Pro Wrestling's Ground Breakers and Difference Makers (Part 2)

Hello, everyone. As always, I would like to thank again for spending some time with me today.

I was overwhelmed with the response from Part 1 of “Pro Wrestling’s Ground Breakers and Difference Makers.” To be honest, I wasn’t sure if anyone would like it.

I have decided to make this an ongoing series for now. I will let it run its course and when it is over, it will be over.

In Part 1, I presented a nice mixture of current and past grapplers. I decided to kick things up a little in part two. Pro wrestling is a world wide sensation, so I figured it would only be right to include some of our overseas grapplers.

I have also decided to include some managers into the mix. They have played a big role over the years in getting guys over. I hope all of you not only enjoy my second entry of the series, but I also hope you learn something.

So with out any further delay I give your Part 2 of “Pro Wrestling’s Ground Breakers and Difference Makers.”

Bobby Heenan

This high school dropout would not only make it in life, but he would go onto achieve many great feats.

While Bobby Heenan's in-ring career was nothing to write home about, there is no doubt in anyone's mind the impact he made in wrestling.

Heenan broke into wrestling in the 60s. He didn't really make a name for himself until he joined the AWA, though. He later went to the WWF, where he only grew bigger.

He has managed such greats as Andre the Giant, Nick Bockwinkel, and Big John Studd just to name a few. He had the ability to cut a promo that could put any wrestlers over.

He is also famous for his announcing work. As he and his longtime friend Gorilla Monsoon went on to not only call matches together, they would also do most of the WWF’s TV programs.

He left a legacy behind that would set a standard for managers and announcers. It is believed by many that the team of Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon were the best broadcast pair in the history of wrestling.

Mil Mascaras

Mascaras made his ring debut in the 60s. He was noted for being a good high flyer at such a large size at the time. In fact many believed it is him that brought high flying to lucha libre.

In the late 60s he became a international star. He went on to feud with other greats like Ernie Ladd, the Destroyer, Superstar Billy Graham, and Cactus Jack.

He has appeared all over the world, and has wrestled in many different companies such as AJPW, WWF, and WCW. He is remembered by most as lucha libre's most decorated grappler.

He didn't win any gold until 1991 in the WWA, but he went on to hold that title for three years before retiring.

Randy "Macho Man" Savage

A second generation star from the Poffo family. Randy Savage hurt his arm in baseball, ending his baseball career.

The obvious choice after that was wrestling, and it was a good one.

Randy Savage started wrestling in 1973. He went to many different federations and feuded with the likes of Jerry Lawler, among others.

Where he really made a name for himself was in the WWF where he became one of WWF's top heels, and feuded with all the top names at the time.

His match with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is still considered one of the best ever. He reached the top of his career when he became the WWF champ at WrestleMania IV.

He held that title for over a year. He also held heavyweight gold in WCW while in the NWO.

His flashy style and heel tactics are still remembered today as some of the best in the business.

The Great Muta

The Great Muta started wrestling in the early 80s. In his first stint with NJPW, his success was mild at best.

In fact his first real success didn't come until he went to Puerto Rico. There, he wrestled with the gimmick "Super Ninja."

He went on to win the heavyweight and TV title in the WWC. Not only did Muta gain respect from the fans in Puerto Rico, he caught the eyes of promoters in the U.S.

He soon started wrestling in Florida and some of the other NWA territories. He accomplished something that one other Japanese wrestler did in the U.S.

He went on to win the NWA heavyweight title.

During his time in the states he went on to have matches with guys like Sting, Hogan, and other American greats.

He also was a key player in the WCW/Japan crossover promotions.

He went back over to Japan to hold several titles and eventually became the owner of AJPW.

Terry Funk

Son of Dory Funk Sr., Terry started wrestling in the mid 60s. During his time in professional wrestling, Funk has wrestled all over the world.

His brutal style and willingness to put his body through hell has helped paved the way for hardcore wrestling.

He has feuded with just about every one in the business. This list includes Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, and Junkyard Dog.

I kid you not; that list of opponents doesn't even scratch the surface.

Funk has wrestled in Japan, the NWA, WWF, ECW, NWA and small Indies.

He has held heavyweight, and tag gold in just about every federation he has been in.

What Funk is really known for is his ability to take a beating. He has been in ladder matches, I quit matches, barbed wire matches, and glass matches.

He has given his heart, mind, body, and soul to the business.

Edge and Christian

These two made their debut in 1998 on the Indy scene. They were quickly recognized by Vince and were soon signed to the WWE.

In the beginning of their WWE careers, they were in a faction with Gangrel and were known as the Brood.

They soon broke out on their own and broke out fast. It wasn't long before they were making names for themselves in the tag ranks.

Their high style and charisma, won the fans over no matter if they were heel or face. They were most noted for their 5-second poses for flash photography.

In 2000, they got their first taste of tag team gold and never looked back. They went on to win the tag titles a record seven times.

What makes this number of title runs impressive is because it was the last great era for tag team wrestling in the WWE.

They helped go on to make the TLC match a household name.

"The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart

Now I may take some slack for this one, but I'm going to stick to my guns on this pick.

At a time when managers were a key aspect in getting wrestlers over who were bad on the stick, no one could cut a promo or piss off a crowd like Jimmy Hart.

He was a big par in getting the likes of Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Honky Tonk Man, Greg Valentine over, just to name some he has managed.

With his squeaky and obnoxious voice paired with his megaphone. He was always a presence at the ring whether you liked it or not.

He even helped put together many of the wrestlers' music entrances.

He has been in TNA, WCW, WWF, and even ran his own indy promotion for a while.

"Superstar” Billy Graham

"Superstar” Billy Graham started in the Wrestling business during the 70s. He was scouted and trained by Stu Hart.

He soon became one of Stu's favorite students. He went on to wrestle in the NWA and AWA.

While having some success in the territories, winning local NWA gold here and their. One of his most noted wins was against Dusty Rhodes for the belt.

He didn't make his full impact until 1977 when he went to the WWWE. He was managed by the Grand Wizard.

He had a style unseen at the time in the wrestling world. He often wore flashy costumes; this is now a common thing in wrestling.

With his off-the-wall heel tactics and crazy manager, he soon became the industry's top heel.

He did something thing that few stars can say they did. He took the belt off Bruno Sammartino.

Not only did he take the belt, but he held on to it for a year. At the time, that was considered a long run for a heel champ.

He would go back and forth between the WWE and NWA for awhile, but he set a new trend in style for guys like HBK, Jericho, and many others.

During the height of his career he feuded with many great legends such as Bruno Sammartino, Dusty Rhodes, Jerry Lawler, Bob Backlund, and Greg Valentine.

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

This decorated champion has had success wherever he went. He made his wrestling debut in the late 70s.

He went on to win gold in NWA, WCW and the WWE. Steamboat brought to the table a style in the ring we haven't seen before.

With the technical know-how and mixture of martial arts, he soon had audiences in awe.

He has gone on to feud with most modern pro legends like Savage, Flair, Rhodes, Harley Race, Honky Tonk Man, plus many more.

His match with Randy Savage is still considered one of the best in wrestling history. His most notable moment came in 1989 when he beat Flair for the NWA title.

An injury in 1994 put the Dragon on the shelf and forced him to retire. He still has it though, as he went on to have a few good matches with Jericho recently.

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat's contributions to the wrestling world are still talked about today.

Chyna

Chyna trained at Killer Kowalski's School with Triple H. She made her debut in the WWF in 1997. She started off at first as a valet for Triple H.

She soon made the transition as a wrestler. She made history in many ways in her short time in the WWF.

She was also the first women to be in a Royal Rumble. She would go on to start competing with men in the ring. This is something that isn’t even done today.

Chyna would own the women’s division during her time with the WWF. She would become a multi-women’s champion, and a top draw for the company. Chyna also did something that no other woman has done in wrestling.

She beat Jeff Jarrett to become the Intercontinental champion. The first and only women to hold men's gold. It is a record that was so impressive that it would make the Guinness Book of world records.

I hope you enjoyed part to of the series. It was a lot of fun to put it together and I look forward to bringing you part 3.

I thank you again for spending some time with me.

As always, have a great day and God bless.