5. The Destroyer
As The Destroyer (occasionally billed as Dr. X), Dick Beyer is one of the most respected names in pro wrestling, as well as the guy that practically wrote the book on playing a masked character. Although The Destroyer gimmick was only designed to be temporary, it actually got over extremely well. Like all good masked wrestlers, Beyer would wear his mask everywhere he went (and continues to do so to this day). He played his character up to the hilt and fans around the world went crazy for it. Following high profile runs for the WWA (World Wrestling Associates) and the old NWA, Beyer went to work for Verne Gagnes AWA (American Wrestling Association) in Minneapolis. Here, he changed his name to Dr. X and continued to be a successful draw in the region, eventually unseating Gagne himself for the AWA World Heavyweight Championship. Finally, Beyer returned as The Destroyer for a series of incredibly successful tours across Japan and Canada. The Destroyer ended his glittering career as a 4-time World Champion, leaving behind an enduring legacy as one of the most memorable characters in the history of professional wrestling.