From towering giants to jaw-dropping sideshow acts, the world of professional wrestling has always embraced the bizarre. But these aren’t just ordinary performers—they’re human oddities who captivated audiences and left them talking long after the bell rang. Step into the ring with twenty of wrestling’s most unforgettable attractions and sideshow acts and uncover the strange stories behind these living spectacles.
1. The Origins: From Carnivals to Wrestling Sideshows
Wrestling’s roots lie in carnival sideshows, where audience participation was encouraged in staged "athletic shows." These events, popular during the 1930s and ‘40s, paved the way for modern professional wrestling’s blend of performance and competition. Photo Credit: The Circus Blog.
Modern wrestling has its roots in carnivals and circuses. Originally called Athletic Shows (AT or ATT), these events encouraged audience participation. Wrestlers would taunt crowd members, challenging them to ‘rassle or box. From the start, this was a racket that almost always ensured the challengers rarely bested the wrestlers. Often, the challenger was even in on the hustle.
A common strategy involved an audience member stepping up to the challenge and winning, enticing others to participate and increase side bets. The wrestler would then demand a rematch, with customers urging the challenger on. This time, however, the wrestler would demonstrate superior skills and defeat the challenger, allowing the AT show to recover its money. It was all a work.
Many AT wrestlers were legitimate shooters who could handle themselves when needed. However, stories circulated that in extreme cases, if an opponent truly got the upper hand, he’d be wrangled behind a curtain and knocked out. He’d then return to the audience’s view and be pinned cleanly.
The show resembled rigged carnival games that seemed simple to win but rarely saw consistent winners or big prize payouts. “Shills” in the audience, knowing the outcome, placed bets with other audience members. The wrestlers later received a cut. From its earliest incarnation, professional wrestling worked the marks and swindled them out of their money.
As printed in Collier’s in 1953, according to David Shoemaker’s book The Squared Circle, the Barker would shrill:
“Easy money, boys! Step up and get it! You get a dollar for every minute you stay with one of these ‘rasslers. A dollar, a clammo, a buckaroo for every minute! You get fifty—yes, fifty-large dollars, boys, if you can throw any of these wrestlers! Who’ll try his strength and skill for fifty dollars, a half hundred, enough to buy a plow, a horse, or a winter coat for the little woman?”
In many parts of the country, the carnival circuit was the only game in town. However, in cities with larger venues, top grapplers faced each other in a style that became known as “professional wrestling”—a sport that rivaled boxing in popularity at the time.
Even as far back as the 1930s, pro wrestling was losing its legitimacy in the eyes of many fans and newspapers, no longer seen as a genuine sport. Yet, despite doubts, people still enjoyed what they saw and wanted to believe. No matter how many exposés tried to reveal wrestling as a sham, audiences clung to their belief. To some extent, this remains true today.
As quoted in The Squared Circle, journalist Grantland Rice shared a fan’s perspective from the early ’30s: “As far as I know, the shows are honest. But even if they’re not, I get a big kick out of them, for they are full of action and all the outward signs of hostile competition. It is either honest competition or fine acting, and in either case, I get a real show.
While pro wrestling has its roots in Greek and Roman combat sports, where maiming and even death were common outcomes, modern wrestling evolved from catch-as-catch-can, a style brought by immigrants to the new world. The term itself means “done by any means, or in any possible way, often haphazardly.”
Catch wrestling was a hybrid of Greco-Roman wrestling, Irish collar-and-elbow, and the violent Lancashire wrestling style. It soon emphasized dangerous submission holds or “hooking,” techniques used by shooters like Martin “Farmer” Burns, Evan Lewis, Dan McLeod, Tom Jenkins, Frank Gotch, George Hackenschmidt, and later, the more widely recognized Lou Thesz. These moves were employed when opponents refused to “go with the program” of predetermined outcomes.
As wrestling evolved from real combat to spectacle, promoters emphasized showmanship over grappling skills. Figures like Ed "Strangler" Lewis and Gus Sonnenberg helped shape wrestling’s focus on entertainment and profit. Photo Credit: Jack Curley.
The stock market crash of 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression forced wrestling promoters, like most businesses, to face harsh economic challenges. They needed to find innovative ways to entice customers to continue spending money on wrestling.
This led to a transition from worked catch-style matches to a product that emphasized showmanship over substance. Contrary to popular belief, the McMahons didn’t pioneer this trend in the mid-’80s; it had been evolving for decades.
Promoters began valuing wrestlers more for their drawing power than their grappling skills and athleticism. This shift marked the beginning of the clear distinction between what we now know as heels and babyfaces in professional wrestling.
2. Jack Pfefer: The Mastermind Behind Wrestling Freak Shows
Jack Pfefer, the eccentric promoter who turned wrestling’s carnival roots into a spectacle of freakish gimmicks and bizarre attractions. Photo Credit: Public Domain.
The modern wrestling product has always had its roots in the circus and carnival circuit. While gimmicks have always existed, certain promoters exploited this concept during trying times. One such visionary was the eccentric Jack Pfefer.
In his book The Hard Way, Don Fargo vividly describes Pfefer: “He stood about five-foot-five, had unkempt, dirty hair, long fingernails, and wore clothes which had seen better days. He also had bad breath, a physical trait that earned him the nickname ‘The Halitosis Kid’ from people in the wrestling business.”
Pfefer, a Polish immigrant, arrived in the United States in 1921 as part of a touring opera company. A few years later, he ventured into wrestling promotion.
In 1929, he allied himself with New York promoter Jack Curley, one of the industry’s most powerful figures. Together, they reached agreements with top bookers on the East Coast to share talent.
3. Jim Londos: The Star of Beauty vs. Beast Wrestling
“Golden Greek” Jim Londos, whose adonis-like physique drew crowds and kept wrestling profitable even during the Great Depression. Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Jim Londos, who began his career in carnivals, became the star attraction in the northeast, drawing record profits. Though not necessarily a skilled grappler, Londos captivated audiences with his physical attractiveness and adonis-like physique.
Promoters capitalized on Londos’s appeal by pairing him against unattractive opponents in a “Beauty vs. The Beast” concept. This strategy drew crowds even during the Great Depression, when most people had little money for entertainment.
After a disagreement with Londos, Jack Curley severed ties with him and his associates. Pfefer, seeing an opportunity, aligned himself with Londos’s group. However, Curley and Londos’s partners eventually reconciled, forming a new arrangement that excluded Pfefer.
Finding himself on the outside, Pfefer decided to expose the business with the help of Dan Parker, the sports editor of the New York Daily Mirror. He claimed that promoters Jack Curley and Jim Londos fixed their matches and revealed that championships were decided in backroom meetings rather than in the ring.
This exposé led the New York State Athletic Commission to insist that pro wrestling label its bouts as “exhibitions” rather than “matches.” The impact of this revelation can still be seen in early WWF matches, where announcers refer to the events as exhibitions.
This report damaged the sport for years to come. However, Pfefer always viewed wrestling as entertainment and embraced over-the-top characters in his exhibitions of pure spectacle, relying heavily on gimmick wrestlers to sell tickets.
In the mid-’30s, with declining gates, promoters created bogus identities for wrestlers to generate interest in Polish, Irish, Italian, or Jewish neighborhoods. Even Lou Thesz, a respected shooter, began using the “ridiculous” airplane spin. Nevertheless, the crowds loved it.
Even the legendary Lou Thesz adapted his grappling style to a more entertainment-focused approach as wrestling evolved. Photo Credit: NWA.
After Jack Curley’s death in 1938, Pfefer re-established himself at the top of the business by allying with Joseph “Toots” Mondt and booking increasingly bizarre characters as the decade ended.
According to The Squared Circle, he told Collier’s, “I don’t tell people my wrestling shows are on the level; I guarantee they’re not. I’ve never seen an honest wrestling bout in my twenty years in the game. Maybe there was one, but I wasn’t there. And I’d hate to see one; it’d be an awful thing!”
Jack Pfefer, when on the outs with the wrestling establishment, created his own stars—can you spot the real wrestlers these phonies were based on? Photo Credit: NWA.
Pfefer also shared his preferences for performers: “Freaks I love, and they’re my specialty. I am very proud of some of my monstrosities. You can’t get a dollar with a normal-looking guy, no matter how good he can wrestle.”
He continued, “Those birds with shaved, egg-shaped heads, handlebar mustaches, tattooed bodies, big stomachs—they’re for me! Dopes who wear Turkish fezzes and carry prayer rugs into the ring with them, curdled Kurds, bouncing Czechs—all those foreign novelties I import from my stable.
“None of these atrocities of mine can find their way out of a phone booth or sock their way out of a cellophane sack, but that’s not important. I teach ’em their routines and ship ’em out. The suckers think they’re hot stuff—haw.”
4. Wrestling’s “Freaks”: The Rise of Unique Attractions
While not every sideshow performer made it to the wrestling ring, promoters like Jack Pfefer thrived on featuring unique attractions to draw in crowds. Photo Credit: Public Domain.
In carnival parlance, “freaks” referred to sideshow attractions such as conjoined twins, individuals with deformities, or those with unique genetic traits like extreme obesity or excessive hair growth. These unique-looking people with particular skills became paid attractions that drew curious crowds.
Many of Pfefer’s performers made the transition from sideshow to squared circle. While they may not have known “the difference between a headlock and a wristwatch,” as Gorilla Monsoon often quipped, they certainly drew crowds.
Notable examples included Fritz Kley, a contortionist who used his double-jointed flexibility to escape opponents; “Count” George Zarynoff, who tightrope walked on the ropes and performed acrobatic feats; Martin “Blimp” Levy, an enormous man with minimal ring skills who paved the way for future heavyweight attractions; and “Gargantua,” German wrestler and actor Kurt Zehe, who reportedly stood at 7’2″.
Let’s delve deeper into some of the special attractions that have graced pro wrestling’s rich and diverse history. After all, not every match can be a technical masterpiece lasting 90 minutes over three falls.
Some of these attractions virtually guaranteed sold-out shows, offering spectacles rarely seen elsewhere. Others, however, became mere curiosities that failed to leave a lasting impact and faded into obscurity.
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5. Maurice Tillet: “The French Angel”
Maurice Tillet, “The French Angel,” was a unique and unforgettable attraction in wrestling, rumored to have inspired the movie character Shrek. Photo Credit: Medium.
Maurice Tillet, known as “The French Angel,” was a unique and unforgettable attraction in wrestling, drawing massive crowds with his distinctive appearance. Born in 1903 in Russia to French parents, Tillet’s life took an unexpected turn when he developed acromegaly at the age of 20, causing his facial features and extremities to grow abnormally.
In his book Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America, author Scott Beekman notes, “The most popular conversion of freak show attraction to wrestling involved individuals with facial deformities or, more frequently, simply spectacularly unattractive countenances. The trend began with the introduction of Maurice Tillet, who became known as ‘The French Angel.'”
Despite his condition, Tillet pursued an education, earning a law degree from the University of Toulouse. However, his true calling came when he met Lithuanian wrestler Karl Pojello in 1937, who saw potential in Tillet’s unique look for the wrestling world. This encounter led to a remarkable career that would leave an indelible mark on professional wrestling.
Tillet’s wrestling career peaked in the early 1940s when he became a two-time World Heavyweight Champion in the American Wrestling Association. Boston promoter Paul Bowser crowned Tillet the first AWA champion in 1940 (distinct from Verne Gagne’s later AWA), which helped keep the promotion afloat during the challenging years of WWII. For 19 consecutive months, Tillet remained undefeated, cementing his status as a wrestling sensation.
Paul Boesch, in his autobiography Hey, Boy! Where’d You Get Them Ears? wrote: “The fans crowded arenas to get a look at him, and when the aberrant animal ambled down the aisle, their curiosity was well satisfied. The Angel was difficult to wrestle. His size and his balance, along with a certain clumsiness that created an unorthodox defense, made you wary when you entered the ring with him.”
By 1945, Tillet’s health began to decline, affecting his performance in the ring. He continued wrestling until 1953, with his final match taking place in Singapore. Tragically, Tillet passed away in 1954 at the age of 51, shortly after learning of the death of his friend and former trainer, Karl Pojello.
Tillet’s legacy extends beyond the wrestling world. His unique appearance is rumored to have inspired the character design for Shrek, the beloved ogre from the DreamWorks animated films. While this connection has never been officially confirmed, the striking resemblance between Tillet and Shrek has fueled speculation among fans and historians alike.
In death, as in life, Tillet remained close to his friend Pojello. The two were buried together at the Lithuanian National Cemetery near Chicago, with their shared gravestone poignantly reading, “Friends Whom Even Death Couldn’t Part.” This final tribute serves as a touching reminder of the bonds Tillet formed throughout his extraordinary life, both in and out of the wrestling ring.
6. Wrestling’s Other “Angels”
“The Lady Angel” Geneva Huckabee, one of the first female wrestlers promoted for her unconventional appearance. Photo Credit: Wausharaargus.
Jack Pfefer, ever the opportunist, introduced nearly ten other “Angels” from various purported nationalities across the country. Among them, “The Swedish Angel” Phil Olafsson found the most success.
In the 1950s, female “Angels” like Geneva Huckabee emerged on the scene. Promoters billed her as “The World’s Ugliest Girl Wrestler.”
Yulie Brynner, one of the several “Lady Angels” who followed in Geneva Huckabee’s footsteps. Photo Credit: Wausharaargus.
“Lady Angel” imitations such as Yulie Brynner and Jean Noble also appeared, stirring controversy nearly 25 years before Luna Vachon entered the scene.
The practice of copying successful gimmicks across different regions remains common in wrestling. In earlier times, when regions were more isolated, and news traveled slower, promoters could more easily convince fans that these imitations were genuine. The lack of instant communication and fact-checking made it simpler to maintain such illusions.
7. Mildred Burke: Wrestling’s First Female Champion
Champion and wrestling legend Mildred Burke stood head and shoulders above in an era filled with gimmick wrestlers and sideshow acts. Photo Credit: NWA.
During the Great Depression, promoters began featuring women wrestlers to attract male audiences. While their in-ring skills were often limited, the spectacle of women grappling in revealing outfits proved to be a significant draw.
Appearance, rather than wrestling ability, was crucial for success, mirroring the situation for many male wrestlers of the time. Jack Pfefer emphasized this point, stating, “A girl that has a swell shape, a good-lookin’ face and wants to be in pictures should foist be a ‘rastler,” as quoted in Scott Beekman’s book Ringside: A History of Professional Wrestling in America.
Despite drawing crowds, few promoters were comfortable with women as titleholders. This is where Mildred Burke, a skilled grappler, found her niche and became recognized as the first female champion of the worked era.
Small but mighty! Little people wrestlers were crowd favorites, and promoters eagerly used them to boost sales. Pictured: Little Beaver and Red Eagle. Photo Credit: Huronia Museum.
Wrestlers of short stature, known at the time as “Mighty Mites,” began to carve out their niche in professional wrestling. Like many of their contemporaries, they got their start in carnival circuits and vaudeville shows.
The heyday of these performers spanned the 1950s through the 1970s. Stars such as Sky Low Low, Little Beaver, Lord Littlebrook, and Little Tokyo were exceptional performers, regardless of their size. Though often booked as comic relief in undercard matches, they took their roles seriously, enduring bumps and falls as intense as those of their larger counterparts.
9. The Dirty Dusek Brothers: Wrestling’s Riot Makers
Rudy, Joe, Emil, and Ernie Dusek, known as the ‘Dirty Dusek Brothers,’ were infamous for their riot-inducing matches in the 1930s. Their aggressive brawling style and dirty tactics earned them the nickname ‘The Riot Squad,’ forever changing how heels operated in the wrestling world. Photo Credit: Irving Penn.
The 1930s saw the rise of big draws that didn’t rely on physical oddities or acrobatic gimmicks. The “Dirty” Dusek Brothers (Rudy, Joe, Emil, and Ernie), who wrestled in various combinations, became known as “The Riot Squad” due to their tendency to incite chaos.
While the Duseks were known for matches that often ended in out-of-ring brawls, it was Jack Pfefer’s protégé, Ted “King Kong” Cox, who truly pioneered many of the heel tactics still used today.
Scott Beekman notes, “He tore shirts off referees, used ringside props (water bottles, buckets, and chairs) on his opponents, often continued beating on them while dragging them to dressing rooms, bled regularly, squirted ‘ammonia’ in other wrestlers’ eyes, and taped his knuckles to signify added punching power. He went on to win a version of the world title, wrestling as The Masked Marvel.
10. Haystacks Calhoun: The Heavyweight Sensation
Haystacks Calhoun was a super heavyweight sensation in the ’50s and ’60s, known for his size, character, and charisma, not his in-ring skills. Photo Credit: Joe Drazen.
The 1950s and ’60s witnessed the emergence of super heavyweights like Happy Humphrey and Haystacks Calhoun.
Calhoun quickly became one of the biggest stars in the wrestling world during the ‘Golden Age of Wrestling, ‘ a time when wrestling was a popular form of entertainment on television.
Known for his charisma and size, Calhoun left a lasting impression on a large part of the U.S. population, even those who weren’t necessarily fans of professional wrestling.
11. Happy Humphrey: The 900-Pound Wrestler
Happy Humphrey, known as the 900-pound wrestler, often tipped the scales at 750 lbs throughout his career, with some reports claiming he once reached 900 lbs. Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Known as “Squasher” Humphrey or, more commonly, Happy Humphrey, this wrestling giant reportedly averaged 750 lbs throughout his career, with claims of reaching over 900 lbs at one point. Due to his immense size, he had to be weighed on meat scales at rendering facilities. Humphrey and Haystacks Calhoun (who averaged 600 lbs) famously battled several times in Madison Square Garden during the ’60s.
In 1960, Happy Humphrey befriended a young 17-year-old Harley Race, hiring him as his driver for $5 a day plus room and board. Race even wrestled Humphrey on multiple occasions, earning $25 each time.
Race recounts the unique challenges of Humphrey’s size, noting that normal shower stalls couldn’t accommodate him. To bathe Humphrey, Race would have him lie naked on the ground, apply liquid soap all over his body, scrub him down with a mop, and finally rinse him off with a garden hose.
Stories of Humphrey getting stuck in phone booths and theater seats have become legendary, offering a glimpse into the daily challenges faced by this larger-than-life figure.
12. The McGuire Twins: The World’s Heaviest Tag Team
The McGuire Twins, Benny and Billy McCrary, held the Guinness World Record as the Heaviest Twins in wrestling history, with Benny averaging 814 lbs and Billy at 784 lbs. They dominated the ring as a unique spectacle, making even the 600-lb Haystacks Calhoun look small in comparison. Photo Credit: Dave Drason Burzynski.
Born Benny and Billy McCrary, the McGuire Twins changed their last name at the suggestion of promoter Nick Gulas to ease pronunciation difficulties for announcers in Japan and Australia. They hold the Guinness World Record for Heaviest Twins, with Benny averaging 814 lbs and Billy a “slimmer” 784 lbs.
Gory Guerrero trained the twins, and Gulas booked them for most of their careers. During their tour of Japan, Benny recalls a harrowing incident in Hiroshima where he was stabbed in the stomach by an older Japanese man with a bayonet. Despite the serious injury requiring stitches, Benny was told a normal-sized man likely wouldn’t have survived.
The twins’ drawing power was evident in an anecdote shared in Scott Teal’s book, The Wrestling Archive Project, Volume 1. Hawaiian promoter Ed Francis explained to an upset Tony Marino why the McGuire Twins were the main event: “Eighty percent of the people are here to see the McGuire Twins. They know you’re gonna be here from one week to the next, but the twins are only gonna be here for a week or two. They’re here to see them.”
13. Man Mountain Mike: The 600-Pound Powerhouse
Man Mountain Mike, standing at 6’4″ and weighing 623 lbs, was known for his size and strength, frequently teaming with Haystacks Calhoun. He was a formidable presence in the ring, particularly in battle royals during the early ’70s, including a notable feud with Buddy Colt in Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF). Photo Credit: NWA.
Billed at 6’4″ and 623 lbs, Man Mountain Mike was a true heavyweight sensation. He often teamed with Haystacks Calhoun, forming an imposing duo. Tragically, Mike was in the ring when “Iron” Mike DiBiase (the adoptive father of “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase) suffered a fatal heart attack during a match.
In the early ’70s, Man Mountain Mike dominated battle royals in Florida’s CWF. His most notable feud was with Buddy Colt, who, in a surprising turn of events, managed to eliminate the “Man Mountain” in one of these matches, showcasing that even the mightiest could fall.
14. André the Giant: Wrestling’s Most Iconic Attraction
André the Giant, affectionately known as “The Eighth Wonder of the World,” captivated audiences with his immense size and unique presence. Despite never holding a world championship title, he became a beloved figure in professional wrestling, drawing crowds wherever he went. His mythic status continues to grow, both for his in-ring accomplishments and his legendary feats outside the ring. Photo Credit: WWE.
To call André The Giant merely a special attraction would be a disservice to his immense influence on professional wrestling. He was perhaps the last of his kind – a one-of-a-kind performer who could draw crowds in any territory he visited.
André’s status as “The Eighth Wonder of the World” was not just a moniker; it was a testament to his ability to captivate audiences wherever he went.
While his billed height and weight have been subjects of debate, his legendary status in the sport is undeniable. From his in-ring performances to his legendary drinking feats, André remains one of the most mythologized figures in wrestling history.
15. Silo Sam (AKA “Big” John Harris): The 7-Foot-Plus Giant of the 1980s
Silo Sam, also known as "Big" John Harris, stood around 7’5" and had a brief but memorable wrestling career in the 1980s. He’s also remembered for his role in Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. Photo Credit: NWA.
Silo Sam, also called "Big" John Harris, had a billed height of around 7’7," but it’s estimated he was at the most 7’5." – still extremely tall! He had a 6-year career and had brief stints in several promotions.
The ‘80s generation perhaps remembers him as the jealous boyfriend who chases Pee-Wee Herman in the wacky 1985 movie Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.
Silo Sam as Big John Harris in Memphis. One of the strangest feel-good vignettes you’ll ever see:
16. Giant Gonzalez: The Towering Basketball Player-Turned Wrestling Star of the ’90s
Giant Gonzalez, a former Argentine basketball player, stood at 7’7″ and became an unforgettable wrestling attraction in the early ’90s. Photo Credit: WWE.
Jorge González, known as “El Gigante” in WCW and later “Giant” Gonzalez in WWE, was a former Argentine basketball player who transitioned to professional wrestling. Billed at an impressive 8’0″ tall, Gonzalez actually stood closer to 7’7″ – still a towering presence in the ring.
Gonzalez’s journey to wrestling began when the Atlanta Hawks drafted him in the third round of the 1988 NBA draft. However, knee problems prevented him from adapting to the physical demands of professional basketball. It was then that Ted Turner, owner of both the Hawks and WCW, convinced Gonzalez to try his hand at wrestling.
Legendary trainer Hiro Matsuda was tasked with improving Gonzalez’s wrestling skills, but noted in his book that the giant’s heart wasn’t fully in the business. Despite this, Gonzalez was offered a substantial $350,000 guaranteed contract, believing his size alone would ensure success.
In WWE, Gonzalez’s most notable feud was with The Undertaker in 1993, managed by Harvey Wippleman. Despite his imposing stature, he never managed to defeat the Deadman. His WWE run was short-lived, lasting only until October of that year when his one-year contract expired.
Interestingly, Gonzalez made a brief foray into acting, appearing in an episode of Baywatch in 1993, where he fittingly played a carnival sideshow giant.
Tragically, Gonzalez passed away on September 22nd, 2010, at the age of 44, due to complications from diabetes, a condition exacerbated by his gigantism.
17. The Big Show: The Modern-Day Wrestling Giant
Paul Wight, known as “The Big Show,” became a modern-day giant in wrestling, making a huge impact with his 7’0″ stature and remarkable athleticism. Photo Credit: WWE.
In 1995, Paul Wight burst onto the wrestling scene as The Giant in WCW, claiming to be the son of the legendary André The Giant. This introduction immediately captured fans’ attention, as it seemed plausible that André’s offspring would indeed be of immense stature.
The Giant made an instant impact by joining Kevin Sullivan‘s Dungeon of Doom stable and defeating Hulk Hogan via disqualification at that year’s Halloween Havoc pay-per-view.
Throughout his career in WWE as The Big Show, and now in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under his real name, Paul Wight, he has been involved in numerous high-profile storylines and matches. From his nWo membership to cage battles with Steve Austin in WWE and even facing undefeated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather, Big Show has consistently delivered larger-than-life entertainment.
After undergoing hip surgery in 2018 and battling a hamstring injury, the seven-time world champion transitioned to a part-time wrestling role. In 2021, Wight signed with AEW, where he serves as both a commentator and occasional in-ring performer, showcasing his enduring passion for the industry.
Beyond wrestling, Wight has expanded his career into acting, appearing in films like “Fighting With My Family” and starring in the Netflix series “The Big Show Show” in 2020.
18. Yokozuna: The 600-Pound Sumo Wrestling Icon
Yokozuna, who weighed 600 lbs, dominated the ring and held the WWF Championship twice and the WWF Tag Team Championship twice with Owen Hart in 1995. Photo Credit: WWE.com.
Rodney Anoa’i, better known as the monstrous Yokozuna, was a force to be reckoned with in the WWF during the 1990s. Portrayed as a sumo wrestling champion from Japan and managed by the crafty Mr. Fuji, Yokozuna’s weight fluctuated between 550 and 600 pounds throughout his career.
Yokozuna’s signature move, the devastating “Banzai Drop,” saw him leaping from the second rope onto his prone opponents, often spelling their doom. This finisher, combined with his immense size and surprising agility, made him one of the most dominant and feared competitors of his era.
During his time in the WWF (now WWE), Yokozuna achieved significant success, capturing the WWF Championship twice and holding the WWF Tag Team Championship twice with Owen Hart in 1995. His feuds with American heroes like Hulk Hogan and Lex Luger helped solidify his status as one of the company’s top villains.
Sadly, Yokozuna’s career was cut short due to health issues related to his weight. He passed away on October 23rd, 2000, at the young age of 34. Despite his relatively brief time in the spotlight, Yokozuna left an indelible mark on professional wrestling and was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.
19. The Great Khali: Dominating WWE’s Ring of Giants
The Great Khali, standing at over 7 feet tall, dominated WWE’s best, including Kane. He won the WWE Heavyweight Championship in 2007. Photo Credit: WWE.com.
The Great Khali, billed at just over 7 feet tall, began his wrestling career in 2000 as Dalip Singh for Roland Alexander’s APW promotion in northern California. His imposing stature quickly caught the attention of major promotions, leading to his WWE debut in 2006.
Khali’s early career was marred by controversy when he was involved in the accidental death of fellow student Brian Ong during training in 2001. Despite this tragic incident, Khali’s career continued to progress.
In WWE, Khali became one of the last dominant giants of the modern era. His most notable achievement came in 2007 when he won the World Heavyweight Championship from Rey Mysterio in quick fashion, utilizing his immense height and weight advantage over the high-flying luchador.
After a successful run in WWE, Khali semi-retired from full-time competition in 2014. He has since made occasional appearances for WWE, including a surprise return at Battleground 2017 to assist Jinder Mahal. In 2021, Khali was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy in professional wrestling.
Outside the ring, Khali has ventured into acting, appearing in several Bollywood films and Hollywood productions, such as “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Get Smart” (2008). He also opened a wrestling school in Punjab, India, to train aspiring wrestlers.
Today, The Great Khali remains a cultural icon in India and continues to make sporadic appearances in wrestling and entertainment.
20. The Oddities: A Parade of Human Sideshow Acts
The Oddities, a bizarre group in the late ’90s, featured eccentric characters like Golga, Luna Vachon, Kurrgan, Giant Silva, and even had the Insane Clown Posse (ICP) performing their entrance music. Photo Credit: WWE.com.
The Oddities, also known as The Parade of Human Oddities, deserve special mention in the annals of wrestling’s sideshow attractions.
Emerging in the late ’90s during WWE’s Attitude Era, this group seemed to pay homage to the strange gimmicks that had long been a part of professional wrestling.
Their presentation was reminiscent of promoter Jack Pfefer’s eccentric style but with a modern, high-energy twist. The group even incorporated clips from the 1932 horror film “Freaks” about carnival sideshow performers into their entrance, further emphasizing their unique character.
The Oddities boasted a roster of diverse and peculiar members:
Luna Vachon, known for her unpredictable and intense persona
Kurrgan, an imposing 7-foot Frenchman
Giant Silva, another 7-foot behemoth
Even the legendary George “The Animal” Steele, famous for his green tongue and turnbuckle-eating antics, joined the group during their feud with the Headbangers
The Oddities’ run in WWE was relatively short-lived, lasting from 1998 to 1999. Despite their brief tenure, they left a lasting impression on fans with their unique look and memorable entrance theme performed by the Insane Clown Posse.
While not commercially successful, The Oddities represented a modern interpretation of wrestling’s sideshow roots, bridging the gap between the carnival attractions of the past and the entertainment-focused product of the late ’90s.
The Oddities Entrance Video:
Pro Wrestling’s Freakish Stars: The Unforgettable Human Oddities
From towering giants to tiny warriors, the above twenty bizarre wrestling oddities and sideshow acts stunned and captivated fans worldwide! Photo Credit: NWA, Dave Drason Burzynski, Medium.
This was only a brief look at pro wrestling’s roots in carnivals and sideshows and the interesting characters that have played a huge part in this form of entertainment over the years. While the era of carnival-style attractions may seem like a thing of the past, unique performers continue to captivate audiences in modern wrestling.
Other recent examples include Braun Strowman, whose feats of strength amazed fans, and Hornswoggle, who carried on the tradition of little-person wrestlers in the 21st century.
AEW has also embraced unique attractions, featuring performers like Marko Stunt, whose small stature made him stand out, and Luchasaurus, whose dinosaur gimmick harkens back to the days of outlandish characters. Even on the independent circuit, wrestlers like “The American Giant” Buck Brezner and Microman continue to draw crowds with their distinctive looks and abilities.
The next time you see something oddly carnivalesque on television or the Internet, and you say, “That’s not wrestling!” you’d be right because it isn’t. It’s entertainment – what pro wrestling has always been about.
In February 1977, Wrestling Weekly magazine posed the question: “The Freaks: Good or Bad For Wrestling?” To that, we say, “Very good!” The tradition of unique attractions in wrestling is alive and well, continuing to evolve and captivate audiences in new and exciting ways.
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Javier Ojst is an old-school wrestling enthusiast currently residing in El Salvador. He's been a frequent guest on several podcasts and has a few bylines on TheLogBook.com, where he shares stories of pop culture and retro-related awesomeness. He has also been published on Slam Wrestling and in G-FAN Magazine.
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