ANDRE THE GIANT

Gimmick: As his name suggests, he’s a giant. It’s hard to miss him.

Career Highlights: Andre-Hogan friendship and feud, Andre-Roberts feud, Andre the Giant vs Big John Studd



If you think The Big Show is a giant then you clearly haven’t seen the inspiration for his character. From his black singlet to his large hand chops, Andre surely is one of the characters you don’t want to mess with. Though Andre has a lot of memorable matches, possibly the one that is engraved on the memory of people’s mind is his friendship and feud with Hulk Hogan. Former best friends turned foe, the rivalry between the two started because of Andre’s jealousy over Hogan’s championship reign. He then demanded a title shot which led to the Wrestlemania III David and Goliath match where Hogan hulked up and slamed the Giant, defeating him and defending his reign.



RANDY SAVAGE

Gimmick: Macho Man

Career Highlights: Savage-Hogan tag team and feud, Savage-Miss Elizabeth story, Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair



Described as “one of the greatest pro wrestlers who ever lived” and was named by the WWE as the greatest titleholder of all time, Randy Savage rivals Hulk Hogan’s influence in the world of wrestling. Known for his colorful and flamboyant outfits, his raspy voice, his energetic in-ring and outside performance and his catchphrase “Oooh yeah!,” really left an impression in the WWE. On his many storylines, the most celebrated one is probably his relationship with his manager Miss Elizabeth, which later turned into a real-life one. When Savage dumped Miss Elizabeth for Sensational Sherri, everyone shed tears for the torn love line. However, Miss Elizabeth proved her love to Savage when she threw Sherri out of the picture after Sherri attacked Savage after losing a match. The reunion between Savage and Miss Elizabeth ultimately led to their marriage, which took place in the ring, a match made in heaven.



RODDY PIPER

Gimmick: Villainous Scottish wrestler

Career Higlights: Piper-Hogan feud, Roddy Piper vs. The Mountie, Roddy Piper vs. Bret Hart



Roddy Piper immediately made an impact when he entered the world of wrestling. Although he’s Canadian, Piper was portrayed as a Scottish wrestler and was the only wrestler who wore a kilt as his in-ring gear at that time. He is also easily distinguished through his entrance theme, a bagpipe tune. He was nicknamed “Rowdy” and “Hot Rod” because of his “Scottish” rage and quick wit. His greatest feud is with Hulk Hogan as well. This rivalry continued and actually paved way for the beginning of “Rock n’ Wrestling” (because of the involvement of pop star Cyndi Lauper). Because of his “bad guy” gimmick, Piper feuded with almost everyone during his era. One occasion that displays his rebellious side is when Piper lifted his kilt, revealing himself to the crowd (there was nothing underneath!).



JAKE ROBERTS

Gimmick: Snake

Career Highlights: Roberts-Rude feud, Roberts-Steamboat feud, Roberts-Savage feud, Roberts-Ultimate Warrior feud, Roberts-Hogan lost storyline



Jake The Snake Roberts was known for playing mind games with his opponents. His signature move, the DDT, was actually dubbed as the coolest maneuver of all time by the WWE. However, these are not the primary reasons why Roberts became an icon during his time. Roberts was nicknamed “The Snake” because, apart from keeping one as a pet, he exhibited a snake-like cunning—he is untrustworthy and will strike you from behind, which he showed in his betrayal of Ultimate Warrior. He colored the character further by “slithering” out of the ring when he’s exiting a match. Aside from this, Roberts is also called the snake because of his in-ring pets—snakes. He would often bring a bag containing a snake (usually a python) hidden under the ring and after defeating his opponents, he would coil the snake on their necks as if the snake was strangling the wrestler. Roberts feuded with several icons but his most memorable one is probably against “Ravishing” Rick Rude. It started when Rude was rejected by one of the female audiences because the woman was actually married to Roberts. Humiliated, Rude decided to play mind games with Roberts and wore tights painted with the face of Roberts’ wife. This ultimately led to Roberts losing his temper and stripping Rude of his tights.



THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR

Gimmick: Masked Warrior

Career Highlights:  Warrior-Savage feud, Warrior-Roberts feud, Warrior-The Undertaker feud, Warrior-Hogan rivalry, Warrior-Rude feud



Warrior is also considered as Hogan’s rival when it comes to presence in the world of wrestling. This masked warrior is different from the masked warrior of the lucha-libre style of wrestling in their maneuvers. He is known for his highly energetic performances, his rope shaking (which he does to hype himself up), his mask, and his pumping music that will shoot adrenaline through your veins once it rings out in the arena. Out of all of his matches, his greatest feud would probably be against Rick Rude. Rude was actually dubbed as “The Ultimate Nemesis” for the reason that he was Warrior’s weakness. Ultimate Warrior suffered no defeat until he came face-to-face with Rude who not only took his Intercontinental Title, but also marked his clean record in the WWE.