Famous 20th Century Wrestlers

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 1 
Kurt Angle
(Former American Professional Wrestler and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Kurt Angle
6
Birthdate: December 9, 1968
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States

Olympic gold-medal-winning wrestler Kurt Angle is a 13-time world champion. He became a Triple Crown champion and a Grand Slam champion with WWE before joining TNA. He has been named to the WWE, the TNA, and the International Sports Halls of Fame. He has also participated in Japanese wrestling championships.

 2 
Mark Schultz
(American Former Freestyle Wrestler)
Mark Schultz
4
Birthdate: October 26, 1960
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Palo Alto, California, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 3 
Muhammed Lawal
(Wrestler)
Muhammed Lawal
3
Birthdate: January 11, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
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 4 
Valentin Yordanov
(Bulgarian Freestyle Wrestler and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Valentin Yordanov
2
Birthdate: January 26, 1960
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Ruse Municipality, Bulgaria

One of the most decorated wrestlers in history, Valentin Yordanov has not only won a gold and a bronze at the Olympics but is also a 7-time World and European Champion. He continued to represent Bulgaria even after moving to the US. He also served as the president of the Bulgarian Wrestling Federation.

 5 
Dan Gable
(One of the Greatest Wrestlers of All Time)
Dan Gable
0
Birthdate: October 25, 1948
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Waterloo, Iowa, United States
Considered to be the greatest amatuer in the history of the United States, Dan Gable is a world gold medalist, an Olympic gold medalist and a two-time NCAA Division I national champion. He is the thrid wrestler to be inducted in the Legend category in United World Wrestling's Hall of Fame. He also earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2020.
 6 
Paul Ellering
(Wrestler)
Paul Ellering
2
Birthdate: August 22, 1953
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Melrose, Minnesota, United States
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
 7 
Adam Rose
(Wrestler)
Adam Rose
3
Birthdate: July 20, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa

Raymond John Leppan, better known by his ring name, Adam Rose, is a retired South African wrestler. He once described himself as the “life of the party” and has also represented NXT and WWE. He was also part of an E:60 documentary titled Behind the Curtain.

 8 
Tito Santana
(Wrestler)
Tito Santana
2
Birthdate: May 10, 1953
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mission, Texas, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 9 
Spike Dudley
(Professional wrestler, Teacher)
Spike Dudley
3
Birthdate: August 13, 1970
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Providence
 10 
Dutch Mantel
(Professional wrestler)
Dutch Mantel
3
Birthdate: November 29, 1949
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Walhalla, South Carolina, United States
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 11 
Mahavir Singh Phogat
(Indian Amateur Wrestler, Coach and Politician)
Mahavir Singh Phogat
1
Birthplace: Haryana, India
 12 
Vince Russo
(Writer who is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).)
Vince Russo
3
Birthdate: January 24, 1961
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Long Island, New York, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 13 
Stevie Richards
(Professional wrestler, Podcaster)
Stevie Richards
3
Birthdate: October 9, 1971
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Philadelphia
Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
 14 
Don Muraco
(American Retired Professional Wrestler and Podcaster)
Don Muraco
2
Birthdate: September 10, 1949
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Pupukea, Hawaii, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 15 
Joey Ryan
(Wrestler)
Joey Ryan
3
Birthdate: November 7, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 16 
Brody King
(Wrestler)
Brody King
2
Birthdate: March 17, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: United States
Height: 6'5" (196 cm)
 17 
Nikita Koloff
(Wrestler)
Nikita Koloff
2
Birthdate: March 9, 1959
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 18 
Steve Blackman
(Martial arts instructor)
Steve Blackman
2
Birthdate: September 28, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Annville, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 19 
Ryan Nemeth
(Wrestler)
Ryan Nemeth
2
Birthdate: November 4, 1984
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 20 
Jenna Morasca
(Actress)
Jenna Morasca
4
Birthdate: February 15, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 21 
K. D. Jadhav
(Indian Freestyle Wrestler)
K. D. Jadhav
1
Birthdate: January 15, 1926
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Satara, Maharashtra, India
Died: August 14, 1984
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 22 
Wendi Richter
(Professional Wrestler)
Wendi Richter
4
Birthdate: September 6, 1961
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
 23 
Hillbilly Jim
(Professional wrestler)
Hillbilly Jim
2
Birthdate: July 5, 1952
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Scottsville, Kentucky, United States
Height: 6'7" (201 cm)
 24 
John Smith
(Wrestler)
John Smith
2
Birthdate: August 9, 1965
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Del City, Oklahoma, United States
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 25 
Freddie Blassie
(Wrestler)
Freddie Blassie
2
Birthdate: February 8, 1918
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Died: June 2, 2003
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 26 
Bruce Baumgartner
(American Freestyle Wrestler)
Bruce Baumgartner
2
Birthdate: November 2, 1960
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Haledon, New Jersey, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 27 
Alex Shelley
(Wrestler)
Alex Shelley
2
Birthdate: May 23, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 28 
Lester Speight
(American Football player)
Lester Speight
2
Birthdate: August 28, 1963
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 29 
Gino Hernandez
(Wrestler)
Gino Hernandez
2
Birthdate: August 14, 1957
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Highland Park, Texas, United States
Died: February 2, 1986
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 30 
Terry Gordy
(Wrestler)
Terry Gordy
2
Birthdate: April 23, 1961
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Died: July 16, 2001
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 31 
Katsuyori Shibata
(Japanese Professional Wrestler and Mixed Martial Artist)
Katsuyori Shibata
3
Birthdate: November 17, 1979
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kuwana

A 3-time NEVER Openweight Champion, Japanese wrestler and MMA fighter Katsuyori Shibata has also been a coach for NJPW. In December 2021, he announced his first match in 5 years, at the Tokyo Dome. He had practically retired after suffering a subdural hematoma in a 2017 match.

 32 
Aleksandr Karelin
(One of the Greatest Greco-Roman Wrestlers of All Time)
Aleksandr Karelin
0
Birthdate: September 19, 1967
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Novosibirsk, Russia
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 33 
Bill DeMott
(Wrestler)
Bill DeMott
3
Birthdate: November 10, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ridgewood, New Jersey, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 34 
Taylor Wily
(Former Sumo Wrestler and Actor Known for His Recurring Role as 'Kamekona Tupuola' on TV Series 'Hawaii Five-0')
Taylor Wily
2
Birthdate: November 14, 1968
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Taylor Wily is an American actor, former mixed martial artist, and sumo wrestler. Wily, who is of American Samoan origin, had a brief career in sumo wrestling before he chose to try his hand at mixed martial arts. He then joined The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where he competed only for a night.

 35 
Homicide
(Wrestler)
Homicide
2
Birthdate: March 20, 1977
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 36 
Robert Swenson
(Wrestler)
Robert Swenson
2
Birthdate: January 5, 1957
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Died: August 18, 1997
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 37 
David Schultz
(American Former Professional Wrestler)
David Schultz
2
Birthdate: June 1, 1955
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Madison County, Tennessee, United States
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 38 
Tanga Loa
(Wrestler)
Tanga Loa
2
Birthdate: May 7, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 39 
El Hijo de Rey Misterio
(Wrestler)
El Hijo de Rey Misterio
2
Birthdate: November 9, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: San Diego, USA
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
 40 
Adam Saitiev
(Russian Wrestler and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Adam Saitiev
3
Birthdate: December 12, 1977
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Khasavyurt, Dagestan, Russia
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 41 
Bobo Brazil
(Wrestler)
Bobo Brazil
2
Birthdate: July 10, 1924
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Died: January 20, 1998
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 42 
Jasmin St. Claire
(Pornographic actress, Wrestler)
Jasmin St. Claire
5
Birthdate: October 23, 1972
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Height: 5'6" (168 cm)
 43 
Jordan Devlin
(Professional wrestler)
Jordan Devlin
2
Birthdate: March 15, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bray, Ireland

Irish wrestler Jordan Devlin had started training in the sport at age 12 and had even wrestled in Japan by age 21. Known for his long run as the NXT Cruiserweight champion, the WWE star is also popular by his ring names Frank David and Aguila II.

 44 
Matt Bentley
(Wrestlers)
Matt Bentley
2
Birthdate: December 10, 1979
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Clinton, Iowa, USA
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 45 
Dara Singh
(Indian Professional Wrestler)
Dara Singh
3
Birthdate: November 19, 1928
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dharmchuk, Amritsar, Punjab, British India [now India]
Died: July 12, 2012
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 46 
Masakatsu Funaki
(Japanese Actor, Professional Wrestler and Mixed Martial Artist)
Masakatsu Funaki
3
Birthdate: March 13, 1969
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan

Masaharu Funaki, better known by his stage name, Masakatsu Funaki, is not just a skilled mixed martial artist and wrestler but also a fine actor. He also co-established the MMA promotion company Pancrase. Nicknamed the Modern-Day Samurai, he has performed in movies such as Shadow Fury and Godzilla: Final Wars.

 47 
Aleksandr Medved
(Russian Retired Freestyle Wrestler and Three-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)
Aleksandr Medved
1
Birthdate: September 16, 1937
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Bila Tserkva, Ukraine
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 48 
Jaxson Ryker
(Wrestler)
Jaxson Ryker
2
Birthdate: June 6, 1982
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hickory, North Carolina, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 49 
Erland Van Lidth De Jeude
(Actor, Wrestler)
Erland Van Lidth De Jeude
2
Birthdate: June 3, 1953
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hilversum, Netherlands
Died: September 23, 1987

Erland Van Lidth De Jeude was a Dutch-American actor, amateur wrestler, and opera singer. While pursuing his wrestling career, he was given an opportunity to portray the role of the fearsome Terror in the 1979 American comedy-drama film The Wanderers. He then landed a couple of other roles, including his role as Dynamo in the 1987 film The Running Man.

 50 
Matt Striker
(Wrestler)
Matt Striker
2
Birthdate: June 26, 1974
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Queens, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)