League of Legends

Bob Backlund

Bob Backlund became a prominent face in the WWWF. In 1978, he won the WWF Championship from "Superstar" Billy Graham, holding it for five years. In 1983, he lost the title to the Iron Sheik when Mr. Skaaland threw in the towel during the Camel Clutch. Backlund made a surprise return before the 1993 Royal Rumble, entering at #2 and setting a record by staying in the match for over one hour and two minutes, ultimately being eliminated by Yokozuna. He was the third-to-last competitor. Following this, he became a heel and aimed to restore wrestling's past glory. At the 1994 Survivor Series, he defeated Bret "Hitman" Hart in an "I Quit" match to win the WWF Championship again. Shortly after, Backlund set another record by losing the WWF title to Diesel in just 8 seconds, the shortest WWF title match in history. He retired from wrestling and pursued a political career, running for Congress in Connecticut in 2000 and campaigning for President in 2004.

Bobby "the Brain" Heenan

Bobby Heenan is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in professional wrestling. After wrestling in the early 1960s, he found his calling in managing, becoming a highly disliked figure known for using various cheating tactics to elevate his clients. At Wrestlemania V, he held the foot of the Ultimate Warrior, allowing Ravishing Rick Rude to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship. In 1989, he formed the Colossal Connection with Haku and Andre the Giant, leading them to Tag Team gold. Heenan also managed Mr. Perfect, leading him to the Intercontinental Championship twice. In late 1991, Heenan joined Gorilla Monsoon at the commentator's table, forming a memorable broadcasting duo known for Heenan's snide remarks and Monsoon's reactions.

Bret "Hitman" Hart

Bret Hart began his career in the mid-1980s with his partner Jim "the Anvil" Neidhart as the Hart Foundation. They initially were disliked, but this changed at Wrestlemania IV when Bad News Brown turned on Bret during a battle royal. Bret destroyed the trophy presented to Bad News, which became a memorable moment for the Hart Foundation. They won the Tag Team Title twice, including from Demolition at the 1990 Summerslam. Their second reign ended at Wrestlemania VII against the Nasty Boys, after which Jim Neidhart split. Bret continued in singles competition, winning the Intercontinental Championship twice: first from Mr. Perfect at the 1991 Summerslam, and second from Rowdy Roddy Piper at Wrestlemania VIII. He lost this title to British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith but then defeated Ric Flair for the WWF Championship, becoming the first superstar to achieve the "Triple Crown" (holding all three major titles). He lost his title to Yokozuna at Wrestlemania IX, regained it at Wrestlemania X with Roddy Piper as special guest referee, lost it to Diesel, and eventually won it back. In February 1997, at the first In Your House event, he won a 4-man over-the-top-rope match for his fourth title, losing it to Sid soon after. His fifth and final WWF title loss was in a controversial match to Shawn Michaels in 1997, after which he moved to WCW. There, he won the WCW World Championship 7 times before retiring from wrestling in 2000 due to a concussion. His 24-year career and motto "I'm the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be" are highly regarded.

Brian Pillman (R.I.P.)

Brian Pillman trained under Stu Hart and began wrestling in his promotion in 1987. He joined the NWA in 1989, teaming with Tom Zenk to win the US Tag Titles from the Fabulous Freebirds. Moving to WCW, he defeated Scotty Flamingo on October 27, 1991, to win the WCW World Light Heavyweight Championship. After losing this title, he formed the Hollywood Blondes tag team with "Stunning" Steve Austin, capturing WCW Tag Team gold. Following a stint in ECW, Pillman joined the WWF. Before the 1997 WWF PPV Badd Blood, Pillman's body was found in his locker room; he had died of heart disease at age 35.

"British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith (R.I.P.)

Born in the UK, Davey Boy Smith began wrestling at a young age. He started his career in Japan with his cousin, the Dynamite Kid. They later moved to Calgary and then to the WWF. At Wrestlemania II in 1986, they defeated Greg Valentine and Brutus Beefcake to win the WWF Tag Team titles. The team was known for its speed, agility, and power. Serious injuries forced the Dynamite Kid to retire early, leading Davey Boy to pursue a singles career. He was a popular wrestler, though the text notes he was later made a heel. At Summerslam 1992, he captured the Intercontinental title from his opponent.

Bruno Sammartino

Bruno Sammartino, known as the "Italian Strongman," began wrestling in 1959 and won his first championship in 1963. He held the world title twice, with his first reign lasting an incredible seven years and his second lasting four years. He was a dominant and popular wrestler in the Northeastern US throughout the 1960s, feuding with top heels like Killer Kowalski and "Superstar" Billy Graham. After retiring from full-time wrestling, he managed his son David.

Captain Lou Albano

Captain Lou Albano, a highly impactful manager, started as a wrestler in the late 1950s. He and his partner Tony Altimore, known as the Sicilians, captured the Midwest Tag Team title on June 30, 1961, and the US Tag Team Championship on July 10, 1967. Around 1970, Albano transitioned to managing, aiming to take the WWWF title from Bruno Sammartino. He managed wrestlers like Freddie Blassie, Crusher Verdu, Prof. Toru Tanaka, and Ivan Koloff, succeeding with Koloff in 1971. By the late 1970s, he shifted his focus to Bob Backlund, eventually becoming a beloved manager and a significant force in popularizing the WWF. He also appeared on MTV and was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1996.

"Cowboy" Bob Orton

Bob Orton wrestled for over three decades, starting in amateur promotions at age 9. He trained with wrestlers like Hiro Matsuda, Jack Brisco, and Eddie Graham. After 20 years on the road in Southeast promotions, he joined the WWF and played a role in the main event of the first-ever Wrestlemania by assisting Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. His career highlight was wrestling in the opening match at Wrestlemania III in front of 93,000 fans.

David von Erich (R.I.P.)

David von Erich turned professional in the NWA's Texas Territory in 1978, winning the Texas Territory Heavyweight Championship that same year. He also teamed with his brother Kevin to win the NWA Texas Tag Team title and the American Tag Team titles in 1978. David won the Texas title five more times, along with the NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship, the North American Tag Team belts with Dory Funk Jr., the Florida TV title, the Missouri Heavyweight Championship, and the NWA World Tag Team title with Kevin. David tragically died of a drug overdose in Japan on February 10, 1984, at the age of 25.

Don Muraco

Don Muraco debuted in the NWA's Florida territory in 1979. His first title was the NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship in 1980, defeating Manny Fernandez. Managed by Captain Lou Albano in the WWF, Muraco won the Intercontinental belt on June 20, 1981, from Pedro Morales, losing it five months later. He returned a year later, regained the IC Championship from Morales, and then lost the belt to Tito Santana in February 1984. After parting with Albano, he was managed by Mr. Fuji and later Superstar Billy Graham. Muraco then competed in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling, winning the North American Heavyweight Championship before losing it to the British Bulldog. He later appeared in ECW, defeating Jimmy Snuka for the ECW World Heavyweight title, but was beaten by Tito Santana.

Dory Funk Jr.

Dory Funk Jr. wrestled in independent promotions while still in school. On January 7, 1966, he defeated "Big Thunder" Gene Kiniski for the NWA World Championship, holding the belt for 7 years before losing it to Harley Race in 1973. He also wrestled in promotions like the AWA, WWWF, and All Japan. At Wrestlemania II, he partnered with his brother Terry against the Junk Yard Dog and Tito Santana. He currently resides in Florida, teaching Japanese, doing financial counseling, and training aspiring wrestlers.