The 1980’s was a colossal boom period for professional wrestling. The arrival of cable television introduced the whole world to the evolved sports entertainment business. It was a great time to be a wrestler and a fan. The 80s was dense on gimmicks and colorful personas that captured the imagination of millions. Of the hundreds of athletes who wrestled in the 80s, these 10 wrestlers stood out amongst the rest. These guys were the greatest wrestlers of the 1980s.
10) Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund is often glossed over when people talk about wrestlers from the 80s. The fact is, from 1980 – 1984, Bob Backlund was one of the most popular wrestlers in the WWF. Before the Hulkster took the heavyweight belt in January 1984, Bob Backlund had been the champion for seven years straight. detrimentally for Backlund, he was a black hole of charisma. He could wrestle like a Greek God, but he spoke with the emotion of a brick wall.
9) Ricky Steamboat
There has never been a better babyface than Ricky Steamboat. The quiet “Dragon” held the WWF Intercontinental Championship and the NWA Heavyweight Championship during the 80s. Most famous for stealing the spotlight at Wrestlemania 3 with Macho Man Randy Savage in 1987, Steamboat also had a series of 60 minute matches with Ric Flair during the 80s. Steamboat was always near the top of the card, but always played second to someone else’s stronger personality. Even when he was heavyweight champion, the fans knew that he was only holding the belt until Flair got it back. Had Steamboat’s charisma matched his unbelievable in ring talent, he would have certainly become a household name.
8) Superfly Jimmy Snuka
In the early 80s, before Hulkamania, it could be argued that Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka was the most popular wrestler in the WWF. In fact, many wrestling historians believe that had Hulk Hogan not gone to WWF in late 1983, Snuka would have been the man to take his spot. Charismatic, wild and untamed, Snuka was athletically gifted. His signature “superfly splash” from the top turnbuckle remains one of the most famous moves of all time.
7) Honky Tonk Man
The self proclaimed greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time. Honky Tonk Man was played by the veteran wrestler Wayne Ferris. Cousin to WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, Ferris rode a big wave of success as the Elvis impersonator Honky Tonk Man. Honky was a midcard wrestler, whose gimmick drove the fans to boo him in mass. He was one of the most hated villains of all time. Honky Tonk Mans popularity faded towards the end of the 90s, resulting in being released by the WWE. Today, Ferris still travels the world doing independent wrestling shows. The voice of the Honky Tonk Man can still be heard in VFWs all over the nation.
6) Rick Rude
The biggest travesty in the 80s is that “Ravishing” Rick Rude never held the WWF Heavyweight Championship. Rick Rude was impeccable. A tall, dark and handsome man with abs of steel and extreme athleticism. Rick Rude was so great at pro wrestling, that he was able to carry the uncontrollable Ultimate Warrior to a series of good matches. Rude should have been a top contender for Hulk Hogan’s title, but the two only met on a few occasions. Rude was also known as a legit tough guy in the business and not someone to mess with. The ultimate mans man.
5) Ted Dibiase
It’s been widely known that Ted Dibiase was in line for a WWF Heavyweight Title run in 1988. He was a man who was given a golden gimmick. Vince McMahon hand picked Ted Dibiase for the Million Dollar Man character. The character was the pre cursor to the Mr. McMahon character. Dibiase, besides being an excellent wrestler, was a tremendous promo guy. His trademark evil laugh at the end of his interviews are classic.
4) Ric Flair
“Whooo!” The Nature Boy Ric Flair was the master of the figure four leglock. Once he got that submission move slapped on, opponents would give up in mere moments. Only massive men like Lex Luger and Sting could withstand the figure four. The 80s was the height of Ric Flair’s styling and profiling. Flair may have been the perfect mix of charisma and wrestling. Each week, Flair wouldn’t just come out and say he was the best. He proved it. While Hogan made rarely wrestled on tv in the 80s, Flair defended his championship almost weekly. Ric Flair lived and breathed wrestling.
3) Macho Man Randy Savage
“Oooh yeah!” Macho Man Randy Savage may have been commercially successful as the iconic Slim Jim pitchman in the 90s, but he set the seeds in the 80s. His matches were always top notch, hard hitting and intense. While Hogan was the bearer for putting entertainment in sports entertainment, Randy Savage put the wrestling in pro wrestling. The flamboyant Savage was managed by the meek but beautiful Miss Elizabeth, and later, by the outrageously make up clad Sensational Sherri. Unfortunately, Savage. Liz and Sherri have all passed away.
2) Roddy Piper
In the 80s, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was a brash and crude superstar of wrestling. He was the perfect foil to Hulk Hogan’s good guy persona. He was a wild man that fans everywhere loved to hate. His promo skills were second to none. When Piper was on his mark, there was no better promo guy in the business. Unfortunately, as the 80s were winding down, so was Piper. After his Wrestlemania 3 retirement, Piper never returned to wrestling the same. He was still fun and exciting, but the spark that was the true “Rowdy” Roddy Piper was gone.
1) Hulk Hogan
Is there any wrestler more famous than Hulk Hogan. Maybe The Rock, but hes more known for his moves in Hollywood than the wrestling ring. With his trademark Fu Man Chu, and long spaghetti thin blond hair. Although Hogan was a subpar wrestler, his larger than life persona was able to catapult him into American pop culture. Hulk Hogan was the bearer of what was right and good in the world. For kids everywhere, he was a true American hero.
Many of these men went on to have successful and productive careers well into the 90s. In fact, a few of them are still actively wrestling on television. But none of them will ever be able to recapture the magic they produced in the 1980s.