The Most Flashy Icons in Pro Wrestling History

The world of professional wrestling exudes a sublime kind of energy that is unmatched by any other sport. Just tune in to an intense match between two ruthless wrestlers, and you'll suddenly feel an electric sensation coursing down your spine. 

Many wonders where this magic comes from. Our big guess is the wrestlers who are so flamboyant we can't help but be dazzled the moment they make their entrance. This tradition of captivating fans has existed in professional wrestling for decades, and today's list will present 50 pro wrestling legends who gave this amazing sport the zing that makes it so addictive today.

X-Pac

Due to the harsh conditions surrounding his childhood, with no father to provide for him and an emotionally unavailable mother, a young Sean Waltman, who would one day be regarded as X-Pac when mounting the ring, had to drop out of school. This led him to seek a career in wrestling at a tender age when he was considered too young and too skinny to compete.

Fast forward to 1993, and Waltman reappeared as "The 1-2-3 Kid," a more mature wrestler. Waltman would go on to possess one of the most successful careers in WWE history, with the bulk of his wins being tag team championships and world heavyweight championships.

The Grand Wizard

Ernie Roth was not a wrestler but a wrestling manager who was so passionate about this sport that he gave himself an energetic persona similar to any wrestler making money in the ring. The story has it that Roth was too petite to have a wrestling career, so he opted to be a manager instead.

Under the stage name "The Grand Wizard," Roth was a WWE villain, with a very loud appearance and personality. He mentored several wrestlers to stardom, including Pat Patterson, the very first intercontinental champion, Superstar Billy Graham, and Prof. Toru Tanaka. For his contribution to professional wrestling in the 1970s, Roth was inducted into the WWE’s Hall of Fame in 1995, several years after his passing.

The Ultimate Warrior

Though you probably remember him as the Ultimate Warrior from the World Wrestling Federation, James Hellwig’s career began much earlier in bodybuilding. It was after he had worked several years as a bodybuilder that he transitioned to professional wrestling in 1987.

Two years after joining the WWF, he became a two-time WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and the WWF Champion at Wrestlemania VI. Aside from his exceptional battling abilities, he was also an outstanding performer, exuding great control over his audience, who got goosebumps just waiting for him to make his grand entrance. Sadly, in 2014, he met an untimely demise at the age of 54.