Can You Name These 1980s Wrestling Stars from a One Sentence Description?

By: Stella Alexander
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Name These 1980s Wrestling Stars from a One Sentence Description?
Image: WWE

About This Quiz

"Hulkamania is running wild, brother!" Before Triple H and the WWE, there were two H's dominating the world of wrestling. Hulk Hogan is one of the biggest names when it comes to wrestling, but there were tons of other wrestlers who rose to fame during the 1980s. From Randy Savage to Bret Hart, can you name these 1980s wrestling stars from one sentence?

The world of professional wrestling began in 1952 when Jess McMahon and Toots Mondt founded the Capitol Wrestling Corporation Ltd. After Vince McMahon founded Tidal Sports, Inc. in 1979, Jess McMahon would sell this company to his son,  and he would shape the wrestling world into what it is seen as today. The 1980s would bring a slew of wrestlers to the then World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and would become known as the Golden Age of wrestling. This time period introduced Hulk Hogan, The Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper and Jimmy Snuka. While these were just a few of the stars of the decade, many of them were known beyond their personas. In the ring, they were known for finishing moves like "The Hitman's" sharpshooter or a powerful leg drop. 

While the WWF, now called the WWE, continues to live on, there's a reason the '80s are called the Golden Era. From household favorites to the leaders in the ring, can you name these 1980s wrestling stars? Let's find out!

At 7'4", he was the 8th wonder of the world.
Farooq
Triple H
Stan Stasiask
Andre the Giant
During his professional wrestling career, Andre the Giant was billed as the 8th wonder of the world. He began his wrestling career at the young age of 18 and joined the WWF in 1973. He was the very first wrestler inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1993.

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A Demolition star who came down like a steel blade
Steve Austin
Kevin Nash
Ax
Born Bill Eadie, Ax was a professional wrestler well-known for being half of the duo, Demolition. He began his professional wrestling career in 1973 with the NWA before moving to the WWF (then WWWF).
"Big Daddy Cool" Diesel

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Born James Reiher, he was "Superfly!"
Booker T
Andre the Giant
Greg Valentine
Jimmy Snuka
Born James Reiher, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka began his professional wrestling career in the 1970s. He was brought to the WWF in the 1980s wave by Vince McMahon. He was known for his finishing move, the Superfly Splash, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

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Often called "El Matador," you'd want to avoid his flying forearm smash.
Bob Orton
Tito Santana
Tito Santana began his professional wrestling career after being drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs. His professional wrestling career began in 1977 and he would join the WWF in 1979. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Barry Darsow
Jimmy Snuka

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With tons of money in the bank, this wrestler was "The Million Dollar Man."
Ted Dibiase
Ted Dibiase began his professional wrestling career in 1975. In 1979, he joined the WWF for a short time before moving on to NWA. In 1987, he returned to the WWF as "The Million Dollar Man." DiBiase was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Ed Lewis
Rocky Johnson
William Regal

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This "Magnificent" wrestler was the first King of the Ring.
Christian
Don Muraco
Don Muraco began his professional wrestling career with the AWA in 1971. He would join the WWF in 1981 where he adopted the nickname "The Magnificent Muraco." he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bobo Brazil
Dynamite Kid

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This robe-wearing "Nature Boy" takes off his feathered robe when he gets in the ring.
Ric Flair
Ric Flair began his wrestling career in 1972 and had a 40-year career. He has wrestled for the NWA, WCW and WWE. He is two-time inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Jeff Hardy
JBL
Kurt Angle

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Beware the Cross-Face Chickenwing.
Paul Orndorff
Sgt. Slaughter
Big Boss Man
Bob Backlund
Bob Backlund began his wrestling career in college before deciding to become a professional athlete. He joined the AWA in 1973 and would move on to the NWA and WWF. Backlund was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

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This "handsome" wrestler joined the WWF ring with bleached blond hair.
Harley Race
Harley Race began his professional wrestling career in 1965 in the AWA. He would move on to the NWA before joining the WWF under the management of Bobby Heenan. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Chief Jay Strongbow
Rob Van Dam
Bret Hart

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You won't miss the green tongue of "The Animal."
Jim Duggan
Edge
George Steele
Born William Myers, "The Animal" went by the name George Steele in the ring. He began his professional wrestling career after being scouted by Bruno Sammartino. He was known for his finishing move, the Flying Hammerlock. Steele was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
Ricky Steamboat

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A sharpshooter from "The Hitman" was sure to leave you down for the count.
Ivan Koloff
Kane
Bret Hart
Known as Bret "The Hitman" Hart, the professional wrestler started his career in 1976 before moving to the WWF in 1984. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rick Martel

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"The Italian Strongman" who held the WWWF belt for 12 years.
Larry Zbyszko
Johnny Valentine
Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Sammartino began his wrestling career in 1959 when he joined the WWWF. While he spent most of his career there and held his belt for a record holding 12 years, he appeared in the WWF in 1980, 1981 and 1986.
Fabulous Moolah

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This painted faced was known as a "fighter."
Junkyard Dog
Stan Hansen
Shawn Michaels
The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior began his professional wrestling career in 1985. The wrestler moved on to the WWF in 1987. Billed as the Ultimate Warrior, he would later officially change his name to Warrior. Warrior was inducted into the Hall of Fame three days before his death in 2014.

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"Mr. Wonderful" was an NFL draftee before becoming a wrestler.
Jesse Ventura
Jake Roberts
Paul Orndorff
"Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff was drafted to the NFL before beginning his professional wrestling career. When the didn't pass the physical, he took his talents to wrestling in 1976. He joined the WWF in 1983 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Billy Gunn

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"Hacksaw" was already ready for his Three-Point Stance Clothesline.
Batista
Vader
Jim Duggan
Jim Duggan was drafted to the professional football team, the Atlanta Falcons, before beginning his professional wrestling career. He joined the WWF in 1987. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Big Show

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A flying elbow drop was the finisher of this "Macho Man."
Big John Studd
Kerry Von Erich
Randy Savage
Ohhhhh yeahhhhh! Randy Savage was a pro wrestler who was nicknamed "Macho Man." He began his professional wrestling career in the early 1980s and appeared in the WCW and WWF. The wrestler died in a car accident in 2011 and was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.
Yokozuna

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He sounds like an ape.
Davey Boy Smith
Gorilla Monsoon
Matt Hardy
King Kong Bundy
King Kong Bundy began his professional wrestling career in the early '80s and gained a permanent position on the WWF in 1985. He would continue his career into the late '80s before leaving the WWF and returning in 1994.

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This British wrestler was a "Bulldog."
Chris Benoit
Owen Hart
Davey Boy Smith
Davey Boy Smith was a British wrestler who was also called "British Bulldog." Often teamed with The Dynamite Kid, he would later embark on a solo career. The wrestler died in 2002 from a heart attack.
Rick Rude

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He sounds like he belongs in the army.
Razon Ramon
Sgt. Slaughter
Born Robert Remus, Sgt. Slaughter began his professional wrestling career with the NWA. In 1980, he joined the WWF before joining the AWA in 1985. He would later return to the WWF in the '90s.
Killer Kowalski
Goldberg

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Why make mistakes when you can be "flawless" like this wrestler?
Freddie Blassie
Mick Foley
Mr. Perfect
Mr. Perfect was born Curthis Henning. He began his professional wrestling career in 1980 in the AWA. He joined the WWF in 1982 and after leaving in 1984, he returned in 1988 until he retired in 1996. He passed away in 2003 and was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Nkolai Volkoff

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A head full of hair and thick 'stache, this wrestler was "ravishing."
Rick Rude
Known as "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Rude joined the WWF in 1987. He was known for his popular entrance of disrobing after kissing a "seemingly random" woman in the crowd. The wrestler passed away in 1999 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017.
Spiros Arion
Chris Jericho
CM Punk

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This "Heartbreak Kid" might put you to sleep with his sweet chin music.
Scott Steiner
Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michaels began his WWF career in 1988 as part of the duo, The Rockers. He would go on to successful solo career in the 1990s and on. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ken Patea
Ernie Ladd

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Wearing a keffiyeh, this wrestler liked his Camel Clutch chinlock.
Michael Hayes
Iron Sheik
Iron Sheik was one of the first wrestlers into Vince McMahon's first wave. After joining the WWF in 1979, he would leave a year later only to return in 1983. He was a Hall of Fame Class of 2005 inductee.
Ted DiBiase
Eddie Guerrero

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Once called the "Masked Canadian," this rowdy wrestler wore a kilt.
Billy Graham
Hillbilly Jim
Roddy Piper
Roddy Piper began his professional wrestling career in 1973 with the American Wrestling Association. He would have a five year run with the NWA before moving to the WWF in 1984. Roddy Piper was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also a king of the "B" movies, starring in "They Live" and "Hell Comes to Frogtown," among others.
Hulk Hogan

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With a chain around his neck, he might "thump" you.
Junkyard Dog
Born Sylvester Ritter, Junkyard Dog started his professional career in the early 1980s. He would join the WWF in 1984. Ritter died in car accident in 1998 and was posthumously inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Bubba Ray Dudley
Goldust
Iron Sheik

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You don't want a backhand chop from "The Dragon."
Sycho Sid
Lex Luger
Brock Lesnar
Ricky Steamboat
Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat began his professional wrestling career in 1976 with the AWA. He would join the WWF in 1985 with the nickname "The Dragon." Steamboat was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009.

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He could be "The Brain" or "The Weasel."
The Undertaker
Bobby Heenan
Born Raymond Louis Heenan, Bobby "The Brain" Heenan began his wrestling career in 1969 with the AWA. He first joined the WWF as a manager before returning to the ring. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
Hnky Tonk Man
Wendy Richter

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This "cowboy" is part of a wrestling dynasty.
Pat Patterson
Tito Santana
Bob Orton, Jr.
"Cowboy" Bob Orton began his professional wrestling career in 1972. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Bob Orton, Sr. Orton, Jr.'s son, Randy Orton, is a current WWE star. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005.
Adrian Adonis

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"The Snake" often slithered into the ring with a boa.
Jake Roberts
Jake Roberts began his professional wrestling career in 1974. In 1986, he would move on to the WWF where he stayed until 1992. Called "The Snake," he often brought a boa or cobra into the wrestling ring with him. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014.
Bob Backlund
Bruno Sammartino
Dean Malenko

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He might fire you in the workplace but slam you in the ring.
Big Boss Man
Big Boss Man began his professional wrestling career in 1985. He would join the WWF in 1988 and was known for his finisher, the Bossman Slam. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.
Professor Toru Tanaka
Pedro Morales
Dusty Rhodes

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Male or female, "whatcha gonna do" as this wrestler's "brother?"
Randy Savage
The Sheik
Hulk Hogan
Probably one of the most famous wrestlers ever, Hulk Hogan began his professional wrestling career in the late '70s. He was then brought to the WWF after a stint with NWA. Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.
Don Muraco

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February 14 is important to "The Hammer."
Greg Valentine
Greg "The Hammer" Valentine began his professional career in 1971. Following in the footsteps of his father, Johnny Valentine, he bounced between the NWA and WWF. He is a Hall of Fame Class of 2004 inductee.
Jimmy Snuka
Ed Lewis
Rocky Johnson

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He LOVED Elvis.
The Honky Tonk Man
The Honky Tonk Man was a professional wrestler who styled his appearance after Elvis. He began his professional wrestling career in 1978 before joining the WWF in 1986.
Wiliam Regal
Dynamite Kid
Bret Hart

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Demolition's own Blacktop Bully and Repo Man
Rick Martel
Ivan Koloff
Johnny Valentine
Smash
Born Barry Darsow, Smash was one half of the tag team, Demolition. He joined the NWA in 1985 before joining the WWF in 1987.

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When he wasn't in the ring, "The Body" starred in films like "Predator."
Kevin Nash
Barry Darsow
Sgt. Slaughter
Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura served in the Navy for 6 years before starting his professional wrestling career. Beginning in 1975, Ventura would wrestle until 1984 when he began experiencing health issues. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also the governor of Minnesota for a short, bizarre time.

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