Showing posts with label Terry Funk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Terry Funk. Show all posts

When Terry Funk Came for Hulkamania: The Forgotten 1985 Trilogy [Videos]


Terry Funk vs Hulk Hogan match that aired on NBC


Terry Funk entered the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the summer of 1985, a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, he had last wrestled in what was now known as the WWF in the early 1970s. By late 1985, Funk had an opportunity to challenge Hulk Hogan for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Hogan wasn't facing another giant or cartoon-style supervillain. He was dealing with a former World Champion who brought unpredictability, mind games, and pure chaos. Across Philadelphia, Toronto, and NBC's national television broadcast of Saturday Night's Main Event from Tampa, Florida, Hogan and Funk quietly created a forgotten trilogy of forgotten matches that blended Hulkamania spectacle with Terry Funk insanity.

And watch the slow count by Dave Hebner...


Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk
WWF on PRISM Network
Philadelphia, PA
December 7, 1985


Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk
Maple Leaf Wrestling
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
December 15, 1985


Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk
Saturday Night's Main Event
NBC
Tampa, Florida
Filmed on December 19, 1985
Aired on January 3, 1986


It was reported 1985 was Funk's best financial year in pro wrestling


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LJN Wrestling Superstars: The WWF Wrestling Figures of the 1980s [Videos]



Growing up in the 1980s, few toys captured the excitement of professional wrestling quite like LJN Wrestling Superstars. Long before highly detailed collectibles and endless articulation points became the standard, these oversized rubber figures ruled toy aisles and bedroom floor main events across America. Featuring many of the biggest WWF stars of the era—from Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage to Jake "The Snake" Roberts and The Hart Foundation—LJN figures felt larger than life.

But the LJN line was more than just a collection of toys—it became a snapshot of the WWF's explosive rise during the Rock ’n’ Wrestling era. Between 1984 and 1988, five series of figures were released in the United States by LJN, capturing the changing landscape of the WWF roster as new stars arrived and legends emerged. Then, after LJN’s run came to an end, one final chapter remained: a last series released in Canada in 1989 by another company, giving fans one more chance to add a few final superstars to the toy box.


1984
LJN Wrestling Superstars Commercials




1984/1985
LJN WWF Superstars Commercial
with Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Snuka, and The Iron Sheik
Narrated by Vince McMahon


1984/1985
LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial
with Hulk Hogan, The Iron Sheik, Big John Studd


1986
LJN WWF Superstars Commercial
with Junkyard Dog, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper,
Brutus Beefcake, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine,
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, George "The Animal" Steel
Narrated by Vince McMahon







1987
LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial
with "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Miss Elizabeth,
S.D. Jones, Kamala, and The Killer Bees


1989
Grand Toys WWF Wrestling Superstars Commercial


LJN WWF Wrestling Superstars
Complete Series Breakdown

Between 1984 and 1988, LJN released five major WWF Wrestling Superstars series in the United States, chronicling the rapid rise of Hulkamania and the changing WWF landscape. After LJN’s run ended, the line received one final curtain call in Canada in 1989 through Grand Toys. Looking back today, each series almost serves as a time capsule of its era.

1984 – Series 1

The debut wave introduced many of the stars who launched the national expansion era of the WWF.

Andre the Giant
Big John Studd
Hillbilly Jim
Hulk Hogan
Iron Sheik
Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka
Junkyard Dog
Nikolai Volkoff
"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

1985 – Series 2

The second wave expanded the roster as Hulkamania continued to grow.

Andre the Giant
Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake
George "The Animal" Steele
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
King Kong Bundy
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff

1986 – Series 3

By 1986, WWF had become a pop-culture force. This wave expanded significantly and included managers, announcers, and personalities in addition to wrestlers.

Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
Bruno Sammartino
Captain Lou Albano
"Classy" Freddie Blassie
Corporal Kirchner
Davey Boy Smith
Dynamite Kid
Jesse "The Body" Ventura
Jimmy Hart
"Macho Man" Randy Savage
Magnificent Muraco
Mean Gene Okerlund
Mr. Fuji (with cane)
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Special Delivery Jones
Terry Funk
Tito Santana

1987 – Series 4

With WrestleMania now firmly established, the line reflected a changing roster and featured future legends.

"Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Billy Jack Haynes
B. Brian Blair
Bret "Hitman" Hart
"Cowboy" Bob Orton
Elizabeth
Hercules Hernandez
Jake "The Snake" Roberts
"Jumping" Jim Brunzell
Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart
Ken Patera
Kamala
King Harley Race
Koko B. Ware
Outback Jack
Ted Arcidi
Vince McMahon

1988 – Series 5

The final U.S. LJN release closed out the original era.

"Adorable" Adrian Adonis
Bam Bam Bigelow
Demolition Ax
Hacksaw Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
"Luscious" Johnny Valiant
One Man Gang
Referee
Rick Martel
Slick
Ted DiBiase
Tito Santana

1989 – Series 6 (Grand Toys Canada / Black Card Series)

LJN’s final chapter came north of the border. Produced by Grand Toys in Canada, these figures have become some of the most recognizable and collectible releases in the line.

Andre the Giant
Big Boss Man
Demolition Ax
"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Honky Tonk Man
Hulk Hogan
Randy "Macho Man" Savage
"Ravishing" Rick Rude
Ultimate Warrior
Warlord

Tag Team Two-Packs

Tag team sets featuring some of the WWF’s most memorable duos were also released:

British Bulldogs
Dream Team
Hart Foundation
Killer Bees
Strike Force
Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff
Hillbilly Jim & Hulk Hogan





Whether they stood proudly on bedroom shelves or battled for tiny plastic championships, LJN Wrestling Superstars became more than action figures—they became many fans’ first true wrestling collection.

Decades later, in 2025, WWE helped bring the spirit of Wrestling Superstars back to a new generation by reintroducing retro-style figures inspired by the classic LJN designs. From toy store shelves in the 1980s to collector displays decades later, LJN Wrestling Superstars continue proving that legends never truly retire—they just make another entrance.


1998 Royal Rumble Match - AUSTIN 3:16 STRIKES AGAIN! [Videos]

Royal Rumble 1998... Austin 3:16 Strikes Again!


1998 Royal Rumble Rules

"It's Every Man For Himself." - Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler repeat this statement several times throughout the Royal Rumble match.

Event Date: January 18, 1998
Venue: San Jose Arena
Location: San Jose, California

1998 Royal Rumble
Commentators: Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler
#1 - Cactus Jack (Mick Foley)
#2 - Chainsaw Charlie (Terry Funk)

#4 - The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) enters the Royal Rumble

#16 - Mankind (Mick Foley) enters the Royal Rumble

#24 - Stone Cold Steve Austin enters the Royal Rumble


#28 - Dude Love (Mick Foley) enters the Royal Rumble


The Final Four
Stone Cold Steve Austin
The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)
Dude Love (Mick Foley)
Faarooq (Ron Simmons)


Please note this post is for educational and research purposes.



Bonus In-ring Interview:

WWF Raw
Aired on Monday, January 12, 1998
Stone Cold Steve Austin with Michael Cole

Classic Matches: Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk [Videos]




Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk
December 7, 1985
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
PRISM NETWORK
Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon and Dick Graham



Terry Funk Promo
Interview with Jesse Ventura
Saturday Night's Main Event
Filmed on December 19, 1985
Aired on January 4, 1986
Tampa, Florida
NBC NETWORK


Hulk Hogan vs Terry Funk
Saturday Night's Main Event
Filmed on December 19, 1985
Aired on January 4, 1986
Tampa, Florida
NBC NETWORK
Commentary: Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura


1985: The World Wrestling Federation's Historic Year [Videos]

The year was 1985, and the world of professional wrestling was about to change forever under the direction of Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation.

In June 1982, Vince and his wife Linda finalized their purchase of the company that is now known as WWE (formerly the World Wrestling Federation or WWF). At first Vince McMahon attempted to expand his company by acquiring other wrestling organizations within the longstanding territory system, however, he met little success. Rather than physically expanding throughout the country, McMahon simultaneously set out to acquire the industry's top talent and expand his company's presence on television. Under McMahon's leadership, in less than three years the company would be in 95 percent of the households in the United States, making it the largest syndicated professional wrestling presence on television. The WWF was featured on cable television with popular programs like All American Wrestling, Tuesday Night Titans, and WWF Prime Time Wrestling. McMahon soon developed agreements with television stations that stated the WWF would pay five percent of the net receipts of each live event in the station's geographic area. This arrangement would encourage television stations to promote upcoming WWF live events, resulting in increased exposure for the WWF and continuous live event sellouts.

In 1985, the World Wrestling Federation's roster of wrestlers was developing into what would be the best in the industry. The centerpiece of the WWF roster was Hulk Hogan, a charismatic and larger than life character who had honed his professional wrestling skills since 1977 and had recently become the WWF World Heavyweight Champion in 1984. Hogan was the perfect mix of "Americana" with the morals of a good guy, but the aggressiveness of the "toughest guy in the room."


Hogan was an immediate hit with WWF fans, however, Hogan's intense rivalry with the wrestler known as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper helped the WWF overtake their competitors in 1985. Although Piper had made his mark in the wrestling business in the early 1970s, his addition to the WWF roster as a villain in 1984 propelled his career to new heights. Piper was obnoxious, quick-witted, aggressive, and at the forefront of a trend of popular bad guys. The combination of Hogan and Piper provided the perfect main-event atmosphere needed to make the WWF excel and grab the attention of the American mainstream.

Interviews with WWF Superstars
February 1985 - Oakland, California

On March 30, Hulk Hogan and Mr. T hosted NBC's Saturday Night Live.

To highlight his wrestling organization with a marquee event and surpass his competitors, McMahon utilized his excellent marketing skills to showcase his product. On March 31, 1985, the WWF produced the wrestling entertainment mega-event known as WrestleMania, which would soon become an annual occurrence. The first WrestleMania was broadcast on 135 closed-circuit networks and featured celebrities like Liberace, Cindy Lauper, former Yankee manager Billy Martin, and boxing legend Muhammad Ali. WrestleMania also included A-Team and Rocky III actor Mr. T, who teamed with WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan to defeat the nefarious team of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff in the main event.

WrestleMania Promotional Video

World Wrestling Federation Logo Introduction

WWF Promotional Commercial from Australia

McMahon's strategy of combining professional wrestling, mainstream entertainment, and television exposure continued to build throughout 1985. Cindy Lauper's involvement with the WWF included multiple appearances at wrestling events and numerous WWF wrestlers appeared in her music videos. WWF dubbed its collaboration with Lauper, The Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection in 1984, a marketing move that would open doors for the WWF everywhere in 1985 from MTV to network television.

Cindy Lauper's Goonies 'R" Good Enough featuring WWF Superstars

The year 1985 also saw the WWF aggressively expanding its merchandising division, selling T-shirts, wrestling action figures, and home entertainment options. The WWF licensed LJN to produce its first-ever line of wrestling action figures. The first batch of action figures featured the likeness of Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, the Junkyard Dog, and the Iron Sheik. These WWF figures provided an ingenious and invaluable way to expose young fans to the new, more kid-friendly version of professional wrestling. T-shirt sales also grew tremendously with the popularity of the WWF. While the initial sale of T-shirts began at live events, a mail-order business soon became very profitable as the desire to display their favorite wrestlers boomed with the youth throughout Canada and the United States.

World Wrestling Federation Merchandise Catalog

With his previous success, McMahon created new and creative partnerships to further the WWF's impact on American culture. In the spring of 1985, the WWF released its first series of Video Home System (VHS) tapes through its new home video company Coliseum Video. During 1985, the WWF release 14 VHS tapes which included pay-per-view events, wrestler profiles, and compilations.

Match from Coliseum Video's The Best of WWF: Volume IV 

In April, highlighting the immense popularity of professional wrestling led by the WWF, Hulk Hogan was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. On May 11, after a 30-year professional wrestling absence from broadcast network television, WWF's Saturday Night's Main Event debuted on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) television network. Saturday Night's Main Event's three 1985 episodes brought in some of the best ratings for NBC during the 1985 television season.


Although the WWF had a lucrative deal with the USA Network cable television station, McMahon saw the need for more television exposure. While the WWF continued its partnerships with the Philadelphia Spectrum and its television network PRISM and the Madison Square Garden Network, it also entered into a valuable agreement with the Boston Garden and the New England Sports Network.

Advertisement for the WWF on the Madison Square Garden Network

On September 18, 1985, the animated series, Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n Wrestling premiered on Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) television network to further extend WWF's exposure to children. The cartoon was broadcast on Saturday mornings and lasted for two seasons, with reruns airing until June 1987.

Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n Wrestling Cartoon Opening

To extend the music and wrestling connection, The Wrestling Album was released in November 1985, by the World Wrestling Federation. The album featured ten songs that mostly featured professional wrestlers singing. One of the exceptions was a track by Rick Derringer, "Real American," that became Hulk Hogan's theme music until he departed the WWF in 1993.

Hulk Hogan Theme, "Real American"

Land of 1000 Dances sung by the WWF Superstars

The WWF received a major superstar to its roster with the addition of "Macho Man" Randy Savage in June 1985. Some of the most memorable wrestlers of all-time made up the supporting cast of the WWF in 1985, like the Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana, Lou Albano, Paul Orndorff, Wendi Richter, Big John Studd, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and Andre the Giant.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage's WWF Debut

Randy "Macho Man" Savage on TNT on the USA Network

WWF Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan vs Randy Savage
December 30, 1985

On July 2, 1985, with so much mainstream attention and all-star roster, the industry standard Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) and its sister publications reinstated world title recognition to the World Wrestling Federation in their magazines, after ignoring the wrestling promotion title since 1983. The power and impact of Hulk Hogan as world champion could not be ignored. This move by PWI symbolized that the WWF was a force to be recognized.


In 1985 the WWF and Vince McMahon took full advantage of the changing American society to become the leader of "Sports Entertainment" in a new Golden Age of Professional Wrestling.

1985 World Wrestling Federation (WWF) Roster
WWE Hall of Fame Members: Hulk Hogan, Rowdy Roddy PiperAndre the Giant"Macho Man" Randy SavagePaul OrndorffWendi RichterTito Santana"Mr. USA" Tony AtlasGreg "The Hammer" ValentineBig John StuddRicky "The Dragon" SteamboatIron SheikNikolai VolkoffJunkyard DogBret "Hitman" HartDavey Boy SmithHillbilly JimJesse "The Body" Ventura,"Polish Power" Ivan PutskiRocky Johnson"Cowboy" Bob Orton"Superfly" Jimmy Snuka"Magnificent" Don MuracoGeorge "The Animal" SteeleBarry WindhamMike RotundoTerry FunkPedro Morales, Mr. Fuji, Mad Dog Vachon, Mil MascarasTop Superstars: Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, Adrian Adonis, King Kong Bundy, Dynamite Kid, Ken Patera, Leilani Kai, Brutus Beefcake, Hercules Hernandez, Dino Bravo, King Tonga, B. Brian Blair, "Jumping" Jim Brunzell, Judy Martin, Dick Murdoch. Other Superstars: "Leaping" Lanny Poffo, Corporal Kirchner, Uncle Elmer, Danny Spivey, Paul Roma, Jim Powers, Wenona Little Heart, SD "Special Delivery" Jones, "Quick Draw" Rick McGraw, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, David Sammartino, George Wells, "Iron" Mike Sharpe, Tiger Chung Lee, Jose Luis Rivera, Luc Poirier, The Spoiler, Matt Borne, Moondog Spot, Moondog Rex, Cousin Junior, Barry O, Steve Lombardi, Mr. X, Salvatore Bellomo, Velvet McIntyre, Missing Link, Tony Garea, Rene Goulet.

Major 1985 World Wrestling Federation Events
February 18: The War to Settle the Score, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City
March 31: WrestleMania, held at Madison Square Garden in New York City
May 11: Saturday Night's Main Event, held at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New York
July 8: King of the Ring, held at Sullivan Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts
August 26: Lutte vs. WWF, held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
September 5: Saturday Night's Main Event, held at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey
November 2: Saturday Night's Main Event, held in Hershey, Pennsylvania
November 7: The Wrestling Classic, held at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois

Hulk Hogan vs "Rowdy" Roddy Piper
November 7, 1985


Interesting quotes about WWF's historic year, from the CBS SPORTS article, WWE in 1985: An Oral History 
  • "Mr. USA" TONY ATLAS (former WWE Tag Team Champion): What Vince would do, he would let another company spend the money to build you up. Then he would call you up, offer you more money and get you to leave the company that made you.
  • "Leaping" LANNY POFFO (WWE wrestler, 1985-1992 and brother of Randy "Macho Man" Savage): Nobody could overcome the inertia that they were starting. The only people that didn't admit that it was a phenomenon were the jealous people.
  • TITO SANTANA (former WWE Intercontinental Champion): I think everybody had mixed feelings when Vince started bringing big names into professional wrestling. The wrestlers ourselves, we didn't think we needed it. But Vince was thinking in a different way. He was thinking about giving us publicity with a different fan.
  • THE IRON SHEIK (former WWE Champion): [Speaking of WrestleMania] I know that Mr. McMahon, he have the vision to make the best show for the fans. New York always number one territory so when he tell the boys Muhammad Ali, the Liberace, Lauper, all them come to show, I know it become the best show of all time.
  • DON MURACO (former WWE Intercontinental Champion): That was really the start of the change. 1985 you could say was the beginning of the changing of professional wrestling into the new era with the merchandising and the dolls, and there was a wrestling cartoon.
  • BRUTUS BEEFCAKE: Vince was a marketing genius who was able to really put the greatest show on earth together. He was the man. I thank God for him every day that he put us all together and gave us an opportunity and put our faces out around the world.
  • DON MURACO: Vince had a brilliant mind. Took wrestling in a whole different direction. He made professional wrestling relevant as an entertainment industry, or a sport or however you want to look at it. He may be enjoying his billion. I hope he is. But I imagine he's still going over scripts and issues for the next SummerSlam.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) story about the WWF
Newsnight -1985





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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.

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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