Image: Wiki Commons by Megan Elice Meadows
About This Quiz
When asked about how he viewed the wrestling business, Ric Flair once said, "For me, it's about camaraderie. My whole life is like, if something's going on, nothing ever preceded fun. I always put my friends and the fun and the business ahead of everything."
Flair's comments perfectly describe the wrestling attitude of the 1980s, as the sport went from a regional entertainment event to a cultural phenomenon, and there's little doubt that the wrestlers enjoyed going along with the ride.
Besides, one of the main reasons the Golden era, as many call it, came about was because of the superstar status of the wrestlers who were pushed to the forefront of the industry. Thanks to the WWE's desire for national exposure along with the other promotions who followed suit, wrestlers like Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and "Macho Man" Randy Savage were able to use the wrestling boom to become household names, giving the fans who piled into the arenas each week more and more of the action they desperately wanted.
Are you familiar enough with the wrestlers who were pushed to the forefront of the business in the 1980s to ace this quiz, or will you crumble beneath the weight of some of the questions asked?
If you believe you can get an easy win, get started and prove you're a champion when it comes to the wrestling stars of the '80s.
Mr TH14 via YouTube
Viewed as a passing of the torch, Harley Race lost his World Heavyweight Championship to Ric Flair while competing for which company?
World Class Championship Wrestling
American Wrestling Association
World Wrestling Federation
National Wrestling Alliance
Relying on stars like Harley Race and Ric Flair, the National Wrestling Alliance was one of the most prominent wrestling companies through the early '80s. However, like most other territorial promotions, the company declined with the expansion of the World Wrestling Federation, known as the WWE today.
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Wiki Commons by Yagobo79
As a babyface in the '80s, Bob Backlund smothered opponents with which famous submission?
Figure four leg lock
Camel clutch
Crossface chicken wing
Bob Backlund and his crossface chicken wing weren't enough to bring down The Iron Sheik, who Backlund lost the WWE Heavyweight Championship to in 1983. The Sheik won the title using his own submission hold, the camel clutch.
Sleeper hold
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DIRECTV via YouTube
Hulk Hogan shocked wrestling fans across the country by slamming who at WrestleMania III?
Andre the Giant
No wrestler throughout the '80s could draw more fans to the arena than Andre the Giant. Billed at 7 feet, 4 inches tall and looking every bit the monster he was pitched as, Andre rarely lost matches until his fateful encounter with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania III.
King Kong Bundy
Sgt. Slaughter
The Iron Sheik
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Miss Elizabeth started her managerial role at the WWE by signing this client. Do you know who he is?
Curt Hennig
"Macho Man" Randy Savage
Already known by most wrestling fans, "Macho Man" Randy Savage was an immediate star in the WWE when he joined the company. In his initial storyline, every manager in the company sought his services, but after weeks of leading them on, Savage surprised the world by taking on Miss Elizabeth as his manager.
Ted DiBiase
The Ultimate Warrior
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Wiki Commons by John McKeon
Cunning and slick in the ring, what nickname is associated with Jake Roberts?
The Nature Boy
Mr. Perfect
The Snake
Jake "The Snake" Roberts relied on fear to gain an advantage over the poor souls he competed against. One of his main scare tactics was taking a snake, named Damien, to the ring with him, where he would unleash the creepy reptile on opponents during a match.
King
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The Jobbers via YouTube
Which wrestler burst to the ring with the energy of a rabbit and intensity of a bull, shaking the ropes when he finally arrived?
Junkyard Dog
The Ultimate Warrior
With the figure of a bodybuilder, The Ultimate Warrior was an immediate star in the WWE, winning most of his early matches against jobbers as his popularity grew. He wouldn't lose a match by pinfall until he finally encountered another rising star, Rick Rude.
Rick Rude
Rick Martel
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Wiki Commons by Mandy Coombes
Bret Hart turned down what gimmick when it was originally pitched to him by the WWE?
Clown
U.S. Marine
Preacher
Cowboy
Bret Hart was born in Calgary, Canada, where the famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo takes place. Early in his career, Hart stated that you don't pretend to be a cowboy if you come from Calgary. Fans appreciated his choice because "The Hitman" became one of the most recognized gimmicks ever.
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Shadows of Wrestling via YouTube
Do you know which stable Ric Flair started with his storyline cousins in Jim Crockett Promotions?
The Four Horsemen
The Four Horsemen were well known for promoting their lavish lifestyles, where they wore expensive suits and rode on private jets. However, luxury never got the best of these competitors because they were dominant in the ring, at one point holding every major title in the NWA.
The Shield
The Heenan Family
The Nation of Domination
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WWE via YouTube
The Fabulous Freebirds had a max of how many members who could defend their tag team championships in the NWA?
2
3
Sporting the hair and dress of a rock n' roll band, The Fabulous Freebirds were a perfect fit for the '80s. As their popularity soared, so did their success in the ring, winning tag team titles in the NWA, WCCW and WCW.
4
5
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ClassicsPuro83 via YouTube
In which type of match did Bruiser Brody stop selling and stand around while wrestling Lex Luger?
Cage match
If there was one man in the world you didn't want to be locked in a cage with, especially when he was angry, it was Bruiser Brody. Always respecting the business, Brody hated the idea of putting over a newcomer, which led to his infamous cage match against Lex Luger.
Ladder match
Dog collar match
Submission match
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Wiki Commons by Mandy Coombes
Can you identify this wrestler who called himself "The Million Dollar Man"?
Rick Martel
Tito Santana
Greg Valentine
Ted DiBiase
Ted DiBiase spent the second half of the 1980s trying to gain the WWE Heavyweight Championship, even going as far as purchasing the belt from Andre the Giant, though it was later taken from him. Unable to win the title himself, DiBiase created a belt of his own known as the Million Dollar Belt.
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WWE via YouTube
Jim Duggan started carrying a 2x4 while wrestling for which promotion in the 1980s?
World Wrestling Federation
World Class Championship Wrestling
Mid South Wrestling
The nickname "Hacksaw" was a fitting title for a man who carried a 2x4 to the ring. This American hero spent most of his career using his weapon to defend the U.S.A. against foreign opponents like Nikolai Volkoff.
Jim Crockett Promotions
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WWE via YouTube
Calling himself the strongest man in the world, how much did Dino Bravo claim to bench press at the 1988 Royal Rumble?
500 pounds
580 pounds
650 pounds
715 pounds
Benching 715 pounds would have made Dino Bravo, legitimately, the strongest man in the world, as the record at the time was only 710 pounds. But for fans in attendance, they would have noticed that he was helped by Jesse Ventura. That, of course, didn't stop Bravo from claiming the record.
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Wiki Commons by Simon Q
Which gimmick did Ricky Steamboat take on when he came to the WWE in 1985?
The Game
The Phenom
The Dragon
One of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat's earliest feuds in the WWE was against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. The feud was a perfect matchup of gimmicks, as Steamboat began carrying a Komodo dragon to the ring to counteract Roberts' snake, Damien.
The Brute
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Wiki Commons by Miguel Discart
This famous heel might've talked a lot of trash, but he sure knew how to back it up. Who is he?
Roddy Piper
If you wanted to create heat for a match in the '80s, you would send your wrestlers to Piper's Pit, an interview segment hosted by Roddy Piper. Wrestlers had to be careful, though, because Piper was so hot headed that they often wanted to fight him instead.
Haku
Sgt. Slaughter
Bob Orton Jr.
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Wiki Commons by Cory McDonald
Although he wasn't the most gifted wrestler, Dusty Rhodes had the charisma of a champion along with which signature move that he would use to dispatch multiple opponents?
DDT
Bionic elbow
Dusty Rhodes' unconventional style in the ring, along with his bionic elbow, was a result of his upbringing, where he came from a poor family in Texas, constantly fighting to make it to the top. His work ethic and fan appeal even earned him the nickname "The American Dream."
German suplex
Powerbomb
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The Kingdom of The Madness via YouTube
Andre the Giant claimed he could slam which wrestler, leading to a clash between the two at WrestleMania I?
The Iron Sheik
Junkyard Dog
Big John Studd
Andre the Giant put his livelihood on the line at WrestleMania I against Big John Studd by claiming he would retire from wrestling if he lost the Body Slam Challenge. Studd, on the other hand, agreed to pay Andre $15,000 dollars if he came out victorious. Let's just say, Andre was back for WrestleMania II.
King Kong Bundy
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Wiki Commons by PaulBillets
In a match where he turned heel, Curt Hennig defeated Nick Bockwinkel for which title belt in 1987?
AWA World Heavyweight Championship
By defeating Nick Bockwinkel for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship at SuperClash II, Curt Hennig earned his first world title, making a statement as one of the best in the business. However, Hennig also turned heel during the match, using a role of quarters to achieve the victory.
AWA United States Heavyweight Championship
AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship
AWA Midwest Heavyweight Championship
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Mr TH14 via YouTube
Do you recognize this wrestler who interfered in the WrestleMania match that pitted Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff?
Jimmy Snuka
Bob Orton Jr.
Coming from a family of wrestlers, including his father and brother, Bob Orton Jr. was born to be a star in the business. However, even his accomplishments in the ring pale in comparison to his son, Randy Orton, who has won a slew of titles from the World Tag Team Championship to the World Heavyweight Championship.
Don Muraco
Kerry Von Erich
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Sgt. Slaughter left the WWE in 1985 because his contract wouldn't allow him to be part of which toy line?
Transformers
Star Wars
Sky Commanders
G.I. Joe
After leaving the WWE due to the G.I. Joe controversy, Sgt. Slaughter joined the AWA, where he remained for the rest of the '80s. The AWA gave Slaughter a quick push because of his popularity, and he won the AWA America's Heavyweight Championship during his early run with the company.
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Wiki Commons by John McKeon
Are you familiar enough with '80s wrestlers to know which tag team consisted of Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty?
The Midnight Express
The Rockers
The Rockers were one of the most prominent tag teams for various promotions in the late '80s before finally joining the WWE in 1988. However, they wouldn't last much longer as a tag team, finally splitting in 1992 when Shawn Michaels threw Marty Jannetty through a window.
The Rock n' Roll Express
Demolition
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Wiki Commons by John McKeon
Which self obsessed wrestler was known for carrying cologne to the ring as a weapon?
Brutus Beefcake
Tito Santana
Rick Martel
Rick Martel rose through the wrestling ranks as part of tag teams like Strike Force and The Can-Am Connection. Desiring a shot in the singles division, Martel turned on his Strike Force partner, Tito Santana, during WrestleMania V, the final WrestleMania of the '80s.
Davey Boy Smith
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Wiki Commons by John McKeon
One of the most prominent wrestlers in the WWE during the 1980s, Tito Santana won which title from Don Muraco at a house show in 1984?
World Heavyweight Championship
Intercontinental Championship
The Intercontinental Championship helped various wrestlers, like Tito Santana, reach superstar status. For many of these wrestlers, this title was the ultimate stepping stone to the World Heavyweight Championship.
United States Championship
Hardcore Championship
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Model 9000 via YouTube
The famous feud between Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Rick Rude started when Rude tried to kiss who?
Roberts' wife
Playing a conceited villain, Rick Rude mocked crowds anytime he entered an arena for being lazy and out of shape. He would then kiss a member of the audience, which happened to be Jake Roberts' wife on one occasion. Roberts, of course, didn't take a liking to this, and a feud was born.
Roberts' daughter
Roberts' mother
Roberts' sister
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Wiki Commons by Mark Hodgins
Do you know which singer The Honkey Tonk Man based his gimmick on?
Bob Dylan
Johnny Cash
Hank Williams
Elvis Presley
Though he didn't enjoy the voice or fan appeal that Elvis Presley had, The Honkey Tonk Man possessed the confidence to compete at the highest level in the ring. That didn't mean he wasn't above cheap tricks, however, always keeping his trusted guitar nearby to use as a weapon.
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Wiki Commons by DianesDigitals
Starting their careers together in Stampede Wrestling, The British Bulldogs consisted of two top notch wrestlers in Davey Boy Smith and who?
Dynamite Kid
Many wrestlers, including greats like Bret Hart, claim Dynamite Kid was one of the best in ring performers to ever grace the squared circle. There's little doubt of his skill if you watch his matches against Tiger Mask in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Owen Hart
Jim Neidhart
Jim Brunzell
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WWE via YouTube
At which pay per view event did King Kong Bundy first reach main event status by taking on Hulk Hogan in a steal cage match?
King of the Ring
WrestleMania
Proclaiming itself "The Greatest Wrestling Event of All Time!," WrestleMania I took place on March 31, 1985 at Madison Square Garden. Though the event received mixed reactions from critics, it was viewed positively years later for launching the WWE to national status.
SummerSlam
Starrcade
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Wiki Commons by Miguel Discart
Sting took on Ric Flair at the first Clash of Champions in a match that ended in a draw after how much time expired?
20 minutes
30 minutes
45 minutes
Wreslting matches rarely last 45 minutes because of both the physical toll it takes on a wrestler's body and because it's difficult to keep fans entertained for that long. Fans couldn't say that about Ric Flair and Sting because these two stars gave attendees all they asked for in a classic matchup.
60 minutes
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Marc Blondin via YouTube
After making a return to the WWE in 1985, Don Muraco became the first wrestler to win what?
The Intercontinental Championship
The Royal Rumble
The King of the Ring
Don Muraco had quite the year in 1985, which saw his return to the WWE after a short break from wrestling. Aside from his King of the Ring victory, Muraco feuded with Hulk Hogan for the World Heavyweight Championship, ultimately losing in a steel cage match.
A ladder match
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WWE via YouTube
One of the most intimidating tag teams to ever enter the ring, can you name the two wrestlers who made up The Road Warriors?
Haku and Big Boss Man
Big John Studd and Junkyard Dog
Hawk and Animal
Hawk and Animal were as fierce in the ring as they were intimidating. Using their physical appearance to establish an identity for themselves, these warriors sported Mohawks and body paint that made it appear as if they were pulled from a "Mad Max" movie.
Jimmy Snuka and George Steele
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Depraved Vox via YouTube
The 1983 Starrcade event saw some of the best matches of the decade, including what type of match between Greg Valentine and Roddy Piper?
Dog collar match
The dog collar match between Roddy Piper and Greg Valentine proved to be as violent as one would think. After back and forth action, where the chain was commonly used as a weapon, Piper pulled Valentine from the top rope by the chain, landed some quick blows then won the match with a pin.
Table match
Hair vs hair match
Steel cage match
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Wiki Commons by Mshake3
This wrestler's feud with Hulk Hogan helped launch "Hulkamania" in the '80s. What's his name?
Jimmy Snuka
Gorilla Monsoon
Bam Bam Bigelow
The Iron Sheik
Even though his popularity as a babyface was coming to an end, Bob Backlund refused to turn heel for Hulk Hogan to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from him. Instead, the WWE set up a storyline where Backlund lost the title to The Iron Sheik, setting up a match with their future champ.
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Wiki Commons by Paparazzo Presents
As much a stunt man as a wrestler, Jimmy Snuka crushed opponents with which signature move by launching himself from the top rope?
Superfly splash
Wrestlers like Mick Foley and Bubba Ray Dudley credit Jimmy Snuka's performance against Don Muraco in 1983 as inspiration for them taking to the profession. They, particularly, mention Snuka's superfly splash from the top of a steel cage, one of the defining moments of his career.
Flying elbow
Swaton bomb
Flying headbutt
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WWE via YouTube
Tony Atlas carried which title to the ring with him from his days in competitive weight lifting?
The Power
Mr. USA
Tony Atlas proved in the ring why he earned the title of "Mr. USA" by crushing opponents with his other worldly strength. For wrestlers who dared to stand against him, Atlas would demolish them with his signature move, the gorilla press slam.
The Hammer
The Beast
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Wiki Commons by Marty555
A vicious and blood thirty competitor, Abdullah the Butcher was billed as being from where?
Pakistan
Vietnam
India
Sudan
Abdullah the Butcher's feud with Bruiser Brody helped push hardcore wrestling into the national spotlight. These two wrestlers were especially known for their use of blading, where they cut open their foreheads for the appearance of blood being drawn from a hard hit.
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Wiki Commons by Mike Kalasnik
Wrestlers didn't want to mess with Terry Funk unless they wanted to get burned by what?
A torch
Coal
A branding iron
Terry Funk's branding iron played an important role in his feud with Junkyard Dog. During one of their matches, Junkyard Dog got hold of the iron and used it to brand Funk's manager, Jimmy Hart.
A clothes iron
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WWE via YouTube
Which wrestler ended the career of "Superstar" Billy Graham by delivering a running splash on the concrete floor?
Bruno Sammartino
One Man Gang
Though he wasn't considered a jobber, One Man Gang rarely had victories over high card opponents. His biggest push came at WrestleMania IV, when he entered the tournament for the World Heavyweight Championship, eventually losing to the tournament's winner, Randy Savage.
Bob Backlund
Pedro Morales
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Larry Zbyszko put on an outstanding performance against who that was named The PWI Match of the Year in 1980?
Stan Hansen
Kerry Von Erich
Killer Khan
Bruno Sammartino
Bruno Sammartino held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship longer than anyone in the company's history. However, by 1980, Sammartino's career was coming to a close. Luckily, his feud with Larry Zbyszko helped cement his already legendary career.
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WWE via YouTube
Can you identify the weapon that George Steele stole from "Macho Man" Randy Savage during his match against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat at WrestleMania III, costing Savage the match?
A baseball bat
A steel chair
The ring bell
"Macho Man" Randy Savage was well known for using the ring bell, along with other weapons, to achieve a victory in a match. In fact, prior to WrestleMania III, Savage used the bell against Ricky Steamboat, injuring Steamboat's neck in the process and setting up their rematch at WrestlesMania.
A plank of wood
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Wiki Commons by Miguel Discart
What's the name of this wrestler who crushed opponents with his powerful bear hug?
Nikolai Volkoff
In an era where the terror of the Cold War hung over the world, Nikolai Volkoff was the perfect villain for the WWE, a company that was very pro American. Singing Russia's national anthem before matches, Volkoff created heat with both opponents and with fans.
Paul Orndorff
Jim Neidhart
Big Boss Man
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Wiki Commons by Megan Elice Meadows