Welcome to another installment of The Unpopular Opinion. In this series, we will dive into deciding who the top wrestlers in history are. Over the next few articles, we will go decade by decade to decide who was the biggest names in their respective decade.
Now, I understand there can be arguments of why a superstar is not in another decade. In this series, I will put the wrestler in the era where their stardom is at their highest. To minimize overlap, wrestlers in the top 10 will only be on the list one time.
In one of the most eventful decades in world history, the 1980’s was a decade that helped revolutionize the world we see it today. From: portable music listening, video game playing and television becoming must see almost each and everyday, this evolution of American pop culture made those who lived through the 80’s become the backbone of today’s world.
Throughout the 1980’s, the wrestling scene in America was a different atmosphere compared to today. Wrestling was divided into territories across the country where wrestlers from those territories would generally wrestle around that part of the country. However, the 80’s would be the start for where the wrestling world was heading in the next decades.
Moments in the wrestling world changed the industry that is still being seen today. It includes several characters and rivalries that are still remembered fondly in 2018. The 80’s brought arguably the biggest landmark event in history, WrestleMania. WrestleMania continues to be the must-see event of the year.
The 80’s is one of the most memorable decades in history and the wrestling of the time helped show why. So, let us go through the names that made this decade into such an important one in wrestling history.
No. 10. Nikita Koloff
Beginning this list is one of the more underrated talents of the 80’s, Nikita Koloff. Nikita, nephew of wrestling legend Ivan Koloff, would make his name known across the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) and the AWA (American Wrestling Alliance). Throughout the 80’s Nikita would build the mantra of being the “Russian Nightmare” to wrestling in America.
Nikita would go on to win championships for the NWA and become one of the biggest stars in wrestling during the decade. His 11-month reign as United States Champion was one of the most historic reigns of all time.
After Jim Crockett Promotions, who owned World Championship Wrestling, bought out the UWF (Universal Wrestling Federation), who was working with the NWA at the time, Nikita would never be able to win the ultimate prize, the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Nikita ran his way through the territories and will always be remembered as someone who would give it all every time he stepped in the ring. For someone who never stepped foot in a WWF/E(World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment) in his career, Nikita left his mark in wrestling history books.
No. 9. “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
In wrestling, there is always a need for the bad guy to go against the good guy. And, there was no bad guy like the “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. Ted got his start traveling the country and would showcase why he was the ultimate bad guy. In the early 80’s he would travel the world wrestling and making a name for himself. Once he made his way to the WWF, he developed the persona that made him one of the most hated bad guys in wrestling.
Ted DiBiase would become the “Million Dollar Man” and would go town to town showing why he was better than them. He would put people to challenges showing why “Everyone’s has a price.” Also, after every win, he would shove money down the throat of his opponent.
Ted’s would go on to main event WrestleMania 4 with “Macho Man” Randy Savage finals of the WWF Championship tournament. However, he would never successfully win the WWF Championship in his career. But, that did not stop him from being a champion.
Ted would use his money to create a championship fit only for the “Million Dollar Man.” Ted would go to Betteridge Jewelers in Greenwich, Connecticut and create the Million Dollar Championship. He would continue to wrestle for a few years after and shift into a manager role. However, the debut of one of the best bad guys in wrestling history makes Ted DiBiase one of the greatest wrestlers of the 1980’s.
No. 8. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
In wrestling, the underdog sometimes draws the attention of the crowd, especially against the big name stars. The true underdog was Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat. Ricky Steamboat was not flashy or large like other wrestlers of the time, however, it is what he was able to do in the ring that captured the fans’ imaginations and kept them on the edge of their seats.
Ricky was one of the best in-ring competitors to ever grace a wrestling ring. He had historic rivalries with stars like Randy Savage and Ric Flair that included bouts that would go down as some of the greatest matches in history: including Ricky’s match with Savage for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 3 at the Pontiac Silverdome.
Ricky traveled from both the WWF and WCW winning championships in both promotions. However, it was in WCW where he finally won the World Heavyweight Championship from Ric Flair in one of the most historic matches in wrestling history.
“The Dragon” was the true underdog of professional wrestling. He did not need the flashiness or the size to connect with millions across the world. The heart Ricky had for the wrestling business is what made him one of the greatest wrestlers of the 1980’s.
No. 7. Demolition (Ax, Smash, & Crush)
So far, I have talked about men who used money to get ahead. Underdogs who strived to get to the top. And men who were never given an opportunity to be the main champion. This pair did not wait for that opportunity. These men destroyed all teams in their path to win championships.
Of course, I am talking about Demolition. This collection of men would go on to dominate the tag team scene for years, becoming three-time WWF Tag Team Champions in the 80’s. Their first reign as champions lasted 478 days which was a record that stood for nearly 30 years.
Over their tenure, Demolition would form historic rivalries with The Brainbusters (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard), The Hart Foundation (Bret “The Hitman” Hart & Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart), The British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith & Dynamite Kid), The Twin Towers (Akeem & The Big Boss Man) and the Colossal Connection (Andre the Giant & Haku).
Demolition ran through their competition and showed why they were one of the best tag teams not only in the 80’s but of all time.
No. 6. Andre the Giant
You cannot have stars of the 80’s without the largest star ever to grace a WWF ring, the Eighth Wonder of the World, Andre the Giant. Coming from France, Andre’s size alone made him an attraction the world wanted to see up close in person.
During the 80’s, Andre would be side by side with the biggest names in WWF like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Roddy Piper and others. Andre was one of the focal points that made the WWF the must-see wrestling promotion. Without Andre the Giant, there would be no WrestleMania and arguably no WWE.
Alongside manager Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Andre became one of the biggest stars in WWF/E history. Andre would main event WrestleMania 3 with Hulk Hogan for the World Wrestling Federation Championship in the biggest main event in history at the time. Arguably it still is remembered as one of the biggest matches in wrestling history.
Andre the Giant’s character outside the wrestling business was always genuine and kind and his forays in acting endeared him to non-fans. Everyone remembers him as Fezzik in “The Princess Bride.”
From former foes and good friends. Andre well deserved to be the first ever inductee to the WWF/E Hall of Fame. Andre the Giant will always be remembered as one of the greatest wrestlers of the 1980’s.
No. 5. “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes
Who would have thought that a son of a plumber would captivate an audience to become one of the most popular wrestlers of all time? This son of the plumber showcased his emotions and connected with audiences all over while living his own American dream. This of course is none other than “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes.
Dusty Rhodes began his wrestling career working in the territories around the country. He would make his name in Jim Crockett Promotions and eventually WCW where he would battle some of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Wrestlers like: Terry Funk, Nikita Koloff, Harley Race and his legendary feud with The Four Horsemen (Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson & J.J. Dillon).
Dusty throughout his career would go on to win championships all over the United States. This included winning the coveted NWA World Heavyweight Championship three times. Rhodes is one of the most respected wrestlers to have ever stepped into a wrestling ring. He wanted to bring out the best in every aspiring wrestler to show that they belong in the wrestling business.
Rhodes would show that any man with two hands can live their American Dream. Dusty showed the passion he had for the business of professional wrestling with every word he spoke. He showed that you do not need the physique of a bodybuilder to be great in professional wrestling. There is no arguing that Dusty Rhodes’s legacy and accomplishments make him one of the greatest wrestlers of the 1980’s.
No. 4. “Hot Rod” Rowdy Roddy Piper
Rowdy Roddy Piper was the first true loose cannon of professional wrestling. From his in-ring ability to his skills on the mic during Piper’s Pit, “Hot Rod” Rowdy Roddy Piper traveled the world feuding with the biggest names in professional wrestling.
Roddy Piper made sure to draw the attention of the crowd, whether it be playing the bagpipes or smashing coconuts over wrestlers heads. Piper was the ultimate bad guy. Piper did not win tons of championships in his tenure in professional wrestling. However, the accomplishment that no one can take away is that Roddy Piper main-evented the very first WrestleMania, helping the WWF/E pave away into a generation for the next decade.
There will never be another bad guy with as much fuel and passion like “Hot Rod.” The Rock n’ Wrestling Connection would have never happened if it was not for Roddy Piper. His feud with Hulk Hogan helped gain the audience professional wrestling needed to make WrestleMania a success.
WrestleMania would not be what it is today without Rowdy Roddy Piper. Piper’s contributions during the 1980’s makes him one of the greatest wrestlers of the decade.
No. 3. “Macho Man” Randy Savage
There is not a wrestler with a more colorful personality and charisma than the “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Randy, like many others, broke into the business traveling around the country in the territories. He made his way to the World Wrestling Federation in the mid 80’s and instantly became one of the biggest stars in the company.
Alongside Miss Elizabeth, Savage would gain tons of success becoming one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions and one of the greatest WWF/E Champions of all time. His charisma and mic ability was unlike anyone has ever seen. Even when the words or sentences he spoke became unintelligible due to the Macho Madness, the audience still understood the message that Randy Savage was sending to his opponent.
Randy Savage’s legacy in the 80’s catapulted him to being one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. His legendary rivalries and matches with Ricky Steamboat, Hulk Hogan and others make Randy Savage one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots.
Whether it be the colors, the charisma, the machismo, the in-ring ability or even the legendary promos, “Macho Man” Randy Savage will always be remembered as one of the greatest not only in the 1980’s but all time.
No. 2. Hulk Hogan
No one in wrestling history is more well known than Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan was the face of the WWF/E for the 1980’s. Hulkamania ran wild all over the wrestling world. Hogan was able to be one of the biggest names in professional wrestling history with his emotion and his ability to connect with a massive audience.
Hulk had the ideal look of an almost superhero. He was able to pick up the giants like he did at WrestleMania 3 against Andre the Giant. He was able to represent America by overcoming trials and tribulations to be successful. He was the face of WWF/E because he was able to be a superstar both in and out of the wrestling business.
The red and the yellow will always be synonymous with Hulk Hogan. Hulk helped put WWF/E on the map to compete with the other territories during the 1980’s. Hulk helped make WrestleMania become one of the biggest events the world sees each year to this day. WWE would not be here without the influence of the Hulkster.
Hulk Hogan being the poster of WWF/E made him into one of the biggest stars in the world. Main eventing 8 of the first 9 WrestleManias, being the first wrestler to win 6 WWF/E Championships and becoming one of the most marketable stars in the world is why it is difficult talking about professional wrestling without bringing up the name Hulk Hogan.
His achievements, accomplishments and accolades show why he is one of the greatest wrestlers in WWF/E history. However, there is one name that is arguably the greatest of the 1980’s and arguably the greatest of all time.
No. 1. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair
Woooo!!! Is there really an argument of who the greatest wrestler of the decade truly is? It’s none other than the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. No one had more style, more profile than the Nature Boy. The kiss stealin, wheelin dealin of a gun showcased his personality through his word and his wrestling ability.
No one had more flash and luxury like Ric Flair. His iconic robes and the flashy jewelry showed why Naitch was always better than his opponent. Whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, Ric Flair was the biggest superstar of the NWA during the 1980’s.
Within the 1980’s, Ric Flair would go on to have legendary feuds with Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Ricky Steamboat, Sting and many, many more. Flair helped legitimize the NWA to compete with the territories around the United States. He would form the Four Horsemen and those four men took control within the NWA and then WCW.
There are those who try to duplicate Ric Flair, but there is not one person who can be Ric Flair. He became the first man to become a 16 time World Champion, a feat that would take 17 years to happen again.
Ric Flair’s legacy will always be remembered as one of the greatest in wrestling history. There is no debating that Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler of the 1980’s, if not the greatest of all time.
Conclusion
These 10 men paved the way for the future of professional wrestling and sports entertainment. These wrestlers of what some call the “Golden Era” of professional wrestling helped put professional wrestling on the map. Respect and gratitude have to be given to these men and the others who paved the way for today’s generation of professional wrestling.
David Jacobus
Intern