10 Hidden Masterminds Behind Wrestling's Biggest Ever Stars
7. Eddie Sharkey
Eddie Sharkey's legendary training CV speaks for itself.
Generations of industry icons were put through their paces by the criminally underrated coach. A carnival wrestler in the 1950s and NWA North American Champion a decade later, Sharkey's long lasting legacy in the industry was made by those that emerged as megastars following his tutelage.
Bob Backlund, Nikita Koloff, Ravishing Rick Rude, The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering, Rick Steiner, Sean Waltman, Jesse Ventura are just some of the names that made it to the top of the profession. The Warlord, Barry Darsow, Austin Aries, Jerry Lynn, Madusa, Mike Enos and Wayne Bloom, John Nord and ODB are just some more.
The Minneapolis set are famed not just for their many skills in the ring but also how hard as f*cking nails most of them were. Rude, Darsow, Animal and Hawk were both scouted by Sharkey as bouncers, highlighting his eye for talent alongside his gifts as a maker of monsters.
Speaking of which...