🔥 WrestleMania III – A Full Breakdown

🏟️ WrestleMania III – A Full Breakdown

By Vince, of Pro Wrestling Resource
March 29, 1987 – Pontiac Silverdome – 93,173 Fans
“The irresistible force meets the immovable object” – Gorilla Monsoon

🎤 The Opening: Vince McMahon & Aretha Franklin

It all begins with Mr. McMahon himself, pacing the ring like a general before battle. His booming declaration: “Welcome to WrestleMania III!” hits like a thunderclap.

And then — Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul, seated at a piano, belts out “America the Beautiful.” No lip sync, no frills. Just power and grace. The camera pans across the Silverdome, showing an ocean of humanity — fans with giant foam fingers, flashbulbs, and denim jackets for days. A goosebumps moment from the jump.

🎙️ Hot Tag Note: The patriotism was real. Not the jingoistic or chauvinistic kind Just pure spectacle-meets-soal-meets-America. It felt big because it was big. Vince McMahon and his team made it that way. 

🎧 Commentary Dream Team: The Gorilla & "The Body"

From the jump, Gorilla Monsoon and Jesse "The Body" Ventura bring instant chemistry. Gorilla plays the straight man with gravitas, while Jesse hammers heel commentary in style — rocking gold sunglasses and an all-black outfit like a Bond villain.

Their banter shapes the entire show. No spoilers, no insider terms — just sports-style announcing with classic lines like:
👉 “This place is going bananas!”
👉 “Would you stop?”
👉 “I call it like I see it, Gorilla.”

🎙️ Hot Tag Note: In 2025, it still feels fresh. No hashtags needed. Just two professionals at their best, reunited after some time apart. Two voices guiding a 3-hour thrill ride of professional wrestling in 1987. 

 

👕 Crowd Vibes – 1987 in Living Color

Look at that crowd through modern eyes — it’s a time capsule.

• Moustaches for miles.

• Wrestling headbands, sunglasses indoors, and more satin jackets than a Cobra Kai dojo.

• Homemade signs on poster board with electrical tape lettering.

• The crowd moved as one. No phones. Just pure, in-the-moment energy.

📸 2025 Flashback Lens: It is amazing to see pro wrestling before the "smartphone era." The fans were living it, not recording it. Everyone dressed like they should at a 1987 pro wrestling match — like they were from circa 1984-1986 and ready to hit a bar or roller rink after Hogan's match with the Giant.

📼 WrestleMania III – Match-by-Match Breakdown

1️⃣ The Can-Am Connection vs. Ace “Cowboy” Bob Orton & Don Muraco (w/ Mr. Fuji)

Winners: The Can-Am Connection (Rick Martel & Tom Zenk)
Finish: Double dropkick sets up a sunset flip for the win.

📝 Hot Tag Note: The opening match with The Fink on the mic. A fast-paced, feel good opener. Martel and Zenk were pure babyface (good guy) energy, bouncing around like WWF gymnasts. The Ace and "The Rock" were allowing the Canadian-American team of Martel and Zenk to shine. A great start to get the crowd hyped.

2️⃣ Billy Jack Haynes vs. Hercules (w/ Bobby Heenan)

Result: Double count-out
Post-Match: Hercules locks in the full nelson with the chain — brutal!

📝 Hot Tag Note: There was no clowning around from these pro wrestlers. Two powerhouses with ready to fight. This was less about work rate and more about brute strength. Heenan's involvement added real heat.

3️⃣ Hillbilly Jim, Little Beaver & The Haiti Kid vs. King Kong Bundy, Little Tokyo & Lord Littlebrook

Winners: Hillbilly Jim’s team by DQ
DQ Spot: Bundy bodyslams and elbow drops Little Beaver!

📝 Hot Tag Note: A bit of a comedy match with an edge. The crowd gasped when King Kong Bundy  — the man who faced Hulk Hogan in the Main Event at WrestleMania 2  — crushed Little Beaver. Gorilla Monsoon was not happy: "That's despicable!" 

4️⃣ Harley Race (w/ Bobby Heenan & "The Queen" The Fabulous Moolah) vs. Junkyard Dog

Stipulation: The loser must bow to the winner.
Winner: Harley Race
Post-Match: JYD crowns himself and walks tall.

📝 Hot Tag Note: The crowd loved JYD. This was classic WWF storytelling — even in defeat, the fan favorite got the last laugh. The Junk Yard Dog may have lost the crown, but he won the crowd!

5️⃣ The Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake) vs. The Rougeau Brothers

Winners: The Dream Team
Post-Match: Beefcake is abandoned by Valentine & new manager Dino Bravo!

📝 Hot Tag Note: This was the quiet beginning of Brutus Beefcake's solo run. A subtle but key turning point.

6️⃣ Rowdy Roddy Piper vs. “Adorable” Adrian Adonis (Hair vs. Hair Match)

Winner: Roddy Piper
Finish: Piper reverses the sleeper with help from Beefcake (!), then shaves Adonis bald.

🔥 Hot Tag Moment: Piper smashes the mirror in Adonis’s face

📝 Hot Tag Note: Piper’s “retirement” match and an electric crowd moment. The pop when he wins is insane. Beefcake’s transformation begins right here.

7️⃣ The Hart Foundation & Danny Davis (w/ Jimmy Hart) vs. The British Bulldogs & Tito Santana

Winners: The Harts & Davis
Finish: Davis gets a cheap pin with the megaphone!

📝 Hot Tag Note: An all-action trios match. Danny Davis was heat personified. Tito and Dynamite Kid were flying all over. 

8️⃣ Butch Reed (w/ Slick) vs. “The Birdman” Koko B. Ware

Winner: Butch Reed
Finish: Reed grabs the tights for the win.

📝 Hot Tag Note: Short and punchy. The real heat came after the match when Tito Santana ran out and took it to Slick. The crowd loved it.

9️⃣ Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat vs. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (w/ Elizabeth)

Winner: Ricky Steamboat – NEW Intercontinental Champion
Finish: Savage goes for the ring bell, but George “The Animal” Steele intervenes. Small package for the win!

🏆 Match of the Night: Savage vs. Steamboat

📝 Hot Tag Note: This is it — the masterpiece. 20+ near-falls, athleticism, drama, and emotion. Savage was in rare form. Steamboat wrestled like a man possessed. Even by 2025 standards, this holds up as one of the greatest matches ever.

🔟 Jake “The Snake” Roberts (w/ Alice Cooper) vs. The Honky Tonk Man (w/ Jimmy Hart)

Winner: Honky Tonk Man
Finish: Honky uses the ropes for a cheap pin. Post-match: Damien gets revenge.

📝 Hot Tag Note: Alice Cooper with the snake? YES. The finish gave heat to Honky, but Jake still felt like a star. The crowd loved the post-match snake spot.

  The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff (w/ Slick) vs. The Killer Bees

Winners: The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff via DQ
Finish: Hacksaw Jim Duggan interferes with his 2x4!

📝 Hot Tag Note: Duggan’s surprise run-in got a big pop. The match was filler, but the crowd loved the U-S-A energy. The Killer Bees didn't want to win that way.

🏁 Main Event: Hulk Hogan (c) vs. André the Giant (WWF Heavyweight Championship Match)

Winner: Hulk Hogan
Finish: The bodyslam heard ‘round the world, followed by the leg drop.

📝 Hot Tag Note: It was all about mythology. André was immovable until this night. Before the slam heard 'round the world, did The Giant get a three-count on the champion? "Two count only," said Gorilla Monsoon. Hulk Hogan slamming André was pro wrestling’s version of Babe Ruth’s home run. The place exploded. And this was the first pro wrestling match that I recall watching from start to finish. 

🎤 Final Word:

WrestleMania III wasn’t just a wrestling show. It was a cultural milestone. From Aretha to André, from Savage vs. Steamboat to Piper’s goodbye — this was the night that made WrestleMania feel truly immortal.

NBC Sportsworld: A Look at Professional Wrestling in 1985 [Videos]

Bob Costas hosted the NBC Sportsworld television program's profile on professional wrestling in 1985, which included interviews with Vince McMahon from the World Wrestling Federation and Jerry Lawler with Memphis Wrestling.

Classic Matches: Harley Race vs Rick Martel [Videos]

Harley Race Promo

NWA World Champion

NWA World Championship Two out of Three Falls Match

NWA Champion Harley Race vs Rick Martel

Portland Wrestling

January 12, 1980

King of the Ring: 1985-1996 [Videos]

Beginning in 1985 as non-televised special event, the King of the Ring tournament saw it's wrestling pinnacle with the event conclusion held as a pay-per-view on June 13, 1993 at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. At the 1993 event, Bret Hart defeated Razor Ramon (Scott Hall), Mr. Perfect (Curt Hennig), and Bam Bam Bigelow. King of the Ring winners included such World Wrestling Federation Superstars as Don Muraco (1985), King Harley Race (1986), Randy Savage (1987), Ted DiBiase (1988), Tito Santana (1989), Bret Hart (1991), Bret Hart (1993), Owen Hart (1994), Mabel (1995), and Stone Cold Steve Austin (1996).

There were no events held in 1990 and 1992.

Jerry Lawler confronts King Bret Hart

King of the Ring 1993

At the 1996 pay-per-view event, Stone Cold Steve Austin won the tournament, and left a lasting impression with his victory speech, uttering the infamous words:

"Talk about your Psalms, talk about John 3:16 - AUSTIN 3:16 SAYS I JUST WHIPPED YOUR ASS! All he's gotta do is go buy him a cheap bottle of Thunderbird and try to get back some of that courage he had in his prime. As the King of the Ring, I'm servin' notice to every one of the WWF superstars. I don't give a damn what they are, they're all on the list, and that's Stone Cold's list, and I'm fixing to run through all of them... Steve Austin's time has come, and when I get the shot, you're looking at the next WWF Champion. AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE BECAUSE STONE COLD SAYS SO!"

Stone Cold Steve Austin

King of the Ring 1996

Bret Hart vs Mr. Perfect - King of the Ring 1993

Classic TV: WWF Superstars of Wrestling taping on September 15, 1987 [Videos]

During the 1980s, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) would travel to a location and tape numerous matches for television to be aired on different dates for their numerous WWF television programs. The process was done on a regular basis and oftentimes included wrestlers participating in multiple matches during one night at one location. Audio commentary would later be recorded for the matches to fit the airing date rather than the taping date. This process was very successful for the WWF and would help to reduce costs associated with producing numerous weekly sports-entertainment television programs. In addition, the fans at the venues that hosted the WWF "television tapings" would get a large number of matches in one setting, which added value to attending live WWF events.

One such television taping occurred on Tuesday, September 15, 1987, at the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois. On this particular night, 9,000 wrestling fans saw over 20 matches and superstar interviews.

1. Sika vs S.D. Jones 
2. Ron Bass vs Lanny Poffo 
   
   
   
3. George Steele vs Brian Costello 
4. Jacques Rougeau and Raymond Rougeau vs Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart 
   
5. Don Muraco vs Bob Orton Jr. 
6. Honky Tonk Man vs Randy Savage 
   
7. Hulk Hogan vs One Man Gang 
   
   
   
8. Bam Bam Bigelow vs Barry Horowitz 
9. Paul Roma and Jim Powers vs Shadow #1 and Shadow #2 
10. Bret Hart and Jim Neidhart vs Sonny Rogers and S.D. Jones 
11. Jim Duggan vs Terry Gibbs 
12. The Islanders Haku and Tama vs Jim Evans and Brady Boone 
13. Randy Savage vs Rick Renslow 
14. Billy Graham, and the Rougeau Brothers vs Joe Mirto, Tom Stone and Rick Gantner
15. Ted DiBiase vs Scott Casey
16. Paul Orndorff vs Dave Wagner
17. Hercules, King Kong Bundy and Rick Rude vs Tony Leone, ML Williams and Chris Basset 
18. Killer Khan vs Mike Richards 
19. Junkyard Dog and Ivan Putski vs Mike Poland and Chris Curtis 
20. Don Muraco vs Bob Orton Jr. REMATCH 
    
21. Strike Force (Tito Santana and Rick Martel) vs Tiger Chung Lee and Barry Horowitz
22. Harley Race vs Arthur Washington
23. Demolition (Ax and Smash) vs Van Van Horne and Mario Mancini
24. Butch Reed, One Man Gang and Nikolai Volkoff vs Siva Afi, Jake Milliman and Lance Allen

Commercials from 1987 Television Broadcast

History: WCW Saturday Night and WWF Monday Night Raw in November 1993 [Videos]

In 1993, the two major professional wrestling organizations in the United States, WWF and WCW, saw a lot of transformations: roster changes, organizational adjustments, audience shifts, and major title changes. By late 1993, both major professional wrestling organizations looked very different than they did in January 1993. For example, the early part of November 1993 saw both Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels on the sidelines for the WWF. Hogan's last official match for the WWF was August 6, 1993 in England and Michaels was suspended in September 1993 and would not return until late November. Ric Flair left the WWF in February 1993 and arrived in WCW later that month.

Ric Flair on WWF television in January 1993 and again on WCW later in the year.

In contrast, on November 6, the WCW had a full roster of stars in Ric Flair, Vadar, Steve Austin, Booker T, Paul Orndorff, Ricky Steamboat, Sting, Sid Vicious, The Nasty Boys, Rick Rude, Harley Race, Davey Boy Smith (The British Bulldog), Cactus Jack (Mick Foley), Dusty Rhodes, Dustin Rhodes, Arn Anderson and with broadcasters Jesse Ventura, "Mean" Gene Okerlund, and Tony Schiavone, leading the way.

While the WCW roster was stacked with classic and new wrestlers, the WWF still had a lot to offer under Vince McMahon. As an example, the quality of video production remained with the WWF as illustrated in the videos showing WCW Saturday Night and Monday Night Raw episodes below.

WCW Saturday Night - November 6, 1993 (Part 1)

WCW Saturday Night - November 6, 1993 (Part 2)

WCW Saturday Night - November 6, 1993 (Part 3)

WCW Saturday Night - November 6, 1993 (Part 4)

WWF Monday Night Raw - November 8, 1993 (Part 1)

WWF Monday Night Raw - November 8, 1993 (Part 2)

WWF Monday Night Raw - November 8, 1993 (Highlight in HD)

WWF Monday Night Raw - November 8, 1993 (Part 3)

*Please note that both episodes can be seen in high quality on the WWE Network.

Bobby Heenan and the members of "The Heenan Family"

Although Bobby Heenan started his professional wrestling career in the mid-1960s, he is best known as a manager of some of the best (and not so nice) professional wrestlers in the late 1970s and 1980s. Hired by the World Wrestling Federation in 1984, Heenan soon became globally known for his "managerial" and commentary talents.

Professional wrestlers that Heenan managed included: Blackjack Lanza, Blackjack Mulligan, Bobby Duncum, Ken Patera, Mr. Saito, Nick Bockwinkel, Ray Stevens, Stan Hansen, Super Destroyer, Austin Idol, Bobby Jaggers, Ernie Ladd, Karl Kox, Bill Eadie, Professor Toru Tanaka, Ron Bass, Angelo Poffo, Baron von Raschke, Chris Markoff, King Kong Bundy, The Missing Link, Mr. Perfect, Paul Orndorff, Terry Taylor, Rick Rude, Tama, The Barbarian, Jimmy Valiant, Johnny Valiant, Adrian Adonis, André the Giant, The Barbarian, Big John Studd, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Brooklyn Brawler, Buddy Rose, Haku, Harley Race, Hercules, Ken Patera and Ric Flair.

KING KONG BUNDY with BOBBY HEENAN

in a 1986 WWF Promotionalnal photo

The Baltimore Sun's Top 50 Wrestling Stars

The Baltimore Sun's Kevin Eck has written a list of the Top 50 wrestling stars on his blog, Ring Posts. While the list can be debated, it seems to be more comprehensive compared to WWE's list officially released in December for their DVD, Top 50 Superstars of All Time.

The Baltimore Sun's Top 50 Wrestling Stars are as follows:

1. Hulk Hogan – The biggest star in the history of the industry and an iconic figure in pop culture, the 12-time world champion’s name has become synonymous with pro wrestling.
2. Lou Thesz
3. Bruno Sammartino
4. Ric Flair – The words “world champion” and “Ric Flair” have been synonymous ever since he won the first of his 16 world titles in 1981. “The Nature Boy” is perhaps the industry’s most complete performer when it comes to combining showmanship, microphone skills and in-ring ability. Flair, who still mixes it up in the ring on occasion, has wrestled in five decades.
5. Andre the Giant – Billed at 7 feet 4 and anywhere from 400 to 500 pounds, he truly was a larger than life figure and one of the most famous wrestlers and top gate attractions of all time.

World Wrestling Entertainment releases DVD listing Top 50 "Superstars" of All Time

The list of 50 superstars follows:

1. Shawn Michaels
2. The Undertaker
3. Steve Austin
4. Bret Hart
5. The Rock
6. Harley Race
7. Ricky Steamboat
8. Andre the Giant
9. Rey Mysterio
10. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
11. Eddie Guerrero
12. Triple H
13. Gorgeous George
14. "Macho Man" Randy Savage
15. "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig

History: The 1980s Pro Wrestling Territorial Maps (Updated)

NWA All-Star Wrestling Major Alumni

Abdullah the Butcher, Al Tomko, The Assassins, "Bulldog" Bob Brown, The Brute (Bugsy McGraw), Buzz Tyler, Wendy Reicher, Crusher von Haig (Road Warrior Hawk), Dean Ho, Don Jardine, Don Leo Jonathan, Don Morrow (Don Muraco), Dominic DeNucci, Dutch Savage, Dennis Stamp, David Schultz, The Fabulous Kangaroos, Flash Gordon, The Frog (Terry Tomko), Gama Singh, Gene Kiniski, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Haystacks Calhoun, The Honky Tonk Man, The Iron Sheik, Jake Roberts, Jay Youngblood, John Quinn, Big John Tenta, John Tolos, Killer Kowalski, Klondike Mike, Mark Lewin, Stacy Carter, Mike Sharpe, Masa Saito, Moondog Mayne, Mauro Ranallo, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Rick Davis (Todd Tomko), Rick Martel, Ricky Hunter, Rick Rude, Denuda The Polish Princess, Rip Oliver, Rocky Johnson, Roddy Piper, Salvatore Martino, The Samoans, Scotty the Body, The Sheepherders, Stan Stasiak, Tiger Jeet Singh, Tony Borne, Whipper Billy Watson, Mr. X (Guy Mitchell), Shalimar

Pacific Northwest Wrestling Major Alumni

Brian Adams Demolition Crush, Chris Adams, Adrian Adonis (Keith Franke), André the Giant, Bryan Alvarez, Cuban Assassin, Art Barr (aka Beetlejuice), Jesse Barr, Sandy Barr, Tony Borne (Tony Osborne), Matt Borne (Matt Osborne), Johnathan Boyd (Barry Boyle), Bruiser Brody (Frank Goodish), Killer Brooks (Tim Brooks), Haystacks Calhoun (William Calhoun), Colonel DeBeers / Mega Maharishi (Edward Wiskowski), The Destroyer (Dick Beyer), The Dynamite Kid (Thomas Billington), Paul Ellering, The Equalizer (Bill Dannenhauser), Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr), Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara), Superstar Billy Graham (Eldridge Wayne Coleman), The Grappler (Len Denton), Chavo Guerrero (Salvádor Guerrero Llanes), Gory Guerrero (Salvádor Guerrero Quésada), Mando Guerrero, Billy Jack Haynes (William Haynes, Jr.), Curt Hennig, Larry Hennig, Dizzy Hogan, (Edward Leslie), Johnathan Holliday, Don Leo Jonathan (Don Heaton), Rocky Johnson (Wayde Bowles), Gene Kiniski, Nick Kiniski, Taylor Made (Terri Poch), Al Madril, Magnum T.A. (Terry Allen), Rick Martel (Richard Vigneault), Mil Máscaras, Moondog Mayne, Bugsy McGraw (Michael Davis), Velvet McIntyre, Butch Miller (Robert Miller), "Mean" Mike Miller, Gorilla Monsoon (Robert James "Gino" Marella), Pedro Morales, Kendo Nagasaki, Nord The Barbarian (John Nord). Scott Norton, Rip Oliver, Iceman Parsons (King Parsons), Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper (Roderick Toombs), Tom Prichard, Harley Race, Bull Ramos, Steve Regal, Rip Rogers (Mark Sciarra), Tommy Rogers (Thomas Couch), Buddy Rose (Paul Perschmann), Irish Paddy Ryan (Earl Patrick Freeman)

Coco Samoa, Dutch Savage (Frank Stewart), Joe Savoldi, Bart Sawyer (Steven Stewart), Brett Sawyer (Brett Woyan), Buzz Sawyer (Bruce Woyan), David Schultz, Scotty The Body [Raven](Scott Levy), Steve Simpson (Steve Cohen), Tiger Jeet Singh (Jagjit Singh), Sgt. Slaughter (Robert Remus)

Jimmy Snuka (James Reiher), Doug Somers, Stan Stasiak (George Stipich), Jules Strongbow (Frank Hill), Greg Valentine (John Wisniski, Jr.), Jesse Ventura (James Janos), Luke Williams (Brian Wickens), Bearcat Wright (Edward Wright), Jay Youngblood (Steven Romero), Tom Zenk, Buck Zumhofe (Herman Zumhofe)

Big Time WRESTLING (San Francisco) Major Alumni

Lars Anderson, Mitsu Arakawa, Red Bastien, Bobo Brazil, Dick the Bruiser, Terry Garvin, Pepper Gomez, Superstar Billy Graham, Chavo Guerrero, Mando Guerrero, Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, Pepper Martin, Moondog Mayne, Don Muraco, Dick Murdoch, Pat Patterson, Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, Dutch Savage, Kinji Shibuya, Wilbur Snyder, Ray Stevens, Professor Toru Tanaka, Bill Watts

HOLLYWOOD WRESTLING (Los Angeles) Major Alumni

Chris Adams, Buddy Austin, Freddie Blassie, Lord James Blears, Dino Bravo, Édouard Carpentier, The Destroyer, Ric Drasin, Terry Funk, Billy Graham, Chavo Guerrero, Sr., Dick Lane (announcer), Gene LeBell, Don Leo Jonathan, Mil Máscaras, Ray Mendoza, Pedro Morales, Mr. Moto, Roddy Piper, Rikidōzan, Victor Rivera, The Sheik, Dennis Stamp, Sándor Szabó, Lou Thesz, John Tolos, Dale Valentine, Bearcat Wright

STAMPEDE WRESTLING Major Alumni

Stu Hart, Bret Hart, Lou Thesz, Dr. Bill Miller, Earl McCready, Édouard Carpentier, Johnny Valentine, Archie Gouldie, Tiger Joe Tomasso, Les Thornton, Leo Burke, Harley Race, Dynamite Kid, Bruce Hart, Brian Pillman, Jim Neidhart, Hiroshi Hase, Jack Taylor, Jim Wright, Ski Hi Lee, Whipper Billy Watson, Pat O'Connor, Gorgeous George, Waldo Von Erich, Stan Stasiak, Dory Funk, Jr., André the Giant, Fabulous Moolah, Davey Boy Smith, Chris Benoit, Chief Thunderbird, Ilio DiPaolo, Argentina Rocca, Mr. Hito, Terry Funk, Sky Low Low, J.R. Foley, Keith Hart, Owen Hart, David Schultz, Honky Tonk Wayne, Abdullah the Butcher, Bad News Allen, Hercules Ayala, Kerry Brown, Big Daddy Ritter, Rick Martel, Don Muraco, Jake Roberts, Goldie Rogers

AMERICAN WRESTLING ASSOCIATION Major Alumni

Red Bastien, Crusher Jerry Blackwell, Nick Bockwinkel, Bruiser Brody, Jim Brunzell, Edouard Carpentier, Hercules Cortez, The Crusher, Colonel DeBeers, Derrick Dukes, The Destruction Crew (Mike Enos & Wayne Bloom), Fabulous Freebirds (Michael P.S. Hayes, Terry "Bamm Bamm" Gordy & Buddy Roberts), Juan Kachmanian, Ric Flair, Jimmy Garvin, "Superstar" Billy Graham, Scott Hall, Stan Hansen, Lawrence Heinemi, Luscious Lars Anderson, Curt Hennig, Larry Hennig, Hulk Hogan, Nikita Koloff, Jack Lanza, Stan Lane, Jerry Lawler, Billy Red Lyons, Rick Martel, Wahoo McDaniel, The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobs and Jerry Sags), Steve Olsonoski, Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty, Ken Patera, D.J. Peterson, Robert Gibson, Ricky Morton, Harley Race,, Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch, Ricky Rice, The Road Warriors (Animal & Hawk), Billy Robinson, Buddy Rose, Masa Saito, Akio Sato, Dutch Savage, Sgt. Slaughter, Superfly Snuka, Doug Somers, Dennis Stamp, Ray "The Crippler" Stevens, "Mad Dog" Vachon, "Butcher" Vachon, Jesse Ventura, Baron von Raschke, Leon White, Cowboy Bill Watts, Larry Zbyszko, Tom Zenk, Boris Zukhov, Tully Blanchard, Mongolian Stomper, Ron Garvin, Bob Orton, Tommy Rich

CENTRAL STATES CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING Major Alumni

Chris Adams, Kentucky Hillbilly Adcock, Chuck Adcox, David Von Erich, Fritz Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, Joe Adelman, Dick the Bruiser, Bulldog Drummer, Magnum T.A., Gene Anderson, Afa, Sika, Earthquake Ferris, Pat Kelly, Prince Nero/Tony Nero, Giant Baba, Bob Backlund, Vince Montana, Ox Baker, Armand Hussein, Ronnie Garvin, Frenchy Lamonte, Antonino Rocca, Vinnie Valentino, Jerry Blackwell, Brian Blair, Joe Blanchard, Tully Blanchard, Fred Blassie, Nick Bockwinkel, Warren Bockwinkel, Hulk Hogan, Rocky Johnson, Dino Bravo, Jack Brisco, Jerry Brisco, Bulldog Bob Brown, Jim Brunzell, Haystacks Calhoun, Pat Patterson, Superstar Billy Graham, Wee Willie Davis, Dean Detton, Mike DiBiase, Ted DiBiase, Jim Duggan, Bobby Duncum, The Sheik, The Tonga Kid, Manny Fernandez, Hercules Hernandez, Tonga Fifita, Ric Flair, Mr. Fuji, Dory Funk, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Greg Gagne, Frenchy Martin, Verne Gagne, American Starship Coyote, One Man Gang, Bobo Brazil, Kamala/Sugar Bear Harris, Lord Alfred Hayes, Ron Bass, Road Warrior Hawk, Curt Hennig, John Paul Henning, Lee Henning, Shawn Michaels, Marty Jannetty, Jerry Valiant, Bobby Fulton, El Santo, Jesse Ventura, Bobby Jaggers, Terry Garvin, Robert Gibson, Gene Kiniski, Hiro Matsuda, Apache Gringo, Ernie Ladd, Oni Wiki Wiki, Blackjack Lanza, Hans Schmidt, Road Warrior Animal, Jerry Lawler, Gene LeBell, Rufus R. Jones, Chief Thundercloud, Arn Anderson, Gino Marella, Wahoo McDaniel, Danno McDonald, Rick McGraw, Dr. Bill Miller, J.J. Dillon, Dick Murdoch, Paul Orndorff, Bob Orton, Bob Orton, Jr., Barry Orton, Killer Khan, King Kong Bundy, Ken Patera, Tiger Mask, Ivan Koloff, Angelo Poffo, Lanny Poffo, Harley Race, Gori Guerrero, Benny Ramírez, Baron von Raschke, Butch Reed, Sgt. Slaughter, Junkyard Dog, Ole Anderson, Buddy Rogers, Ricky Romero, Mark Romero, Jay Youngblood, Rick Rude, Jacques Rougeau, André the Giant, Gary Royal, Dusty Rhodes, Michael Hayes, Mike Sharpe, Abdullah the Butcher, Otto von Krupp, Nikita Koloff, Professor Roy Shire, Genichiro Tenryu, Jake Roberts, Billy Red Lyons, Doug Somers, American Starship Eagle, Killer Kowalski, Ray Stevens, Stan Stasiak, Ricky Morton, Kevin Sullivan, The Warlord, Terry Taylor, Chris Taylor, Sailor Art Thomas, Lou Thesz, Roddy Piper, Enrique Torres, Ramón Torres, Tarzan Tyler, Big Bubba, Mad Dog Vachon, The Butcher, The Barbarian, Chief Lone Eagle, The Iron Sheik, Garza Lozano, Gorgeous George, Édouard Carpentier, George Wells, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Atlas, Jim Garvin, Blackjack Mulligan, Johnny Valentine, Greg Valentine, Al Cortez, Bobby Hart, Carlos Rodríguez, Chico García, José Rivera, José Quintero, José Martínez, Juan Hernández, Leilani Kai, Jimmy Hart, Bobby Heenan, Slick, Sir Oliver Humperdink, The Fabulous Moolah, Belle Starr, Kay Noble

MID-SOUTH WRESTLING Major Alumni 

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan, Steve Williams, Ted DiBiase, Dick Slater, Nikita Koloff, Michael Hayes, Stagger Lee, Mangnum T.A., Mr Wrestling II, Kerry Von Erich, Chris Adams, Mike Von Erich, Afa, Sika, Kokina the Samoan, Vinnie Romeo, Brian Blair, Tully Blanchard, Nick Bockwinkel, Hulk Hogan, Blade Runner Sting, Porkchop Cash, Bill Dundee, Hercules Ayala, Krusher Khrushchev, Ted DiBiase, Bobby Eaton, Manny Fernandez, Hercules Hernandez, Cocoa Samoa, Dory Funk Jr., Ric Flair, Terry Funk, Frenchy Martin, Eddie Gilbert, Terry Gordy, Mando Guerrero, Héctor Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Stan Hansen, Kamala, Road Warrior Hawk, Blade Runner Rock, Buddy Roberts, Shawn Michaels, Ernie Ladd, Stan Lane, Road Warrior Animal, The Terminator, Jerry Lawler, Roberto Soto, Arn Anderson, Wahoo McDaniel, Butch Miller, Angelo Mosca, Dick Murdoch, Jim Neidhart, Paul Orndorff, Barry Orton, Bob Orton, Jr., Matt Borne, King Kong Bundy, Killer Khan, Ken Patera, Al Pérez, Nikolai Volkoff, Ivan Koloff, Lex Luger, Lanny Poffo, Tom Prichard, Harley Race, Baron von Raschke, Rick Steiner, Butch Reed, Eli the Eliminator, The Missing Link, José Lothario, Mil Máscaras, Ole Anderson, Rick Rude, Mike Rotunda, André the Giant, Dusty Rhodes, Brickhouse Brown, Mike Sharpe, Ron Simmons, Jake Roberts, Tito Santana, Ricky Morton, Big Bubba Rogers, The Barbarian, Dick Slater, The Iron Sheik, Bill Watts, Larry Zbyszko, Tony Atlas, Luke Williams, Gino Hernandez, Buzz Sawyer

NATIONAL WRESTLING ALLIANCE (NWA) AMARILLO Major Alumni 

Dizzy Davis, Dorry Funk, The Great Bolo, Roy Shire, Don Curtis, Bob Geigel, Mike DiBiase, Danny Plechas, Buddy Rogers, Nick Roberts, Antone Leone, Rock Hunter, Sonny Myers, Gene LeBell, Pancho Lopez, Nikita Mulkovich, Danny McShain, Fritz Von Erich, Johnny Valentine, Dory Funk, Jr., Kinji Shibuya, Clubfoot Inferno, Pat Patterson, Pat O'Connor, Ricky Romero, Buddy Colt, Terry Funk, Scott Casey, Ted Dibiase, Tim Woods, Jose Lothario, Silento Rodriquez, Ricky Romero, Ray Candy, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Dan Miller, Wahoo McDaniel, Mr. Kleen, Jerry Kozak, Nick Kozak, Bill Watts, Lord Alfred Hayes, Rufus Jones, Gory Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Dick Steinborn, The Alaskan, Magnificent Maurice, Pancho Pico, Treach Phillips, Don Slaton, Alex Perez, Cyclone Negroe, Harley Race, Abdullah the Butcher, King Curtis Iaukea, Frank Goodish, The Sheik, Super Destroyer, Dick Murdoch, Dusty Rhodes, Jack Brisco, Gerald Brisco, Swede Hansen, Hank James, Killer Brooks, Brute Bernard, Rip Hawk, Killer Karl Kox, Dutch Savage, Butcher Jardine, Sputnik Monroe, The Viking, Nelson Royal, Professor Tanaka, Gary Hart, Thunderbolt Patterson, Klondike Bill, Hurricane Castro, Tommy Phelps

WORLD CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (WCCW) Major Alumni 

Friz Von Erich, David Von Erich, Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich, Mike Von Erich, Chris Von Erich, Lance Von Erich, Ric Flair, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Abdullah The Butcher, Al Madril, Al Perez, Andre The Giant, Arman Hussien, Bill Irwin, Billy Jack Haynes, Black Bart, Bobby Eaton, Bobby Fulton, Boris Zuchoffe, Brian Adias, Brickhouse Brown, Bruiser Brody, Buck Zumhoff, Buddy Roberts, Bugsy McGraw, Butch Reed, Buzz Sawyer, Cactus Jack, Captain USA, Chavo Guerrero Sr, Checkmate, Chic Donovan, Jim Powers, Jimmy Garvin, Jimmy Jack Funk, John Tatum, Johnny Mantell, Jose Lothario, Jules Strongbow, Junk Yard Dog, Kamala, Kelly Kiniski, Kendall Windham, Kevin Sulluvan, Killer Khan, King Kong Bundy, Koko Ware, Matt Bourne, Michael Hayes, Mil Mascaras, Nord The Barbarian, One Man Gang, Rick Rude, Chris Adams, Crusher Yurkov, Dennis Condrey, Dingo Warrior, El Santo, El Solitario, Eli The Eliminator, Eric Embry, Frank Dusek, Gino Hernandez, Iceman Parsons, Jack Roberts, Jeff Jarrett, Jerry Lawler, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Steve Williams, Super American Ninja, Ted Arcidi, Terry Gordy, Terry Taylor, Terry Simms, The Great Kabuki, The Missing Link, The Punisher, The Spoiler, Tim Brooks, Tommy Rogers, Tony Atlas, Toru Tanaka, Missy Hyatt, Baby Doll, Sunshine, Precious, Toni Adams, Jeanie Austin, Jim Cornette, Percy Pringle

HOUSTON WRESTLING Major Alumni 

Friz Von Erich, Junkyard Dog, Kamala the Ugandan Giant, Jake the Snake Roberts, King Kong Bundy, Wahoo McDaniel, Nick Kozak, Bull Curry, Hacksaw Duggan, Dick Murdoch, Johnny Valentine, Danny McShain, Boris Malenko, Nick Bockwinkel, Sputnik Monroe, The Kozak Brothers, JJ Dillon, Gary Hart, Leo Newman, Jim Cornette, Shawn Michaels, Sting, The Warrior, Jose Lothario, Mil Mascaras, Ernie Ladd, Terry Funk, Dory Funk, Harley Race, Red Bastien, Ivan Putski, Superstar Billy Graham, Gino Hernandez, Andre the Giant, Bob Backlund, Bruno Sammartino, Stan Stasiak, Terry Taylor, Barry Darsow, Tony Atlas, Bruce Prichard

SOUTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING (SCW) Major Alumni 

Chris Adams, Adrian Adonis, Austin Idol, Gino Hernandez, Tully Blanchard, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk, Jr, Terry Funk, "Bruiser" Bob Sweetan, Scott Casey, Terry Allen, Bob Orton, Jr., Chavo Guerrero, Mando Guerrero, Brett Sawyer, Buzz Sawyer, Eric Embry, Killer Tim Brooks, Dan Greer, The Ninja Warrior, CT Night The Boss, Ivan Putski, Tony Atlas, Skip Young, Buddy Landell, Bobby Jaggers, Kareem Muhammad, Blackjack Mulligan, Dick Murdoch, Iceman Parsons, Al Perez, Larry Lane, Manny Fernandez, Tom Prichard, Chicky Starr, Kelly Kiniski, Adrian Street, Luke Williams, Butch Miller, Jonathan Boyd, Mil Mascaras, Rick Rude, Eddie Mansfield, Dick Slater, Nick Bockwinkel, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Wahoo McDaniel, Abdullah The Butcher, Kevin Sullivan, Bruiser Brody, Jerry Lawler, Eddie Gilbert, Tito Santana, The Sheik, Baron von Raschke, Ron Sexton, Tank Patton, Tiger Conway Jr., Rudy Boy Gonzalez, Len Denton, Tony Anthony

WORLD WRESTLING ASSOCIATION (WWA) Major Alumni 

Ox Baker, The Cuban Assassin, Dick the Bruiser, Paul Christy, Wilbur Snyder, Al Snow, Luis Martínez, The Sheik, Nicoli Volkoff, Pepper Gomez, Ernie Ladd, Bruno Sammartino, Killer Kowalski, Harley Race, Baron von Raschke, André the Giant, Blackjack Lanza, Ivan Koloff, The Crusher, Pat O'Connor, Bobo Brazil, Larry Hennig, Gene Kiniski, Mitsu Arakawa, Sgt. Jacques Goulet, Joe Blanchard, Fred Blassie, Jim Grabmire, Bobby Bold Eagle, Moose Cholak

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