The 1980s were one of professional wrestling’s most successful eras. Then, it was called the WWF, and wrestling experienced its boom with syndicated television across America. Here are the 20 Best WWE wrestlers of the 80s.
20. Honky Tonk Man
Honky Tonk Man might be a goofy gimmick to some, but Southerners love wrestling and they love their honky-tonks. He looked a whole lot like Elvis but was no “King.” He held the Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship for the longest reign ever. One of the greatest villains ever, Honky Tonk Man was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.
19. Don Muraco
At six-foot-three and 275 pounds, Hawaiian-born Don Muraco was an imposing figure. He held the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship twice. Muraco was the first to be dubbed the “King of the Ring.” He was known for his piledriver finisher. Muraco was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.
18. Tito Santana
Tito Santana remained a babyface his entire career. He was billed as being from Mexico but actually hailed from Mission, Texas. Santana had a great rivalry with Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. He held a few titles, including King of the Ring in 1989. Santana is in both the Pro Wrestling and WWE Hall of Fame.
17. Big John Studd
Big John Studd stood a menacing six-foot-ten and weighed 365 pounds. He held several championships and won the 1989 Royal Rumble. His gimmick was never being body slammed. Studd offered challenges of $10,000, then $15,000, but no one could. At the first WrestleMania, Andre The Giant slammed him. Studd is in both the WCW and WWE Halls of Fame.
16. Pedro Morales
Puerto Rican wrestler Pedro Morales began with WWA in the 1960s, winning championships, and he became a WWE champion in the 1970s. He became Intercontinental Champion in 1981, winning the Triple Crown. He continued winning in the 80s while in his 40s. Morales was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1995.
15. The Iron Shiek
Iranian-born wrestler, The Iron Shiek, was the first great foreign villain that set the benchmark for garnering instant heat from the crowd. He ended Bob Backlund’s six-year reign to take the WWE championship. The Iron Shiek’s tag team with Nikolai Volkoff remains one of the best ever. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
14. “Ravishing” Rick Rude
“Ravishing” Rick Rude oozed charisma. The cocky and arrogant Rude is one of the best heels in the history of wrestling. His hunky looks made women swoon, and his attitude got them angry. He won four world championships, among many other championships. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
13. “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
Considered one of the greatest heels and wrestling, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase would throw around money like it was nothing. He created The Million Dollar Championship. It has since taken a life of its own as one of the most popular gimmick belts in wrestling history. DiBiase was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010.
12. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan
“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan was best known for his “patriot” character who swung a 2×4 at opponents while crying, “Hoooo!” He also led chants of “U-S-A!” Duggan remains a popular superstar. He’s one of the only wrestlers in WWE history to win a Royal Rumble and King of the Ring. Duggan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.
11. Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka
Fiji-born Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka is credited with introducing the high-flying wrestling style in the 1980s. He was the first to climb a 20-foot cage and try to splash an opponent. He was the inaugural ECW World Heavyweight Champion but never a WWE champion. Snuka was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1996.
10. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
One of the most terrifying performers ever, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, won lots of championships but never won the gold in WWE. Roberts once locked The Undertaker in a crypt full of poisonous snakes. He tied Randy Savage to the ropes and let a king cobra bite “Macho Man’s” arm. Roberts is in both the Professional and WWE Halls of Fame.
9. Harley Race
Harley Race is one of the greatest professional wrestlers. He’s one of only six men to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, the NWA Hall of Fame, the WCW Hall of Fame, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Race was important to wrestling history in numerous ways.
8. King Kong Bundy
At six-foot-four and 458 pounds, King Kong Bundy was a trash-talking villainous character. He won the second-shortest match in WrestleMania history, defeating S.D. Jones in nine seconds. He faced Hulk Hogan in a steel cage match for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 2. Every big man wrestler can gain a lot by taking a page from Bundy’s book.
7. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat’s match at WrestleMania III with Randy Savage for the Intercontinental Champion may be one of the five greatest matches in wrestling history. It undoubtedly inspired many to want to become a professional wrestler. Steamboat won a WCW World Championship and an Intercontinental World Championship. He’s in both the professional and WWE Halls of Fame.
6. The Ultimate Warrior
inspiring a comic book, dolls, and other merchandise, The Ultimate Warrior was a huge deal in the 80s, igniting audiences. He even legally changed his name to “Warrior.” He won numerous championships, becoming one of the most dominant champions of all time. Warrior was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.
5. Andre the Giant
“The Eighth Wonder of the World,” without question, Andre the Giant helped put the WWF on the map and became a household name in the process. Literally larger-than-life, Andre the Giant stood seven-foot-four and weighed 520 pounds. He’s generally regarded as undefeated and was one of the most beloved wrestlers ever. Andre is in numerous wrestling Halls of Fame.
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4. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Many consider Rowdy” Roddy Piper to be the greatest wrestling heel ever. He was better for not being a top champion. It made him more known. However, he did win the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship and World Tag Team Championship with Ric Flair. Piper is in both the Professional Wrestling and WWE Halls of Fame.
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3. “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Many consider “Macho Man” Randy Savage one of the greatest professional wrestlers ever. His flamboyant ring attire made him instantly recognizable to audiences, and his showmanship won him fans worldwide. He had ten world championship reigns during his 32-year career. Savage was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.
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2. Ric Flair
Ric Flair’s career spanned over 50 years, and he dominated in the 80s. He was a 16-time World Champion. Flair had the moves and talking ability. He had the skills to make you love or hate him whenever he wanted to. There would be no World Championship Wrestling, no Monday Night Wars, no Four Horsemen, and no Evolution without Flair.
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1. Hulk Hogan
Based on fame alone, Hulk Hogan ranks #1. He was a pop culture phenomenon in the 1980s, becoming a household name and helping to popularize wrestling to the masses. Without Hulk Hogan’s popularity, there would be no mass audience for WrestleMania. Hulk Hogan is a 6-time WWF/WWE champion. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice.
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