Wrestling's 13 Greatest African-American Stars

12. Bobo Brazil

WWE Dwayne The Rock Johnson
WWE

Houston Harris - known to wrestling crowds of the '60s as the 'South American Giant' Bobo Brazil - followed Bearcat Wright in dismantling racial barriers through his skill and effortless charisma.

Though his persona leaned heavily on a stereotype - the archetypal 'jungle savage', which would persist in the industry well into the '90s - Harris' was no heel. His popularity was such that fans - even of racist inclination - began clamouring to see him compete against all the stars of the era, and not just in the 'black only' matches he'd been restricted to.

And he did - and successfully. His Coco Butt finishing move - another racial trope of the time - was wildly popular, and saw Brazil beat the likes of Johnny Valentine, Killer Kowalski, and his most famous rival, The Sheik. In 1962, his rock-hard noggin claimed him his most famous victory, when he felled Buddy Rogers to become the first ever NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

Unfortunately, the sporting body ultimately refused to recognise the change, but this selective scrubbing of history hasn't stopped Brazil earning a legacy as the 'Jackie Robinson of pro-wrestling'.

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Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.