The 115 Essential Pro Wrestlers of the 1980s
A curated list of iconic wrestlers who made an impact during the 1980s. Divided by territory and style to showcase the diversity and evolution of pro wrestling's Golden Era.
🌟 WWF Superstars of the 1980s
1. Hulk Hogan – The Immortal one, Hogan's larger-than-life charisma and leadership of Hulkamania helped launch the WWF into mainstream pop culture. The face of '80s wrestling and the leader of Hulkamania. His charisma and presence made wrestling mainstream through MTV, merchandise, and WrestleMania.
2. Randy "Macho Man" Savage – Intensely charismatic, known for his feuds with Ricky Steamboat and Hulk Hogan and his partnership with Miss Elizabeth. A flamboyant superstar with unmatched intensity.
3. Andre the Giant – The Eighth Wonder of the World. His feud with Hogan was the foundation of WrestleMania III's success. His legendary size and presence made him a key draw, especially in his feud with Hogan.
4. Rowdy Roddy Piper – A revolutionary heel and talk show host of Piper's Pit. Piper's Pit segments were essential TV, and his feud with Hogan set the stage for WrestleMania. He helped make WrestleMania must-see for pro wrestling fans. A top heel and electric talker.
5. Jesse "The Body" Ventura – Wrestler turned flamboyant commentator, Ventura helped define the WWF broadcast booth in the '80s.
6. Bret "The Hitman" Hart – The Excellence of Execution rose to prominence as part of the Hart Foundation. As a tag specialist in the Hart Foundation he found gold. Quietly became one of the best in-ring performers of the decade. The Best There Was, The Best There Is, and the Best There Ever Will Be.
7. The Ultimate Warrior – Known for his wild energy, paint, and clash with Hogan at WrestleMania VI.
8. The Iron Sheik – Former WWF Champion and WWF Tag Team Champion and villainous Iranian heel. Famous for losing the title to Hogan that ignited Hulkamania. Great intense promos.
9. Sergeant Slaughter – All-American hero in the 1980s; had a major following for his patriotic character.
10. Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig) – The flawless one. Technically gifted with one of the best gimmicks and WWF's smoothest performers by the late '80s. Technically sound and arrogant.
11. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka – Brought aerial attacks to the spotlight. His leap from the cage at MSG became one of wrestling’s most replayed moments.
12. Rick Rude – Ravishing and arrogant, he drew heat with his ring intros and feuds with Roberts and Warrior. The "Ravishing One" brought arrogance, athleticism, and memorable feuds. The intro to his matches and his mic skills got Classic Heat with the fans!
13. Junkyard Dog – Popular with fans for his energy and charisma, especially in Southern and WWF circuits. JYD was a trailblazer for Black wrestlers in the WWF.
14. Greg "The Hammer" Valentine – Known for long matches and tough style. Intercontinental title holder. A rugged technician.
15. Ricky Steamboat – The Dragon. Revered for his classic matches, including WM III vs. Savage.
16. Ted DiBiase – The "Million Dollar Man" gimmick made him one of the most hated heels of the decade.
17. Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake – Known for his post-match haircut celebrations, tag teams, and flashy look. A colorful midcarder who turned heads with his barber gimmick and shears.
18. Tito Santana – A technically solid, beloved babyface. WWF Intercontinental Champion and solid worker who carried many matches. Member of Stike Force with Rick Martel.
19. Paul Orndorff – "Mr. Wonderful" was in the WM I main event and had a heated feud with Hogan.
20. George "The Animal" Steele – Wild and unpredictable with a green tongue and a soft spot for Miss Elizabeth. Famously feuded with Savage over Miss Elizabeth.
21. Jake "The Snake" Roberts – Mind games, DDT finisher, and Damien the snake made him unforgettable. Psychological master with great mic skills.
22. Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart – Powerhouse of the Hart Foundation, known for his explosive style and distinct menacing laugh.
23. Pat Patterson
First-ever Intercontinental Champion and brilliant match architect. Patterson's feud with Sgt. Slaughter culminated in an alley street fight match in Madison Square Garden. The match was voted Match of the Year by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
24. Don Muraco
"The Magnificent Muraco" held the Intercontinental Title and delivered brawls before brawling became mainstream.
25. Honky Tonk Man – Elvis impersonator and the longest reigning IC Champion of the '80s.
26. Bob Backlund – Former WWF Champ still active into the early '80s, known for his clean-cut persona. Transitioning out of the title scene in the early '80s.
26. & 27. Ax & Smash (Demolition) – Face-painted power team and long-reigning WWF Tag Champs.
28. Nikolai Volkoff – Soviet powerhouse, known for his Soviet Union anthem-singing heat magnetism.
29. Koko B. Ware – The Birdman, known for his charisma and pet parrot, Frankie.
30. & 31. B. Brian Blair & Jim Brunzell (The Killer Bees) – Underrated tag team with speed and matching gear.
32. Bad News Brown – Lone wolf brawler who stood apart with his tough persona.
33. Hillbilly Jim – Friendly country giant with overalls and charisma.
34. Big John Studd – Towering heel and frequent rival to Andre and Hogan. Aligned with Bobby Heenan.
35. & 36. Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty (The Rockers) – High-flying babyface tag team laying the foundation for future styles.
37. Hercules – Muscle-bound strongman with chain-wielding toughness.
38. Rick Martel – Former tag champ and later "Model," a skilled technical wrestler.
39. Pedro Morales – Veteran babyface and former WWF World, IC, and Tag Champion. Respected tag team specialist during the early '80s.
40. & 41. Afa & Sika (The Wild Samoans) – Wild, barefoot, and feared WWF tag champs.
42. Outback Jack – Aussie brawler with a Crocodile Dundee flair.
43. "Iron" Mike Sharpe – Loud, glove-wearing enhancement talent.
44. King Kong Bundy
Massive and dominant; main-evented WrestleMania II in a steel cage vs. Hogan.
45. Killer Khan – Feared for mist and Mongolian menace, rivaled Andre.
46. & 47. Luke & Butch (The Bushwhackers) – Kiwi madmen turned WWF comedy team.
48. One Man Gang – Towering heel, later became Akeem the African Dream.
49. David Schultz – "Dr. D" stirred controversy in and out of the ring.
50. Buzz Sawyer – Mad Dog persona known for wild brawls.
51. Billy Jack Haynes – Oregon strongman with a powerful physique.
52. Red Rooster (Terry Taylor) – Talented but saddled with a rooster gimmick.
53. Bam Bam Bigelow – Agile big man with tattooed head and explosive moves.
54. Ken Patera – Olympian turned strongman wrestler.
55. & 56. Jacques & Raymond Rougeau – Clean-cut brother tag team from Montreal.
57. S.D. Jones – Lovable enhancement talent featured on early WWF events.
58. Rocky Johnson – One half of WWF's first Black tag champs; father of The Rock.
59. Tony Atlas – Bodybuilder and powerful presence, IC and tag titleholder.
60. & 61. Paul Roma & Jim Powers (Young Stallions) – Up-and-coming athletic tag team.
62. Brooklyn Brawler – Gritty jobber with longevity and a signature look.
63. & 64. Warlord & Barbarian (Powers of Pain) – Demolition-style brute tag team.
65. Boris Zhukov – Soviet-style heel in The Bolsheviks tag team.
66. Ace "Cowboy" Bob Orton – Cowboy Bob, known for his arm cast and alliance with Piper.
67. Butch Reed – Powerful and athletic, known for feuds with Steamboat and Graham.
68. Dino Bravo – Canadian strongman turned nationalist heel.
69. Corporal Kirschner – Army gimmick babyface used as patriotic counter to heels.
70. Buddy Rose – Portland legend who brought charisma to WWF undercard.
71. David Sammartino – Son of Bruno, carried the name in the '80s WWF.
72. Mario Mancini – Long-time WWF enhancement talent with fan respect.
73. Dynamite Kid
Innovative and intense. His bouts with Tiger Mask set a new standard.
74. Davey Boy Smith
Innovative and intense. One-half of the British Bulldogs.
💥 NWA, WCW & JCP Icons of the 1980s
75. Ric Flair – "Nature Boy" and centerpiece of the NWA. Known for his title reigns, promo skills, and 60-minute classics.
76. Dusty Rhodes – "The American Dream," a hero to the working class with unmatched charisma and legendary feuds.
77. Tully Blanchard – Technical heel and key member of The Four Horsemen.
78. Arn Anderson – The Enforcer. Feared for his spinebuster and Horsemen loyalty.
79. Magnum T.A. – Rising star derailed by injury. Charismatic and physically intense.
80. Ronnie Garvin – Rugged babyface who briefly held the NWA World Title.
81. Ole Anderson – Veteran tough guy and original Horseman.
82. Ivan Koloff – Former WWF champ, dominant NWA tag star, and Soviet heel.
83. Rick Steiner – Powerhouse amateur-style wrestler with charisma.
84. Wahoo McDaniel – Native American brawler and Southern territory mainstay.
85. Manny Fernandez – Latino fan favorite known for his fiery comebacks.
86. Kevin Sullivan – Dark, cult-like leader of the Army of Darkness.
87. Buzz Sawyer – Wild and unhinged. Feuded famously with Tommy Rich.
🏆 AWA & Territory Trailblazers
88. Nick Bockwinkel – Cerebral AWA World Champion with eloquence and skill.
89. Jerry Lawler – King of Memphis wrestling, known for his feud with Andy Kaufman.
90. Larry Zbyszko – Master of stalling and storytelling; AWA champ in the late '80s.
91. Scott Casey – Regional competitor with solid fundamentals.
92. Billy Anderson – Wrestler and respected trainer.
93. Adrian Adonis – Reinvented himself in WWF but earned early acclaim in tag teams.
94. Buddy Rose – Portland and AWA star known for cocky promos and bumping.
95. Tom Zenk – Good looks and athleticism made him a tag team favorite.
96. Barry Windham – Agile and versatile, respected across all major promotions.
97. Mike Rotundo – Clean-cut technician who transitioned through several personas.
98. Terry Funk – Hardcore pioneer and NWA World Champion.
99. Stan Hansen – Intimidating brawler with a powerful lariat; feared in Japan and AWA rings.
100. Steve "Dr. Death" Williams – Legit athlete and power wrestler, dominant in Mid-South and Japan.
101. Bruiser Brody – Wild, chaotic presence; legendary in Texas, Puerto Rico, and Japan.
102. Kamala – The Ugandan Giant; memorable gimmick and clash with main-event stars.
103. Abdullah the Butcher – Hardcore icon known for wild, bloody matches around the world.
104. Michael P.S. Hayes – The voice of the Fabulous Freebirds and pioneer of faction wrestling.
105. & 106. Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts (Freebirds) – Teamed with Hayes to revolutionize entrance music and trio-style booking.
🌍 International Legends of the 1980s
107. Tatsumi Fujinami – Japanese ace who competed in NJPW and WWF, blending styles.
108. Antonio Inoki – Founder of NJPW and wrestling-politics icon.
109. Giant Baba – All Japan’s figurehead and a master of traditional wrestling.
110. Jumbo Tsuruta – All Japan main event star, known for his elite technical matches.
111. Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama) – Pioneer of junior heavyweight and lucha hybrid.
112. Mil Máscaras – Lucha libre icon who introduced masks to U.S. fans.
113. El Canek – Wrestled legends like Hogan and Andre in Mexico.
114. Carlos Colón – Puerto Rican hero and WWC founder.
115. Chavo Guerrero Sr. – Part of the famed Guerrero family; succeeded in the U.S. and Mexico.
