10 Most Insane Wrestling Magazine Covers Ever
Top Shelf.
The wrestling magazine is an enduring beast. Though experiencing gradual decline alongside just about every other form of print media, it clings on, thanks in part to an industry that lends itself well to the production of a high quality, vibrant regular publication.
As times have changed, the nature and purpose of the magazine has too. With daily news updates cascading through websites and social media to suit the increasingly busy lives of most users, the printed word has become a place for detailed analysis and thoughtful introspection to be consumed in a more leisurely environment.
But in the pre-internet days, magazines were a crucial tool in selling a product and selling tickets. WWE ran a tight ship with their in-house publication, and editor Vince Russo took that to the next level in 1996 with the critically acclaimed Raw Magazine. A fiery publication that presented a company producing the hottest, most daring content even before they actually did, it was dynamic enough to aid his rapid ascension.
Independent magazines were even more popular from the 1960s through to the mid-1990s, with Pro Wrestling Illustrated et al shining a spotlight on all the action from the various territories in the pre-expansion era. The sights of heroes and villains in the heat of the action brought life to names many had only ever heard of, and raised their aura ahead of an arrival for the star in their local town. This made for some daring and occasionally dark sales pitches from the industry's top reads.
10. The Wrestler, May 1973
Cover Star(s): Terry Funk, 'Superstar' Billy Graham, Bobby Heenan
Headline(s): 'CAN THE SLAUGHTER BE STOPPED?', 'RICKY ROMERO'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE FANS', 'HANK JAMES' SECRET PLAN TO DESTROY THE FUNKS'
Notes: This May 1973 edition of 'The Wrestler' highlights some of the ingredients that went into the most successful covers of the day, especially from the cornerstone publications produced by highly respected sportswriter and publisher Stanley Weston. Alongside Inside Wrestling, Wrestling Revue and most famously Pro Wrestling Illustrated, the collection that all mirrored a similar style would become affectionately known as 'Apter Mags' after chief editor and sportswriter Bill Apter.
High drama, intense headers and lots of blood were key in helping the magazines stick out on the newsstands, and also draw attention to performers localised fans may not have ever experienced first hand during the territorial era.
Emotively positioning the bloodied veterans as having been 'slaughtered' in their respective contests, Bobby Heenan's pull-quote is particularly evocative, noting that 'They found me on the floor lying in my own blood'.
Immediately intriguing, it's hard even now to not want to dig in to the stories further.