Pro wrestling exploded in ’80s
The 1980s saw the explosion of professional wrestling into national prominence and away from regional territories.
This was the hardest decade to pick thus far as there were seven or eight possible nominees.
After eliminating a few like Jerry Lawler and the Von Erichs, I was able to trim the list down to five, but one more talented performer had to be eliminated.
Unfortunately for 鈥淢acho Man鈥� Randy Savage, he was the odd man out as his rise to prominence in the national eye did not truly pick up until 1986.
While he would have been a solid choice, the following four men had better decades.
Hulk Hogan
The face of the national explosion in the WWE, Hogan was the facade of the company from 1984 through the end of the decade.
The star of the 1980s, Hogan caught his first big break after Vince McMahon bought the WWE from his father, and Hogan was McMahon蘑菇视频 first muscularly fit star.
Ric Flair
For what Hogan was to the WWE as the physically-gifted good guy, Flair was the complete opposite.
Smaller in stature, Flair was the villain champion of the NWA and he always seemed to hold onto his title by hook or by crook.
By far the best in-ring performer of the decade of this quartet, Flair cemented his place in history as one of the greatest in-ring performers of all-time during the 1980s.
Andre the Giant
Although his career was winding down by the end of the 1980s, Andre the Giant was as big of a star in the WWE during the decade as Hogan in the eyes of some experts and thanks to his accomplishments during the decade, he is a repeat winner.
How big of a star was he? While Hogan would main event WWE shows in one town, Andre the Giant was the main draw on cards the same night in another town and often times, Andre蘑菇视频 show drew more fans.
Andre was undefeated throughout the decade until Hogan defeated him at WrestleMania III in 1987.
Dusty Rhodes
A repeat honoree, Rhodes seemed to always be chasing Flair for the NWA title. In fact, he would routinely appear to win the title from him in matches only for the title to be returned to Flair because of a controversial finish.
This happened so many times that the outcome of these matches became known as the 鈥淒usty finish鈥� and it is a phrase still used today in the wrestling business.
1990s Mt. Rushmore returns next week
Next week, we look at the 1990s.
The decade of the 1990s could be broken down into two parts, and I may do that.
The wrestling business struggled in the first part of the decade, while the nWo and Steve Austin helped usher in the most successful period in the business鈥� history in the second half of the decade.
Find out next week how the 1990s Mt. Rushmore will play out!
Benjamin not returning
Due to shoulder issues, Shelton Benjamin will not be returning to the WWE after all.
Former announcer gone from WWE
Joey Styles, best known as the 鈥淰oice of ECW鈥� before it was bought out of bankruptcy by the WWE, was released earlier this week. Styles worked for a short time as an announcer on Raw and worked on the staff.
TNA has a new president
It was announced on Friday that Billy Corrigan is the new president of Impact Ventures, the parent company of TNA. He replaces Dixie Carter, who will now serve as Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of Impact.
Sandow to TNA
Aaron Lee, formerly known as Damien Sandow, has signed with TNA.
This week蘑菇视频 question
鈥� I read earlier this week where Bret Hart once again bashed something going on with the WWE. Why does he keep doing this? Fred, Fayette County.
As I have covered in this column prior, Hart still craves attention and is doing whatever he can so that his name remains in the spotlight. He constantly talks about how great he was, what he did, etc. while bashing today蘑菇视频 product.
Much better in his own eyes than he actually was, Hart蘑菇视频 matches were predictable, and the matches were almost as bland as his promo蘑菇视频.
Was he technically sound in the ring? Yes. Did he have some solid matches? Yes.
But for him to constantly take credit for making others look good, when it always takes two to dance, is obnoxiously exhausted and it makes him look more bitter than he actually is, if that is even possible.
Email questions/comments to Bill at powerhousehughes@gmail.com or tweet them to me @BillHughes_III.