10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (May 6)

6. The Honky Tonk Man Gauged His Success On Bruno Sammartino's

Xavier Woods Steve Austin
WWE.com

Despite never possessing the greatest physique in the world, The Honky Tonk Man is one of the most memorable figures in WWE history. A top heel throughout his main run in the 1980's, the Elvis-inspired gimmick worked wonders for the man.

At his peak, he was genuinely despised by fans.

As a result of the fact people loved to boo him, Honky helped sell out huge venues like Madison Square Garden. Telling the Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast that he sold the building out no less than 8 times, the former heel also remarked that he didn't really see that as comparable to the achievements of one Bruno Sammartino.

A beloved babyface, Sammartino sold MSG out regularly on a monthly basis during his prime. That was the kind of thing The Honky Tonk Man viewed as real success, which is why he takes umbrage at the fact the WWE Performance Center hires head trainers who didn't experience much of a headline run in the company.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.