20 Throwback Photos Even Die-Hard Wrestling Fans Forgot Existed

These days, a photo can go digital and be on the internet forever but that just wasn’t the case decades ago. During those days, everyone had hard copies of the photos or didn’t have them at all. These photos may not be as rare as others but they were taken during a time when those participating in the photo never thought it would be on the web in 2018.

Photos and the wrestling industry go hand in hand, dating back to the days when people actually bought wrestling magazines to keep up with the sport. Who doesn’t want to see old photos of their favorite Superstars? The photo can bring back a ton of memories to a lot of fans and also create new ones for those who never knew that photo existed.

We decided to show you some throwback photos of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Some of the wrestlers in these photos are legends while others were okay at best. Some of the images are candid moments while others were professionally done. It’s awesome to look back at photos decades ago to give you an idea of the culture, lifestyle, and environment around them. A picture can say a thousand words so keep that in mind when looking through this history course. Enjoy.

20 Randy Seeing Red

If you didn’t know, before Macho became a legend in the wrestling business, he was a prospect for several MLB teams. No one can deny how athletic Savage was but he didn’t get that way by the luck of the draw. His father, Angelo Poffo, was also a wrestler and made sure Savage was in tip-top shape every day. That hard work ethic helped him ease into the sport of baseball.

He would be signed by the St. Louis Cardinals as a catcher after he finished high school in 1970. Randy would transition into an outfielder and would end up playing for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox’s farm systems as well. Savage would leave baseball in 1974, ending with a stat line of 16 home runs, 66 RBIs, a .254 batting average in 289 games.

19 Giant Baba Enjoying Himself

If you’re just getting into Japanese wrestling because of NJPW, this man is one of the pioneers that helped bring you the content you see today. His name is Giant Baba, and at 6 feet 10 inches tall, he was considered the Andre the Giant of Japan. Trained by Fred Atkins and Rikidozan, Baba would make his professional debut in 1960. He was one of the original Japanese wrestlers to come over to the States.

Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon, recognized his larger than life persona and immediately booked him in the early 1960s. His impact in the States shouldn’t go unnoticed, as he was former NWA World Champion to be defeated by Ric Flair. Baba loved wrestling, it was his life and he would end up wrestling his last match in 1998.

18 Three Legends

Known as the “Big Three” of Mexico, Mil Mascaras (below), El Santo (right), and Blue Demon (left) are considered the pioneers of the lucha libre tradition. If it wasn’t for these three guys busting their backs, the fans may have never of had the privilege to see guys like Rey Mysterio Jr., La Parka, and Psychosis, bring the house down in the United States.

Not only were these guys kings of the ring, they also performed in movies. Due to their Hollywood fame and awesome in-ring skills, these guys had no problem pushing wrestling to the next level. So, remember for now on, before The Rock or Hulk Hogan got into films, these three guys were doing it long before them. Remarkably, Mascaras actually wrestled twice in October of 2017 at the age of 75 and still hasn’t officially retired.

17 Gather Around Everyone

Most likely taken at an airport, this image has a who’s who of wrestlers from the 1980s and 90s. Kayfabe may have been coming to an end around the time this photo was taken, however, groups shots like this are still rare to come by. There are many legends of wrestling in this photo and Bastion Booger. You can see Hulk Hogan, Owen Hart, Tito Santana, Yokozuna, and Mr. Fuji and some of the wrestlers give their best “cheese” face.

The image is a reminder that all these guys may hate each other in the ring but backstage they need to rely on one another to put on a great show for the fans. We wonder who Hart and Fuji pranked after this photo was taken.

16 Best Duo Ever

Arguably the greatest personality duo in the history of wrestling, Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon had brilliant chemistry together. It’s a type of chemistry that you can’t force on the fans and their improvisation was stellar. In this image, Gorilla and Bobby were celebrating the second anniversary of WWE’s Prime TimeWrestling.

The first anniversary had Bobby get some cake in the face so throughout this entire segment he was a little leery of the delicious dessert. In the end, Gorilla found a way to get cake on Heenan’s face once again, making for great television. Notice that brown bag to Heenan’s right? That’s some bubbly alcohol and Heenan claimed he had 200 more bottles in his hotel room, a claim Gorilla didn’t believe, but we do.

15 Hanging With The Boys

This candid shot shows Rick Martel, Shawn Michaels, and Kerry Von Erich having some fun together. Back in the day, before 21st Century, celebrities, athletes, and popular figures weren’t taking a million photos. Everything was hush and you never heard about it unless you were there. This is one of those rare moments where we see our heroes being themselves.

All three of these wrestlers could put on a show and are a legend in their own right. You may question Martel, but that guy could work his tail off in an era full of big men. Maybe it’s better these guys didn’t have the press following their every move, or some random person snapping photos with their phone while they're trying to have a private party.

14 A Young Ricky Steamboat

Look at that beautiful mustache on Ricky Steamboat. After being trained to the point of knocking on death’s door by Verne Gange, Steamboat would make his wrestling debut in 1974. He would begin his career using his real name, Rick Blood, and started off as a babyface. In 1976, Blood would transition into the “Steamboat” gimmick, which was based on an excellent Hawaiian wrestler named Sammy Steamboat.

Apparently, Steamboat, that is his original name was great, but for a heel and not a babyface. It’s been decades since he debuted and Ricky always maintained that babyface persona, a rare accomplishment in the wrestling industry these days. He’s 65 years young and there’s no doubt he can still run the ropes if asked to.

13 Staying In Character Or Just Being Themselves?

Hoooooo! Hacksaw Jim Duggan looks like he was blinded by the light of the camera because his eyes are closed shut. This photo taken in the early 90s and involves several Hall of Famers. We see the patriotic Duggan, of course, as well as legendary manager Slick, and the man who holds the record for attending the most wrestling conventions, Virgil.

There is also the two evil looking dudes in the back, Papa Shango and The Undertaker. Taker looks young and although he seems to be in character, a mortician and voodoo doctor usually don’t wear designer shirts. It would be cool if these guys could get together and take a similar photo over twenty years later. We doubt it happens, but you never know in this industry.

12 Old School But Still In Style

Many WWE fans may know about Greg Valentine and Ric Flair, but they should also know about Paul Jones. He’s the one sitting in the middle of Valentine and Flair at a gymnasium. Judging by their fashion, they look like they’re ready to go out and party, wooo! Jones would make his wrestling debut in 1961 and would help guys like Valentine and Flair grow into the popular wrestlers that they’ve become.

Jones was a huge fixture in Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, where he met Flair. All three wrestlers have too many accolades and accomplishments to list on here but Jones is missing something the other two have. That’s a Hall of Fame ring, and although Jones was an “NWA” guy, he should be inducted into the HoF.

11 Sgt. Slaughter Before The Military Garb

“I love the smell of burnt flesh in the morning,” said an intense Sgt. Slaughter. Before he donned the military style gimmick we all know him for, Slaughter would wear some colorful clothing, such as the one you see here. He also had some long locks on his head, making this image dated back to the 1970s. After being trained by Verne Gange, he would make his debut in 1972.

For eight years he would work for NWA, AWA and continued to improve. Vince McMahon recognized his skills and would sign him to a one year contract in 1980. McMahon envisioned him as a heel and he would be involved in a famous feud with Pat Patterson that ended in an epic “Alley Fight.” Ever since then, Slaughter was a household name across the WWE Universe.

10 Randy The Spider?

Diving elbow drop, diving crossbody, and the high knee to the back of an opponent were just some of the maneuvers Randy Savage made famous during his time as a professional wrestler. Savage was always a great athlete but he took his body to a whole new level in the professional wrestling industry. After leaving baseball, Randy would follow in his father’s footsteps and wrestled his first match as The Spider.

Terry “The Goose” Stephens and Ole Anderson were the ones to convince Randy to change his ring name to Savage. The reason why was because Randy really did wrestle like a Savage and everyone knew he was going to be a star. It took him over ten years to make it to the WWE and it was fireworks once he arrived.

9 Paul E. Dangerously

We assure you that isn’t a young Jim Belushi but a young Paul Heyman with hair. Believe it or not, but Paul Heyman did flash his chest around the girls during the early 1990s. Heyman’s story is an interesting one because not only is he the greatest manager in the industry today, he’s done so much to evolve the wrestling business. You can make a strong case that the Attitude Era would have never of been what it was if it wasn’t for Heyman’s ECW.

Think about it, McMahon saw the fans loving the hardcore and the raw attitude that ECW was pushing. Not only that, he also signed many wrestlers after they made a splash in ECW. Mick Foley, Brian Pillman, and Stone Cold Steve Austin are a few of those wrestlers that found that intense persona in ECW and brought it to the WWE.

8 Chilling By The Pool

Somebody in this picture is there to chew bubble gum and hang out with pretty women on the beach, and he’s all out of bubble gum. Roddy Piper was the best both in the ring and outside. He had his ups and downs and did some immature things during his career, but the guy admitted to his mistakes and even owned up to them while filming WWE’s Legends’ House.

This photo also features Randy Orton’s father, Bob Orton Jr., and Jesse Ventura. The picture was taken during a promo for an upcoming match between Piper and Ventura versus The Hillbillies on Saturday Night’s Main Event in 1986. That same year, Piper would have his first lead role in a Hollywood film called Body Slam and Ventura would be featured in the hit classic Predator a year later.

7 Fear The Dingo Warrior

“Dig your claws into my organs! Stretch into my tendons! Bury your anchors into my bones for the power of the Warrior will always prevail!” said the crazy guy you see in this image. Before Ultimate Warrior became the cosmic fighter that should be battling the superhero Hulk on a distant planet, he was the Dingo Warrior in World Class Championship Wrestling. Warrior and Sting would get their big break in the promotion as The Blade Runners.

Both had a bodybuilding background and the idea was to make them similar to The Road Warriors with the face paint. You can check out a lot of their matches on the WWE Network if you have the time. We wonder what crazy lines Warrior said while shooting this promo.

6 Before There Was Sports Entertainment

One of the greatest feuds in the history of the industry involved a small amount of wrestling. Jerry Lawler and legendary comedian Andy Kaufman would come up with one of the greatest schemes in entertainment. They would begin a feud that seemed so real, it garnered national attention. Kaufman loved wrestling but knew he couldn’t hold it down in the ring against men so he decided to challenge women.

Working in kayfabe, Lawler didn’t like the fact that Kaufman was wrestling women and decided to enter the ring one night and give him two pile drivers, one of them in the image you see. In 1982, Lawler and Kaufman would collide during an appearance on the David Letterman Show, and they both talked about the incident in the image. It became one of the biggest feuds of the era and was revolutionary for its “entertainment” content.

5 The Trifecta of Managers

Freddie Blassie, Lou Albano, and The Grand Wizard were once the trifecta of managers in the wrestling industry. While working for the WWE, these three guys usually managed every major heel that came out in the 1970s to the 1980s. They were great when it came to being charismatic and putting wrestlers over. The two bearded gentlemen in the back are the Moondogs which were known for their heelish shenanigans.

It’s important to remember that managers were sometimes more important than the actual wrestler they managed decades ago. The babyface hero would actually be feuding with a manager like Freddie Blassie instead of a specific heel. These three managers also helped foreigners, such as Mr. Fuji, get over with the crowd. You can check them out on the WWE Network if you search for the vault section.

4 The Taker Smiles

The Undertaker is saying his last goodbyes so it’s only right to include him in a throwback photo with his friend and former manager the late Paul Bearer. This photo was taken during the early 1990s when the WWE would head to the UK. The event was annual for three years and was called UK Rampage. Believe it or not but Paul Bearer wasn’t The Undertaker’s first manager.

That achievement belongs to Brother Love. After being recommended by Rick Rude to Vince McMahon, Bearer would be hired in December of 1990 and make his debut as Undertakers new manager in February 1991. It was love at first sight for the pair and the two went on to be part of some legendary history. In the early 1990s, it was rare to see the Undertaker out of character and smiling (somewhat) to boot.

3 Poffo Bros

Before Randy Savage made his debut in the industry, his brother Lanny Poffo was already cracking skulls in the ring. The two brothers learned a lot from their father, Angelo Poffo, and both would make it to the biggest promotions during their era. Savage definitely had the better career but you can’t deny Lanny’s contributions to the industry.

Lanny was never as physically talented as his brother but when it comes to the microphone, Lanny was just as good as his brother. Known as The Genius in the WWE, Lanny really showed the world how good of a speaker he was, a rare thing in the 1980s. The brothers would only share one Tag Team Championship reign together. That reign took place in Gulf Coast Championship Wrestling in 1976.

2 Young Hot Rod

We showed you Roddy Piper during the 1980s but how about when he was first starting out? Piper didn’t have an easy life and would abandon his home for youth hostels during his junior high years. As a teenager, he would take on odd jobs at local gyms and would run errands for professional wrestlers in the area.

He started training in boxing, earned a black belt in judo, and began amateur wrestling before turning into a professional wrestler in 1969. After working the Canadian territories, he would get his big break in the States in the mid-1970s when he started a feud with Larry Hennig (Mr. Perfect’s Father) in AWA. By the time the 1980s rolled around, Piper was a legit top contender in North America. The rest is history.

1 Woooooo!

If you didn’t watch ESPN’s 30 for 30 special about Ric Flair, it’s a must watch and you’ll understand why he looks like a puffed up pillow in this image. Flair was a heavy guy when he first started wrestling. He was strong but as you can see, his body shape was thick. That was a trend in the 1970s, you would see guys with puffed up chests and not the lean figures we’re accustomed to today.

The description even calls Flair burly, which we all know that’s the last thing we would describe Flair during his prime. Maybe all those 60-minute matches with Dusty Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat really helped Flair slim down. Like most legends that debuted in the 1970s, Flair would be trained by Verne Gagne. From the start of his career, he was pushed as a promising star, and he definitely over delivered.