'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAANAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAUHCP/aAAgBAQAAAACTptJjf//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQIQAAAAD//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQMQAAAAZ//EACEQAAICAQQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwQRAAUGEwcSI1Ji/9oACAEBAAE/ADxqnJFw6vU21Iuy1F3W3sLML/YodsLjKqgTHr+tct4vAvKt5FOzSSsLswiWKVQgT3OAuj4+o17Mc9iVLEcrM3T09aq2XGQFP0wuj4m2K8TbaSwjT/KVGDj21//EABoRAAICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMRAAISE0H/2gAIAQIBAT8AsbAut8c//8QAFxEBAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAEf/aAAgBAwEBPwBmWOhv/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Professional Wrestling, in its modern form, has been around for nearly a century. In that time the sport has evolved from a carnival sideshow attraction to a major ratings force in television to the most downloaded form of sports in the world.
Naturally, there were dozens, if not hundreds, of spectacular moments in that history. However, there are some snapshots in time that influenced wrestling so greatly it would be hard to imagine how much different the landscape would be without them.
Follow Sportskeeda for the latest WWE news, rumors and all other wrestling news.
Here are ten of the most pivotal moments in wrestling history.
#1. Gorgeous George becomes the first wrestling mega-star--by being despised.
George Raymond Wagner was a gifted amateur wrestler who turned his attention to the professional ranks in the post WWII era. Although he had moderate success, and was considered one of the better grapplers of his generation, he craved a higher degree of stardom.
Inspired by a wrestler named Lord Lansdowne, who entered the ring wearing a voluminous robe and accompanied by two lovely women, George decided to craft an even more fabulously entertaining character. After hearing a woman proclaim "oh, he's so gorgeous!" at one his matches, Wagner developed his new persona; Gorgeous George.
With his effeminate mannerisms, curly blonde hair, and penchant for spraying the ring with perfume before he would deign to enter it, George threatened the masculinity of the 1940s and 50s era crowds. He would also play the part of a craven coward, and avoid touching his opponent for the first several minutes of the match. Fans turned out in droves in hopes of seeing the hated Gorgeous George get his comeuppance.
Wagner tapped into Pro Wrestling's entertainment potential, which had waned during the war, and revitalized the sport. Without George, not only would there have been no Nature Boy Ric Flair or Dalton Castle, the entire industry would be starkly different today.
#2. Wahoo McDaniel's athleticism legitimizes wrestling.
During the 1960s, many pro football players also worked as pro wrestlers because of much lower salaries than are enjoyed today. One of the best football players of that era was Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel. The wildly popular McDaniel made 23 tackles in a single game, and the announcers played up his stardom by saying "Another tackle by--guess who?" And the crowd would respond with an enthusiastic WAHOO!
The name stuck when he finished his football career and became a full-time wrestler. During his career, he held over fifty different title belts for various promotions, including two runs as world heavyweight champion. Unlike his contemporary Chief Jay Strongbow, McDaniel was a legitimate Native American of Choctaw and Chickasaw descent. Despite being a minority, Wahoo was one of the most popular wrestlers of all time.
#3. Haystacks Calhoun becomes a household name.
During the 1960s, wrestling moved into larger and larger arenas, including Madison Square Garden. The need for a big enough star to fill those arenas was answered by Haystacks Calhoun.
Initially, he billed himself as Country Boy Calhoun, but after he was seen on the nationally televised variety show Art Linkletter's House Party, that all changed. During the show, Calhoun displayed his nigh-superhuman strength by tossing haybales into the air. The stunt earned him a new nickname--Haystacks--and also gained fans not only for Calhoun but for pro wrestling in general.
Despite being over 600 pounds, Haystacks had surprising agility and employed a scientific moveset. He wrestled every major star of his era, including Andre the Giant and Man Mountain Mike, fellow giants of the sport. Haystacks changed the public perception of what a wrestling star could be for the better.
#4. Wrestlemania and the Rock and Wrestling Connection.
Despite popular misconception, Wrestlemania was not the first pay per view event. That honor goes to Starccade. However, while Starccade drew in droves of wrestling fans, Wrestlemania CREATED droves of new fans, making it the more significant event.
During the 1980s, MTV had emerged as a major force in entertainment, and music stars such as Cyndi Lauper and Michael Jackson dominated the charts in ways that had not been seen since the days of Elvis and the Beatles. Vince McMahon seized upon this opportune landscape and built up the Rock and Wrestling connection, involving music stars and other celebrities in Wrestlemania and beyond.
Wrestling stepped up from being a niche entertainment form to the mainstream, and it all started with Wrestlemania.
#5. Vince McMahon Jr. takes over WWWF.
Prior to the advent of Vince McMahon Jr. as the CEO of WWE, wrestling was divided into regional territories. While there were no laws preventing organizations from having shows in each other's respective territories, there was still a 'gentlemen's agreement' that such things would not happen.
That all changed when Vince took over the then WWWF from his father, Vince Sr. Suddenly the senior McMahon was inundated with calls from his peers, angrily demanding that his son stop having shows in their territories.
However, there would be no stopping McMahon Jr. He successfully built the re-christened WWF into a juggernaut that has known few rivals during its run. Vince's complete overhaul of the wrestling industry has changed the sport irrevocably.
#6. First ever ladder match.
Gimmick matches have been a part of wrestling for a very long time. Steel cages, bullropes, chains, and coal miner's gloves have all found their way into a wrestling ring.
When Shawn Michaels faced off with Razor Ramon in the first ever ladder match, they knew they would be making history. What they didn't know was that the match would forever alter the pro wrestling landscape. The fans responded so well to the ladder match between the two that it has become a pro wrestling staple.
#7. The NWA mounts a serious challenge to WWE's dominance with "Clash of the Champions."
After witnessing the success of the WWE, Jim Crockett productions decided to emulate their business model. Crockett did this by buying up other promotions' talent, moving into their territories, and by staging a free event the same night as Wrestlemania IV.
Presented for free on the Superstation TBS, the first Clash of the Champions was headlined by Ric Flair vs. the relatively green but insanely popular Sting. At this time there was no modern internet, and many cable companies did not even offer PPV shows. Millions of fans, frustrated that they could not see Wrestlemania IV even though they were willing to pay for it, tuned in to the NWA supershow, and became instantly hooked.
Suddenly, the WWE wasn't the only big dog in the wrestling world. Clash of the Champions set the groundwork for the Monday Night Wars to follow.
#8. The nWo ignite the Monday Night War.
Ted Turner's WCW upped the ante in their competition with WWE by running their own show against the flagship production of Raw. Monday Nitro debuted in 1995 to decent ratings that still lagged behind Raw's.
That all changed with the advent of the nWo. In this era, kayfabe was still alive and well, and many fans believed that the nWo was legitimately out to invade and destroy WCW. The whole linchpin of the phenomenon was when perennial hero Hulk Hogan turned heel and joined the wicked invaders Hall and Nash.
The result was nearly three years of ratings dominance, fights to sign the biggest name talent, and the most exciting era of wrestling before or since. The Monday Night War would rage on until 2001, when Vince McMahon would purchase the struggling WCW organization and shut down Nitro.
#9. Mankind turns the tide in the Monday Night War--with an assist from Tony Schiavone.
After three years of ratings dominance, Nitro began to falter. The fans grew tired of the nWo angle, which had stretched on for several years, and the constant parade of celebrities who got involved in the matches.
Raw began to put together ratings victories over WCW, but was still on the verge of financial collapse. That all changed thanks to Mankind--and WCW lead announcer Tony Schiavone.
Eric Bischoff took great pride in the fact that while Nitro was always live, Raw was frequently pre-recorded. He would give away the results of Raw on the air, and even once had Rick Rude appear live on Nitro at the exact same time he was seen on the pre-taped Raw. However, this tactic backfired big time when Mankind won the WWE title for the first time.
Tony Schiavone told fans they didn't have to switch the channel. "Cactus Jack (the name Mankind went by in WCW) is going to win their world title tonight. Yeah, THAT'LL put asses in seats!"
Fans tuned out of Nitro and into Raw in droves to see the popular Mick Foley win the title. Thanks to this flub, Raw cemented its ratings dominance and began the march toward being a billion dollar company, while Nitro continued to falter.
#10. Vince McMahon purchases WCW.
With his ratings success pushing the WWE to new heights of financial dominance, McMahon took the WWE public and became a billionaire in the process. With his newfound fortune, he did the unthinkable; He purchased the struggling WCW from Ted Turner, including the rights to their video library of JC Productions which stretched back to the 1970s.
Fans were shocked when out of the blue McMahon appeared on the opening moments of Nitro, bragging that he had defeated a billionaire 'by becoming a billionaire.'
The Monday Night War was over, and WWE was the sole survivor. It has continued its dominance of the wrestling world ever since, with its only serious contenders still a long way behind in terms of ratings and finances.
There you have it; Ten of the most pivotal moments in wrestling history. Comments or questions? Please leave them below.
