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Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Topics
    • Dark Tales of Wrestling
    • Shoot Interviews
    • Wrestling Territories
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Wrestling Book Reviews
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Nostalgic Wrestling Photos
    • Ask PWS
    • Podcasts
      • Our Podcasts
        • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
        • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
        • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
      • Podcasts We Enjoy
        • Dan and Benny in the Ring
        • Grappling With Canada
        • Songs From The Squared Circle
        • Wrestling and Everything Coast to Coast
  • Choose a Story
  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
    • Contact
      • E-mail
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
  • Meet The Team
  • Nostalgic Merch 🔥
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Write For Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Lists

Who doesn’t like a good listicle? Discover a fascinating world in and out of the squared circle through these list-based pro wrestling stories!

Who doesn’t like a good listicle? Discover a fascinating world in and out of the squared circle through these list-based pro wrestling stories!

10 Wrestlers You May Not Know Appeared in ECW

10 Wrestlers You May Not Know Appeared in ECW

by Griffin Kaye

ECW rose to prominence by offering an array of talent. You might be surprised by some of these names who popped up in the Land…

8 Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Main-Evented A WWE PPV

8 Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Main-Evented A WWE PPV

by Griffin Kaye

The main event of WWE pay-per-views often contains some of the biggest names in the business. However, these grapplers may surprise you! 

Dusty Rhodes left an indelible mark on people in and out of wrestling. But what was the American Dream like when the cameras weren't around?

Dusty Rhodes: Secret History on the American Dream

by Matt Pender

Dusty Rhodes left an indelible mark on people in and out of wrestling. But what was the American Dream like when the cameras weren’t around?

Sometimes wrestling in the political ring is harder than a match in the squared circle.  These wrestlers found out firsthand—some succeeded, some got close, while others didn't quite make it over the ropes and failed miserably!

Unexpected Politicians: Wrestlers Who Ran for Office

by Bobby Mathews

Sometimes wrestling in the political ring is harder than a match in the squared circle.  These wrestlers found out firsthand!

From Paul Wight AKA Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Tom Magee to many unexpected others– Star Trek and wrestling have crossed paths many times over the years!

Star Trek and Wrestling – Times the Two Worlds Met!

by Tim Buckler

From The Rock and Cody Rhodes to many unexpected others, Star Trek and wrestling have crossed many times over the years!

The following wrestling managers deserve a bit of our love by making professional wrestling exceptionally better by being a part of it!

11 Wrestling Managers Who Deserve Some Love

by Bobby Mathews

The following wrestling managers deserve a bit of our love by making professional wrestling exceptionally better by being a part of it!

When you open the forbidden door, anything can happen! Here are eight dream matches had they opened the forbidden door in '94!

The Forbidden Door in ’94: Dream Matches We Wish Had Happened

by Archie Pain

When you open the forbidden door, anything can happen! Here are eight dream matches had they opened the forbidden door in ’94!

Wrestlers are very proud of the personas they embrace. The most devoted will even stay in character in public. These grappling greats could have, and often did, cross the line to protect their gimmicks in and out of the wrestling ring!

Extreme Cases of Wrestlers Protecting Their Gimmicks

by Griffin Kaye

These grappling greats could have, and often did, cross the line to protect their gimmicks in and out of the wrestling ring!

Here are some quality wrestling documentaries that may have fallen under the radar but are well worth discovering.

Under the Radar Wrestling Documentaries Worth Seeking Out

by Evan Ginzburg

Here are some quality wrestling documentaries that may have fallen under the radar but are well worth discovering.

The eyes are the windows to the soul!" What follows are several examples of incidents where wrestlers were blinded in or out of the ring!

6 Times Professional Wrestlers Were Blinded

by Benny J. Scala

“The eyes are the windows to the soul!” What follows are several examples of incidents where wrestlers were blinded in or out of the ring!

Unfortunately, there are "fans" who can't help themselves at the shows. They get caught up in a moment and take it upon themselves to jump the barricade and skirt around security to ambush a wrestler. As ridiculous as it may seem, this has happened numerous times over the years. Dive into the insanity of these people and how wrestlers took care of them for doing so. 

4 Times a Fan Unexpectedly Ambushed a Wrestler

by Braeden Farrell

Here are 4 times ‘fans’ startlingly ambushed a wrestler. Dive into the insanity of these moments and how wrestlers took care of things after.

Bubba Ray Dudley goes into a trance after realizing Mae Young left his bread basket with an uninvited blast!

Farts – The Unfortunate Byproduct of Wrestling!

by Pro Wrestling Stories

Professional wrestling requires a lot of squatting and bending over. It’s only natural that farts in wrestling or back-end blowouts occur from time to time!

Although The Iron Sheik may have hung up his wrestling boots, he's still stirring up controversy and drama!

Iron Sheik Reigns Supreme: His 10 Greatest Tweets

by Braeden Farrell

Although The Iron Sheik may have hung up his wrestling boots, he’s still stirring up controversy and drama!

2 Plane Crash Tragedies that Changed Wrestling Forever

2 Plane Crash Tragedies that Changed Wrestling Forever

by Pro Wrestling Stories

1975 was a disastrous year in wrestling. Read how Ric Flair walked away from a plane crash after breaking his back in 3 places, and…

Discover some of the most extraordinary matches and magical moments that have graced MSG, illustrating just what it felt like to bear witness to these events!

Unforgettable Wrestling Moments at Madison Square Garden

by Evan Ginzburg

Relive some of the most magnificent matches and magical wrestling moments in New York’s Madison Square Garden (MSG)!

WWE's The Kliq: Triple H, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman.

Times WWE’s THE KLIQ Fought Amongst Themselves

by Joseph Finnegan

The Kliq crossed paths with many wrestling legends over the years, but it was these battles with each other that helped define their careers.

Finn Bálor, Andre the Giant, and Nikolai Volkoff are amongst the many professional wrestlers who have stepped out of the ring and into the world of music videos.

Wrestling Fans Stunned By Unexpected Music Video Cameos

by Tim Buckler

Music videos brought wrestling into the limelight in the ’80s. Wrestlers have been making unexpected cameos in them ever since!

3 Wrestling Documentaries That Hit The Mark

Wrestling Documentaries That Hit The Mark

by Javier Ojst

Here are standout wrestling documentaries that have made their mark across three decades that provide highly recommended viewing.

4 Rebels Who Revolutionized Professional Wrestling

4 Rebels Who Revolutionized Professional Wrestling

by Theo Tonća

These 4 wrestlers helped professional wrestling transition from a more plodding mat style to the more fast-paced style of today.

Omni Coliseum | 11 Unforgettable Wrestling Moments at The Omni

The Omni Coliseum: 11 Shocking Wrestling Moments

by Jason Lane

It wasn’t the most perfect venue, but it sure did pack a lot of wrestling history! Here are 11 wrestling moments that are hard to…

Blood has always been a big draw in professional wrestling. Bleeding (or "getting color") has been used to shock audiences for years as it creates such a frightening and empathetic visual. This is a list acknowledging thirteen of the best old-school bleeders.

13 of the Best Old-School Bleeders in Wrestling

by Dale Pierce

Blood has always been a big draw in professional wrestling. This is a list acknowledging thirteen of the best old-school bleeders.

Winning the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship often cemented legacies in the annals of professional wrestling history. But what happened once former NWA World Champions jumped ship to the WWWF, WWF, or WWE? We examine just how much success these past champions had up north, compared to their successes found in the NWA. As you'll find, many of these legends never saw the same height of success once under the thumb of Vince McMahon.

How WWE Treated 13 Former NWA Champions

by Griffin Kaye

As you’ll find, many of these former NWA World Champions never saw the same height of success once under the thumb of Vince McMahon.

The shock value of these wild wrestling heels remains (even after all these years)! The following wildmen were pioneers who paved the way for a more "hardcore" style popularized in FMW, ECW, and beyond.

Insane Heels: 18 Wildmen of Wrestling Pioneers

by Javier Ojst

The shock value of these wild wrestling heels remains (even after all these years)! These were the pioneers of the hardcore.

From the tragic ending for one particular wrestling turtle to the many superstars like John Cena, Sheamus, and Kevin Nash who've got in on the act, here are six times the wrestling world harnessed the turtle power of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Wrestling Connection!

by Tim Buckler

From tragic endings to wrestling superstars, here are 7 times wrestling harnessed the turtle power of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

In the movie The Wrestler (2008), actor Mickey Rourke gives a performance of a lifetime as Randy “The Ram” Robinson.

The Wrestler – 9 Surprising Unrevealed Facts About The Film!

by Javier Ojst

The tragic wrestling convention scene in The Wrestler was not filmed as planned. Here are 9 surprising facts about this Oscar-nominated film!

Yokozuna, The Undertaker, and JBL played a big role backstage in WWE regarding Wrestlers' Court! [Artwork: Chris Fason / @FasonArt]

WWE’s Wrestlers’ Court: Shocking Tales from Behind the Curtain

by Braeden Farrell

For many of these wrestlers, all it took was one mistake. Discover shocking details on WWE’s Wrestlers’ Court!

Unique gimmick matches are amongst the most fun in professional wrestling. However, many make only one appearance, never to be used again. Here are surprising details about why!

Wrestling Match Types Used Once in WWE But Never Again

by Braeden Farrell

Unique gimmick matches are amongst the most fun in pro wrestling. However, many are used once only. Here are surprising details about why!

The WWE Hall of Fame has produced infamous backstage stories and a share of bizarre moments -- things WWE doesn't want their fans to know!

7 WWE Hall of Fame Stories WWE Doesn’t Want You To Know!

by Griffin Kaye

The WWE Hall of Fame has produced infamous backstage stories and a share of bizarre moments — things WWE doesn’t want their fans to know!

From Parts Unknown? Take a trip back to the pro wrestling world of the '80s and prior as we reveal wrestlers' real (and kayfabe) hometowns!

Secret Billed Hometowns of 8 Old-School Wrestlers

by Benny J. Scala

From Parts Unknown? Take a trip back to the pro wrestling world of the ’80s and prior as we reveal wrestlers’ real (and kayfabe) hometowns!

The Edge, Matt Hardy, and Lita love triangle storyline very much incorporated elements of real-life.

5 Wrestling Feuds Where There Was Real-Life Heat

by Joseph Finnegan

Some of the most legendary feuds in wrestling involved wrestlers who had real-life animosity outside of the ring. Here are 5 such examples.

The Nature Boys: Buddy Rogers, Ric Flair, and Buddy Landel.

10 Wrestling Nicknames Shared By Different Wrestlers

by Griffin Kaye

Wrestling nicknames are an integral part of a wrestler’s identity. Here are wrestlers who shared nicknames with other stars.

From former champions, Money in the Bank winners, to wrestlers who shared a stable with Hall of Fame superstars, these ten wrestlers had shown promise but were out of a job with WWE before reaching their full potential.

Wrestlers Who Didn’t Quite Reach Their Potential in WWE

by Aaron Young

From former champs to Money in the Bank winners, these wrestlers showed promise but were out of WWE before reaching their full potential.

Many pro wrestling matches have occurred in arenas, Elks Lodges, VFWs, and even bingo halls. But it takes a mad genius to think outside the box to take wrestling to these locations!

Wrestling’s Most Shocking and Unusual Match Locations

by Ethan Absler

Many pro wrestling matches have occurred in unique places. But it takes a mad genius to think to take wrestling to THESE locations!

Sega Genesis - Every Wrestling Game Brought Back!

Ranking Every Wrestling Game on Sega Genesis

by Tim Buckler

Journey back to the late ’80s and early ’90s as every wrestling game ever released on the Sega Genesis gaming system is brought back to…

"Nature Boy" Ric Flair over the years.

13 Tales That Uncover a Different Side of Ric Flair!

by Matt Pender

The following stories uncover a different side to the limousine-riding, jet-flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin’ dealin’ son of a gun, Ric Flair!

If the name Meng or Haku doesn't ring a bell, perhaps you know him better by the name of Tonga Fifita, Prince Tonga, King Tonga, or King Haku. He is the most terrifying man ever to step foot inside a squared circle.

Meng: 15 Tales on Wrestling’s Toughest S.O.B.

by Matt Pender

He has gone by the names of Meng, Haku, Tonga Fifita, and more. He is the most terrifying man ever to step foot inside a…

Jake "The Snake" Roberts with his reptilian counterpart Damian, The British Bulldogs' Matilda, and Koko B Ware with his beloved bird, Frankie.

Chilling Stories on the Animals in Professional Wrestling

by Matt Pender

Here is a shocking look into the real-life, tragic stories of many of our favorite animals in professional wrestling.

The “New” Rockers: Al Snow (then known as Leif Cassidy) with Marty Jannetty.

12 Failed Wrestling Tag Team Remakes and Rehashes

by Leroy Travers

Top 12 Failed Tag Team Remakes – Each of these tag teams had hopes of riding a new wave of nostalgia – instead, they fell…

From Daredevil to Gene Simmons, The Flash to The Terminator, here is a look back at many nods Rey Mysterio has made to pop culture icons over the years!

Rey Mysterio Tributes You May Not Have Noticed!

by Tim Buckler

Rey Mysterio has made nods to many pop culture icons throughout the years. Here are 14 examples you may not have noticed!

5 Wrestlers Besides The Rock Who Starred In Movies

5 Wrestlers Besides The Rock Who Starred In Movies

by Joseph Finnegan

Many wrestlers have been able to make a jump into acting. We look at 5 wrestlers not named Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who starred in…

These five rivalries pushed Shawn Michaels to run the gamut of emotions in front of the audience and are feuds fans will never forget.

5 Rivalries Shawn Michaels Will Be Remembered For

by Joseph Finnegan

Shawn Michaels ran the gamut of emotions in these five rivalries and are feuds wrestling fans will never forget.

Wrestlers misbehaving is nothing new, and there have been many outlandish wrestling arrests you may not be aware of outside the ring!

Wrestling Arrests You May Not Be Aware Of!

by Javier Ojst

Wrestlers misbehaving is nothing new, but there have been many outlandish wrestling arrests you may not be aware of outside the ring!

One of the secrets to any wrestler’s longevity is to have the ability to evolve, and Kane is no exception to that rule. Throughout his time, the Devil’s Favorite Demon has undergone more costume changes than a Lady Gaga concert, some subtle, some drastic, some for better and some for worse.

Kane – 20 Iconic (and Rare!) Attires Worn Over The Years

by Tim Buckler

Take a look back at 20 iconic and rare looks Kane has had throughout the years as we break down the various changes and why…

Take a stroll down memory lane and look at the story of the WWF/E logo's evolution!

WWE Logo – How It’s Evolved Over The Years

by Tim Buckler

The WWE logo brings an instant wave of nostalgia for wrestling fans. Take a stroll down memory lane and look at the logo’s evolution!

A great finishing move can define a wrestler. Finishers can become iconic, from Stone Cold Steve Austin's Stunner to The Rock's People's Elbow. But when a finisher doesn't work, in rare circumstances, wrestlers dig deep to brandish a powerful, more dangerous super-finisher to finish the job. Sometimes, the maneuver becomes more iconic than its creator!

The Super-Finisher: 11 Dangerous Wrestling Finishing Moves!

by Logan Medenica

When a finisher doesn’t work, a super-finisher is called upon to finish the job. Sometimes, the move becomes more iconic than its creator!

From Zelina Vega to Victor Zangiev, here are the surprising times the Street Fighter franchise and professional wrestling influenced one another!

Hidden Link Between Street Fighter and Pro Wrestling

by Tim Buckler

You may be surprised at how much the Street Fighter video game franchise has influenced professional wrestling (and vice versa!)

Yokozuna – 10 Stories Showing the Kind of Man He Was

by JP Zarka

From personal accounts from family, friends, and fans, these stories show a different side of Rodney Anoa’i — the man fans knew as Yokozuna.

Mr. Fuji was known for his "devious" ribs and practical jokes.

When Pranks Go Too Far: The Shocking Reality of Mr. Fuji

by Matt Pender

Mr. Fuji was devious on and off-camera, and these shocking stories will surely have you looking at him in a different light!

The McGuire Twins making the 600 lb “Haystacks” Calhoun look small. (c) Photographer: Dave Drason Burzynski.

Human Oddities: The Most Bizarre Wrestling Attractions

by Javier Ojst

From the freakishly large to diminutively small and in-between, these human oddities are the most bizarre wrestling attractions of all time.

David Sammartino and The Phantom Submission: One of Wrestling’s Most Surprising Upsets

7 Wrestling Upsets That Left Fans Shocked and Confused

by Javier Ojst

“Things did not go to plan!” Here are seven upset victories that took place in the ring that left wrestling fans shocked and confused.

Batman | 7 Times The Dark Knight Influenced Professional Wrestling

Batman | 7 Times The Dark Knight Influenced Wrestling

by Tim Buckler

There have been many nods to Batman from inside the squared circle. Some are subtle, some are not, while some are just straight-up rip-offs!

These usually long-haired wrestlers sporting short hair is a sight to behold!

Shocking Photos of Long-Haired Wrestlers with Short Hair!

by Braeden Farrell

There are many wrestlers who have had long locks their entire career. Here’s a look into the past where you can see them with short…

Edge shaves Kurt Angle's head

Shocking Photos of Bald Wrestlers with Hair!

by Braeden Farrell

Hair plays an important role in wrestling. Here are 18 bald wrestlers, but with a full set of hair! This one’s going to be fun…

Brian Cage, G.L.O.W.'s Sunny The California Girl, and Bill Alfonso were on the receiving end of these memorable wrestling ribs and road stories!

7 Unforgettable Wrestling Ribs and Road Stories

by Jim Phillips

Wrestling ribs can be used as teaching tools and as tests of heart and dedication. Here is a collection of seven of our favorite tales.

Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, and Shinsuke Nakamura are amongst those who have had the rare distinction of holding more than one world heavyweight championship at the same time.

15 Times Wrestlers Held Multiple World Championships at Once

by Griffin Kaye

On occasion, a wrestler will hold more than one world title at the same time. Here are 15 times this rare distinction has been achieved.

Tyson Kidd and Cesaro with some tandem offense on Kofi Kingston.

Wrestling Injuries That Ended Careers Too Soon

by Joseph Finnegan

Learn the shocking tales of professional wrestlers whose lives were irrevocably altered by wrestling injuries sustained in the ring.

Life on the road isn't easy for AEW's Paul Wight, formerly known as the Big Show in WWE.

Paul Wight Shares 5 Stories on What Life is Like as a Giant

by Pro Wrestling Stories

Life hasn’t always been easy for AEW’s Paul Wight (FKA Big Show). As these stories show, there’s a lot more to the giant than meets…

Shocking tales of the times professional wrestlers had to preserve kayfabe during a time when this art form was heavily protected.

Kayfabe in Wrestling: Stories Fans Shouldn’t Know

by JP Zarka

Shocking tales of the times professional wrestlers had to preserve kayfabe during a time when this art form was heavily protected.

Sometimes tempers flare, violence ensues, and the script is tossed. These are the shocking times wrestling matches turned real!

10 Shocking Times Wrestling Matches Turned REAL!

by Kelvin Vega

Sometimes tempers flare, violence ensues, and the script is tossed. These are the shocking times wrestling matches turned real!

Steel Cage: 11 Memorable Structures and Its History in Wrestling

Steel Cage: 11 Memorable Structures and Its History in Wrestling

by Tim Buckler

It’s the most enduring gimmick match in wrestling! Here’s a detailed history of 11 steel cage structures used over the years.

Mad Max | 9 Undeniable Times Its Movies Inspired Pro Wrestling

Mad Max: 9 Unmistakable Influences on Pro Wrestling

by Tim Buckler

Mad Max has been around for 40+ years, and during that time, the franchise has had a lot of influence on the world of professional…

The fact that these significant WrestleMania matches surprisingly did not occur in the main event will forever surprise fans.

11 WrestleMania Matches That Surprisingly Didn’t Main Event

by Aditya Modak

The fact that these significant WrestleMania matches surprisingly did not occur in the main event will forever surprise fans.

11 Lowest Attended WWE Pay-Per-Views of All Time

11 Lowest Attended WWE Pay-Per-Views of All Time

by Griffin Kaye

As these eleven WWE pay-per-views showed, not all events lead to ticket sales, and the reason for these failed shows are plenty.

WWE Champion Edge enters the arena to defend his gold at WWE Armageddon 2008.

Popular Wrestling Theme Songs With a Surprising History!

by Alex Obert

Wrestling theme songs are a significant part of a wrestler’s identity. And often, these songs come with a surprising history!

"Creative" sometimes second-guesses themselves, even minutes before a match! Here are ten times WWE changed finishes at the last second.

10 Times WWE Changed Finishes at the Last Second

by Ethan Absler

“Creative” sometimes second-guesses themselves, even minutes before a match! Here are ten times WWE changed finishes at the last second.

Behind the tables, steel chairs, and barbed wire, there was also undeniably strong character work in ECW. Here are ten performers who turned scraps to gold as they developed before our eyes on the chaotic yet exciting stage of ECW.

10 Wrestlers Who Turned Scraps to Gold in ECW

by Griffin Kaye

The following performers turned scraps to gold as they developed before our eyes on the chaotic yet exciting stage of ECW!

Lucha Libre | 5 Dark Stories With Questions Unanswered

by Javier Ojst

Behind the scenes, Lucha Libre (Mexican professional wrestling) has dark stories of murder, the supernatural, and the unforgivable.

All-Star Wrestling - 5 Unsung Heroes of Saturday Mornings Past

All-Star Wrestling: Unsung Heroes of Saturday Morning TV

by Benny J. Scala

Let us take you back in time when WWE (then the WWWF and WWF) presented a weekly Saturday morning show entitled All-Star Wrestling.

Becoming a wrestler still isn’t easy – but it’s not like it once was! Discover the jarring (and often painful) reality many wrestling legends faced after choosing to join the wrestling business!

Horror Stories of Legends Entering the Wrestling Business

by Bobby Mathews

Becoming a wrestler still isn’t easy – but it’s not like it once was! Discover the painful reality many wrestling legends faced early on.

10 Masked Wrestlers Whose Identities Were Quite Obvious!

10 Masked Wrestlers Whose Identities Were Quite Obvious!

by Griffin Kaye

Here are ten of our favorite examples of wrestlers donning a mask to conceal their identity. As you’ll find, they weren’t fooling anybody!

Here are seven times wrestlers proved how real things could be in front of a live viewing audience!

7 Times Wrestlers Lost Control on a Talk Show

by Griffin Kaye

Here are seven times wrestlers legit got physical on talk shows, proving just how real wrestling is in front of a live viewing audience!

From seeing The Undertaker outside of WWE and beyond, here are five times "The Forbidden Door" was opened in wrestling!

5 Times The Forbidden Door Opened in Wrestling

by Will Gray

From seeing The Undertaker outside of WWE and beyond, here are five times “The Forbidden Door” was opened in wrestling!

"Oh, what a disaster!" The Road Warriors were as over as any tag team ever, and there were many clones of the mighty duo along the way!

Wrestling Tag Teams Inspired by The Road Warriors

by Evan Ginzburg

The Road Warriors were as over as any tag team ever, and there were many clones of the mighty duo along the way (for better…

15 Celebrities You May Not Know Were Wrestling Fans!

15 Celebrities You May Not Know Were Wrestling Fans!

by Darren Paltrowitz

Wrestling is a mainstream form of entertainment that attracts followers from all walks of life including these 15 celebrity wrestling fans.

These trios of wrestling managers cornered the heel market and made life miserable for babyfaces in their respective eras!

Wrestling Manager Trios That Changed the Game in 3 Eras

by Benny J. Scala

These trios of wrestling managers cornered the heel market and made life miserable for babyfaces in their respective eras!

These wrestling matches left wrestlers with permanent scars!

Permanent Scars: Tales of Life-Altering Wrestling Matches

by Griffin Kaye

Wrestlers sacrifice their bodies for their passion and pursuit of in-ring glory. These scars are proof of battles waged and won–or lost.

From Bret Hart, William Regal, Kurt Angle, and more, these wrestlers earned a frosty reception initially behind the scenes in WWE!

10 Disastrous WWE Backstage First Impressions

by Griffin Kaye

From Bret Hart, William Regal, Kurt Angle, and more, these wrestlers earned a frosty reception initially behind the scenes in WWE!

Paramedics tend to Triple H after his injury took place.

Triple H | 4 Injuries That Almost Ended His Career (and Life)

by Braeden Farrell

While having a decorated career that spans close to thirty years, Triple H suffered three injuries. One came close to ending his life.

From a fan attending The Undertaker's first wedding in 1992 to encounters with friendly heels such as Yokozuna, here are 50 of the best stories of fans meeting wrestlers!

50 Greatest Fans Meeting Wrestlers Stories

by Javier Ojst

From a fan attending Undertaker’s first wedding to encounters with friendly heels, here are 50 of the best stories of fans meeting wrestlers!

Harley Race was considered by many the legitimate toughest man to grace the squared circle. But what was he like behind the scenes?

Harley Race: Secret Tales of His Tenacity Outside the Ring

by Matt Pender

Harley Race was considered by many the legitimate toughest man to grace the squared circle. But what was he like behind the scenes?

What happens when wrestling champions cannot defend their titles? These are the rare occasions titleholders had their belts put on the line and defended by other people!

10 Times Wrestlers Defended Another Competitor’s Title

by Griffin Kaye

What happens when champions can’t defend their titles? Here are the rare times titleholders had their belts defended by other wrestlers!

8 Wrestlers Who Have Their Own Drink Brand

8 Wrestlers Who Have Their Own Drink Brand

by Tim Buckler

Alcohol has always played a significant role in pro wrestling, so it makes perfect sense that these 8 wrestlers should get in on the act!

5 Wrestling Families and Their Brave Tales of Tragedy

by Marc Madison

From the Anoa’is, Harts, Von Erichs, and beyond, here are wrestling families who have had their share of tragedy over the years.

One of the worst aspects of these shocking crimes was that many people in the wrestling community were aware of it and did nothing for more than a decade.

Wrestling Deviants Jailed for Shocking Abuse

by Bobby Mathews

These stories are a cautionary tale: a reminder that wrestling draws many marginal people toward its tawdry spotlight.

These courageous wrestlers sacrificed their lives for the sake of others, even when it meant putting their own lives in danger.

Amazing Acts of Heroism by Wrestlers Outside the Ring

by Marc Madison

These courageous wrestlers sacrificed their lives for the sake of others, even when it meant putting their own lives in danger.

Here are 20 of the best wrestling ribs and practical joke stories. Some are lighthearted, while others are just plain cruel!

Ribs and Practical Jokes in Professional Wrestling – 20 of the Best Stories!

by Matt Pender

Here are 20 of the best wrestling ribs and practical joke stories. Some are lighthearted, while others are just plain cruel!

Dustin Rhodes: Always a "Natural."

Dustin Rhodes: His Secret Life Behind the Paint

by Pro Wrestling Stories

Being the son of Dusty Rhodes, naysayers would test his toughness. In the words of Dustin Rhodes, “There were many fights along the way!”

8 Tales from a Former WCW and Turner Corporate Employee

8 Tales from a Former WCW and Turner Corporate Employee

by Richard Steinberg

Former WCW and Turner corporate employee Richard Steinberg shares legendary (and unusual!) moments behind the scenes and on the road.

One of the most iconic moves in wrestling is the Powerbomb. Discover the history and secrets behind one of wrestling's most powerful statements of a maneuver, ten notable wrestlers who used it, and how a legendary wrestler's misstep led to the creation of this legendary move!

Powerbomb! Secret History on a Devastating Wrestling Move

by Ethan Absler

Discover the history and secrets behind one of wrestling’s most powerful statements of a maneuver: The Powerbomb!

While many wrestlers have donned face makeup over the years, we dive into the stories of seven face-painted pioneers who wore war paint to the ring, even if there were a few mishaps and dangerous conditions for some!

Wrestlers Who Made Face Paint Fashionable!

by Tim Buckler

These wrestling pioneers wore face paint to battle, despite the surprising mishaps and dangerous conditions many faced for doing so!

Owen Hart - 6 Stories Showing The Kind of Man He Was

Owen Hart – 6 Stories Revealing The Kind of Man He Was

by Matt Pender

These tales reveal exactly the kind of man Owen Hart was. Stories from Bret Hart, Triple H, Scott Hall (Razor Ramon), Jim Ross, and more.

Wrestling Podcast Hits – The Very Best You Don’t Want To Miss

by Greg Phillips

Look no further for a great wrestling podcast! Here’s the best in squared circle audio, including some hidden gems and our readers’ favorites podcasts too.

The Undertaker was the longest-tenured WWE wrestler of all time. But what do his peers have to say about him?

Undertaker: 18 Stories Showing the Kind of Man He Is

by Matt Pender

The Undertaker was the longest-tenured WWE wrestler of all time. But what do his peers have to say about him?

Why are so many WWE wrestlers intimidated by Vince McMahon? Here are some examples that give insight into why!

Intimidating Moments Vince McMahon Had with Wrestlers

by JP Zarka

Why are so many WWE wrestlers intimidated by Vince McMahon? Here are some examples that give insight into why!

The Kliq: Paul "Triple H" Levesque, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, and Sean "X-Pac" Waltman.

The Kliq | 10 Tales of Their WWE Locker Room Stranglehold

by Joseph Finnegan

The Kliq came together and ultimately dominated the WWF locker room. Learn the story of their checkered past, from those who knew them best.

Andre the Giant - 16 Unforgettable Tales Told By His Friends

Andre the Giant – 16 Unforgettable Tales Told By His Friends

by Matt Pender

Here are sixteen of the most memorable stories on the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” Andre the Giant, from the people who knew him best.

Lucky 13: Elderly Wrestlers Who Survived A Match

by Ethan Absler

Here are a lucky thirteen who are amongst the oldest wrestlers to survive and even thrive very late in their careers.

Jerry Lawler, Bruno Sammartino, and Chris Jericho are amongst the wrestling legends who have had the unfortunate experience of having their wrestling championship belt come up missing or stolen. Many have never been recovered.

Mystery of Missing Wrestling Championship Belts

by Bobby Mathews

Over the years, these wrestling championship belts have either been stolen or come up missing. Many have never been recovered.

United States Championship | 10 Longest-Reigning Champs

by Griffin Kaye

The United States Championship has been held by many memorable legends. Here are the ten longest-reigning US Champions in combined days.

Hulk Hogan as Thunderlips takes Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) for a ride in Rocky III.

Rocky and WWE: 5 Ways The Movie Inspired Wrestling

by Tim Buckler

When it comes to the success of the WWE, you can thank three people: Vince McMahon, Terry Bollea, and Sylvester Stallone of Rocky fame.

We had so much fun using AI technology to create these photos of wrestlers, even when the descriptions were downright outrageous! We couldn't believe the results!

AI-Generated Photos of Wrestlers: So Accurate It’s Scary!

by Braeden Farrell

We had much fun creating these AI-generated photos of wrestlers. Even when the descriptions were outrageous, we couldn’t believe the results!

There are few moves as devastating as the knee strike. Learn its fascinating history and the best examples of it in pro wrestling.

The Knee Strike: Its History and Devastating Examples in Wrestling

by Logan Medenica

There are few moves as devastating as the knee strike. Learn its fascinating history and the best examples of it in pro wrestling.

Every so often, WWE will shock and awe fans (even if it means purposely fooling them)! Here are ten times WWE trolled their viewers.

10 Surprising Moments WWE Deceived Their Fans

by Ethan Absler

WWE has had many shocking moments over the years. Learn about the times they purposely deceived their fans (you won’t believe the stories)!

Virgil faces off against Bret Hart for the WWF Championship on a November 21st, 1992 episode of Superstars.

10 Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Had a WWE Championship Match

by Griffin Kaye

Only the elite and the greatest should get awarded a chance at the WWE Championship, although such is not always the case…

16 WWE Records Most Fans Don't Know About!

16 WWE Records Most Fans Don’t Know About!

by Braeden Farrell

With no offseason in wrestling, WWE Records are getting broken every year — records most fans aren’t even aware of. We’re here to change that!

Canada has a rich history in professional wrestling and a legacy of producing standout wrestlers and talent. Discover the stories of notable individuals and families from The Great White North who have made their country proud.

Canadian Wrestlers With a Rich History in the Sport

by Bobby Mathews

Discover the stories of notable professional wrestlers and families from Canada who have made their country proud.

Many young men have been introduced to professional wrestling by their fathers. What follows are examples of young men who shouldn't have!

Wrestlers Who Shouldn’t Have Followed Father’s Footsteps

by Benny J. Scala

Many young men have been introduced to professional wrestling by their fathers. What follows are examples of young men who shouldn’t have!

Although hijinks mainly occur off-camera, here are ten surprising times ribs trickled into the public eye in the form of a wrestler's name!

10 Wrestlers Whose Names Were Total Ribs

by Griffin Kaye

Although hijinks mainly occur off-camera, here are ten surprising times ribs trickled into the public eye in the form of a wrestler’s name!

Shocking Times Andre the Giant Made Life Miserable For Wrestlers

by Matt Pender

Andre the Giant wasn’t always easy to get along with. The following stories illustrate a not often known side of the “gentle” giant!

Roddy Piper gets bit by a zombie. Uncover the strange combination of zombies and wrestling with this deep dive into the surprising times these worlds collided!

Wrestling vs Undead: Surprising Times Wrestlers Battled Zombies!

by Tim Buckler

Uncover the strange combination of zombies and wrestling with this deep dive into the surprising times these worlds collided!

Edge, Trish Stratus, John Cena, and more share memorable stories from their time on the road!

Dual Identities: Secret Life of Wrestlers on the Road

by Pro Wrestling Stories

Shocking tales from Edge, Trish Stratus, John Cena, and more: the most interesting wrestling stories take place away from the public eye!

The United Kingdom has produced some of the very best in professional wrestling over the years. Although some of the wrestlers we detail below broke through to major promotions during their time in the business, often, they aren't given the recognition they deserve. Here are twelve British wrestlers who were critical to the evolution of British wrestling and influenced some of the very best of today.

12 British Wrestlers From the Past Who Paved the Way

by Kieran Hamilton

Here are twelve British wrestlers who were critical to the evolution of British wrestling and influenced some of the very best of today.

Mike Awesome, Horace Hogan (Michael Bollea), and Hulk Hogan.

30 Wrestlers You May Not Know Were Related!

by Griffin Kaye

A family name carries weight in wrestling. However, there have been many relations kept off TV for varying reasons. Here are many examples!

Bob Backlund had some incredible matches before, during, and after his legendary WWWF Championship reign.

Witnessing History: Bob Backlund’s Best Live Bouts

by Evan Ginzburg

Here are ten of the best Bob Backlund matches we saw live before, during, and after his 5-plus-year run as WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.

A lot has changed since the days of old school wrestling, though not always for the better. Here are ten things that are very much missed!

Old School Wrestling: 10 Things Sorely Missed!

by Evan Ginzburg

A lot has changed since the days of old school wrestling, though not always for the better. Here are ten things that are very much…

Mall of America: then (first ever WCW Monday Nitro) vs. now.

20 Nostalgic Wrestling Photos That Will Take You Back!

by Braeden Farrell

Each of these nostalgic wrestling photos has an interesting story behind them. Get ready for this fun blast from the past!

Bret Hart.

Bret Hart – 12 Stories That Show Who the Real Hitman Is

by Matt Pender

Bret Hart has had a lot to say about his peers, but what do they have to say about him? These 12 memorable stories show…

Eleven ways Mortal Kombat has rocked the world of professional wrestling, for better, and in some cases, for worse, since the '90s!

Secret Impact of Mortal Kombat on Pro Wrestling

by Tim Buckler

Discover how the Mortal Kombat video game franchise has impacted the professional wrestling industry (for better or for worse)!

Sami Zayn and Cesaro/Claudio Castagnoli embrace after their match at NXT Arrival, February 27, 2014.

The Respectful Side of Wrestling: Unexpected Friendships

by Alex Obert

These stories of respect and friendship in wrestling demonstrate the special bonds that exist outside the ring.

Asuka, Mustafa Ali, and Chris Jericho have all lived unique lives outside of the wrestling ring!

Wrestlers Who Live Unique Lives Outside of the Ring

by Braeden Farrell

These four wrestlers may surprise you, and they certainly can tell plenty of stories from their unique lives outside of the squared circle!

10 Wrestling Book Must-Reads (and 5 You Should Skip!)

by Bobby Mathews

The best wrestling memoirs are confessional and brutally honest. Here are the top 10 best wrestling book must-reads, and the 5 worst!

"So, you want to be a wrestler?" Left: Stu Hart stretches a new wrestling recruit in the infamous Hart Dungeon. Right: A new batch of pro wrestling students absorb life lessons and fundamentals during training.

Want To Be a Wrestler? – Lessons in Wrestling and Life

by Jim Phillips

Want to be a wrestler? Sit under the learning tree as we discover that wrestling is much more than just a vehicle to fame and…

Anything is possible at the Royal Rumble. Here is a selection of wrestlers who saw their careers greatly enhanced after their showing at this yearly fan-favorite event.

6 Wrestlers Who Greatly Benefited from the Royal Rumble

by Joseph Finnegan

Anything is possible at the Royal Rumble! The following five wrestlers saw their careers greatly enhanced because of this yearly event.

These twelve legends are more than worthy of a WWE Hall of Fame induction but have been done wrong despite being on Vince's radar for years.

12 All-Time Legends the WWE Hall of Fame Did Wrong

by Evan Ginzburg

These twelve legends are more than worthy of a WWE Hall of Fame induction but have been done wrong despite being on Vince’s radar for…

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® 2023 Pro Wrestling Stories
  • Topics
    • Dark Tales of Wrestling
    • Shoot Interviews
    • Wrestling Territories
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Wrestling Book Reviews
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Nostalgic Wrestling Photos
    • Ask PWS
    • Podcasts
      • Our Podcasts
        • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
        • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
        • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
      • Podcasts We Enjoy
        • Dan and Benny in the Ring
        • Grappling With Canada
        • Songs From The Squared Circle
        • Wrestling and Everything Coast to Coast
  • Choose a Story
  • About
    • About Pro Wrestling Stories
    • Contact
      • E-mail
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Twitter
  • Meet The Team
  • Nostalgic Merch 🔥
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Write For Us