King of the Ring - 1985. July 8, 1985, Foxboro, Massachusetts. Don Muraco defeated The Junkyard Dog Les Thornton defeated Steve Lombardi Paul Orndorff fought Bob Orton, Jr. to a draw Pedro Morales defeated Johnny V WWF Intercontinental Champion Tito Santana defeated Terry Funk Jim Brunzell defeated The Spoiler Ricky Steamboat defeated Greg Valentine The Iron Sheik defeated B. Brian Blair Don Muraco defeated Les Thornton ...

See also:

King of the Ring, King of the Ring - History, King of the Ring - Pay-per-view, King of the Ring - List of winners, King of the Ring - Event results, King of the Ring - 1985, King of the Ring - 1986, King of the Ring - 1987, King of the Ring - 1988, King of the Ring - 1989, King of the Ring - 1991, King of the Ring - 1993, King of the Ring - 1994, King of the Ring - 1995, King of the Ring - 1996, King of the Ring - 1997, King of the Ring - 1998, King of the Ring - 1999, King of the Ring - 2000, King of the Ring - 2001, King of the Ring - 2002, King of the Ring - Trivia, King of the Ring - External link

Read more here: » King of the Ring: Encyclopedia II - King of the Ring - Event results

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., or WWE, is a professional wrestling promotion, currently the largest in North America. The company was previously known as TitanSports, Inc. and has previously done business as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). World Wrestling Entertainment is a publicly-traded company, but 70% of voting shares are owned by Chairman Vince McMahon, his wife, CEO Linda McMahon ...

Including:

• World Wrestling Entertainment - Early history
• World Wrestling Entertainment - World Wide Wrestling Federation
• World Wrestling Entertainment - World Wrestling Federation
• World Wrestling Entertainment - The Golden Age
• World Wrestling Entertainment - Monday Night Wars
• World Wrestling Entertainment - The Montreal Screwjob
• World Wrestling Entertainment - WWF Attitude
• World Wrestling Entertainment - The death of Owen Hart
• World Wrestling Entertainment - Business advances
• World Wrestling Entertainment - The end of the Attitude Era
• World Wrestling Entertainment - World Wrestling Entertainment
• World Wrestling Entertainment - The Brand Extension
• World Wrestling Entertainment - Championships

Read more here: » World Wrestling Entertainment: Encyclopedia - World Wrestling Entertainment

The Hell in a Cell match at the 1998 King of the Ring between The Undertaker and Mankind (Mick Foley) has since become one of the most famous professional wrestling matches in history. In preparing for the match Mick Foley asked longtime mentor and friend Terry Funk for his advice on how to top the first Hell in the Cell, which Foley considered a great match. Funk's fateful advice was to start the match on top of the cage. When the match started, both men climbed on top of the cage before the bell had even rung. After a short b ...

See also:

Hell in a Cell, Hell in a Cell - Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels, Hell in a Cell - Undertaker vs. Mankind, Hell in a Cell - Hell in a Cell history

Read more here: » Hell in a Cell: Encyclopedia II - Hell in a Cell - Undertaker vs. Mankind

Harley Race - Early career. Race was an early fan of pro wrestling, watching programming from the nearby Chicago territory on the DuMont Network. He began training as a pro wrestler as a teen under former world champions Stanislaus and Wladek Zbysko, who operated a farm in his native Missouri. At age 15, while in high school, an altercation with another classmate led to the principal kneeing Race in the back of the head as he tried to break up the fight. Enraged, Race attacked him, resulting in his expulsion. Already 6'2" and 225 pounds, Race deci ...

See also:

Harley Race, Harley Race - Career, Harley Race - Early career, Harley Race - AWA career, Harley Race - NWA singles career, Harley Race - WWF career, Harley Race - WCW career, Harley Race - Retirement and World League Wrestling, Harley Race - Championships and accomplishments

Read more here: » Harley Race: Encyclopedia II - Harley Race - Career

Lawler is perhaps best known not for his considerable wrestling skills, but for a much-publicized feud with the late Andy Kaufman that was later revealed to be completely contrived (a total "work" in wrestling parlance). This feud included a widely-seen confrontation between the two on Late Night with David Letterman. The bad blood between the two men seemed so convincing that it came as a surprise when in 1999 (15 years after Kaufman's death) it was revealed it was all a work. Jerry Lawler has made history as being the wrestler with the most championship reigns of all time. He has ...

See also:

Jerry Lawler, Jerry Lawler - Career, Jerry Lawler - Lawler as commentator, Jerry Lawler - Personal life, Jerry Lawler - Signature moves, Jerry Lawler - Dirty Attacks, Jerry Lawler - Quotes, Jerry Lawler - Championships and accomplishments, Jerry Lawler - Books

Read more here: » Jerry Lawler: Encyclopedia II - Jerry Lawler - Career

When Billy Gunn first arrived in World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) he teamed with his storyline brother, Bart Gunn, as The Smokin' Gunns. The Gunns would separate in late 1996. After feuding briefly with his brother, Gunn struggled to make an impact in the WWF and languished in dead-end gimmicks like "Rockabilly," the new protege of the Honky Tonk Man. When Gunn started teaming with another struggling singles wrestler, the "Road Dogg" Jesse James, to form The New Age Outlaws, however, he finally took the spotlight. The New Age Outl ...

See also:

Monty Sopp, Monty Sopp - World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment, Monty Sopp - Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Monty Sopp - Wrestling facts, Monty Sopp - Finishing and signature moves, Monty Sopp - Managers, Monty Sopp - Quotes, Monty Sopp - Championships and accomplishments, Monty Sopp - Championship succession

Read more here: » Monty Sopp: Encyclopedia II - Monty Sopp - World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment

The year kicked off as Angle competed in his first Royal Rumble match. Angle made it to the final two before he was eliminated by Triple H. By the time No Way Out had rolled around, Angle had gotten himself into a number 1 contender's match with Triple H where Stephanie McMahon was the special referee. After a chair shot and an Angle Slam, Angle pinned Triple H to become the no 1 contender for WrestleMania X8. However, the next night on RAW, WWE co-owner at the time, Ric Flair gave Triple H a rematch with Angle in which he defeated A ...

See also:

Kurt Angle, Kurt Angle - Amateur wrestling, Kurt Angle - Extreme Championship Wrestling, Kurt Angle - World Wrestling Federation, Kurt Angle - World Wrestling Entertainment, Kurt Angle - History of the You Suck! Chant, Kurt Angle - Wrestling facts, Kurt Angle - Finishing and signature moves, Kurt Angle - Managers, Kurt Angle - Championships and accomplishments, Kurt Angle - Championship succession, Kurt Angle - Personal life, Kurt Angle - Trivia, Kurt Angle - Books, Kurt Angle - Videos

Read more here: » Kurt Angle: Encyclopedia II - Kurt Angle - World Wrestling Entertainment

Shamrock had started as a professional wrestler in small promotions in the Carolinas, being managed by Paul Jones, and from there he went to Japan, namely the Japanese UWF and its successor promotions, Fujiwara Gumi and Pancrase. Back in the States, Shamrock first appeared in UFC 1 in November of 1993 where he progressed to the semi-finals—losing to eventual tournament winner, Royce Gracie. After UFC 1, Ken Shamrock vowed to avenge his loss to Royce Gracie. However, it would be nearly a year and a half later before he would get his ...

See also:

Ken Shamrock, Ken Shamrock - Career, Ken Shamrock - MMA Record, Ken Shamrock - Wrestling facts, Ken Shamrock - Finishing and signature moves, Ken Shamrock - Quotes, Ken Shamrock - Championships and accomplishments, Ken Shamrock - Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Ken Shamrock - Championship succession, Ken Shamrock - Trivia, Ken Shamrock - External link

Read more here: » Ken Shamrock: Encyclopedia II - Ken Shamrock - Career

After noticing ECW's growing popularity, the "Big Two" (WCW and the WWF) started adopting their ideas and hiring away their talent. Paul Heyman believes that ECW was the first victim of the "Monday Night War" between WCW Monday Nitro and Monday Night RAW. While the WWF had somewhat of a working relationship with ECW (going as far as allowing cross-promotional storylines), WCW refused to even mention ECW by name, call ...

See also:

Extreme Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling - NWA Eastern Championship Wrestling, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Extreme Championship Wrestling - History, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Tommy Dreamer Versus Raven, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Dudley Family Reign, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Steve Austin Period, Extreme Championship Wrestling - WWF Cross-Promotion, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Crucifixion, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Mass Transit, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Barely Legal, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Justin Credible Period, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The FTW Heavyweight Championship, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Mike Awesome Title Controversy, Extreme Championship Wrestling - XPW, Extreme Championship Wrestling - TNN, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Bankruptcy, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Tod Gordon takes on WWE, Extreme Championship Wrestling - ECW in WWF, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Alliance, Extreme Championship Wrestling - The Rise and Fall of ECW, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Reunion shows, Extreme Championship Wrestling - ECW One Night Stand, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Hardcore Homecoming, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Books, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Final champions, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Famous crowd chants, Extreme Championship Wrestling - General chants, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Wrestler-specific chants, Extreme Championship Wrestling - General performer chants, Extreme Championship Wrestling - Trademarks

Read more here: » Extreme Championship Wrestling: Encyclopedia II - Extreme Championship Wrestling - Extreme Championship Wrestling - History

Foley, who became a professional wrestler in 1983, was noted for his hardcore matches, which frequently left him injured. These injuries included eight concussions, part of his ear being ripped off, second degree burns from a C-4 explosion, and over 300 stitches. While he is admittedly not one of the most physically gifted wrestlers of all time, Foley gained notoriety for his thoughtful and intense promos, in-ring tenacity, and willingness to put his body on the line for many dangerous spots. He was also known for having three distinct gimmi ...

See also:

Mick Foley, Mick Foley - Wrestling career, Mick Foley - Aliases, Mick Foley - Author, Mick Foley - Acting, Mick Foley - Radio, Mick Foley - In wrestling, Mick Foley - Quotes, Mick Foley - Managers, Mick Foley - Finishing and signature moves, Mick Foley - Signature weapons, Mick Foley - Championships and accomplishments, Mick Foley - Championship succession

Read more here: » Mick Foley: Encyclopedia II - Mick Foley - Wrestling career

Before entering professional wrestling, Lesnar was an outstanding amateur wrestler and went to the University of Minnesota on a full wrestling scholarship, where he was roommates with WWE's Shelton Benjamin, himself a talented amateur wrestler. Lesnar won the 2000 NCAA wrestling championships as a heavyweight. He finished runner-up in 1999. Lesnar also wrestled in junior college prior to joining the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In 2000 Lesnar signed with WWE and was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling for development, where he wrestled in a ta ...

See also:

Brock Lesnar, Brock Lesnar - World Wrestling Entertainment, Brock Lesnar - Undisputed Championship, Brock Lesnar - Departure from WWE, Brock Lesnar - Post-WWE career, Brock Lesnar - National Football League, Brock Lesnar - Lawsuit with World Wrestling Entertainment, Brock Lesnar - New Japan Pro Wrestling, Brock Lesnar - In wrestling, Brock Lesnar - Previous managers, Brock Lesnar - Finishing and signature maneuvers, Brock Lesnar - Personal life, Brock Lesnar - Trivia, Brock Lesnar - Championships and accomplishments, Brock Lesnar - Championship succession, Brock Lesnar - External link

Read more here: » Brock Lesnar: Encyclopedia II - Brock Lesnar - World Wrestling Entertainment

On January 25, 2004, Benoit won the 2004 Royal Rumble, last eliminating Big Show, and thus a title shot at WrestleMania XX. As a result of the long-standing Royal Rumble tradition that the winner receives a shot at the world champion at WrestleMania and the fact that there were effectively two world champions due to the brand split, Benoit exploited a "loophole" in the rules and challenged World Heavyweight Champion Triple H instead of the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. This "loophole" clause has become standard storyline practice, with the Royal Rumble win ...

See also:

Chris Benoit, Chris Benoit - Early Career, Chris Benoit - Extreme Championship Wrestling, Chris Benoit - World Championship Wrestling, Chris Benoit - World Wrestling Entertainment, Chris Benoit - The Return, Chris Benoit - World Heavyweight Champion, Chris Benoit - Return to SmackDown!, Chris Benoit - Additional facts, Chris Benoit - Nicknames, Chris Benoit - Previous managers, Chris Benoit - Finishing and signature moves, Chris Benoit - Trademarks, Chris Benoit - Personal life, Chris Benoit - Trivia, Chris Benoit - Championships and accomplishments, Chris Benoit - Championship succession, Chris Benoit - Records

Read more here: » Chris Benoit: Encyclopedia II - Chris Benoit - World Heavyweight Champion

Jason Reso - Edge and Christian. When Reso came to WWF, he shortened his ring name to Christian. He had some early singles success, capturing the Light Heavyweight Championship in his debut match. However, his real success came while wrestling in the tag circuit. Christian was given the character of a vampire and formed a stable with Edge and Gangrel known as The Brood. The Brood briefly joined The Undertaker's Ministry of Dar ...

See also:

Jason Reso, Jason Reso - Early career, Jason Reso - World Wrestling Entertainment, Jason Reso - Edge and Christian, Jason Reso - Singles competition, Jason Reso - Captain Charisma, Jason Reso - Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Jason Reso - Finishing and signature moves, Jason Reso - Championships and accomplishments, Jason Reso - Championship succession, Jason Reso - Personal life

Read more here: » Jason Reso: Encyclopedia II - Jason Reso - World Wrestling Entertainment

Leon White played football in college and the National Football League. He was drafted 80th in the 1978 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. White was also a sparring partner for former WBA Heavyweight Champion Mike Weaver. Eventually, White would grow tired of football and pursue another endeavor. Leon White - Independent Wrestling Promotions. Leon White was trained by Brad Rheingans. He would go on to wrestle his first match under the American Wrestling Association banner. Initially, he wrestled under the name of Baby Bull ...

See also:

Leon White, Leon White - Career Before Wrestling, Leon White - Independent Wrestling Promotions, Leon White - New Japan Pro Wrestling, Leon White - World Championship Wrestling, Leon White - World Wrestling Federation, Leon White - All Japan Pro Wrestling, Leon White - Pro Wrestling NOAH, Leon White - NWA-TNA, Leon White - Dream Stage Ent./Hustle-1, Leon White - World Wrestling Entertainment, Leon White - Wrestling facts, Leon White - Finishing moves, Leon White - Signature moves, Leon White - Managers, Leon White - Quotes, Leon White - Championships and accomplishments, Leon White - Cameos, Leon White - Fist Of The North Star

Read more here: » Leon White: Encyclopedia II - Leon White - Career Before Wrestling

Joanie Laurer trained at Wladek "Killer" Kowalski's wrestling school in Salem, Massachusetts, where she briefly dated Perry "Saturn" Satullo. She debuted in 1995 and worked for various independent promotions as Just Joanie and Joanie Lee. Her career reached new heights when she met World Wrestling Federation employees Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Triple H) and Shawn Michaels in a bar in 1997. Struck by her appearance, they helped her get into the WWF. Her original role was as Chyna, the laconic bodyguard of D-Generation X, often ...

See also:

Joanie Laurer, Joanie Laurer - Wrestling career, Joanie Laurer - Finishing and signature moves, Joanie Laurer - Modeling and acting career, Joanie Laurer - Movies, Joanie Laurer - Championships and accomplishments, Joanie Laurer - Books

Read more here: » Joanie Laurer: Encyclopedia II - Joanie Laurer - Wrestling career

Gerald Brisco - Amateur career. Gerald Brisco grew up with five siblings and an absent father in Oklahoma. He followed his brother, the legendary Jack Brisco, into sport wrestling, and was eventually awarded an athletics scholarship to Oklahoma State after winning two AAU tournaments. During the spring break of 1968, Brisco was in Missouri with Jack, and was asked to substitute for his brother's injured tag team partner despite his lack of professional training. After Brisco contracted hepatitis and injured his knee, he decided to drop out of college and b ...

See also:

Gerald Brisco, Gerald Brisco - Career, Gerald Brisco - Amateur career, Gerald Brisco - Professional career, Gerald Brisco - Profile, Gerald Brisco - Championships and accomplishments, Gerald Brisco - Championship succession, Gerald Brisco - External link

Read more here: » Gerald Brisco: Encyclopedia II - Gerald Brisco - Career

The Outlaws were formed when struggling superstars Billy Gunn and Road Dogg Jesse James teamed-up in late 1997. They first made an impact in their feud with Cactus Jack and Chainsaw Charlie, when they put them in a dumpster and pushed the dumpster off a stage, sending both to the hospital. Their first contact with D-Generation X came when they then feuded with the legendary Legion of Doom. Throughout 1998 the Outlaws would rise in popularity. In the aftermath of WrestleMania XIV the Outlaws joined the revitalized Triple H-led D-X. The Outlaw ...

See also:

New Age Outlaws, New Age Outlaws - World Wrestling Federation, New Age Outlaws - Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, New Age Outlaws - Championships and accomplishments, New Age Outlaws - Introduction

Read more here: » New Age Outlaws: Encyclopedia II - New Age Outlaws - World Wrestling Federation

Terri Poch debuted in 1989 as Terri Powers, defeating Leilani Kai. She joined the Ladies Professional Wrestling Association in 1990, and on February 23, 1992 at Super Ladies Showdown in Rochester, Minnesota in the Mayo Civic Center she defeated Lady X for the LPWA Championship. She was never defeated for the title, and eventually vacated it. In the summer of 1992 Poch began wrestling in Japan for All Japan Women. She competed in the Japan Grand Prix, finishing ninth, and the Fuji Network Tag Team Tournament (with Kyoko Inoue as her partner). She remained in Japan until 1993, w ...

See also:

Terri Poch, Terri Poch - Career, Terri Poch - Wrestling facts, Terri Poch - Finishing and signature moves, Terri Poch - Wrestler managed by Poch, Terri Poch - Championships and accomplishments

Read more here: » Terri Poch: Encyclopedia II - Terri Poch - Career

In January 1996, Austin joined the World Wrestling Federation. Initially, Austin used the moniker "The Ringmaster", holder of Ted DiBiase's unsanctioned "Million Dollar Belt", a title DiBiase created for himself in 1989. Not liking his ring name at all, Austin asked WWF writers to come up with a new name for his character that would suggest a ruthless, cold-hearted persona; according to legend and Mick Foley in particular, the writers suggested "Chilly McFreeze", "Freezy Pops" and "Ice Dagger", among other, less ridiculous pseudonyms. Austin ...

See also:

Stone Cold Steve Austin, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Early life and career, Stone Cold Steve Austin - World Championship Wrestling, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Extreme Championship Wrestling, Stone Cold Steve Austin - World Wrestling Federation, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Austin 3:16, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Feud with the Hart Foundation, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Austin vs. McMahon, Stone Cold Steve Austin - 2001 to 2002, Stone Cold Steve Austin - World Wrestling Entertainment, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Return to the ring, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Trivia, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Wrestling facts, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Finishing and signature moves, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Managers, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Championships and accomplishments, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Championship succession, Stone Cold Steve Austin - Books

Read more here: » Stone Cold Steve Austin: Encyclopedia II - Stone Cold Steve Austin - World Wrestling Federation

Calaway debuted in the then-World Wrestling Federation on November 22, 1990 at Survivor Series 1990 as Cain the Undertaker. The name Cain was dropped soon afterward (but was later recycled, under a new spelling, as the name of Calaway's "brother"). The appearance of Undertaker was modelled on that of morticians from old Western movies, with the character being supposedly impervious to pain and possessing supernatural powers such as teleportation and manipulation of flames and lightning. It was also at this time that Undertaker switched managers from Brother L ...

See also:

Mark Calaway, Mark Calaway - Early career, Mark Calaway - World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment, Mark Calaway - The Phenom, Mark Calaway - The American Bad Ass, Mark Calaway - The Return of The Deadman, Mark Calaway - WrestleMania winning streak, Mark Calaway - Wrestling facts, Mark Calaway - Finishing moves, Mark Calaway - Signature moves, Mark Calaway - Managers, Mark Calaway - Nicknames, Mark Calaway - Incarnations, Mark Calaway - Championships and accomplishments, Mark Calaway - Championship succession, Mark Calaway - Personal life

Read more here: » Mark Calaway: Encyclopedia II - Mark Calaway - World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment