10 Most Revolutionary Individuals In Wrestling History
1. Toots Mondt Creates Modern Professional Wrestling
When discussing pioneers in pro wrestling’s history, it would be sinful to omit the man who, in essence, created the modern concept of professional wrestling, Toots Mondt.
Before he came along, wrestling was very much an athletic concept that was centered on overpowering your opponent. But these contests were very long, boring, and more often than not, void of any true excitement. Thus, Mondt went against the orthodoxy of the time and created something entirely different.
He created the concept of ‘Slam Bang Western Wrestling’, which, over time, saw the grappling art that hadn’t changed over centuries evolve into what it is today. Matches became predetermined, shorter time-limits became standard practice, strike attacks were added to complement legitimate holds, and most importantly, the concept of the program, featuring pre-established good guys and bad guys, was adopted.
In making these changes, Mondt turned an overly-realistic strongman contest into a radical new form of entertainment that allowed for audiences to suspend their disbelief and identify themselves with good and bad guys. Mondt’s philosophy allowed him to become the unquestioned king of wrestling promotion in the northeast until Vince McMahon, Sr. came along.
His vision created a form of entertainment that would become the staple of American entertainment for decades, and would serve as the template for virtually all of professional wrestling going forward.