Who has/had more mainstream awareness than people realize?

[thegame415]

I think one example is Big Show. A lot of people know him from his association with the nWo. I think the whole "Big Show vs Shaq" idea stems from the mid in late '90's, as both were extremely tall athletes who audiences enjoyed.

I also believe John Cena doesn't get enough credit for how well he's known outside of wrestling fans. His face is recognizable, obviously not to the level of a Rock or Hogan, but I think he's one of the more mainstream stars ever.

Any others?

[themule]

Those Booker T 7-11 cups sure did sell out quick, faster than any Hogan cup.

[Ultimo Gallos]

Basing all my info on my father,who hasn't watched any WWF/WWE since about 88.

Cena-He knows who this is cause FX loves to run the various WWE films with Cena in them.
Orton-Same as above.
Big Show-Dad loved Knucklehead.
CM Punk-Only cause Dad saw his UFC fight.

Now when I lived right outside Houston for a decade Booker T was known by everyone. Mostly cause he is from the area.


That is about it for him.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

A few of the older wrestlers were known at least by their nickname.

While they might not have known the guys, people knew the names "Million Dollar Man" and Jake the Snake. Being Britain, the British Bulldog was on that list where people knew the name too.

Also Ultimate Warrior, when people design a generic "pro wrestler" half the time for the last 30 years they've drawn him, even though he was a bit of a flash in the pan in the wrestling world.

[Bo Rida]

Old British wrestling has some crazy viewing figures.

Jackie Pallo vs Mick McManus is commonly said to have had 20m viewers. Google says the population at the time was 53m which would have meant nearly 40% of the country watched the match (probably including members of the royal family).

[CMPunkyBrewster]

Whether anyone else will admit it or not, Triple H is very well known beyond wrestling.

[Can you afford to pay me, Gah]

May 19, 2017 13:47:47 GMT -5 Ultimo Gallos said:

Basing all my info on my father,who hasn't watched any WWF/WWE since about 88.

Cena-He knows who this is cause FX loves to run the various WWE films with Cena in them.
Orton-Same as above.
Big Show-Dad loved Knucklehead.
CM Punk-Only cause Dad saw his UFC fight.

Now when I lived right outside Houston for a decade Booker T was known by everyone. Mostly cause he is from the area.


That is about it for him.

Cena also did stuff like SNL and hosted the Today Show a couple times. He a lot more Main Stream than he gets credit for.

[Stone Coke Miami Watson 🥃]

I'm surprised how many people that I've met from Texas know the Von Erich family and can tell you the names of each of the brothers and how they passed away...

[wildojinx]

People underestimate how well known Sgt. Slaughter is. Not just for GI Joe, he was pretty much a household name in the 80s.

[Joe Neglia]

[saintpat]

I believe more people know who Hulk Hogan is and Andre the Giant was than who know/remember Steve Austin. I'd wager Goldberg might also, if only because of reality TV and his recent return run that got him some mainstream coverage.

[ToyfareMark]

The Undertaker is far more well known than many people would believe.

[Perfect Timing]

Randy Savage.

Who most outside might remember as that old flamboyant man with the ridiculous voice.

[thecrusherwi]

Almost every male I've met who was a kid or teen during the late 90s wrestling boom knows your core WCW guys. They know the legends like Hogan, Savage, Flair, and Piper, but most know Goldberg, DDP, Hall, Nash, and for some reason, they all seem to know Rey Mysterio

[Deleted]

A lot of lapsed fans can pick Jake the Snake and Ted DiBiase out of a line-up. Hacksaw Duggan, too.

[The Thread Barbi]

May 20, 2017 6:24:46 GMT -5 thecrusherwi said:

Almost every male I've met who was a kid or teen during the late 90s wrestling boom knows your core WCW guys. They know the legends like Hogan, Savage, Flair, and Piper, but most know Goldberg, DDP, Hall, Nash, and for some reason, they all seem to know Rey Mysterio

Rey Mysterio is surprisingly popular with lapsed fans and the general public. The little guy in the mask who can do awesome stunts is the general description.

[percymania]

According to Jindar Mahal, The Great Khali is the most recognizable person on Earth.

[Joe Neglia]

May 20, 2017 17:10:18 GMT -5 percymania said:

According to Jindar Mahal, The Great Khali is the most recognizable person on Earth.

He...might not be entirely wrong on that.

[wildojinx]

Gene LeBell. Just look at his wikipedia page:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_LeBell

[OVO 40 hunched over like he 80]

Crimson! His Wikipedia is larger than Hogan....

In all seriousness I was really surprised when people I know that are not even wrestling fans know who the Undertaker is, except a shitty Hulk Hogan movie, Taker never did another movie or outside project from wrestling.