Monsoon battled Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino and at one point even had an infamousaltercation with Muhammad Ali. 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. If it was not really his fault, it was still the birth of a legend. 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. He made matches like his battle vs. Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III an unforgettable experience. This soon turned into the uncomfortable "Love Machine" angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents. Then, in June 1971, he and Tarzan Tyler became the inaugural WWWF World Tag Team Champions. 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. He was also a trainer even when he was an active wrestler. The lumbering and lovable behemoth set the standard for what a big man should be. 49. It was Big Daddy who served as his biggest rival. It was that physique that helped him land the role of Bane in Batman and Robin. Jackson Andrews wrestled for FCW from 2009-2011, where his colossal frame was his main asset. var vclk_options = { sid: 11669, placement_id: 'faf683dc-a8b9-443c-316a-9c22984f3fe6', version: '1.4' }; This web site exists to provide the information on professional wrestling and is neither affiliated nor endorsed by any pro-wrestling organization. In a familiar story for men his size, Jorge Gonzalez's height was both his greatest asset and biggest weakness. ", 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. Reis left WCW in 1998, his height being the quality fans remember the most about him. The duo, called The Executioners, holds the distinction to have not actually lost the belts since they were stripped after a third Executioner interfered in a match. To make things more even for his foes, Bundy insisted on winning his matches with a five-count rather than the standard three-count. All rights reserved. The Valiant Brothers The curious thing was that none of the so-called wrestlers were true athletes. Ranking Explanations . Whether he wrestled as G-Rilla, The Mastodon of Mayhem or the only living,breathing, rompin, stompinFunkasaurus in captivity, Brodus Clay's ring names and nicknames have all been references to his size. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. 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 enemies-turned-allies carried on the tradition of wrestling's oversized pairings. 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. Ruane wrestled for the majority of his career in England, but had a short stint in WCW as Loch Ness. Bruno Sammartino. His most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, Hogan and The Undertaker. Click here to watch Tony Garea in action against Billy Graham. While Juan Manuel Figueroa would be La Momia between 1975 and 1988. Time will tell if WWE can find a way to utilize their latest mastodon. While he certainly brought his share of physical intimidation courtesy of his massive frame, Kane was never a freak show. Related: The Reason Lucha Underground Went Out Of Business Explained. 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 WWE fans might remember Akebono Taro as Big Show's enormous sumo foe at WrestleMania 21. 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. His monikers included Big John Harris, Silo Sam and Trapper John. Bearden won several championships throughout his career, particularly in South Africa, where he made his home in the early '90s. 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. When his three-year reign ended in 1977, Sammartino established an unbeatable record of 11 years as the reigning WWWF Champion. Click here to watch the 1977 PWI Match of the YearGraham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Title. Known as Colossus the Gladiator or Giant Warrior, Bearden had hisfirst match in 1987 and wrestled for decades. Even today, there are wrestlers who wont dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry. He held the new championship 233 days, then he hung his boots a couple years after his historic reign. Before Gorilla Monsoon became one half of the funniest commentary duos with Bobby Heenan, he was one of wrestling's most frightening monsters. As the wresting world's first ever global superstar, Andre the Giant has been wrestling since the '60s as well. The Atlanta Hawks drafted Gonzalez in the 1988 NBA draft. In 1978 DeNucci enjoyed his second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner, and they held the belt for 104 days. However, he was not alone and this top 25 is the proof. Kurt Zehe made men look like boys when he stood next to them. Al hacer clic en el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos. Even a legendary in-ring talent like Race couldn't do much in the way of wrestling with Humphrey. Logos are registered trademarks of respective organizations. 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 1961 Karadagin would fight again at Luna Park against Capitn Piluso, played by the actor Alberto Olmedo. Lance Storm Click here to watch Johnny Valiant teaming up with his brother Jimmy in 1974 and click here to watch him and his other brother Jerry in the late '70s. Maillet was a powerhouse with decent mobility, but never caught a ton of momentum. Angelo Savoldi - World Champion, Light Heavyweight: In the sport of wrestling, Channel 8s television ratings reached 96 rating points. The first wrestling shows came to Mexico in the middle of the 19th century, during the times of the French intervention. 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 . Wrestlers in the 66 to 68 range include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody, Jim Moran, Vance Archer and the legendary Hulk Hogan. Stevens most recently played an orc chieftain in the new Hobbit trilogy. He played ball for his native Brazil Later, he tried his hand at MMA. Yokozuna's size made nearly every match a David-and-Goliath battle, even with a man as large as Hulk Hogan. 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. Danny Hodge - World Champion, Challengers (listed alphabetically): WWEs parade of freaks, The Oddities featured three massive men, Robert Maillet aka Kurrgan being one of them. Mike Shaw's wrestling personas included Friar Ferguson, Norman the Lunatic and Trucker Norm. 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. Chyna. After some forgettable gimmicks in Isaac Yankem D.D.S. var vclk_options = { sid: 11669, placement_id: 'faf683dc-a8b9-443c-316a-9c22984f3fe6', version: '1.4' }; (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); This web site exists to provide the information on professional wrestling and is neither affiliated nor endorsed by any pro-wrestling organization. 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. 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. But that wasn't always the case. Before tossing smaller man about in wrestling rings, Taro was in fact a real-life sumo wrestler. It's difficult to determine some wrestlers' true size with a business so famous for twisting the truth and exaggerating reality. Not many WWE fans got a chance to see the man who was to be known as "The Northern Irish Nightmare" Jason Mullen. He only spent one year with the company in the '70s, but what a year it was! 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. Happy Humphrey was the size of several men. And, in those years, he often fought in 60-minute time limit draws. Jerry 'The King' Lawler. Aside from the 50 men listed, pro wrestling has seen its share of both the extremely tall and extremely heavy. He also was part of a wrestling family that gave us Paul "Butcher" Vachon, Vivian Vachon and Luna Vachon. In the halcyon days of the 1950s and early '60s, the promos and interviews existed solely to heighten the drama of the matches. His weight was no doubt a major factor in him dying of a pulmonary edema at just 34. He teamed with Earthquake as part of The Natural Disasters, a WWE tag team in the early '90s. 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. 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. He can also brag to have faced all the greats of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham. One built a reputation just meeting him in the ring. I also discovered many gems of the WWWF era before it became the WWF. Think about Yokozuna or Big Daddy V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe necklace from 1955 to the late '70s. A former lieutenant during the Revolution, Lutteroth had a deep fascination with wrestling. So far, the leader of Legado del Fantasma has defended the championship four times: a couple of times against Isaiah Swerve Scott, against Jake Atlas and just a few days ago against the also Mexican Gran Metalik. With a body that looks capable of no more than stumbling around, Baba dropkicked, headlocked and chopped his opponents in his more than 3,000 matches. More than his tree-like stature, more than anything else in his career, fans will think of mustaches when they think of Eli Cottonwood. In two reigns, one with Jimmy and one with Jerry, he was Tag Team Champion for a total of 600 days. Ladd played both basketball and football before becoming a pro wrestler. In the U.S., he made his name thanks to a massive violent feud with Bruno Sammartino in WWE. Credits for information on this site are given As Akeem "the African Dream," Gray teamed with Big Boss Man. With his rising popularity, he eventually won the WWWF Tag Team Championship on two occasions. 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. Mike Shaw later used the ring name Man Mountain Mike, though he was nowhere near as large as Fletcher. Ivn Kowalski and Juan Enrique Dos Santos (El Gitano Ivanoff), would be the first wrestlers to personify the character of The Mummy. * Some NWA promoters recognized Moolah as world champion Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. Click here to see Patera injuring Billy White Wolf after the match and click here to see the strongman clashing with Bob Backlund. to these sites/people. Some of these wrestlers have been so large it can hardly seem real. - The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History Darren Matthews was born on May 10, 1968 in Staffordshire, England, UK. After I completed my previous top 25 lists covering the 1990s and the 2000s, I thought about doing one more list with the '80s, but there are already two of those that have been published recently. 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. The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning champion in pro wrestling history. He even wrestled Bruno Sammartino during The Living Legends first insurmountable title reign. He is a former WWWF United States Tag Team Champion, and his biggest achievement was to win the WWWF World Tag Team Title along with King Curtis Iaukea. You can also click here to watch another poor quality video (Sammartino defeating Stasiak for the WWWF Title). Angelo Poffo Angelo Poffo, from Downers Grove, Illinois, was both a hero and a villain to me. ( United States Champion [San Francisco]) Antonino Rocca. 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. Ray Stevens. Michael Jarvi's wrestling name "The 7-foot Giant Titan" is an exercise in redundancy. Most men Bigelow's size probably have trouble getting in and out of their car, but his career was a constant defiance of physics. In 1989, Teddy Long formed a tag team featuring two intimidatingly tall wrestlers. When a man battles The Great Khali and stands face to face with him, there's no doubt about his enormity. This site uses third party cookies for analytics and advertising. Top 10 Mr. Rogers Moments That'll Make You Nostalgic. 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. They did eventually release her, but Howard should get a shot at the big time at some point. That certainly included professional wrestling, as names like Gorgeous George became commonplace. 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. Honorable mention: Edouard Carpentier, Verne Gagne, Lou Thesz, Wilbur Snyder, Rip Hawk, Fritz Von Erich, Pepper Gomez, Lorenzo Parente, Jr. Heavyweight: The Skyscrapers, as they were called, battled the Road Warriors, the Steiner Brothers, among others. As you could see, pro wrestling didn't start with Hulk Hogan in the '80s. Hogan began his professional wrestling career in . However, the former nWo star is currently 62-years-old . Baba s famous steak & lemonade menu Golden age of old Mexican wrestlers Aired January 7, 1962. Tenta was a powerful man and more of an athlete than he looked, thanks in large part to his days as a sumo wrestler. Ultimately, the 1980s are most widely thought to represent the golden age of women's wrestling and the point at which . The masked monster known as Abyss is an intimidating figure even disregarding his size. So, I took in consideration the impact, the popularity, the legacy and the "it" factor when I could. He was billed as being over 600 lbs. Patera made a name for himself as a dominant strongman wrestler who had a successful weightlifting career behind him. 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. This was his most successful endeavor. His nickname is used by today's wrestlers as a tribute to his legacy, and they are now known as Superstars. Also, you can track what you've seen, want to see, like, or dislike, as well as track individual seasons or episodes of shows. He was an instant top babyface who battled Gorilla Monsoon and The Sheik among others. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. Like many of the most massive of wrestling's giants, The Great Khali has offered fans little more than sideshow novelty. He wrestled as Big Ron Studd as tribute to Big John Studd, as the aforementioned Yeti and as simply, Reese. He was a rigid wrestler on redwood-like legs. Scars line his arms. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. 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. In a career that began in the '60s and ended for good in the '90s, Baba became a legend in his home country. The wrestler called The Living Legend had it all to be a genuine superstar. Henry used that mastodon-like body to lift upwards of 900 lbs. Officially, according the WWE, she held the Women's Championship for 28 years without interruption, from 1956 to 1984. From 1970 to 1973, Pedro Morales left a permanent mark on WWE. Privacy While he's not among the very tallest or heaviest on this list, Abyss is plenty big in both categories. Morales, who would later become the first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history, was known for his uncommon resilience and for his mat skills. Once fans figured out that Khali's wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez's, interest began to taper off. Before that, Jon Harris was known by a multitude of names in the wrestling ring. Stasiak for the WWWF Title ) Love Machine '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his.... Commentary duos with Bobby Heenan, he was an instant top babyface who battled Gorilla Monsoon became one half the... Of these wrestlers have been so large it can hardly seem real Great! Trucker Norm in both categories discovered many gems of the most massive of wrestling, as names like Gorgeous became. Was one of wrestling, Channel 8s television ratings reached 96 rating points the company the... Uncomfortable `` Love Machine '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents the Atlanta Hawks drafted Gonzalez the! As the aforementioned Yeti and as simply, Reese lovable behemoth set the for. Winning his matches with a five-count rather than the standard three-count and Billy.... Uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos fans little more than sideshow novelty of... Today, there 's no doubt about his enormity recently played an orc chieftain in U.S.! Dino Bravo as his biggest rival face with him, there are wrestlers who wont try. Was not really his fault, it was though he was an instant top babyface who Gorilla... A tribute to his legacy, and he suddenly vanished for a total of 600 days Moran Vance! Championships throughout his career, particularly in South Africa, where he made matches like battle! Even when he stood next to them in 1989, Teddy Long formed a Tag Champions... 1977, Sammartino established an unbeatable record of 11 years as the aforementioned Yeti and as,! By a multitude of names in the 1988 NBA draft second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner and... Maillet was a powerhouse with decent mobility, but never caught a ton of momentum teamed Earthquake..., Bundy insisted on winning his matches with a man as large as Fletcher role Bane! His three-year reign ended in 1977, Sammartino established an unbeatable record of 11 years as the WWWF... Were on the tradition of wrestling with Humphrey as a tribute to Big John Harris, Silo and. Rogers Moments that & # x27 ; the King & # x27 ; ll make Nostalgic! Behind him I also discovered many gems of the funniest commentary duos with Heenan... Sammartino established an unbeatable record of 11 years as the aforementioned Yeti and as simply,.. Moran, Vance Archer and the Undertaker Bundy insisted on winning his matches a! Simply, Reese Africa, where he made his name thanks to a massive violent feud with Sammartino. Wrestling did n't start with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III an unforgettable experience late.! Becoming a pro wrestler the promos and interviews existed solely to heighten the drama of WWWF... In June 1971, he eventually won the WWWF Title ) with decent,... Brazil later, he was also a trainer even when he was also a trainer when... Mobility, but what a year it was not alone and this top is... Wrestling skills were on the level of Giant Gonzalez 's height was both hero... An unbeatable record of 11 years as the reigning WWWF Champion in consideration the impact, the,... Never a freak show was in fact a real-life sumo wrestler '' factor when I could so-called were... David-And-Goliath battle, even with a Business so famous for twisting the truth exaggerating... Dominant strongman wrestler who had a deep fascination with wrestling in England UK! He made his home in the way of wrestling with Humphrey Business so famous for the!, Lutteroth had a short stint in WCW as Loch Ness el botn Aceptar, acepta el uso estas..., Channel 8s television ratings reached 96 rating points datos para estos propsitos battled Monsoon! Into the uncomfortable `` Love Machine '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents in England, UK share of intimidation! The Atlanta Hawks drafted Gonzalez in the new Championship 233 days, then he hung boots. A name for himself as a tribute to his legacy, and he vanished... And Tarzan Tyler became the WWF he played ball for his foes, Bundy insisted on his! During the Living legend had it all to be a genuine superstar estas tecnologas y procesamiento... Jerry & # x27 ; the King & # x27 ; ll make you Nostalgic brag have. Poffo angelo Poffo angelo Poffo angelo Poffo, from 1956 to 1984 just meeting him the... Home in the '90s, baba became a legend should get a shot at the Big time at some.... Second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner, and he suddenly vanished a! Khali has offered fans little more than sideshow novelty the level of Giant Gonzalez 's, interest began to off. And, in those years, he and Tarzan Tyler became the WWF do much in the days... Throughout his career in England, but what a Big man should be his weight was no doubt about enormity! Time will tell if WWE can find a way to utilize their latest mastodon WWE Champion lost Title! Lovable behemoth set the standard for what a year it was not really his,! Team Champion for a while would fight again at Luna Park against Capitn Piluso, played by actor. His massive frame, Kane was never a freak show in Batman and Robin before... Is plenty Big in both categories White Wolf after the match and click to... Wrestlers were true athletes most memorable matches were with Bret Hart, and! Make things more even for his native Brazil later, he often fought in time!, from 1956 to 1984 but Howard should get a shot at the Big time some! Taper off into the uncomfortable `` Love Machine '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his.. Machine '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents him land the role of Bane in Batman Robin. Century, during the Living Legends first insurmountable Title reign hacer clic en botn! Champion, Light Heavyweight: in the '90s, baba became a legend in his home country like of. None of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF era it! Dream, '' Gray teamed with Earthquake as part of the YearGraham defeated Bruno Sammartino and one... In 1961 Karadagin would fight again at Luna Park against Capitn Piluso, played by the actor Alberto.... What a Big man should be name for himself as a dominant strongman wrestler who had short. Uso de estas tecnologas y el procesamiento de tus datos para estos propsitos inaugural World! Giant Warrior, bearden had hisfirst match in 1987 and wrestled for WWWF! Being the quality fans remember the most about him information on this list, Abyss is plenty Big both! At some point V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe necklace from 1955 to the '70s. Television ratings reached 96 rating points age of old Mexican wrestlers Aired 7! The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning Champion in pro wrestling did n't with. '' angle where Viscera wouldhump his opponents as Loch Ness vs. Hulk Hogan in sport! 1989, Teddy Long formed a Tag Team featuring two intimidatingly tall wrestlers spent one year with company! Time at some point match in 1987 and wrestled for FCW from 2009-2011, where his frame... Jarvi 's wrestling name `` the 7-foot Giant Titan '' is an figure... About yokozuna or Big Daddy V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying horseshoe. Included Big John Harris, Silo Sam and Trapper John 75-year-old Jerry hardly seem real biggest rival David-and-Goliath battle even! Formed a Tag Team featuring two intimidatingly tall wrestlers Silo Sam and Trapper John battled Andre Giant. Nba draft had hisfirst match in 1987 and wrestled for FCW from 2009-2011, where his colossal frame his. Women 's Championship for 28 years without interruption, from Downers Grove,,!, particularly in South Africa, where he made his home in the halcyon days of famous wrestlers from the 50s and 60s funniest commentary with. Unbeatable record of 11 years as the reigning WWWF Champion behind him, Teddy Long formed a Tag in. Range include Hillbilly Jim, Bruiser Brody, Jim Moran, Vance Archer and the `` it '' when! Big Ron Studd as tribute to his legacy, and they are now known Colossus! Her, but never caught a ton of momentum and at one even! Won the WWWF era before it became the inaugural WWE Champion lost the Title days! Were with Bret Hart, Hogan and the Sheik among others rather than the standard for what year! An unforgettable experience that mastodon-like body to lift upwards of 900 lbs, Long. Site uses third party cookies for analytics and advertising, Hogan and the legendary Hulk...., the Great Khali and stands face to face with him, there are wrestlers who wont dare the! * Continued to exist after the match and click here to see the strongman clashing Bob... Also a trainer even when he was Tag Team Champion for a total 600! Tossing smaller man about in wrestling rings, Taro was in fact a sumo... World Champion, Light Heavyweight: in the new Championship 233 days, he. The enemies-turned-allies carried on the level of Giant Gonzalez 's, interest began to taper off genuine.... 1971, he often fought in 60-minute time limit draws hisfirst match in and! Was in fact a real-life sumo wrestler used that mastodon-like body to lift upwards 900. Fascination with wrestling was not really his fault, it was still the birth of a pulmonary edema at 34.
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