How Well Do You Know Your ’80s Wrestling Trivia?

SPORTS

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Steven Errico / DigitalVision / Getty Images / Wiki Commons by Journalist 1st Class Kristin Fitzsimmons

About This Quiz

It was known as the golden age of wrestling due to the significant boom in popularity. In the 1980s, the wrestling industry was defined by larger than life characters, title exchanges and yearly wrestling events that were growing increasingly popular. With figures like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair leading the way, and legends like Andre the Giant and Harley Race still competing at a high level, there might never have been a better time to be a wrestling fan. 

Of course, it was cable television that had one of the most significant impacts in helping wrestling to grow during the decade. With the rise of cable television, wrestling was brought thousands of American homes each week. As the profession's exposure increased, promotions began to push the boundaries of their companies from the regional level to the national level. This expansion boosted the competition between rival promotions as some faltered behind the pressure, and others adapted and thrived. 

How well does your '80s wrestling trivia stack up against others? Are you as familiar with the decade as you might be with other eras like the "Attitude Era" or the "PG Era" of more recent times? Find out with this quiz. Be careful, though, because some of these questions might just put you down for the count. 


When "Macho Man" Randy Savage moved to the WWF, who did he take as his manager?

Miss Elizabeth, or Elizabeth Hulette, was married to "Macho Man" Randy Savage in real life. The two had a kayfabe — or staged — wedding in 1991 as part of a storyline set up to introduce Savage's next opponent.

Advertisement

Jake Roberts carried what animal with him to the ring during matches?

Jake Roberts was a master at in-ring psychology, partly because of his ability to use fear as a tactic to get under his opponent's skin during a match. One method he used to incite fear was to carry a snake named Damien to the ring with him, often unleashing the reptile on his enemies.

Advertisement

Can you remember what Jim Duggan always carried to the ring with him?

With a two-by-four in one hand and an American flag in the other, Jim Duggan came to the ring for matches with the intention of defending the honor of his country. One of his biggest opponents during this era was the Russian Nikolai Volkoff, mimicking a dispute in national relations between the U.S. and Russia.

Advertisement

Ted DiBiase wanted a title for himself, so he created one and named it what?

After failing to win the WWF Heavyweight Championship, "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase realized there was only one belt fit for him, a belt he created out of gold and diamonds and called the Million Dollar Championship. The title rarely left DiBiase after it was created.

Advertisement

What did "Rowdy" Roddy Piper call his infamous interview segment?

During an interview with Andre the Giant, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper claimed he could slam the Giant if he was given five minutes in the ring. Andre responded by picking Piper up by his shirt and throwing him across the set.

Advertisement

Who did Hulk Hogan face at WrestleMania III to retain the WWF championship?

Andre the Giant was one of the biggest draws in wrestling history, often considered bigger than the company for which he wrestled. His popularity gave him immense power within the WWF, as he was seen as the leader of the locker room.

Advertisement

How did Brutus Beefcake become "The Barber"?

It was at WrestleMania III that Brutus Beefcake earned the nickname "The Barber" by cutting Adrian Adonis' hair and shaving his head. Beefcake was able to cut his hair after Adonis lost a Hair vs. Hair match against Roddy Piper.

Advertisement

The World Wrestling Federation expanded from a regional territory into a national powerhouse under which owner?

Vince McMahon took over the WWF from his father after purchasing the company in 1982. Initially, the WWF only promoted in the Northeast, but McMahon decided to break a pack with other promotions by moving into their territories.

Advertisement

It was a major wrestling event in 1985. Where did the first WrestleMania take place?

Madison Square Garden is one of the most famous sporting event venues in the world. Aside from hosting the New York Knicks' home games, the arena has housed many famous boxing matches, including Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier.

Advertisement

Are you familiar with this wrestler who was known as one of the toughest men in the business?

After Big John Studd lost the Body Slam Challenge to Andre the Giant, he continued to push other wrestlers into accepting the challenge. Haku, known as King Tonga at the time, stepped up to the plate and slammed Studd during an airing of "Championship Wrestling" in 1986.

Advertisement

Ted Turner founded which promotion in 1988 that would compete with the WWF throughout the '90s?

The WCW brought in some of the biggest stars in the wrestling business during its run as the top competitor to the WWF. The company even stole many wrestlers from the WWF, including Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage and Kevin Nash. WCW offices were located inside the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia, shown here.

Advertisement

Ric Flair is synonymous with which submission hold?

There have been many wrestlers who have utilized the figure four leg lock, but none of them are as well associated with the move as Ric Flair. Opponents knew their defeat was only a matter of time whenever Flair got them in the hold, which was a major reason he held multiple championships.

Advertisement

How did Andre the Giant defeat Big John Studd at WrestleMania I?

Coming into WrestleMania I, Big John Studd offered Andre the Giant $15,000 if Andre could deliver a body slam to Studd. If Studd had won the bet, Andre would have been forced to retire.

Advertisement

Harley Race started referring to himself by what name when he joined the WWF?

The King of the Ring event was introduced in 1985, and Harley Race won the event in only its second year, which was his first year with the WWF. After the event, he began to refer to himself as "King" Harley Race, forcing his competition to bow before him once they were defeated.

Advertisement

Can you identify the wrestler that Bobby Heenan managed in the main event of WrestleMania II?

King Kong Bundy took on Hulk Hogan in the main event of WrestleMania II with Bobby Heenan at his ringside. Hulk Hogan managed to win the match against the ruthless heel by escaping the cage before Bundy.

Advertisement

Held on the same day as WrestleMania V, where did Clash of Champions VI take place?

With construction beginning in 1971, the Superdome has been home to the New Orleans Saints of the NFL since 1975. The team was only absent from the stadium for one season. That was in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.

Advertisement

Do you know which style of wrestling Bruiser Brody popularized in the '80s?

Bruiser Brody's brawler style in the ring often involved the use of blading, where he would purposely cut open his forehead for the appearance of blood. His matches with Abdullah the Butcher were some of the bloodiest matches in wrestling history.

Advertisement

Which title belt did Tito Santana hold in 1984?

Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat was the first wrestler to win the WWF Intercontinental Championship at a WrestleMania event when he defeated "Macho Man" Randy Savage at WrestleMania III. Their match is considered one of the greatest in wrestling history. Tito Santana held the belt in 1984.

Advertisement

Which of these wrestlers was never a member of The Fabulous Freebirds?

Nicknamed "The Hammer," Greg Valentine was a skilled and tough competitor who held multiple championships throughout the '80s. He competed for multiple companies and took part in both the first Starrcade with the NWA and WrestleMania I with the WWF.

Advertisement

n 1983, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka used his signature move, "Superfly Splash," against Don Muraco during which type of match?

The steel cage match between Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka and Don Muraco was one of the most influential matches in wrestling history. The match pushed what it meant to take a bump when Snuka flew from the top of the cage onto Muraco down below.

Advertisement

The Honky Tonk Man based his character on which famous music star?

Unlike Elvis Presley, Honky Tonk Man's music wasn't popular with the audience, but that didn't stop him from performing for them. Never afraid to take a cheap shot with his guitar, he was one of the most hated villains in the business.

Advertisement

Are you familiar with the tag team formed by Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty?

The Rockers were popular in the '80s for their highflying style of wrestling that incorporated athletic moves, a contrast to the big men in the business. Eventually, the tag team split up, and Shawn Michaels went on to have a stellar singles career in the WWF.

Advertisement

Can you identify the wrestling family that ran World Class Championship Wrestling?

They were some of the biggest names in the wrestling world at one time, but the Von Erich family story ended in tragedy. Not only did their wrestling promotion go under, but most of them died tragically at very young ages.

Advertisement

What did One Man Gang start calling himself after "embracing his roots" in 1988?

One Man Gang completely changed his voice and style when he transformed into Akeem "The African Dream." Not long after his transformation, he teamed up with Big Boss Man to form The Twin Towers.

Advertisement

Who partnered with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania I to take on Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff?

After his appearance in "Rocky III," Mr. T's popularity soured in the 1980s, which eventually led him into the wrestling business. However, he was disliked by many other wrestlers, like Roddy Piper, because he never worked his way up, instead using his popularity to gain main event status.

Advertisement

Junkyard Dog rose to prominence in the '80s as a babyface with which promotion?

Following the growth of the WWF, owner Bill Watts of Mid-South Wrestling tried to transform the company from a regional promotion into a national promotion. He renamed it the Universal Wrestling Federation, but it went under by 1987 and was sold to Jim Crockett Promotions.

Advertisement

Which wrestler was Dusty Rhodes supposed to face when he delivered his "Hard Times" promo?

Dusty Rhodes pitched himself as "The American Dream" because he was the son of a plumber who rose to the top of the wrestling world. His promo, "Hard Times," delivered against Ric Flair depicted a man of the people taking on a man of luxury.

Advertisement

Davey Boy Smith teamed up with Dynamite Kid to form what tag team from the '80s?

Throughout their early career in Stampede Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Dynamite Kid and Davey Boy Smith competed against one another as a babyface and heel. Once they joined the WWF in 1984, they were turned into a tag team known as The British Bulldogs.

Advertisement

It was one of the toughest tag teams in the late '80s. Who did Bret Hart team up with to form The Hart Foundation?

Lacking the size of some of his competitors, Bret Hart had to rely on his technical skills to get over on his opponents. Jim Neidhart, on the other hand, was the powerhouse of The Hart Foundation, utilizing his strength to create a balanced tag team.

Advertisement

How many titles did Andre the Giant win in the 1980s?

Andre the Giant won the only title of his career when referee Earl Hebner took a bribe from Ted DiBiase to help Andre win the title from Hulk Hogan. As soon as he won the title, Andre handed the belt to DiBiase, who was later stripped of it due to the bribery.

Advertisement

Why did Lex Luger leave the Four Horsemen in 1988, setting up multiple matches with Ric Flair?

Lex Luger won the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship from Nikita Koloff after his manager helped him cheat by throwing him a steel chair. However, he lost the belt in a similar fashion to Dusty Rhodes, who got a hold of the chair and performed a DDT for the win.

Advertisement

Can you remember what "Cowboy" Bob Orton Jr. wore to use as a weapon during matches?

Unlike most injuries, "Cowboy" Bob Orton Jr. seemed to have a broken bone that would never heal, as he wore his cast for years after breaking his arm. The injury seemed to benefit him in the ring, however, as he used the cast as a weapon against his opponents.

Advertisement

Do you know how the WWF billed WrestleMania V?

The main event of WrestleMania V pitted Hulk Hogan against "Macho Man" Randy Savage, who had previously formed a tag team known as The Mega Powers. The feud resulted in a classic match that Hogan won by pinfall.

Advertisement

Ric Flair won the NWA World Heavyweight Championship from Ron Garvin at the 1987 Starrcade in which type of match?

The first steel cage match was believed to have taken place in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1937. This match was different than future steel cage matches in that the ring was surrounded by chicken wire.

Advertisement

With the WWF Heavyweight title vacant in 1988, how was the new champion decided?

At WrestleMania IV in 1988, "Macho Man" Randy Savage faced Ted DiBiase in the finals of the tournament for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. Savage took the victory, winning his first WWF Heavyweight title.

Advertisement

Claiming he was the "World's Strongest Man," how much weight did Dino Bravo supposedly bench at the 1988 Royal Rumble?

With 715 pounds on the bar, Dino Bravo didn't actually complete the full bench motion before he was helped by Jesse Ventura. Of course, that didn't stop Bravo from stating he was the "World's Strongest Man."

Advertisement

How long did the match at Clash of Champions I last between Ric Flair and Sting?

Sting's popularity was on the rise prior to his match with Ric Flair at Clash of Champions I, but their 45-minute bout launched Sting to superstar status. Even though the match ended in a draw, Sting would go on to lead the WCW for years to come.

Advertisement

How did Rick Rude defeat The Ultimate Warrior for the WWF Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania V?

The Ultimate Warrior was a dominant force from the moment he joined the WWF, winning most of his matches in very short time periods. Rick Rude put a stop to that at WrestleMania V, becoming the first wrestler to defeat The Ultimate Warrior by pinfall.

Advertisement

Hulk Hogan won his first WWF championship by breaking free from what type of hold used by Iron Sheik?

As the WWF expanded into the national spotlight, the company needed a star to keep fans interested. They went with the babyface Hulk Hogan, who became one of the biggest stars in the business after breaking free from Iron Sheik's signature hold, the camel clutch, to win his first championship.

Advertisement

Where did Ric Flair defeat Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship?

Coming into the 1983 Starrcade, Harley Race held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship and was probably the company's most established star. Ric Flair, on the other hand, was the young babyface, whose career was on the rise as one of the biggest names in the '80s.

Advertisement

Explore More Quizzes

About Zoo

Our goal at Zoo.com is to keep you entertained in this crazy life we all live.

We want you to look inward and explore new and interesting things about yourself. We want you to look outward and marvel at the world around you. We want you to laugh at past memories that helped shape the person you’ve become. We want to dream with you about all your future holds. Our hope is our quizzes and articles inspire you to do just that.

Life is a zoo! Embrace it on Zoo.com.