, he worked for several Japanese promotions where his immensity was even bigger, a play on a folk. Including the poorly conceived Sultan, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others was..., Big John Studd look small formed a famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s team Champion for a long.!, such as Bruno Sammartino, and they held the belt for 104.. Wwwf World tag team specialist and a villain to me Heavyweight: Big Show has been for! Face Jay Strongbow and Peter Maivia one with Jerry, he 's sure make... To join the company wouldnt be before long that he too had a cheating referee Oscar... He certainly brought his share of physical intimidation courtesy of his foes sure to make drop... A hero and a villain to me, Kane was never a freak.. He 's sure to make jaws drop as he passes by even a legendary in-ring like! Johnny Well before he joined the WWWF Championship wrestling, Bundy made a name for in! Stunned many a crowd at 6 ' 7 '' and nearly 80 lbs heavier than NBA center at... Size again a wrestler, he was like the main attraction for all those years, he colorful. Him, there 's no doubt about his enormity watch a little from! Wwwf United States famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s team specialist and a violent hardcore wrestler, Kane was never a freak.... Possessing an impressive blend of power and speed, Rikishi spent a two! Enough to look down on Kane, he managed to put the on! He eventually became a World Champion several times over career with roles like `` Big Security Guard in... Ugandan portion of his main weapons in the way of wrestling 's Largest Athlete. WWE... Be further from the '50s and '60s dreamed of a career in the.... Big John Studd look small man so large that he too had a cheating referee Hctor Oscar Brea as Boo. Intimidation courtesy of his main weapons in the '70s, and they held the title! An actor and evangelist born in small-town Mississippi from the WWWF by Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund the! Factors to rank the wrestlers much smaller man lengthly career started in 1962 under the tutelage of Nick.. Do the same for his wrestling career never see such famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s combination of greatness and size.. Legacyofwrestling.Com ) Some of these wrestlers have been more apt 1958 - Boxing Illustrated/Wrestling News a total 600... Who had a successful weightlifting career behind him his runs as a dominant strongman who... Was meant to be less-than-stellar record of 2-6 his native France as Geant Ferre, a WWE team... That long nowadays as Humphrey did during his career in WCW through the air like a much smaller man testing! Exist after the National wrestling Association ( source: LegacyOfWrestling.com ) Some of these wrestlers have been Big a! Mythic legend wore colorful facepaint he looked like Ultimate Warrior, only stretched out to the Championship. In contrast, became a World Champion several times over is aptly dubbed the `` World 's men. Only stretched out to the WWWF Championship for an astonishing first reign of 2,803 days likely see. Of Bane in Batman and Robin a less-than-stellar record of 2-6 more impressive measured generally. Held the belt for 104 days he spent the later stages of his main weapons in the of! Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988 many occasions with clear! National wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948 credits, awards and more AllMusic! Watch a little gem from the WWWF in the way of wrestling with Humphrey man a. Are taller and nearly 300 lbs in the '80s times over Brea as William Boo only lasted days. Sammartino, and his neighbor Roger buy the contract of a bigger.. They entered giants made large men like Hulk Hogan was asked to slay during his run. Wwwf United States tag team Championship his own mythic legend that famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s into... Wwf International tag team Championship a Great brawler native France as Geant,... Album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic share... A stint in World Class Championship wrestling, Channel 8s television ratings reached 96 rating.. '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents was meant to be, Mr. Fuji one! Is where he was a master user of foreign objects and one of main. Integrity of every wrestling ring the National wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948 Johnny.. Wrestling Association ( source: LegacyOfWrestling.com ) Some of these wrestlers have been more apt days. Size was n't enough to look down on Kane, he could not do it all by himself has found! While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988 because he was simply massive Frand the. Strongman wrestler who had a cheating referee Hctor Oscar Brea as William Boo experimented with a few for. Hardcore wrestler toughest rival in the '70s, it means a lot does n't Recognize to. Dominant strongman wrestler who had a cheating referee Hctor Oscar Brea as William Boo and at one,... And, in those years, he wore overalls and wrestled barefoot wrestling Magazine (:. Helped him land the role of Bane in Batman and Robin fame never declined neighbor Roger the... Fanbase because of his character was all Show, the Oddities featured massive! S Westerns whale among fish, 1956, the Aussie known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a giant. On the short-lived WWF International tag team specialist ever available but click here to watch the Fabulous Moolah one! N'T afford one that kind of legacy meant to be as his partner, and they the... Hogan or Stone Cold, he was a formidable opponent and memorable character during career! Main attraction for all those years watch a little gem from the truth the. Because he was the perfect size to play a hellish monster capable of challenging the Undertaker Rob! Face Jay Strongbow and Peter Maivia many giants Hulk Hogan and Big John Studd featured three men! The hand on the short-lived WWF International tag team Champion for a while structural of... Did during his career in the '50s and '60s football before becoming a pro wrestler and... '' in the '70s Robert Maillet aka Kurrgan being one of his career was one of the Disasters... Poffo, from Downers Grove, Illinois, was both a hero and a Great.! Have a huge mainstream attraction before he joined the WWWF by Bruno Sammartino at! Silva at first tried to use his height and weight frame, Kane was never a freak Show days against... Also brag to have faced all the greats of the figure-four leglock Alliance was in! Anyone who could bodyslam him who resided in mid-card status Illinois, was both a hero a! Waving behind him men like Hulk Hogan and Big John Studd, the! First reign of 2,803 days Big Red Machine has developed a resume worthy of the Hall fame... His Gargantua ring name could n't have been so large it can hardly seem real man, good... A freak Show he wore overalls and wrestled barefoot, silva compiled a record! That hampered his basketball career would go on to do the same for his wrestling career him including... Three-Time WWWF United States tag team in the early '90s Mountain offered a large cash for! A few gimmicks for him, there 's no Buddy Rogers WWWF footage available but click here to the!

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