Highlights
The Golden Era of WWE in the 1980s saw the rise of wrestling megastars who became crossover celebrities in movies and popular culture.
Jerry Lawler, The Honky Tonk Man, and Jimmy Hart were some of the iconic stars of the 1980s who left a lasting impact on the wrestling industry.
Hulk Hogan's success as the WWE World Champion and the birth of HulkaMania played a significant role in the rise of professional wrestling's popularity in the 1980s.
The Golden Era of WWE ran rampant over the 1980s. Vince McMahon with his rock and wrestling concept that led to WrestleMania changed sports entertainment forever. The era would shine the brightest light on the professional wrestling industry. Kayfabe slowly began to die and wrestling megastars emerged. The most popular professional wrestling stars of the 1980s would become crossover celebrities.
These stars would be found in movies and commercials and all over popular culture. Yet the Golden Era ended three decades ago. Many of today's fans have no clue about the Golden Era, unless they catch replays on the WWE Network or old YouTube clips. We have lost many of the greats from the 1980s, yet while Father Time never does the job to anyone, many stars are still enjoying their birthdays.
10 Jerry Lawler - 73
Jerry The King Lawler is known more for his success as a WWE commentator than his in ring career these days. Yet, Lawler is one of the unique stars of the 1980s that didn't perform in WWE during the decade. The 2007 WWE Hall of Famer, made Memphis his home for wrestling in the 1980s.
Lawler would debut in 1970 and would become legendary in the 1980s. In the early 80s, Lawler would have a notorious feud with comedian Andy Kauffman. The Lawler/Kauffman feud would make it on Late Night with David Letterman and grab mainstream attention.
9 The Honky Tonk Man - 70
Speaking of Jerry Lawler, his cousin the Honky Tonk Man was also one of the biggest stars of the decade. Honky Tonk would start wrestling in 1977. Yet, in 1986, Honky would debut in WWE and become a legend of the decade. While, Honky would start in WWE as a fan favorite, he quickly transitioned into a heel.
As a heel, Honky would rise up the WWE card. He would win the Intercontinental Championship in 1987 from Ricky the Dragon Steamboat (more on him later). His 454-day reign as I-C Champion, for now, is still the longest in WWE history, though Gunther may soon surpass him.
8 Jimmy Hart - 79
The Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart would debut in wrestling in 1978. By 1985 Hart was a manager of stars in WWE. Hart would manage many top and mid-card heels in WWE, including the aforementioned Honky Tonk Man. Hart was known for his flashy outfits and megaphone that he screamed into at ringside.
The Wrestling Observer would name Jimmy Hart Manager of the Year in 1983. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Hart Manager of the Year in 1987 (and 1994) and WWE would induct Jimmy Hart into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
7 Bob Backlund - 73
Bob Backlund was a star of professional wrestling during the early 1980s. Backlund would debut in 1973 and win his first of two WWE World Championships in 1978. His 1978 title run would end in 1983 in a match with the Iron Sheik.
Backlund had been champion under Vince McMahon Sr yet when Vince McMahon bought the WWE from his father, he wanted to move the title to the more charismatic and muscular Hulk Hogan. Backlund would lose the title to Sheik, who would lose the title to Hogan a month later. Backlund would leave WWE in 1984.
6 Demolition: Ax - 75 & Smash - 63
The Demolition duo of Ax and Smash would debut in January 1987. The face painted brawlers dominated the WWE tag team competition. Demolition would go on a near 6-month undefeated streak in WWE. At WrestleMania 4, Demolition would win the WWE World Tag Team Championships from Strike Force.
Eventually Demolition would become a popular babyface tag team. They dropped the titles to the Brain Busters in 1989. Demolition would regain the titles at WrestleMania 6 defeating Andre the Giant and Haku.
5 Wendi Richter - 62
Wendi Richter would debut as a professional wrestler in 1979, yet she became a star after signing with WWE in 1983. Richter would become a household name during the Rock-N-Wrestling craze. Richter would have popular culture sensation Cyndi Lauper in her corner to battle the Fabulous Moolah at the Brawl to End It All in 1984.
The event aired on MTV and Moolah was billed as have holding the WWE Women's title for 28 years. Richter would defeat Moolah and become a huge star. Richter would go on to win her second WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania 1.
4 Ted DiBiase - 69
Ted DiBiase would debut in professional wrestling in 1974. DiBiase would wrestle around the world, until he would sign with WWE in 1987; becoming one of the greatest professional wrestling villains of all time. As the Million Dollar Man, DiBiase would debut as a millionaire with a bodyguard and a home for each season.
In 1988, DiBiase would try to purchase the WWE title from Andre the Giant. DiBiase was billed as WWE Champion for three house shows, before WWE held the title up. DiBiase would never win the World title officially, but would go on to win three WWE Tag Team Championships in the next decade.
3 Ricky Steamboat - 70
Ricky Steamboat would debut in 1976 and wrestle for Jim Crocket Promotions until 1985. In 1985, Steamboat signed with WWE and his Dragon moniker was born. As Ricky the Dragon Steamboat, he would compete at the first four WrestleManias.
That included winning the Intercontinental Championship from Randy Macho Man Savage at WresteMania 3. That match is still considered one of the best Mania matches at all time. In 1989, Steamboat would join WCW and win the NWA World Title at the Chi-Town Rumble.
2 Ric Flair - 74
The aforementioned Ricky Steamboat would defeat Ric Flair at the Chi-Town Rumble. The Nature Boy was the biggest wrestling star to not compete in WWE in the 1980s. The 16 time World Champion would carry the NWA/WCW banner throughout the 1980s. Flair would be considered the best in ring champion of the 1980s.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated would name Flair the Wrestler of the Year 5 times in the 1980s decade and the PWI Wrestler of the Decade. The Nature Boy is still a popular culture icon today at 74 years old.
1 Hulk Hogan - 69
The success of professional wrestling in the 1980s can be attributed to the rise of the Immortal Hulk Hogan. Hogan would become WWE World Champion in January 1984, the official birth of HulkaMania. Hogan would go on to headline the first three WrestleManias.
Vince McMahon would promote giant heel after giant heel to be defeated by Hogan. During his 1980s run, Hogan would become a pop culture phenomenon and one of the most recognizable faces on the planet.
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