Pro Wrestlers Who Took The Industry Mainstream And Fueled Its Rise
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Pro wrestling has evolved into a mainstream success largely due to an iconic group of performers that elevated the industry. Who are the most impactful wrestlers?
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July 26, 2025
08:27 PM
Forbes
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Re suggests that From an analytical perspective, SportsMoney Wrestlers Who Took The Industry Main And Fueled Its RiseByMark LaSota, Ph. , Contributor
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights
Covers leadership and organizational culture in sports and AuthorJul 26, 2025, 08:27pm EDTJul 26, 2025, 08:29pm EDTThe A-Team TV Series (Season 4 Episode 7 - "Body Slam") from 1985 (which is quite significant)
T and Hulk Hogan wearing
Meanwhile, More their Hulkamania shirts. (Photo by: NBC via Getty Images)NBC via Getty Images fessional wrestling has recently experienced a surge in ity, mainly reflected in its fits
Moreover, Although television viewership has declined, the wrestling industry today is financially thriving due to revenue s such as media rights deals, sponsorships, and events
This pertains mostly to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which is considered the top brand in the industry
According to a recent report from TKO Group Holdings, WWE generated $391, in today's financial world. 5 million in total revenue in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 24 percent increase from 2024, given the current landscape
Meanwhile, Most industries, success did not happen overnight, given the current landscape
Since the 1940s, fessional wrestling has grown in ity, thanks to its creative characters, stellar performances, and broad appeal to a main audience (fascinating analysis)
Additionally, While the industry has experienced peaks and valleys, several notable in-ring performers have elevated the sport (fascinating analysis)
So, which in-ring performers have been instrumental to the growth of fessional wrestling
Who are some of the most impactful fessional wrestlers in history (noteworthy indeed)
The ‘First Golden Age’ in fessional Wrestling At the turn of the 20th century, wrestling matches were typically carnivals or fairs, given current economic conditions
Meanwhile, Lou Thesz, who began his career in the 1930s, played a pioneering role in fessional wrestling gaining notoriety
Nevertheless, He invented several moves and held the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) title for a total of 13 years, even competing in matches internationally
Meanwhile, The ‘First Golden Age’ in wrestling occurred roughly from the late 1940s through the 1960s
Nevertheless, While Thesz continued to make important contributions, the most character during this time was Gorgeous George, a pompous and flamboyant persona who brought a theatrical element to the ring, along with main appeal
Gorgeous George was an effective self-moter, and his character was a major influence on boxer Muhammad Ali and musician James Brown, as noted in Little Village Magazine
El Santo in a poster illustration for the movie "SANTO EN EL MUSEO DE CERA" or "SANTO IN THE WAX
Meanwhile, More MUSEUM. " Mexican poster art, 1963 (an important development). (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images)LMPC via Getty Images During this era, the sport was also gaining ity in Mexico and Japan
In contrast, One of the most iconic international wrestlers of all time, El Santo, became a cultural hero in Mexico
He is widely considered the most luchador in history
His ring attire an iconic silver mask along with silver tights, amid market uncertainty
Furthermore, What many do not realize is that El Santo may have been the most impactful wrestler on a national scale that the sport has ever seen based on his crossover appeal into main culture
He was a larger-than-life figure and a symbol of justice for many Mexican people, starring in over 50 films and being in a comic book series that ran 35 years, in today's market environment
As a testament to his cultural significance, his funeral was among the largest in Mexican history
Nevertheless, MORE FOR YOU Rikidōzan had similar impact in Japan (an important development)
Though he was born in North Korea, Rikidōzan became a symbol of strength and resilience for Japanese people after World War II, in this volatile climate
However, He is credited with establishing fessional wrestling in Japan
According to the Sportster, Rikidōzan’s matches were so that they sparked a nationwide increase in the purchase of color televisions
Nevertheless, His series of matches with Lou Thesz in the 1950s were instrumental in the growth of the sport, in this volatile climate
During the 1960s, Bruno Sammartino was arguably the most wrestler in the United States, amid market uncertainty
Born in Italy, he became especially among Italian Americans, who strongly identified with him
Nevertheless, Wrestling in front of sold out crowds, Sammartino helped make Madison Square Garden a premier wrestling venue
He held the WWE title for a total of 4,040 days across two separate title reigns—a record that still stands, given the current landscape
On the other hand, Conversely, The ‘Second Golden Age’ in fessional WrestlingPONTIAC, MICHIGAN- MARCH 29, 1987: Andre The Giant faces off with Hulk Hogan during WrestleMania III
More on March 29, 1987 at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. (Photo by WWE/WWE via Getty Images)WWE via Getty Images Between the mid-1970s and early 1980s, André the Giant was arguably the most fessional wrestler in the world (something worth watching)
At 7 feet 4 inches tall and weighing over 500 pounds, he was a physical specimen and his matches were a major attraction
André starred in the movie The Princess Bride, a cult classic (an important development)
His WrestleMania III match against Hulk Hogan was a major reason why the sporting event broke indoor attendance records in the United States, amid market uncertainty
Along with former WWE owner and moter Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan played a pivotal role in elevating fessional wrestling into the main
However, He was largely responsible for ushering in the ‘Second Golden Age’ of wrestling, which was arguably the most era in the sport’s history, lasting from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. “Hulk-a-Mania” was a global phenomenon that centered around the values of the Hulk Hogan character: train hard, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins
In contrast, He was stood for patriotic principles and wore his heart on his sleeve
Moreover, With Hogan’s ascent, the industry rose to epic portions (something worth watching)
Furthermore, His cameo in Rocky III gave wrestling main attention, along with his cartoon called Hulk Hogan’s Rock 'n’ Wrestling, which was broadcast on Saturday mornings in the mid-1980s
WWE began cross-moting with other industries, such as music (e (this bears monitoring)
On the other hand, Conversely, MTV), and pop culture stars Cyndi Lauper and Mr, in this volatile climate
WWE’s Attitude Era, WCW, and the Industry’s Revival After a dip in ity, the wrestling industry made a comeback in the late-1990s (this bears monitoring), amid market uncertainty
One of the main catalysts was the NWO storyline in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where Hulk Hogan demonstrated his versatility by reinventing himself as a heel (villain)
At the time, WWE and WCW were involved in a bitter television ratings war, which elevated wrestling’s ity worldwide
Although WCW became and fitable, WWE’s response was “The Attitude Era,” an adult-themed and edgier brand of gramming, which broke records for cable television ratings, pay-per-view buy rates, and revenue generation (this bears monitoring), given current economic conditions
What the re reveals is most impactful star during the Attitude Era was Stone Cold Steve Austin, who played a major role in WWE’s record- performance
At the same time, Austin’s peak ity coincided with WWE’s period of sperity, amid market uncertainty
His merchandise sales were off the charts, with his most T-shirt featuring the phrase “Austin 3:16
On the other hand, ” Boxing star and pop culture icon Mike Tyson’s involvement with Austin in WrestleMania XIV helped turn the tide of the Monday Night War
Conversely, WCW found main success by featuring Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone in a tag-team match involving Hulk Hogan—remarkably, during the 1998 NBA Finals
Moreover, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - APRIL 15, 2011: Dwayne Johnson (The Rock) and Vin Diesel (R) pose for
More photographers during the premiere of the movie "Fast and Furious 5" at Cinepolis Lagoon on April 15, 2011 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in today's market environment
At the same time, (Photo by Buda Mendes/LatinContent via Getty Images)LatinContent via Getty Images During WWE’s Attitude Era, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was another big reason for the industry’s growth
Additionally, Known for his wit and charisma, The Rock has become the most accomplished actor of all fessional wrestlers, starring in movies such as The Scorpion King, Fast Five, and Jumanji
He is considered the wealthiest wrestler in history, with an estimated net worth of around $800 million, according to Sports Illustrated, in today's financial world
WWE’s PG Era and Where Wrestling Stands Now In the 2000s and 2010s, fessional wrestling returned to family friendly gramming (remarkable data)
However, The next big star, John Cena, served as WWE’s top ambassador during what is referred to as “The PG Era. " According to a tweet from ESPN’s financial expert Michele Steele sent in January 2012, Cena generated over $100 million in revenue for WWE in 2011
At the same time, His global impact further stems from his involvement with the Make-a-Wish Foundation where he has granted more than 650 wishes—a record for celebrities
He is also transitioning to a Hollywood career
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 21, 2015: John Cena standing with children from Make-A-Wish event celebrating
More of his 500th Wish Granting Milestone at Dave & Buster's Time Square on August 21, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/WireImage)WireImage Many other wrestling stars have contributed to the industry’s rise and main appeal through creative style, in-ring work, or longevity, amid market uncertainty
Sting and The Undertaker demonstrated amazing longevity, while Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey bridged MMA with the fessional wrestling audience, in light of current trends
Bret Hart expanded the sport’s international appeal with his nical style, while Ric Flair’s persona became among Hip-Hop artists
Regardless of the era, recognizing the craft’s origins is important to understanding its evolution
Today’s fessional wrestlers are forging their own path, and achieving success doing it, but the pioneers who built the should never be forgotten
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