Who Were Your Favorite "Old School" Wrestlers ?

Let's go back at least 25 years(or, in my case, much further ) Who are the guys you grew up watching decades ago that really turned you on to pro wrestling. Heels that you loved to hate. Faces that you rooted for. I loved the days of the regional territories and the studio shows on Saturday.

Who were your favorites? Got a top 5?

Flying Fred Curry

Wild Bull Curry

Bobo Brazil

The Shiek

The Stomper

Ben Justice

Bruno Sammartino

Haystacks Calhoun

Handsome Jimmy Valiant

The Bushwhackers

Abdullah the Butcher

Leaping Lanny Poffo and Randy Savage

When I was a kid, I always looked forward to the rare opportunity to see the Eighth Wonder wrestle on TV, usually taking on 3-5 guys at once.

Here he is doling out some punishment to, I believe, King Kong Bundy and Big John Stud. Not sure about Andre's partner in this one, but my guess is Hillbilly Jim.

Bruno Sammartino

Haystacks Calhoun

Handsome Jimmy Valiant

The Bushwhackers

Abdullah the Butcher

Leaping Lanny Poffo and Randy Savage

Wow, you listed two of my faves, Leaping Lanny and Handsome Jimmy.

Leaping Lanny had some major hops and athletic ability in the ring:

Then he morphed into :

Handsome getting some mic time with Lance Russell:

Handsome getting some mic time with Lance Russell:

 

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Used to watch Lance and the NWA back in the day all the time.

Handsome Jimmy, Billy Superstar Dundee, Jerry Lawler, etc.

Funk was as tough a guy as there was. Plus, he was as good as they come behind the man. No one could make me laugh like Terry Funk. Oh, and he was a world champ several times over.

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Used to watch Lance and the NWA back in the day all the time.

 

Handsome Jimmy, Billy Superstar Dundee, Jerry Lawler, etc.

Terrific wrestling show. Lance and his sidekick Dave Brown were terrific hosting that show.

If you ever watched Southeastern Wrestling out of Knoxville or Smokey Mountain Wrestling, you know all about "The King of Kingsport, " Ol' Motormouth" Ron Wright. He was as funny as they come behind the mic. Great heel in the ring. He had me in tears many times.

Abdullah the Butcher was a scary dude.

When I was a kid, I always looked forward to the rare opportunity to see the Eighth Wonder wrestle on TV, usually taking on 3-5 guys at once.

 

Here he is doling out some punishment to, I believe, King Kong Bundy and Big John Stud. Not sure about Andre's partner in this one, but my guess is Hillbilly Jim.

 

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Looks like Hillbilly Jim.

Joe Leduc the Canadian Lumberjack

Ron Fuller aka Tennessee Stud

Superstar Bill Dundee

Dirty Dutch Mantel

Randy Savage

Nature Boy Richard Flair

Minnesota Wrecking Crew Ole and Arn Anderson

Just to name a few.

I dont go back that far, but a few of my favorites...

Michael PS Hayes (Fabulous Freebirds)

Beautiful Bobby Eaton

Ric Flair

Junkyard Dog