5 legitimate tough performers in professional wrestling history

How many times have you tried to have a legitimate conversation about professional wrestling before someone interrupted with the words, “It is fake”? A good guess would be countless; yes, professional wrestling is scripted, and the moves the “wrestlers” perform in the ring are choreographed. But if history has taught us anything, it is the fact that professional wrestlers suffer more physical abuse than any other sport.The professional wrestling industry can take a toll on the health of the performers, and the terrifying amount of deaths in the past three decades is just a tip of the iceberg.However, although the industry itself is looked upon as a façade, it is common knowledge that you cannot survive in the industry unless you’re tough and are prepared to take a beating almost every day. In the past, there have been performers who defied the physical limitations of the human body, and in the process, earned the reputation of being legitimate tough guys/girls in the industry.In this article, we take a look at five such performers who were not only feared by their peers, but have done things one can’t even imagine.

#5 Bad News Barrett

The former WWE Intercontinental champion might give out some bad news every week on live television, but you wouldn’t want to get on his bad side. Wade Barrett was thrown into the spotlight in 2010 when he led the Nexus faction and was tipped at one point to become the new face of the WWE. Although Barrett never quite broke through the proverbial glass ceiling, he is widely regarded as one of the toughest superstars on the WWE roster, and a little peek into his past would explain why.

Before Barrett signed with the WWE, much like William Regal, he used to be a bare-knuckle brawler in the United Kingdom. In his early 20s, Barrett became a renowned bare knuckle boxer and fought across Europe. However, after he won a fight which was dubbed as the “Battle of Buda”, Barrett was attacked in an alley when he was trying to find a cab to the airport with the cash prize he had won.

Barrett was stabbed with an eight-inch blade, but Barrett retaliated, injuring the assailant in the process. Barrett escaped with the money and a 12 inch scar, extending from his upper back to halfway down his triceps!

#4 Sabu

Sabu is billed as the “Homicidal, Suicidal, Genocidal Maniac” for a good reason. Sabu, much like Mick Foley and Terry Funk gained notoriety for competing in extremely dangerous matches, and has the scars to show for it, quite literally. Sabu was also known to use super glue as a remedy for the injuries he suffered during his bouts.

During ECW’s Born To Be Wired PPV, he faced Terry Funk in a no – rope barbed wire match. During the bout, Sabu went for a splash in the corner as Funk moved, resulting in Sabu getting entangled in the barbed wire. His bicep was torn open in the process, and Sabu, in an attempt to carry on with the match asked his on – screen manager Bill Alfonso to tape his gash.

Sabu then continued with the match and proved to the world once again just why he is regarded as one of the toughest performers in the business.

#3 Brock Lesnar

“The Beast Incarnate” had a phenomenal 2014, first beating The Undertaker at WrestleMania and then finishing John Cena in perhaps the most lopsided WWE championship match in history. Before Lesnar joined the WWE, he was an accomplished amateur wrestler, winning the NCAA Division 1 Heavyweight championship in 2000.

Brock then quickly climbed the ranks in the WWE, impressing everyone with his strength and physique. Lesnar was also considered to be one of the toughest performers early in his career, and he proved just that at WrestleMania 19 during his match with Kurt Angle. Lesnar botched a Shooting Star press and landed on his neck, and while that would paralyze most of the performers, Lesnar finished the match and escaped with just a concussion.

Lesnar then successfully transitioned to MMA, and won the UFC Heavyweight title in just his second fight, beating the legendary Randy Couture for the strap. He also became the first person in history to have won the NCAA wrestling championship, the WWE championship and the UFC Heavyweight title.

Lesnar further showed his grit and toughness by battling through Diverticulitis, and while most of the fighters would retire after suffering a debilitating disease and coming close to death, Lesnar returned to the Octagon, and would later return to the WWE to create history.

#2 Akira Hokuto

Japanese wrestlers are considered to be some of the toughest performers, with their stiff working style. Akira Hokuto however took it up a notch, and was known for her toughness as a competitor, which is quite contrary to what people perceive about the divas in the WWE.

In 1987, Akira teamed up with Yumiko Hotta to defend the AJW’s WWWA world tag team titles against the Red Typhoons (Kazue Nagahori and Yumi Ogura). During the bout, Hokuto took a tombstone piledriver from the second rope, breaking her neck due to the impact. Akira continued the match and wrestled till the end, taking more bumps in the process!

In 1990, during a Grand Prix match against Manami Toyota, Hokuto went for a top rope plancha, and rammed her knee into the metal barrier, tearing her knee open! Hokuto, who was unable to walk after the impact, taped up her leg while crying, and attempted to continue the match! If that doesn’t earn you a spot on this list, nothing will.

#1 Haku

Very few people can cause fear in the hearts of other performers like Haku aka Meng could. Meng has been a part of several legendary stories, and when the question pops up about who the legitimate tough guy in professional wrestling is, nobody within the business would argue about the fact that Haku was hands – down the most feared performer.

According to one story narrated by “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase Sr., a brawl broke out in a bar in St. Louis, and Haku was drinking in the same bar. When the cops arrived, Haku tried to separate the people involved in the fight. The cops mistook Haku for one of the troublemakers and maced him, and then handcuffed Haku behind his back. Haku allegedly looked at the officers and snapped his handcuffs!

Jake “The Snake” was one among many other old – timers who suggested that Haku could legitimately hurt anyone, and there was nothing you could do about it. Bobby Heenan also recollected an instance in an interview, when Haku broke the bottom teeth of a troublemaker in a bar with two fingers! Various other such stories exist about Haku’s toughness, which makes him the undisputed toughest performer in the history of professional wrestling.