A mentor of the legendary Lou Thesz, Ray Steele, who immigrated from German occupied Norka (in Russia) as a child, would become he NWA World Heavyweight Champion in 1940.  Steele would that belt for a year, a major accomplishment, but his mentorship of younger stars might be the best part of his legacy.

Bronko Nagurski was already an established Back in the National Football League when he got into Professional Wrestling in 1933 and on the gridiron he would take the Chicago Bears to three NFL Championships.  His accomplishments in the squared circle were arguably equal, as he would win multiple titles, among which the coveted National Wrestling Association World Heavyweight Title twice, and was a major draw while doing it.

A strongman from Poland, Stanislaus Zbyszko was the main star of European Professional Wrestling and was the main foe of whom ever was regarded as the best from North America.  Zbyszko would eventually become the recognized World Heavyweight Champion and the fact that the WWE is now recognizing stars from that era could pave the way for the original star from Poland.

A standout professional wrestler in the 1940’s, “Wild” Bill Longson, was a three time National Wrestling Association Champion.  His final reign came at the hands of the legendary Lou Thesz and Longson is credited as being the last National Wrestling Association Champion and one of the top heels of the 1940’s.