The wrestler called The Living Legend had it all to be a genuine superstar. In no particular order, here are wrestling's biggest competitors, the leviathans of the ring. The man known as Killer Kowalski Jr. was even bigger, a good two inches taller. Logos are registered trademarks of respective organizations. Some of these wrestlers have been so large it can hardly seem real. From 1970 to 1973, Pedro Morales left a permanent mark on WWE. Also, you can track what you've seen, want to see, like, or dislike, as well as track individual seasons or episodes of shows. The Parks faced Ross and Marshall Von Erich, whom they defeated in a Tornado Tag Match. More than his tree-like stature, more than anything else in his career, fans will think of mustaches when they think of Eli Cottonwood. Bigelow wrestled with WWE, ECW and WCW as well as in Japan. He was a master of in-ring psychology and an ace on the mic who could generate heat like no others. Henry used that mastodon-like body to lift upwards of 900 lbs. Simply being a giant doesn't afford one that kind of legacy. Imagine trying to pick up a man over 600 lbs to perform a wrestling move. A monster heel, Studd brought a stretcher to the ring as a means of intimidation. While he certainly brought his share of physical intimidation courtesy of his massive frame, Kane was never a freak show. His monikers included Big John Harris, Silo Sam and Trapper John. Race was Humphrey's driver and occasional opponent in the very early '60s. 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: But before he became the best manager in the history of the sport, he actually did have an in ring career that started way back in 1961 with names like Dick the Bruiser and Sam Mushnick before promoters realized Heenans mouth was much better than his ring work, which was also pretty good. Calhoun's enormity turned him somewhat of a circus attraction. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. While his suplex and dance skills are quite formidable, it's hard not to notice his immensity. Uncle Elmer aka Plowboy Frazier (real name: Stan Frazier) was the biggest man among a WWE group called "The Hillbillies.". Fans were enthralled by him, curious to watch a man his size and perhaps were pulled in by his larger-than-life aura. He was a real animal in the ring, and his brutality was matched by only few other hardcore legends. Free shipping for many products! Yokozuna's weight was his greatest attraction, but it was also ultimately his downfall. This soon turned into the uncomfortable "Love Machine" angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents. Eddie Graham. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. Kevin Nash has rolled back the years as of late, putting himself in fantastic shape. 1. For so many men on this list, their size is their only asset. Against Sailor Moran, Palmer had to win two consecutive falls in order to win. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Most of the wrestlers didn't even have the physiques or follow the diet and workout regimen that many athletes follow today. Aired January 7, 1962. His size wasn't enough to capture all the fans he did, though. Many of these famous wrestlers have attributed their success in their fields to the sport of wrestling. Graham also managed to put the hand on the short-lived WWF International Tag Team Championship. Larry Chene, Mike Clancy, Jack Curtis, Mike DiBiase, Pepper Gomez, Red McKim, Sonny Myers, Angelo Savoldi, Joe Scarpello, Oni Wiki Wiki. 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. As you could see, pro wrestling didn't start with Hulk Hogan in the '80s. He began his WWE career as one-half of the Headshrinkers in a crowded tag team division. During his heyday in the '60s, Calhoun feuded with Dick the Bruiser and battled Bruno Sammartino. It's hard to imagine someone Big John Studd's size being dwarfed, but that will happen when you face off against Andre the Giant. As the wresting world's first ever global superstar, Andre the Giant has been wrestling since the '60s as well. His sole presence guaranteed sold-out arenas to any promoter, and it was no exception for the growing WWWF. There's no Buddy Rogers WWWF footage available but click here to watch a little gem from the '50s between him and Johnny Valentine. The Original Sheik portrayed a rich and brutal Syrian who brought a new level of violence in pro wrestling. Terry Eugene Bollea, better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan, is an American retired professional wrestler and television personality. It wouldnt be before long that he too had a career that turned him into his own mythic legend. 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): ", 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. 1959-11 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) 11. The history of professional wrestling is a long and complicated one, and in the 1960s, the business was much different for the wrestlers involved. The original Arena Mexico had a capacity for a little more than 4 thousand attendees. Click here to watch Strongbow taking on Professor TanakaMr. Karloff Largarde - World & National Champion. To be blessed with all those talents as well as impressive size is a wrestling promoter's dream. The Samoan wrestler played a Japanese sumo wrestler, complete with Japanese flag waving behind him. Afterwards, he worked for Gallo Wine as a distributor. Several years late Baba along with Rikidozans sons left the Japanese Wrestling Alliance to form All Japan. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History Darren Matthews was born on May 10, 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK. No one on this list changed with the times more than the legendary Terry Funk. 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). Vintage Wrestling Girls - 50s & 60s. Known as Colossus the Gladiator or Giant Warrior, Bearden had hisfirst match in 1987 and wrestled for decades. El Show de Renny (a musical program) had only 32 rating points. He was built to become a legend, and he was just that. This was a time when bodybuilding was not only raw, but also rare and these were the pioneers of bodybuilding. Satiating its obsession for girth, wrestling's promoters have found real-life Goliaths and showcased them for fans. The Russian Bear was with the WWWF for only two years, but he claimed the most shocking world championship victory of all times when he defeated Bruno Sammartino on January 18, 1971. At one point, he ballooned to nearly 800 lbs. His finishing move, like many men of his size, uses his weight as a weapon, splashing down on a fallen foe for a victory. . Monsoon battled Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino and at one point even had an infamousaltercation with Muhammad Ali. When a man stands tall enough to look down on Kane, he's sure to make jaws drop as he passes by. Monsoon lost the match, but he once again proved he could hold his own against the largest wrestlers in the business at the time, being himself a 6'5", 400-pounder. He eventually became a three-time WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. Dark hair falls over his leather mask, his wild eyes poking through. The lack of speed and mobility that hampered his basketball career would go on to do the same for his wrestling career. Chyna. I could not even French press a 5-pound dumbbell.". Heavyweight: In addition to his championships, he left his mark on the WWE hardcore scene, with his uncommon mix of technician and brawler's skills.Click here to watch Pat Patterson defending the Intercontinental Championship against Dominic DeNucci. He is an actor, known for WWE: OMG! Click here to watch Luke Graham in the ring; it's probably not a WWWF footage, but that's all I could find. 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. For many, including myself, that name is totally unknown, but he left a big mark on the WWWF from 1966 to 1975. Ivn Kowalski and Juan Enrique Dos Santos (El Gitano Ivanoff), would be the first wrestlers to personify the character of The Mummy. That is why he is known as the father of Mexican wrestling. He could've been a world champion in any promotion, but he preferred the freedom of travelling all over the USA thus becoming the most popular wrestler in the country. "Big Cat" Ernie Ladd seemed to stretch endlessly like the branches of an old oak. 19 Stan Hansen. Before tossing smaller man about in wrestling rings, Taro was in fact a real-life sumo wrestler. Bruno Sammartino is one of the most famous and popular faces ever to wrestle for the McMahon machine. Who knows how much of that is wrestling promoters building things up, but regardless of any exaggeration, Calhoun was undoubtedly large. He had a brief run in WWE as Waylon Mercy, a psychopath/Southern gentleman. 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. A budding star, the Aussie known as 7-foot Thunder dreamed of a career in WCW. It's difficult to determine some wrestlers' true size with a business so famous for twisting the truth and exaggerating reality. Privacy His most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and The Undertaker. 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. This was his most successful endeavor. He was in the first Wrestlemania against Hogan and Mr. T. As a competitor,. He played ball for his native Brazil Later, he tried his hand at MMA. 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. 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