10 Most Insane Wrestling Magazine Covers Ever

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.