The evolution of professional wrestling: Stars who defined their times

EARLY YEARS

In the late 1880s, wrestling was entertainment at traveling circuses, featuring stars with fictionalized backgrounds in costumes. Outcomes were predetermined because many matches were used for gambling -- as a scam to dupe the betting public. From the 1900s on, wrestling was immensely popular and Frank Gotch was the first undisputed heavyweight champion. After he retired in 1913, wrestling suffered, but it survived and evolved with several regional promotions.

1950s

Gorgeous George: A grand showman and the first to have a gimmick. He curled his bleached blond locks, and two men entered the ring with him, spraying opponents with perfume. His act was perfect for television and many credit him for selling as many tubes as Milton Berle.

Lou Thesz: Considered by many to be the greatest wrestling champion of all time, he is credited as being the final undisputed world champion of the 1900s after unifying several different titles that were recognized at the time. He united the AWA and WWA World championships, and was known for a move where he hooked his arms around his opponent's head.

1960s

Bruno Sammartino : "The Italian Superman," is considered by many to be the greatest WWWF champion. He won his first title in 1963, and was champion for 11 years over two reigns, helping to establish the WWWF as a wrestling power. The WWWF is now known as WWE.

Verne Gagne: While Sammartino dominated the northeast, Gagne dominated the Midwest and the American Wrestling Association. He is the only 10-time AWA champion. Never glamorous or boastful, he simply used his wide array of techniques to become a master showman on the mat. Plus, as the AWA promoter, he got to call the shots, anyway.

1970s

Harley Race: The seven-time National Wrestling Alliance world heavyweight champion won his first title in 1973 when he defeated Dory Funk Jr. He was a part of the first NWA vs. WWWF match, wrestling "Superstar" Billy Graham to a bloody 1-hour draw. He retired in 1991 after working for all of wrestling's major promotions and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2004.

"Superstar" Billy Graham: Wearing tie-dye and feather boas, he is one of the most influential wrestlers because of his clothes and his smooth interviews. Graham beat Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF title in 1977 and held it for almost 10 months -- a record for a heel.

Andre The Giant: Listed at 7 feet 4 and around 500 pounds, he was the biggest athlete the world had ever seen. He joined WWWF in 1973 and was one of the biggest draws and most popular wrestlers over the next 20 years. For nearly 15 years he went undefeated and his match with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 3 is considered one of the most memorable ever.

1980s

Hulk Hogan: Arguably the most famous wrestler of all time, Hogan won the WWF title from the Iron Sheik in 1984 and a star was born. His championship run lasted nearly four years, which nobody has come close to matching since. Hulkamania captivated the country, landing Hogan in television and movie roles, and bringing wrestling to the national forefront like never before.

Ric Flair: Wooooooooo! "The Nature Boy" is still in the ring after starting his career -- and once breaking his back in a plane crash -- in the 1970s. He became famous for his cockiness, struts, custom-tailored sequined robes and screaming 'Wooo!' into the microphone. He was also a part of wrestling's greatest factions, The Four Horsemen, with Arn Anderson, Ole Anderson and Tully Blanchard.

1990s

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin: The beer-guzzling, trash-talking Austin is one of the most beloved stars ever and his clashes with promoter Vince McMahon are among his most remembered angles. He started with WCW but was fired as he recuperated from an injury. The WWF later picked him up, and the rest is history. The Stone Cold Stunner is his signature move.

The Rock: The third-generation wrestler is probably the second-most recognized wrestler in history behind Hogan. "If you smell what The Rock is cooking" became one of the most popular catch-phrases of all-time, and his ability to entertain and talk smack about his opponents helped the WWF to its most profitable era. He eventually left wrestling to star in movies.

Shawn Michaels: He helped transform tag-team action with Marty Jannetty in the late 1980s and became one of WWE's elite singles wrestlers in the 1990s and beyond.

"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan: Hogan left WWF for WCW in 1994, and in a stunning move, turned heel (trading his yellow and red for black) and established the New World Order two years later. He won the WCW title six times between 1994 and 1999 before returning to WWE in 2002. He wrestled The Rock at WrestleMania 18 -- one of the top matches in the event's history.

2000s

Triple H: "The Cerebral Assassin" is an 11-time world champion and one of the most popular wrestlers today. He formed D-Generation X, an anti-establishment faction, with Shawn Michaels to become a constant thorn in Vince McMahon's side. Oh, and he's also married to McMahon's only daughter, Stephanie.

The Undertaker: Dressed in all black, black eye makeup and a black hat, the Undertaker has been going strong for more than 15 years. He is 15-0 at WrestleMania. Throughout his career, the Undertaker has disappeared for months at a time but he always mysteriously returns to seek vengeance against those who have sent him away.

-- SOURCES: WRESTLINGMUSEUM.COM AND WWE