The first time that most wrestling fans saw Rene Goulet it was at the tail end of his career where “the #1 Frenchman” would usually go down to defeat against the new babyface in the WWF.  Goulet was a great choice for that role, as even in his 50’s Rene Goulet was among the best conditioned and dependable workers on the card.

Prior to his parasailing accident in 1990, it is often forgotten just how popular Brutus Beefcake was.  In the late 80’s while assuming the barber gimmick he ascended to the upper mid card and was one of the top faces in the company.  In tag team main events with Hulk Hogan, Beefcake held his own and although he was not the most spectacular in ring worker, he played the barber gimmick perfectly and was a true superstar.  After his accident, Beefcake stayed on as in interviewer, but microphone work was never his strong point.  When he did return to in ring action, his decreased physicality led to a lot of sub par matches and stripped of his money making gimmick in WCW (although we have a soft spot for the Zodiac) he never did come to close to his level of superstardom and ironically would be much higher on this list had he never made a comeback.

Possibly the only Olympic winner (Bronze in Judo at the 76 Olympics) in Professional Wrestling history to have that accolade ignored, Allen Coage found far more fame as a wrestler than he ever did in Judo competition.

The American South has generated wrestling superstar after wrestling superstar.  “Wildfire” Tommy Rich was one of those great stars whose southern accent and reckless style allowed for easy switches from good ole boy face to a dirty rule breaking redneck.