The 11 Most Influential Professional Wrestlers Born in Michigan

Michigan has been a professional wrestling hotbed since the 'sport' left carnivals and began invading high school gymnasiums and civic centers before eventually setting an indoor attendance record at the Silverdome in 1987. Pro wrestling arguably wouldn't be the entertainment juggernaut it is today without the influence of Michigan-born superstars.

Related: When 'Big Time Wrestling' Ruled TV - Detroit, Michigan: 1945-1980

Yes, it's scripted, but I have been a professional wrestling fan for as long as I can remember. I nearly lost my mind when Wrestlemania III came to Detroit, Michigan, and set a record for the largest indoor attendance at 93,173. Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant collided in the center of the ring, miles from my home.

I didn't go to the show but wore out the VHS copy I'd made. The Hogan / Andre match made every 12-year-old jump out of their seat in 1987, but they realized that wasn't the main event as they got older.

Get our free mobile app

The greatest Wrestlemania match of all time, if not THE BEST MATCH OF ALL TIME, took place inside the Silverdome in 1987, but it wasn't the main event. Randy "Macho Man" Savage and his valet, Miss Elizabeth, had been feuding with Ricky the Dragon Steamboat and Michigan native George "The Animal" Steele for nearly a year, and their match for the Intercontinental Championship was beautiful.

If you've never seen it, go out of your way to watch it. Even if you're not a fan of professional wrestling, you'll be impressed by these two performers' willingness and ability to challenge what the human body can do, even when it's "fake."