People of all ages have always loved wrestling. It was the first-ever sport to gain more than 1 billion viewers worldwide and is one of the fastest-growing sports in North America. Professional wrestlers have been using their unique talents to entertain audiences and fight for their fans for decades. This post will provide 20 of the most memorable wrestling stars in history.
1. The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior | Information |
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Full Name | The Ultimate Warrior |
Birth Name | James Brian Hellwig |
Born | June 16, 1959, Crawfordsville, Indiana, U.S. |
Died | April 8, 2014, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
Cause of Death | Heart attack |
Spouse(s) | Shari Tyree (m. 1982; div. 1991), Dana Viale (m. 1999) |
Children | 2 |
Ring Name(s) | The Ultimate Warrior |
Billed Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Billed Weight | 280 lb (127 kg) |
Trained by | Bill Anderson, Rick Bassman, Red Bastien |
Debut | November 23, 1985 |
Retired | June 25, 2008 |
Wrestling Organizations | World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling |
Championships | WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion, WWF Champion |
WrestleMania Achievement | Defeated Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become WWF Champion |
Controversy | Dispute with Vince McMahon over pay issues |
Legacy | Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Final public appearance on Monday Night Raw |
Post-Retirement Career | Engaged in public speaking, returned for one final match in 2008 |
The Ultimate Warrior was born in 1959, died in 2014, and was named James Brian Hellwig. Warrior started his career during the mid-1980s and was given a chance to wrestle for the WWF (World Wrestling Federation). Warrior joined the WWF in 1985 and became one of the biggest wrestling stars. He had signature catchphrases such as “Feel my power” and “Obey your warrior.” Warriors are famous for his character from WWE, as well as his other career in American football.
2. Chris Benoit
Chris Benoit | Information |
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Full Name | Chris Benoit |
Birth Name | Christopher Michael Benoit |
Nicknames | The (Canadian) Crippler, The Rabid Wolverine |
Born | May 21, 1967, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
Died | June 24, 2007, Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S. |
Cause of Death | Suicide by hanging |
Spouse(s) | Martina Benoit (m. 1988; div. 1997) Nancy Benoit (m. 2000; died 2007) |
Children | 3 |
Wrestling Promotions | WWF/WWE, WCW, ECW, NJPW, Stampede Wrestling |
Championships | 30 titles across various promotions |
World Championships | WCW World Heavyweight Champion, WWE World Heavyweight Champion |
Royal Rumble Winner | 2004 |
WrestleMania XX | Headlined and won the World Heavyweight Championship |
Controversial Legacy | Subject of intense debate in the wrestling industry |
Wrestling Abilities | Highly skilled technical wrestler |
Wrestling Hall of Fame Inductions | Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (1995) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (2003) |
Chris Benoit was born in 1967, died in 2017, and was considered one of the best professional wrestlers. He is also known for his trademark move, “the flying headbutt.” Benoit joined WWE in 1995 and became one of the most popular superstars featured on Monday Night Raw. His character as a vicious monster named “The Crippler” earned him many achievements and allowed him to star in WrestleMania XX. Benoit died by suicide at age 40.
3. Ricky Steamboat
Ricky Steamboat | Information |
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Full Name | Ricky Steamboat |
Birth Name | Richard Henry Blood Sr. |
Date of Birth | February 28, 1953 |
Place of Birth | West Point, New York, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Ring Names | Rick Blood, The Dragon, Ricky Steamboat, Sam Steamboat Jr. |
Promotions | American Wrestling Association, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling, World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) |
Accomplishments | – NWA World Heavyweight Champion – NWA United States Heavyweight Champion – World Television Champion – World Tag Team Champion – Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Champion – Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion – WWE Hall of Fame inductee |
Notable Feuds | Ric Flair, Jake Roberts, Macho Man Randy Savage |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
Weight | 235 lb (107 kg) |
Trained by | Verne Gagne, The Iron Sheik |
Debut | 1976 |
Retirement Date | November 27, 2022 |
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat was born in 1953 and has been part of wrestling since the 1970s. He was an American professional wrestler with a pin of 106 minutes. He had a career that lasted for almost four decades. Steamboat’s career began in NWA before he was signed by WWE, where he became one of the most famous wrestlers of all time. He became famous for his participation and victory at WrestleMania III.
4. Eddie Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero | Information |
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Full Name | Eddie Guerrero |
Birth Date | October 9, 1967 |
Place of Birth | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
Death Date | November 13, 2005 |
Place of Death | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
Cause of Death | Acute heart failure |
Nationality | American |
Wrestling Gimmick | “Latino Heat” |
Promotions | Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), WWE |
Championships | ECW World Television Champion, WCW United States Champion, WCW Cruiserweight Champion, |
Wrestling Stables | Los Guerreros, Latino World Order, Los Gringos Locos |
Hall of Fame | Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame, AAA Hall of Fame, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, |
Training | Trained by Gory Guerrero |
Education | Attended University of New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands University |
Eddie Guerrero was born in 1967, died in 2005, and was among the most successful professional wrestlers. He had a career that lasted almost four decades, and during that period, he won several accolades, including the WWE Championship on three occasions. Most fans considered Guerrero’s performance in the ring brilliant; he also won hearts due to his entertaining wrestling style.
If you’re a fan of Eddie Guerrero, you may be interested to know that the acclaimed wrestler was actually born in El Paso, Texas. Check out the list of famous people born in Texas to see who else hails from the Lone Star State.
5. Jake “the Snake” Roberts
Aurelian Smith Jr | Information |
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Full Name | Jake “The Snake” Roberts |
Birth Name | Aurelian Smith Jr. |
Born | May 30, 1954 (age 69) |
Birthplace | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Current Affiliation | All Elite Wrestling (AEW) |
Promotions | – World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE) |
Notable Achievements | – Intense and cerebral promos, dark charisma, psychology in matches |
Documentaries | – Featured in the documentary film “Beyond the Mat” |
Hall of Fame Inductions | – WWE Hall of Fame |
Personal Struggles | – Overcame alcohol and drug addiction |
Family | – Father: Aurelian “Grizzly” Smith |
Debut | 1974 |
Retired | 2018 |
Jake “the Snake” Roberts was born in 1955 and joined wrestling in the late 1970s. He had a career that lasted almost two decades and became one of the most successful superstars of his type. Roberts worked with WWE and WCW (World Championship Wrestling) during his long career. Roberts is credited for bringing wrestling into the Internet age by starting a website where he posted exclusive videos regarding his wrestling career. He is also famous for his abilities, which include crazy antics, exceptional performances, and extraordinary interviews.
6. Mr. Perfect
Curtis Michael Hennig was born in 1958 and died in 2003. He was an American professional wrestler, using the ring name Mr. Perfect in the WWF/E. Hennig was known for his perfect figure and fantastic and outstanding wrestling abilities. Mr. Perfect is famous for his tag team matches where he teamed with Bret Hart, Bunkhouse Buck, and Davey Boy Smith to win the WWF tag title 3 times in a row. He also won the WWF Intercontinental Championship in 1990.
If you’re looking for the best WWE Superstars of the 90s, then look no further than this comprehensive list of 50 wrestlers who defined the era. From Stone Cold Steve Austin to The Rock, each superstar helped shape the landscape of wrestling during this time. Check out the full list here: Top 50 WWE Superstars of the 90s Who Defined Wrestling.
7. Mick Foley
Mick Foley | Information |
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Full Name | Michael Francis Foley |
Date of Birth | June 7, 1965 |
Age | 58 |
Birthplace | Bloomington, Indiana, U.S. |
Nationality | American (of Irish descent) |
Occupations | Actor, Author, Color Commentator, Retired Professional Wrestler |
Years Active | 1983–2012 (as a wrestler), 1999–present (as an author, actor) |
Spouse | Colette Christie (married in 1992) |
Children | 4 |
Promotions Worked For | WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA (now Impact Wrestling), NWA, and promotions in Japan |
Memorable Matches | Participated in main events of WrestleMania 1999 and 2000, Legendary Hell in a Cell Match against The Undertaker |
WWE Hall of Fame Induction | Class of 2013 |
Physical Style | Known as “The Hardcore Legend” for his daring and brutal wrestling style |
Ambassador Role | Currently signed to WWE’s “Legends” program, acting as a company ambassador |
Educational Background | Attended State University of New York at Cortland |
Inspirations | Inspired to pursue wrestling career after watching “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka’s flying body splash |
Training | Trained at Dominic DeNucci’s wrestling school in Freedom, Pennsylvania |
Debut | June 23, 1986, as “Cactus Jack” in Clarksburg, West Virginia |
Famous for | Barbed Wire matches, Feuds with top wrestlers, Outwardly maniacal persona |
Notable Feud | Feud with Paul Orndorff, Harley Race, and Big Van Vader in WCW |
Career Transition | Transitioned from a heel to a fan favorite during WCW tenure |
Legacy | Widely regarded as one of the biggest stars of the Attitude Era and one of the greatest wrestlers in WWE history |
Mick Foley was born in 1965. He is a professional wrestler, actor, comedian, and author. Foley is famous for his signature moves, including the mandible claw and hard-core wrestling style. His performance in the ring often earned him injuries and popularity. Foley is also famous for being a 3-time WWF Champion.
8. Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase | Information |
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Full Name | Ted DiBiase |
Birth Name | Theodore Marvin Willis |
Date of Birth | January 18, 1954 |
Place of Birth | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
Spouse(s) | Melanie DiBiase (since 1981) |
Children | Mike DiBiase II, Ted DiBiase Jr., Brett DiBiase |
Family | Mike DiBiase (adoptive father), Helen Hild (mother) |
Ring Names | Ted DiBiase, The Million Dollar Man |
Billed Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
Billed Weight | 260 lb (118 kg) |
Billed From | Omaha, Nebraska (Seasonal residences – WWF) |
Trained by | Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk |
Debut | 1974 |
Retirement | 1993 |
Championship Titles | – First WWF North American Heavyweight Champion |
Headlined Events | – WrestleMania IV |
Hall of Fame | – Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (inducted in 1996) |
Notable Traits | – Regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers in pro wrestling history |
Theodore Marvin DiBiase Sr. was born in 1954. He is an American professional wrestler and is often referred to as “The Million Dollar Man.” He had accomplished many feats during his wrestling career. DiBiase earned success as one of the WWF superstars and won various titles, such as WHC, Tag Team Champion, and King of the Ring winner.
9. Dusty Rhodes
Dusty Rhodes | Information |
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Full Name | Dusty Rhodes |
Birth Name | Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. |
Nickname | The American Dream |
Date of Birth | October 11, 1945 |
Place of Birth | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Date of Death | June 11, 2015 |
Place of Death | Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
Cause of Death | Kidney failure |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Professional Wrestler, Booker, Trainer |
Wrestling Promotions | National Wrestling Alliance, World Wrestling Federation, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling |
Championships | Three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion |
Achievements | Inducted into the WWE, WCW, Professional Wrestling, and Wrestling Observer Newsletter Halls of Fame |
Family | Sons: Dustin Rhodes (AEW) and Cody Rhodes (WWE) |
Wrestling Character | Known for portraying the “common man” character and “the son of a plumber” |
Notable Feuds | Abdullah the Butcher, Terry Funk, Blackjack Mulligan, Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard |
Contributions | Worked as a backstage booker and producer in WWE’s NXT developmental territory |
Physical Stats | Height: 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Trained by | Joe Blanchard |
Debut | 1967 |
Retirement | 2010 |
Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. was born in 1945, died in 2015, and joined wrestling in the late 1960s. He is an American professional wrestler, booker, and trainer. Rhodes is known for his exceptional wrestling abilities and iconic interviews. During his long career, he won several titles, including the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Television Championship twice in a row.
10. Andre the Giant
Andre the Giant | Information |
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Full Name | André René Roussimoff |
Ring Name(s) | André the Giant, André Roussimoff, André the Giant Frenchman, The Ultimate Giant, Géant Ferré, Giant Machine, Jean Ferré, Monster Eiffel Tower, Monster Roussimoff, The Polish Giant |
Birth Date | 19 May 1946 |
Birth Place | Coulommiers, Seine-et-Marne, France |
Death Date | 28 January 1993 |
Death Place | Paris, France |
Age at Death | 46 |
Children | 1 |
Height | 7 ft 4 in (224 cm) |
Weight | 520 lb (236 kg) |
Billed From | Grenoble in the French Alps |
Debut | 25 January 1966 |
Promotions | World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), New Japan Pro-Wrestling, All Japan Pro-Wrestling |
Accomplishments | WWF Championship, Inaugural WWF Hall of Fame Inductee |
Notable Feuds | Hulk Hogan, Killer Khan, Big John Studd |
Film Appearance | The Princess Bride (1987) |
Additional Information | André the Giant, also known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” was a French professional wrestler and actor. He achieved great fame and recognition for his enormous size, attributed to gigantism caused by excess growth hormones. André had an illustrious wrestling career, debuting in 1966 and later becoming a mainstay of the World Wrestling Federation during the 1980s. He engaged in notable feuds with legendary wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Killer Khan, and Big John Studd. André’s impressive stature, standing at 7 ft 4 in and weighing 520 lb, made him an iconic figure in the wrestling industry. He won the WWF Championship and was the first inductee into the WWF Hall of Fame. André’s cultural impact extended beyond wrestling, as he portrayed the beloved character Fezzik in the popular film The Princess Bride. Sadly, André the Giant passed away at the age of 46 in Paris, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the most recognizable figures in professional wrestling and pop culture. |
Andre Rene Roussimoff was born in 1946, died in 1993, and is a French professional wrestler and actor. Andre is also one of the most famous professional wrestlers of all time. During his career, he won several titles and was famously known for his flawless physique. Andre’s record-breaking performance thrilled fans, especially during his match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 3, where he was victorious despite the odds being stacked against him.
Have you ever wondered about the height of Hulk Hogan? This iconic wrestler stands at an impressive 6 feet 7 inches tall. Hogan is known for his signature “Hulkamania” persona and for being one of the biggest names in wrestling history.
11. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
Rowdy Roddy Piper | Information |
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Full Name | “Rowdy” Roddy Piper |
Birth Name | Roderick George Toombs |
Born | April 17, 1954 |
Place of Birth | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
Died | July 31, 2015 |
Place of Death | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Age at Death | 61 years |
Cause of Death | Cardiac arrest caused by hypertension |
Spouse(s) | Kitty Jo Dittrich (married in 1982) |
Children | 4, including Teal Piper |
Ring Name(s) | “Rowdy” Roddy Piper |
Billed Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Billed Weight | 230 lb (104 kg) |
Billed From | Glasgow, Scotland |
Trained by | Gene LeBell, Leo Garibaldi, Tony Condello, Joe Fiorino, Stu Hart |
Debut | 1969 |
Retirement | 2011 |
Nicknames | “Rowdy,” “Hot Rod” |
Greatest Heel Wrestler | Ever |
Championships | Accumulated 34 titles |
Hosted Segment | “Piper’s Pit” |
Notable Films | “They Live” |
TV Series | “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” |
Childhood Friend | Cam Connor |
Skills | Proficient Bagpipe Player and Judo Practitioner |
Career Highlights | Headlined WrestleMania and other major PPV events |
Iconic Moment | Smashing Jimmy Snuka with a Coconut in Piper’s Pit |
Roderick George Toombs was born in 1954 and died in 2015; better known as “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, was a Canadian professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and actor. He was considered one of the most successful professional wrestlers of all time. He had a career that lasted for almost four decades, and during his career, he won many accolades, such as the Tag Team Championship 3 times with Junkyard Dog. Piper’s exceptional abilities included striking matches and grueling battles against Hulk Hogan and Mr. T.
12. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle | Information |
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Full Name | Kurt Steven Angle |
Date of Birth | December 9, 1968 (age 54) |
Birthplace | Mt. Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Retired Professional Wrestler, Olympic Gold Medalist, Former Collegiate Wrestler |
Championships | WWE Championship (4 times), WCW Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, TNA World Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Heavyweight Championship |
Olympic Success | Gold Medalist in Freestyle Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics |
College Achievements | Two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion in the heavyweight division |
Wrestling Style | Accomplished Shoot Wrestler and Amateur Wrestler |
Legacy | Inducted into WWE Hall of Fame and TNA Hall of Fame |
Notable Accomplishments | Winner of Junior Nationals, NCAA, World Championships, and the Olympics (Amateur Grand Slam) |
Considered | One of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time |
Kurt Steven Angle was born in 1968. He is an American actor, actor in professional wrestling, and producer. Angle is the only wrestler who won a gold medal at the Olympics (in 1996) and became a King of the Ring winner and a Royal Rumble winner. He had a career that lasted almost 20 years, and during his long career, he won several awards, such as the WWE Championship, three times in a row.
If you’re a fan of Kurt Angle, you might also be interested in learning about the height of Rey Mysterio, one of the greatest high flyers in the history of pro-wrestling. Like Angle, Mysterio has had a storied career and is known for his impressive athleticism in the ring. Check out our article to find out just how tall this legendary wrestler is.
13. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho | Information |
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Full Name | Christopher Keith Irvine (Chris Jericho) |
Date of Birth | November 9, 1970 |
Nationality | American-Canadian |
Professions | Professional wrestler, rock musician, podcaster, actor, author |
Promotion | All Elite Wrestling (AEW) |
Stable | Leader of the Jericho Appreciation Society stable |
Accolades | Regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time |
Early Career | Competed in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW) |
Debut in WWF/WWE | 1999 |
Titles Held | Six-time world champion, including Undisputed WWF Champion and World Heavyweight Champion |
Record | Nine-time WWE Intercontinental Champion |
Awards | 2008 Superstar of the Year Slammy Award, 2009 Tag Team of the Year Slammy Award |
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) | One-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion |
AEW Career | Inaugural AEW World Champion, ROH World Champion |
Total Championships | 35 championships held, including eight World Championships and ten Intercontinental Championships |
Music Career | Lead vocalist of heavy metal band Fozzy |
Television Appearances | Dancing With the Stars, host of Downfall, Revolver Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards |
Early Life | Born in Manhasset, New York, of Scottish and Ukrainian descent |
Education | Graduated from Red River College with a diploma in Creative Communications |
Training | Trained at the Hart Brothers School of Wrestling |
Debut Match | October 2, 1990, as “Cowboy” Chris Jericho |
Ring Names | Chris Jericho, Corazón de León, Lionheart, León D’Oro, Lion Do, Super Liger |
International Career | Competed in Japan’s Frontier Martial-Arts Wrestling (FMW) and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) |
Wrestling Style | Known for in-ring technical wrestling prowess and character reinvention |
Influences | Owen Hart, Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Shawn Michaels |
Hall of Fame | Inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2010 |
Christopher Keith Irvine was born in 1970, better known by the ring name Chris Jericho. He is an American professional wrestler and musician. Jericho is one of the most successful wrestlers of all time. He had a long career that lasted for almost 30 years. During his career, he won several awards, such as the WCW World Championship twice, the WWE Championship 7 times, and the WCW Tag Team Championship once with Rey Mysterio Jr.
14. Triple H
Triple H | Information |
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Full Name | Triple H |
Born | July 27, 1969 |
Birthplace | Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S. |
Occupation | Business executive, actor, retired professional wrestler |
Current Position | Chief Content Officer and Head of Creative, WWE |
Wrestling Career | 1992–2022 |
Acting Career | 1998–2017 |
Business Career | 2010–present |
Employer | WWE |
Spouse | Stephanie McMahon (m. 2003) |
Children | 3 |
Wrestling Ring Names | Triple H, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Terra Ryzing |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
Weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
Trained by | Killer Kowalski |
Debut | March 24, 1992 |
Retirement | April 3, 2022 |
Championships | 14-time World Champion, 5-time Intercontinental Champion, 3-time World Tag Team Champion, 2-time European Champion, 2-time Royal Rumble Winner, King of the Ring Winner |
Notable Stable | D-Generation X (DX) |
Contributions | Created WWE developmental branch NXT, acknowledged for business acumen in professional wrestling |
Hall of Fame Induction | WWE Hall of Fame 2019 (as part of D-Generation X) |
Personal Life | Married to Stephanie McMahon, daughter of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon |
Retirement | Officially retired from in-ring competition in April 2022 |
Paul Michael Levesque was born in 1969 and is known by his ring name Triple H. He is an American professional wrestler, producer, executive, and former bodybuilder. Triple H’s career lasted for almost 20 years, and during that time, he won various awards, such as the Intercontinental Championship 6 times in succession, European Championship, and WWE Championship 5 times.
15. “Macho Man” Randy Savage
Randy Savage The | Information |
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Full Name | “Macho Man” Randy Savage |
Birth Date | November 15, 1952 |
Birth Place | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
Death Date | May 20, 2011 |
Death Place | Seminole, Florida, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Ring Names | Randy Savage, The Spider, The Big Geno, Mr. Madness, Destroyer, Executioner, Bonesaw |
Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
Weight | 237 lb (108 kg) |
Billed From | Sarasota, Florida |
Profession | Professional Wrestler |
Promotions | World Wrestling Federation (WWF), World Championship Wrestling (WCW) |
Spouse(s) | Miss Elizabeth, Lynn Payne |
Family | Angelo Poffo (father), Lanny Poffo (brother) |
Training | Angelo Poffo |
Debut | 1973 |
Retirement | December 5, 2004 |
Randy Poffo was born in 1952 and died in 2011. He is also famous for his ring name, “Macho Man.” He is an American professional wrestler and actor. Savage’s long career started in the 1970s and lasted almost two decades. During his career, he won several awards, including the WWF Championship twice in a row. He also won various titles, such as the WWE Intercontinental Championship and WWF Tag Team Championship.
16. Bret “the Hitman” Hart
Bret Sergeant Hart | Information |
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Full Name | Bret “The Hitman” Hart |
Birth Name | Bret Sergeant Hart |
Date of Birth | July 2, 1957 |
Age | 66 |
Place of Birth | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Nationality | Canadian-American |
Amateur Wrestling Background | Ernest Manning High School, Mount Royal College |
Professional Wrestling Debut | 1976 |
Promotion | Stampede Wrestling |
Notable Championships | British Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Championship (2 times), International Tag Team Championship (5 times), North American Heavyweight Championship (6 times) |
In-Ring Persona | “The Hitman” |
Legacy | Widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time |
Key Contributions | Transformed mainstream North-American professional wrestling in the early 1990s by emphasizing technical in-ring performance |
Major Career Highlights | Five-time WWF Champion, two-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, winner of the 1994 Royal Rumble match (with Lex Luger), two-time King of the Ring |
Hall of Fame Inductions | Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (1996), WWE Hall of Fame (2006 and 2019 as a member of The Hart Foundation) |
Retirement | Officially retired in October 2000, with sporadic returns to in-ring competition from 2010 to 2011 |
Outside of Wrestling | Featured in films and TV shows, co-founded the Calgary Hitmen ice hockey team, authored biographies, engaged in charitable efforts for stroke recovery and cancer awareness. |
Bret Hart was born in 1957 and is famous for his ring name, “the Hitman.” He is a Canadian professional wrestler, actor, and commentator. During a long career that spanned decades, Bret won several awards, such as the WWF Intercontinental Championship 5 times in a row, WCW United States Championship once, WCW International Heavyweight Championship twice, and also the WWF Championship 1 time.
17. The Undertaker
The Undertaker | Information |
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Full Name | The Undertaker |
Birth Name | Mark William Calaway |
Birthdate | March 24, 1965 |
Birthplace | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Debut | June 26, 1987 |
Retired | November 22, 2020 |
Promotion | WWF/E (World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment) |
Accomplishments | – WWE Hall of Fame inductee (2022) |
Joseph William Ford was born in 1965. He is an American professional wrestler known by his ring name, The Undertaker. He has a long career that spanned a decade, and during that time, he won the World Heavyweight Championship 3 times, WCW World Championship once, and the WWF Championship 6 times.
Standing tall at 7′ 6″, Giant Jorge González was one of the tallest wrestlers in history. Despite his height making him an imposing figure in the ring, González’s size unfortunately led to health issues that ultimately resulted in his retirement from wrestling.
18. The Rock
The Rock | Information |
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Full Name | Dwayne Douglas Johnson (Ring Name: The Rock) |
Date of Birth | May 2, 1972 |
Age | 51 |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.94 m) |
Weight | 275 lbs (125 kg) |
Birth Place | Hayward, California |
Resides | Fort Lauderdale, Florida |
Billed from | Miami, Florida |
Trainer | Pat Patterson, Rocky Johnson, Tom Prichard |
Debut | June 1, 1995 |
Education | Dual degrees in Criminology and Physiology |
Family | Father: Rocky Johnson; Wife: Dany Garcia |
Wrestling Accomplishments | Multiple WWE Championships |
Notable Catchphrases | “If you smell what The Rock is cooking,” “Lay the Smackdown,” “It doesn’t matter what you think!” |
Career Highlight | First third-generation wrestler in WWE history |
Dwayne Douglas Johnson was born in 1972. He is a professional wrestler, actor, and producer from the United States. During his career, he won several awards, including the WWF Championship 8 times, WCW/WWE Heavyweight Championship 2 times in a row, and the Tag Team Championship 3 times in a row with Mick Foley.
19. John Cena
John Cena | Information |
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Full Name | John Felix Anthony Cena |
Born | April 23, 1977 |
Place of Birth | West Newbury, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Professional wrestler, actor |
Years Active | 1999–present |
Spouses | Elizabeth Huberdeau, Shay Shariatzadeh |
Relatives | Ulysses J. Lupien (great-grandfather), Tony Lupien (grandfather) |
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
Weight | 251 lb (114 kg) |
Billed From | West Newbury, Massachusetts, Los Angeles, California |
Alma Mater | Springfield College (BA) |
Wrestling Debut | November 5, 1999 |
Organizations | WWE |
World Championships | 16-time world champion (13-time WWE Champion, 3-time World Heavyweight Champion) |
Notable Achievements | 5-time WWE United States Champion, 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion, 2-time World Tag Team Champion, 2-time Royal Rumble winner, 1-time Money in the Bank winner |
Filmography | The Marine, Trainwreck, Ferdinand, Blockers, Bumblebee, F9, The Suicide Squad, Fast X, Peacemaker |
Charitable Involvement | Make-A-Wish Foundation (over 650 wishes granted) |
Education | Springfield College (degree in exercise physiology and body movement) |
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr was born in 1977, the youngest wrestler in WWE history, and is an American professional wrestler. Cena had a long career that lasted for over a decade, and during that time, he won several awards. He won the WWE Championship 5 times and also was WWE Champion on two occasions when he became a world champion.
If you’re a John Cena fan wondering about his height, look no further than Hood MWR’s article on his height. Cena stands at an impressive six feet tall, which has undoubtedly helped him in his successful wrestling career.
20. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve | Information |
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Full Name | “Stone Cold” Steve Austin |
Date of Birth | December 18, 1964 |
Age | 58 |
Place of Birth | Austin, Texas, U.S. |
Occupations | Media personality, actor, retired professional wrestler |
Years Active | 1989-2003 (wrestling), 1999-present (media) |
Promotions | World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) |
Championships | 6-time WWF Champion, 2-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, 1-time Million Dollar Champion, 4-time WWF Tag Team Champion |
Notable Achievements | 3-time Royal Rumble winner, 1996 King of the Ring, headlined multiple WrestleMania events |
Retirement Date | March 30, 2003 |
WWE Hall of Fame Induction | 2009 |
Return Match | WrestleMania 38 against Kevin Owens (April 2022) |
Media Work | Host of The Steve Austin Show (podcast), Broken Skull Sessions (WWE video podcast), reality shows |
Steven James Anderson was born in 1964 and is an American actor and retired professional wrestler. During their long career, he won many awards. Austin won the WWF Championship 6 times, Intercontinental Championship twice, and Tag Team Championship 4 times.