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The Most Important Characters in Pro Wrestling History

Beneaththemat April 19, 2012 No Comments
The Most Important Characters in Pro Wrestling History

By: Jason The Ace


As with anything in pop culture, creative forces behind a particular product will try to stay current by capitalizing on recent trends. But for every trend, there is a trend setter. Those who choose to think outside the box, lead not follow and break the mold, will be rewarded with the lasting vindication of being the first in the history books. In a business with so much emphasis in nostalgia, professional wrestling should tip its hat to these trail blazers.

Cactus Jack

If you asked a child to draw a picture of a professional wrestler, chances are it would look nothing like Mike Foley. Foley, a diehard fan from the time he was young, did not let preconceived notions stop him from creating Cactus Jack. His physique was soft, his ring work average, but his heart was unstoppable. From his pure neglect of his own body, to his mastery of promos, Cactus Jack opened doors for a new brand of wrestling. As the 90s chugged along, the concept of not having “the look” became more acceptable, and rooting for the loser couch potato became cool. Why He’s on the list: For ushering in hardcore wrestling, and the overall concept of using your voice to get your character over when your body and ring work is not enough, Cactus Jack hit the bull’s-eye with the Bang Bang.

Elizabeth

If you think hitting a 450 splash is hard, try being of one the biggest draws of the Federation years without wrestling a match. While there is no way to tell exactly how much Elizabeth Hulette’s alter ego Miss Elizabeth contributed to attendance, it was clear that her style, demeanor and all around personality spoke to male, female, young and old. Moolah made it big in women’s wrestling, but Elizabeth’s success in the men’s division that is unparalleled. She wasn’t portrayed as easy or dumb, but as the beautiful brains behind the brawn. Whether you wanted to kiss, hug, rescue or cheer her, Elizabeth’s class and elegance added sophistication to the squared circle. Why She’s on the list: For being in the center of several hot programs for two companies for over 10 years, and for proving a woman can be integral to the success of the men’s division, this one of a kind diva has everyone saying “oh yeah”.

“Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase

How do you give credibility to your company’s top championship? Make it a sought after possession of a man who has everything. Ted DiBiase’s “Million Dollar Man” character strolled onto the scene in 1987 with the intent of buying the WWF Championship. And when he couldn’t win it in the ring, he created a belt of his own that he made seem just as important. The character had so many elements that led to long term development of other tops baby faces and heels, that the mogul persona has been duplicated in almost every era. While no one has reached the original character, it was the ring psychology DiBiase used along with the character that made him special. Why he’s on the list: For his mastering of a role that could have been butchered in anyone else’s hands, and his commitment to advancing stories, superstars and legacies through his character, Ted DiBiase proves that in this case, greed is good.

Rey Mysterio

Scratching your head at this choice? You shouldn’t be. At less than 200 lbs, the Mexican luchador went hardcore in 95, built a division that kept fans engaged in 96 (without the NWO), worked some of the greatest matches in the last 5 years of WCW and overcame all odds to become WWE champion. The drawing power of the masked high flyer that never gives up extends not only to his Latino fan base, but pulls in a younger crowd that is devoted in their following. Despite many attempts to be duplicated, there is something unique about the character Oscar Gutierrez has been playing since he was 17. Why he’s on the list: For his mass appeal and staying power beyond the expectations of any athlete, and for being the inspirational underdog with a prestigious career.

“The Undertaker”

Wrestlers are supposed to be super human, other worldly and beyond the abilities of normal civilians. That’s why we pay to see them, right? No one has embodied the definition of “superstar” more than the Undertaker. Since he dodged the dud gimmick of “The Egg Man” who hatched at Survivor Series, and was given the dead man persona, Mark Calaway has taken the character and expanded it upon everyone’s wildest dreams. Not only does the character invoke fear, awe and excitement, it has the ability to withstand the sands of time. With the uncanny knack of being able to adapt to all eras, the Undertaker character can get away with being powerful at an advanced age because he has been consistently superhuman throughout his career. Why he’s on the list: For his long term tenure of capturing the imagination of millions, commitment to character and assistances in developing other superstars through their memorable feuds, Mark Calaway can rest in peace knowing his work will be forever considered the man who personified “superstar”.

“Superstar” Billy Graham

The physique. The wardrobe. The skills on the stick. When Eldrige Wayne Coleman walked into the arena as “Superstar” Billy Graham, there wasn’t a person in the building that didn’t have some sort of opinion of the motor mouthed stud from Paradise Valley Arizona. He was the high school jock everyone hated, the loud mouth bully everyone wanted to slap and chauvinistic pig that made the women blush and vomit all at the same time. While fans paid to see Bruno win, just as many paid to see Graham lose. Why he’s on the list: For being the first WWF champion to draw money as a heel, as well as being the prototype for some of the most successful superstars to set foot in the locker room.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Eric Bischoff didn’t want him. Vince McMahon didn’t know what to do with him. Nobody in the locker room knew what think of him. Just as he does in his entrance video, Steve Williams broke through the proverbial glass wall that divided the “good guys” from the “bad guys” with his “Stone Cold” Steve Austin character. Before 1997, the fans were dictated who to cheer and who to boo. When Austin’s heel character started getting cheered for breaking the rules, the WWF gave Williams the creative freedom he needed to rake in money hand over middle finger flipping fist. Drawing from his own experiences, the Stone Cold character channeled every middle class working man who loved to curse, drink, fight and had violent thoughts about their boss. Why he’s on the list: For his uncanny ability to evoke empathy from the fans, and for his rule breaking fan favorite character that ushered in the attitude era, Stone Cold Steve Austin can be credited with the rejuvenation of professional wrestling.

“Gorgeous George”

From his ring entrance, music, lights and overall production value, George Wagner’s character of Gorgeous George was decades ahead of its time. In an era when wrestling was more sport than entertainment, Gorgeous George was the originator of so many practices still used today. Understanding the power of the visual medium of television, George’s big gestures and elaborate character development not only filled areas, but kept audiences tuning in from the comfort of their living rooms. Knowing wrestling was a man’s sport in the 1940s, George knew the biggest way to draw heat was to play to the insecurities of those blood thirsty, testosterone filled fans who wouldn’t be caught dead cheering for such an effeminate girly man. Why he’s on the list: For his groundbreaking character development, well crafted heel ring work and overall commitment to entertainment, the spectacle of Gorgeous George deserves a spot on the top of this list.

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