Superstars Shine Brightly in the WWE

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has a history dating back to 1953. That history is loaded with some of the most famous and influential wrestling superstars. Many have become cultural icons. Here’s a closer look at some of the brightest superstars who helped make the WWE the world’s most popular professional wrestling promotion and owner Vince McMahon the world’s most successful wrestling promoter.

Two Early Superstars Cemented Early Success

When the WWE was formed as the World Championship Wrestling in Stanford, Ct., in 1953, it was one of many regional professional wrestling promotions. It had two big advantages during its first decade. One was its proximity to New York City and its local television programming that reached millions of homes. The other was “Nature Boy” Buddy Rogers.

Buddy Rogers was the Capitol Wrestling Corporation’s (CWC) first superstar and its title holder during the early 1960s. The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) sought out Rogers and the CWC to participate in its world heavyweight title promotion, which Rogers won in 1961. Rogers often praised himself, which made him a natural heel. “Nature Boy” Ric Flair later would take Rogers’ personality traits to new heights. Rogers won the world championship 14 times and is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.

Bruno Sammartino Held the World Title Longer than Any Other

Rogers’ reign over the NWA and the CWC came to an end at the hands of Bruno Sammartino, who defeated Rogers in just 48 seconds on May 17, 1963, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sammartino was a hulk of a man who was called the “Italian Superman” and set a world-record bench press of 565 pounds in 1959.

These were the days before steroids or performance-enhancing drugs, and Vince McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon recognized Sammartino’s potential in pro wrestling. Some 20,000 wrestling fans watched Sammartino beat Buddy Rogers to become the WWE Champion, which he held for more than seven years. The title run is the longest in professional wrestling history until eventually losing in 1971.

Andre the Giant Stood Above All Others

As professional wrestling and the WWE continued growing during the 1970s and 1980s, one man towered over all others. That man is Andre the Giant, and he became possibly the world’s most famous living person during his long and storied professional wrestling career. Andre was a true giant who stood 7’4” and weighed 520 pounds due to the gigantism that was not diagnosed until relatively late in his life.

Andre defeated all comers and affectionately was known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” He truly was larger than life as common forms of transportation, such as planes, trains, and automobiles, were too small for his ample frame. Andre was so popular that he could not hold a world title because that would mean an eventual defeat. He sold out wrestling venues around the world and is possibly the most beloved professional wrestler who ever lived.