Born: 1928

Real Name: Joe Scarpa

A charismatic showman and a great Champion, Chief Jay Strongbow made his name in the WWE in the 1960’s and 1970’s and was one of the WWE’s most popular and influential wrestlers during that time. He won his first World Tag Team Championship in 1972 along with his then Tag Team Partner, Sonny King. He held the titles again in 1976 with his partner Native American Billy White Wolf and they became an extremely popular Tag Team. Sadly, Billy White Wolf’s neck got broken ending his career in the WWE and Strongbow decided to make a name for himself as a singles competitor.

When his nephew, Jay Strongbow, joined the WWE the two teamed up and challenged for the Tag Team titles successfully winning them in 1982. Chief Jay Strongbow retired from the ring in the mid 1980’s but continued to work for the WWE and became a mentor to Tatanka in the early 1990’s.

Arnold Skaaland has been a wrestler, manager and promoter but is probably best remembered as a manager to Bruno Sammartino during his Championship reign and then to Champion Bob Bachland for whom he famously threw the towel in for during his match against the Iron Sheik in 1983 ending his long title reign.

Born: 10 July 1924

Died: 20 January 1998 aged 74

Real Name: Houston Harris

Standing at 6 foot 6 inches tall, Bobo Brazil was born in Little Rock, Arkansas although he eventually set up home in Benton Harbor, Michigan where his restaurant, Bobo’s Grill became a local landmark. In the ring he was a fearless grappler who’s opponents stated had the hardest head in the business with his patented finishing manoeuvre - “Coca Butt”.

Brazil entered the business at a time when African Americans were segregated from the rest of the fans at certain venues and Brazil himself was banned from many hotels but he handled himself with a great dignity which inspired others. Although initially he was booked to face only other African American athletes, the fans wanted to see him face more opponents and Brazil was willing to take on anyone. The promoters had to respond to the fans and for most of his career he was an incredibly well liked and well respected wrestler who held the earlier version of today‘s US title on numerous occasions. He had many great rivalries and battles over the years but his most famous were those with the Iron Sheik.

Born: 8 February 1918

Died: 2 June 2003 aged 85

Real Name: Frederick Blassman

Classy Freddie Blassie made his professional debut in 1935 and was one of the industry’s more memorable Heel characters. Unlike today, his heel status earned Blassie numerous death threats, stab wounds and acid attacks by irate fans but his passion for wrestling was so strong that he let nothing deter him from doing the one thing that he loved and had been doing since the age of 17.

Freddie Blassie was a tough individual in the ring and would often bite his opponents drawing blood and worked for all three generations of the McMahon family. Although he retired from the ring he remained with the WWE and became a successful “heel” manger wearing outlandish costumes to the ring earning him the moniker “The Hollywood Fashion Plate”. He was still making appearances at WWE shows in his 80’s but sadly, Classy Freddie Blassie died at the age of 85 on 2 June 2003. A truly memorable character and a true legend in the business.

Born: 20 February 1921

Died: 26 June 1992 aged 71

Real Name: Herman Rohde

The “Original Nature Boy“, Buddy Rogers was a former police officer and took his name “Nature Boy” from a popular song in the 1950’s. His character was arrogant and full of self praise, a style that annoyed his peers and fans a like. In 1961, he and then National Wrestling Alliance Champion, Pat O’Connor set gate attendance records in Chicago when they fought over the World title, a record that remained intact for nearly 2 decades. Rogers won the title on that night and lost it in controversy in 1963 to Lou Thesz. Vincent J McMahon and his partner Toots Mondt stated that the title switch was invalid as the NWA title could only change hands in a two out of three falls match, instead Rogers had won the tournament to become the Champion of their new company (today’s WWE).

Rogers lost the title in May 1963 in a record breaking 48 seconds at Madison Square Garden to Bruno Sammartino from where Rogers vanished from the WWE. In 1979 he turned up in the Mid Atlantic Wrestling territory in North Carolina and started a battle of “The Nature Boys” with Ric Flair. Rogers was Flair’s idol and when he defeated him with the Figure Four Leg lock, Flair earned the right to state “to be the man, you have to beat the man”!.

Born: 4 June 1937

Died: 6 October 1999 aged 62

Real Name: Robert Marella

Gorilla Monsoon made his debut in 1959 and with manager Red Berry in his corner he instantly became one of the most hated heels in the country. In 1963, he won the United States Tag Team Championship with his then tag team partner, Killer Kowalski. In the same year he went the full 90 minute time limit in a match against World Champion Bruno Sammartino, a match that both men declared was the toughest in their careers and no winner was decided.

In 1969 Monsoon became a good guy after being rescued from a savage beating at the hands of the Iron Sheik by none other than Bruno Sammartino and he remained one of the company’s most beloved faces. He retired from the ring in 1981 but his career with wrestling didn’t end there as he stepped behind the mic alongside Jesse “The Body” Ventura, to become, what many consider, one of the greatest commentary teams of all time. He also formed a memorable duo with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. Gorilla Monsoon was named President of the WWE in 1995, a role he stepped down from in 1997 to become a road agent. His last public appearance was at Wrestlemania XV in March 1999. Sadly, Gorilla Monsoon passed away on October 4^th 1999 aged 62.

James Dudley worked tirelessly behind the scenes in the WWE in the 1950’s and 1960’s and became a close confidant to Vincent James McMahon. He managed the site of WWE broadcasts and made history at the Turner Arena in Washington by becoming the first ever African American to run a major Arena in America. James Dudley also became a bit of a celebrity himself when he used to run out waving a towel before Bobo Brazil’s matches in Washington.

Real Name: Lillian Ellison

Fabulous Moolah is the only woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and is a true legend in the business who paved the way for today’s female wrestlers. In 1972, along with Vincent J McMahon, they successfully beat the ban against women wrestling at Madison Square Garden. Fabulous Moolah is still very much an integral part of the WWE family and still on occasions touches base with them and the fans by appearing on their shows.

Moolah has been in the business for more than 50 years and held the women’s Championship for an unprecedented 28 years from 1956 until she was defeated by Wendi Richter in 1984. (Richter was managed by pop singer Cyndi Lauper). After her defeat in 1984, Moolah turned her attentions more to managing up and coming female stars and guided Leilani Kai to a Women’s title match against Richter at the first ever Wrestlemania in 1985. Although Richter regained the title, Moolah won it not long after under a mask as “The Spider Lady”. In 1987 after losing the title to Sherri Martel, Moolah became less and less of a fixture in the WWE and seemed to have retired from the business. In 1999, now in her 70’s, Moolah reappeared in the WWE with long time friend and fellow competitor Mae Young by her side. She became the oldest title holder in the history of sport after she defeated the then Women’s Champion, Ivory in October 1999 at No Mercy to win the Women‘s title once more. She may not have held it for long but it was just another incredible feat to add to this remarkable lady’s repertoire. Fabulous Moolah is truly one of a kind.

Born: 22 October 1942

Real Name: Pedro Morales

Pedro Morales made his professional debut in 1959 and was the first wrestler to win all three WWE titles - WWE Championship, Intercontinental Championship and World Tag Team Championship. His career lasted nearly three decades before he retired from the ring in the late 80’s.

Morales came from Puerto Rico and first came to prominence on the national scene in 1971 when he won the WWE Championship from Ivan Koloff, a title which he held on to for nearly three years. He was an all round athlete, powerful but also technically sound in the ring and prided himself on his physical condition. He was so fit that he invariably wore out his opponents in matches. One of his classic matches was against Bruno Sammartino in 1972, after 76 minutes the bout was declared a draw. He won the World Tag Team titles in 1980 with Bob Backlund but as Backlund was the WWE Champion and at the time a wrestler could only hold one title at a time, they had to forfeit the titles. In 1981, he became the first wrestler to hold all three titles when he captured the Intercontinental title. Pedro Morales was much loved by the fans and well respected by his peers.

Known affectionately as “The Polish Power”, Ivan Putski from Krakow in Poland, was one of the more popular wrestlers of the 1970’s and a huge favourite of the fans. Although not tall by wrestling standards he was a real power house with amazing strength and quickness making him a more than suitable opponent for some of the best in the business.

Putski, although primarily a singles competitor won the Tag Team titles (the only title that he did win) in 1979 along with his partner Tito Santana, they held the titles for 6 months before losing them to The Wild Samoans. In the early 80’s he started to wind down his wrestling career and instead spent more time competing in Strong Man competitions, it was there that he established himself as not only one of the strongest wrestlers in the world but one of the strongest people and he became an inspiration to future generations of body builders (and WWE Superstars). With his winning smile and mild manner, Putski remains one of the industry’s most beloved Superstars.

Antonino Rocca made his professional debut in 1941 and in the latter part of the 1940’s was the top Superstar of a company then called Capitol Wrestling Corporation (today’s WWE). He was the most dynamic wrestler that had been seen in the business up until that point and dazzled the fans in the 1950’s with his arsenal of high flying moves including Hurricanranas, Flying Dropkicks and flying body presses.

With his Latin American heritage he was a huge fan favourite especially in New York and at Madison Square Garden. His fan following was so passionate that there was the (now infamous) riot at the garden when he got busted open by Dick The Bruiser in 1957. Rocca never held a World Championship but his matches still headlined the cards at Arenas like The Garden and he was the man that the fans came to see. Only Gorgeous George was a bigger star at the time although not on the east coast. Along with Miguel Perez, they became the first ever holders of the United States Tag Team Championship (today’s World Tag Team titles). By 1963, Rocca had given his top spot in the company over to Bruno Sammartino, he returned to the WWE in the 1970’s to work as an announcer calling the action with a very young Vincent Kennedy McMahon. Sadly, Antonino Rocca died in 1977 but will always be fondly remember as the first major Superstar that was promoted by the McMahon family.

Born: 7 June 1929

Died: 1983 aged 54

Real Name: Ernie Roth

The Grand Wizard (a.k.a. Ernie Roth), started his career as a radio announcer and during his time in professional wrestling became an advisor to the likes of Sgt Slaughter, Ernie Ladd and Blackjack Mulligan spending his time ringside during their matches doing what he did best, “sounding off” on the microphone. He also held numerous other identities including Abdullah Farouk the manager of the Iron Sheik. As the Wizard though he will be best remembered for his mismatched dress sense. His biggest accomplishment was as manager of Superstar Billy Graham in 1977 when Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the World Heavyweight Championship.

Born: 16 April 1937

Real Name: James Meyers

George “The Animal” Steele with his green tongue, incredibly hairy back and unusual culinary taste for Turnbuckle covers make him a truly unique character in WWE’s history.

He came to the WWE in the late 1960’s and had numerous mangers over the years including Classy Freddie Blassie, The Wizard and Capt. Lou Albano. He entered into classic rivalries with Bruno Sammartino, Gorilla Monsoon, Pedro Morales and Bob Backlund and became one of the most hated men in the sport due to his “animal like” behaviour in the ring but in 1984, he rehired Lou Albano as his manger and ended his bad ways. He then became one of the sports most beloved characters. In an industry where athletes used their mic skills as well as their in ring talent to get over, George Steele was one of those rare athletes that actually succeeded without uttering a word. In 1986 he feuded with Macho Man Randy Savage after he developed a crush on Miss Elizabeth even costing him the Intercontinental title in his classic battle with Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat at Wrestlemania III. He came out of retirement in the late 1990’s during the “Attitude Era” and became a member of the group “the oddities“. Today, he remains one of the most recognisable men outside sports entertainment. There really will only ever be one George “The Animal” Steele.

Real Name: Lou Albano

During his career in the WWE, Captain Lou Albano did become one half of the WWE United States Tag Team Champions in 1967 as a member of The Sicilians with Tony Altimore but it was as a manger that he earned his legendary status.

His client list reads like a who’s who in the business and includes such favourites as Ivan Koloff, and more than 12 tag teams including The Valiant Brothers, The Wild Samoans, Mr Fuji & Masa Saito and The British Bulldogs. It was his chance meeting with pop sensation Cyndi Lauper on an aeroplane which resulted in him appearing in her video for her hit “Girls Just Wanna have fun” and Lauper then appearing in the WWE that was seen as the start of the Rock and Wrestling connection.

Real Name: Wladek Kowalski

Killer Kowalski’s professional debut was in 1947 and although he was always a contender for the Heavyweight Championship he never actually won the title.

He earned himself a fierce reputation in the ring and will be remembered for an incident that happened nearly 50 years ago when he caught Yukon Eric’s ear on his descent from the turnbuckles, tearing part of it off. As a long-time vegetarian and with his dedication to fitness, he outlasted many of his peers as an active wrestler in the business. In 1976 he did win the Tag Team titles as one half of the masked team “the Executioners” alongside Big John Studd. He subsequently turned his talents to training the next generation of star with A-Train and Triple H among his student list.

Real Name: Mike Scicluna

Baron Mikel Scicluna hailed from the Isle of Malta and with his tendency to enter the ring with a cape draped over his shoulder, he indicated, that somewhere in his past there was just a hint of royal blood in his family. He was infamous for using a roll of coins to tumble his opponents and rarely got caught by the referee. He won the Tag Team titles in 1966 with Smasher Sloan and then six years later with King Curtis Iaukea.

Real Name: John Sullivan

Along side his brother Jimmy Valiant, “The Valiant Brothers” were considered to be one of the top Tag Teams of the 1970’s. Their flamboyance gave fans a taster of what sports entertainment would be like today. They seemed unbeatable at times and even held the Tag Team titles for an entire year between 1974 and 1975. Another Valiant brother joined the mix later, Gentleman Jerry. Jimmy went on to become the “Boogy Woogy” man in other promotions and Johnny became Manager “Johnny V” for a while before becoming a popular New York Comedian.

Real Name: James Fanning

See Johnny Valiant above

Real Name: Johnny Rodriguez

Johnny Rodz made his presence felt in the WWE during the mid 1970’s, he had a very unique style that earned him the name “Unpredictable Johnny Rodz” and he would take on anyone in the ring always entertaining the fans. Even after he retired from the ring he continued to make a name for himself by becoming a trainer at the legendary Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, New York. He helped train such boxing legends as Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis and some of today’s WWE Superstars, Tommy Dreamer, Tazz, D-Von Dudley and Bill DeMott. He still continues to train talent to the highest quality today.

Real Name: Pierre Clemont

Pat Patterson made his debut in the WWE in 1976 although he had already made a name for himself in the business long before then. He was already a huge star and a well respected wrestler when he came to prominence in the WWE.

He was the winner of the first Intercontinental Championship, a title that he won after a gruelling competition in Rio De Janeiro and a belt that he held onto for eight months. One of his most memorable feuds was with Sgt Slaughter, a feud that saw them do battle in an Alley Fight at Madison Square Garden in 1981, considered one of the greatest but bloodiest battles in the history of wrestling. After he retired from action in the ring he moved to the commentators table alongside Vincent K McMahon and went on to become Vince’s “right hand man” in the business who worked tirelessly behind the scenes right up until he retired towards the end of 2004. A well respected man whose legacy will be long felt in the business.

Vincent James McMahon, the father of current WWE head Vincent Kennedy McMahon, learned the business from his own father Jess McMahon who was a boxing and wrestling promoter in New York. It was in 1963, along with his business partner Toots Mondt, that saw the official “birth” of today’s WWE. In the days of the regional wrestling territories, WWE was by far the biggest and in time grew and gained so much respect that former rivals of McMahon became business associates. Vince McMahon Sr sold the company to his son and daughter in law, Vince and Linda McMahon in 1982 and the face of sports and entertainment changed forever!.

Born: 18 May 1945

Real Name: James Reiher

Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka made his debut into the WWE in 1982. His high flying manoeuvres from the top rope made him one of the industries most popular wrestlers at one time and influenced many of today’s high flying specialists.

He soon became a top contender for the heavyweight Championship and faced Bob Backlund in three consecutive main events at Madison Square Garden the most famous being the Steel Cage match on 28 June 1982 which saw Snuka truly fly as he leapt from the top of the 15 foot cage. Unfortunately he missed his opponent which cost him the match but it will go down in the history books as one of those truly memorable (and “holy shit”) moments. He once again leapt from the top of the cage during his Intercontinental Championship challenge against Don Muraco at The Garden, although he managed to hit the target this time, unfortunately, he had already lost the bout. Another one of Snuka’s most talked about moments came in 1984 when he was a guest on “Rowdy” Roddy Pipers interview segment “Piper’s Pit” which saw Piper smash a coconut over Snuka’s head. He appeared at the first ever Wrestlemania in the corner of Hogan & Mr T but not long after that he disappeared from the limelight for a while. He returned to action in 1989 at Wrestlemania V and enjoyed a few more years as an in ring competitor even taken on the then rookie Undertaker in 1991 at Wrestlemania VII. His final match (to date) was at Survivor Series in 1996 where he returned to the Garden (and the air one more time). Since then he has returned to the WWE family a few times as a guest but will always be fondly remembered as one of the sports true high fliers.

Ernie Ladd

Born: 28 November 1938

Real Name: Ernie Ladd

Standing at 6 foot 9 inches tall and weighing in at over 300 pounds, Ernie Ladd made his debut into the WWE in 1968 although he had already made a name for himself as a football player long before. He played for Louisiana’s Gambling State University in the 1950’s, AFLs’ San Diego Chargers in the 1960’s as well as playing for the Houston Oilers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Ladd was one of the largest players of his era and his size coupled with his amazing quickness earned him the nickname “Big Cat”.

His venture into the wrestling industry began when he was still playing for the Charger’s and was challenged to a private workout session in the ring by some San Diego based wrestlers as a publicity stunt. He soon began wrestling part time (out of the football season) for the same promotion and soon became one of wrestling’s hottest properties sought after by many promotions. His colourful interviews and cocky manner in the ring soon made him one of the most despised heels in the business. He wrestled for the WWE for 12 years and in that time his most memorable feuds include those with Andre The Giant, Gorilla Monsoon and Haystack Calhoun. After he retired from Wrestling, Ladd returned to politics as he had long been an active member of the Republican Party and is a close friend of The Bush Family. He was made a special deputy to his Presidential Inaugural Committee recently and is also a part of a Christian Ministry that travels to prisons.

Born: 15 July 1951

Real Name: James George Janos

Jesse Ventura has a pretty impressive resume, WWE Superstar, Commentator, Navy Seal, Vietnam Vet and Governor of Minnesota to which he was elected in 1998 and served from 1999 to 2002. (It made him one of the most talked about public figures in America).

Jesse “The Body” Ventura made his professional debut in 1975. In the ring he is probably best remembered as one half of the legendary tag team “The East-West Connection” with the late Adrian Adonis. From 1985-1990 he was the most controversial commentator in the WWE calling it straight down the line as he saw it. His partnerships with Vincent K McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon at the Commentators table are said to be some of the most memorable to date and still fondly remembered by those fortunate enough to have been a part of that era. His venture into politics began in 1990 when he was elected Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Next stop The White House? - with Jesse Ventura anything is possible.

Born: 10 September 1949

Real Name: Don Muraco

One of WWE’s elite stars of the 1980’s, “The Magnificent Muraco” is remembered as one of the most hated competitors the business had seen at the time. His arrogance and rule breaking earned him the chants of “Beach Bum” worldwide from fans. He held the Intercontinental Title twice and his most fondly remembered matches are his 60 minute classics with WWE Champion Bob Backlund and his famous steel cage match at Madison Square Garden with Jimmy Snuka (who he later inducted into the Hall of Fame). Later in his career, with Superstar Billy Graham as his manager, he became a beloved face with the fans. He was the first Superstar to be called “The Rock” and he was part of the WWE Championship tournament held at Wrestlemania IV.

Real Name: Merced Solis

Tito Santana was a prominent part of the WWE from the late 1970’s to the early 1990’s and remained one of the Company’s top contenders and stars throughout that time. Times changed but Santana always found a way to stay part of the main event mix. He was World Tag Team Champion and Intercontinental Champion during his career and he and Hollywood Hulk Hogan were the only two superstars to appear in all of the first 9 Wrestlemania’s. His most memorable feuds are those with The Hart Foundation, the Funk Brothers and Shawn Michaels.

Real Name: Wayne Coleman

One of the most influential performers of the last 30 years, Superstar Billy Graham, with his tie dyed costumes and feather boas paved the way for such performers as Hollywood Hulk Hogan and Scott Steiner. He was as popular for his in ring performances as he was for his Mohammad Ali like promos. He won the Heavyweight Championship on 30 April 1977 when he beat Bruno Sammartino and held the title for 10 months, the longest reign of any WWE heel to this day. He returned to the WWE in the late 1980’s and enjoyed stints as a manger and commentator.

Born: 1950

Died: March 1995 aged 46

Real Name: John William Minton

Standing at 6 foot 10 inches tall and weighing in at 364 pounds, Big John Studd (John Minton) dominated the WWE throughout the 1970s and 1980’s. He first made a name for himself in the early part of the 1970’s under the name of Chuck O’Connor but it was as Big John Studd that his star soared. One of his more memorable feuds was with Andre The Giant which culminated in a $15,000 Body slam Challenge at the first ever Wrestlemania in 1985. He was part of a “giant” tag team with King Kong Bundy that dominated the mid 1980’s. In 1989 he returned to the WWE briefly and won the first ever Royal Rumble match. Sadly, in March 1995 after a 17 month battle with Hodgkin’s Disease he succumbed to liver cancer at the age of 46. A true giant in the business.

Pete Rose made his “celebrity” debut in the WWE in 1998 but it was as a baseball player that he earned his fame and established an incredible legacy. In a career that ran from 1963 to 1986 he compiled 4,256 hits breaking the all time record previously held by Ty Cobb and earned numerous accolades throughout that time even serving as a manager for his team the Cincinnati Reds from 1985 to 1988. In the WWE he appeared at Wrestlemania XIV, Wrestlemania XV and Wrestlemania 2000 and created some classic TV moments in the history of the “Superbowl” of the WWE calendar. Most memorable of those appearances are his run in’s with Kane with one particular segment even calling for Pete Rose to dress in a chicken suit!.

Born: 27 August 1948

Real Name: Robert Remus

Sgt Slaughter debuted in the WWE in 1980 and the former Marine is one of the most recognisable and beloved figures in the WWE to this day. Along with Hogan and Snuka he was one of the most popular Superstars in the mid 80’s and easily recognisable dressed in his trademark drill sergeant attire. After leaving the WWE he became a spokesman for Hasbro’s GI Joe Cartoon and toy line and even appeared on screen as an animated character. He returned to the WWE in 1990 and in that time he captured the WWE Championship from Ultimate Warrior at the Royal Rumble in 1991 and went on to headline Wrestlemania VII against Hulk Hogan. After retiring from competition he spent some time as WWE Commissioner before setting into his current role as a trusted and well respected road agent.

Born: 10 September 1951

Real Name: John Wisniski Jr

Greg Valentine made his professional debut in 1968 following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Johnny Valentine. He established himself as one of the toughest in ring competitors of his era in numerous promotions including the WWE, NWA and WCW. In the WWE he held the World Tag Team titles as part of “The Dream Team” along with Brutus Beefcake and also enjoyed a lengthy reign as the Intercontinental Champion defending the title at the first ever Wrestlemania against the late great Junkyard Dog as well as entering into many battles with Tito Santana. He was also part of the legendary tag team “Rhythm and Blues” alongside none other than The Honky Tonk Man!.

Born: 1 November 1943

Real Name: Raymond Louis Heenan

Bobby Heenan made his professional debut in 1965 and will be fondly remembered in wrestling history as one of its most colourful, funny and memorable managers. His client list includes such legends as Andre The Giant (who he lead to the ring at Wrestlemania III before his legendary match against Hulk Hogan), Big John Studd, Ravishing Rick Rude, Mr Perfect Curt Hennig, Arn Anderson and Harley Race. An amazing talent on the mic with great comic timing and very tough as he endured many beatings in his career due to his mouth always running away from him. He will also be fondly remembered alongside his broadcast partner Gorilla Monsoon, the true Abbott and Costello of the Wrestling world who worked so well off of one another giving fans hours of endless fun and entertainment. He was part of the Original broadcast team on the debut of Raw in 1993 and is the only commentator to have broadcast on both Raw and Nitro. He returned to the WWE in 2001 and along side Mene Gene Auckland called the action during the Gimmick Battle Royal that took place at Wrestlemania S-Seven. One of the industry’s more lovable characters still entertaining us to this day.

Born: 11 April 1943

Real Name: Harley Leland Race

Harley Race came to prominence in NWA and was a seven time holder of its Heavyweight Championship between 1973 and 1983, a record that stood until 1991 when it was broken by Ric Flair. Harley Race was NWA’s most dominant Champion in the 1970’s and early 1980’s and at that time, even though WWE had its own Champion, Harley Race took part in title unification match up’s against WWE’s Heavyweight Champions the likes of Superstar Billy Graham and Bob Backlund. He finally joined the WWE during its national expansion and was introduced as “The King” Harley Race. He donned a robe and a crown to wear to the ring and was one of the earliest King of the Ring winners (long before it became a PPV event). One of his more memorable matches was against Junkyard Dog at Wrestlemania III.

Born: 13 December 1953

Died: 2 June 1998 aged 45

Real Name: Sylvester Ritter

A former footballer, the late Sylvester Ritter made his professional debut in the ring in 1978 as Junkyard Dog and throughout the early 1980’s was a big star of the Mid-South Western Wrestling Territory. He was quick and agile and incredibly tough, rarely seeming to feel pain. He debuted in the WWE in 1984 when his popularity was at an all time high and although he never won any titles with the Company he remained a top contender throughout his career battling fellow Hall of Fame Inductees Greg “The Hammer“ Valentine and Harley Race.