Bobo Brazil was one of the first successful African-American wrestlers. He won numerous titles over the years, including an unrecognized reign as NWA World Champion. He wrestled for over 40 years, and passed away in 1998.
39. Pat Patterson
Pat Patterson’s most famous win came in a match that didn’t happen. Pat Patterson was the first ever Intercontinental Champion, and he won it in a fictional tournament. Patterson’s matches with Sgt. Slaughter are legendary. He is one of the most respected people in the entire business, and is known as a great teacher. Patterson has one of the all time great wrestling minds.
38. “Classie” Freddie Blassie
Fred Blassie won the NWA Southern Heavyweight title on numerous occasions. He also won the WWA World Title, though he never won a major world title. Blassie wrestled all over the world, and was always considered one of the greats. After retiring from wrestling, he became one of the great managers, managing such stars as Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkov, Jesse Ventura, Peter Maivia, The Iron Sheik, and Sterling Golden. What, you’ve never heard of Sterling Golden? Maybe you’ve heard of him by his other name- Hulk Hogan.
37. Jerry “The King” Lawler
Jerry Lawler made a name for himself in Memphis. Though Lawler only ever won one major world title- the AWA’s- he is the most decorated wrestler of all time. He has held the Southern Heavyweight Title 43 Times, and has held a total of 129 titles. His most famous feud may be with comedian Andy Kauffman, which gave him mainstream attention. He is now one of the favorite announcers of fans.
36. Killer Kowalski
What do you get when you accidentally sever a man’s ear during a match? You get to be called “Killer” for the rest of your life! Kowalski won numerous titles during his career, including several minor World Championships. He worked in nearly every major promotion, and was a top heel. Since retiring, he has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and he has been running a wrestling school. His most notable student was Triple H.
35. Randy Orton
Randy Orton is the youngest World Champion in WWE history. He is a perennial contender for the WWE World Title, and has held it on several occasions. He was a member of Evolution, and the first to leave the group. He is the son of Cowboy Bob Orton.
34. Dory Funk, Jr.
Dory Funk, Jr. WAS in the WWF, but few people remember. He was known as Hoss Funk, Terry’s brother, during the ‘80s. He really is Terry’s brother, but he was great for what he did in the ‘70s under his real name. Dory Funk, Jr. won numerous titles, usually in the NWA. He even won the NWA World Heavyweight Title. He was also a Tag Team Champion, along with his father, Dory, Sr. (duh).
33. Terry Funk
Terry Funk was the first hardcore wrestler. He spent most of his career in the NWA, where he was a World Champion. In the ‘80s, he spent some time in the WWF, and then returned to the NWA. There, he feuded for the World Title, but never won it again. In the ‘90s, he was an ECW Champion, and he returned to the WWE to team with Mick Foley. The two made for an insane team, always taking huge bumps. Terry Funk has retired from wrestling. Several times.
32. Edge
In high school, Adam “Edge” Copeland was voted “most likely to win the WWF Championship.” Edge began his WWF career as a tag team wrestler with his “brother” Christian. However, when he broke off on his own, he became an Intercontinental Champion, a King of the Ring, a Tag Champion (including many with Christian), and a WWE World Heavyweight Champion, fulfilling his high school destiny. He has worked both face and heel, but is best known as a heel. He has had great matches with John Cena, Eddie Guerrero, Mick Foley, and The Undertaker.
31. Jake “The Snake” Roberts
Jake Roberts wrestled in many promotions during his career, but he became famous as a heel in the WWF. He was known to bring his pet snake, Damien, to the ring. Roberts was charismatic and believable as a sadist. He invented the DDT. When asked what DDT stood for, Jake never gave a straight answer. My favorite: “The end.” He feuded with The Honky Tonk Man, Andre the Giant, Rick Rude, Ted DiBiase, and many others during this career.
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