Introduction to 80s Wrestling Legends
The 1980s was a pivotal time for professional wrestling, marked by the rise of Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and the decline of the territory system. This era saw the birth of Hulkamania, the creation of WrestleMania, and the introduction of pay-per-view events. The success of these endeavors can be attributed to the larger-than-life characters that populated wrestling television during this time.
Unfortunately, many of the biggest stars from this era have passed away, including Andre the Giant, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and Hulk Hogan. However, there are still many wrestling legends from the 1980s who are alive and active, maintaining a public presence through social media, convention appearances, and other means. In this article, we will explore what some of the top stars from the 1980s are doing today.
Jesse Ventura – Return to Commentary
Jesse “The Body” Ventura is a household name in the world of professional wrestling. After making a name for himself in the ring, Ventura became known for his commentary work in the WWF throughout the 1980s. He also had notable roles in movies like “Predator” and “The Running Man,” alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
A disagreement over royalties led to Ventura leaving the WWF in 1990. He went on to pursue a career in politics, becoming the mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and later the governor of Minnesota. Ventura has also worked as a commentator in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and has written several books. In 2025, he returned to the commentary desk for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
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Ricky Steamboat – Living the Life of a Wrestling Legend
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is best known for his iconic matches with Ric Flair in the 1980s. Steamboat spent the first half of the decade in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) before joining the WWF in 1985. Over the years, he has worked for various companies, including a stint as a backstage agent for WWE.
In recent years, Steamboat has made appearances for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), serving as a guest timekeeper and commentator. In 2022, he ended a 12-year in-ring absence, teaming up with FTR to wrestle Nick Aldis, Jay Lethal, and Brock Anderson at an independent show in North Carolina. Today, Steamboat can often be found doing signings on the convention circuit.
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Jake The Snake Roberts – Onscreen Manager
Jake “The Snake” Roberts is a wrestling legend known for his memorable snake gimmick. Offscreen, Roberts has battled addiction and personal demons. However, with the help of former WCW star “Diamond” Dallas Page, Roberts was able to overcome his struggles and turn his life around.
In recent years, Roberts has become associated with AEW, acting as the onscreen manager for Lance Archer. He has also made appearances as a manager for other wrestlers, including Los Faccion Ingobernables. Although he hasn’t appeared on AEW TV since late 2024, Roberts remains a beloved figure in the world of professional wrestling.
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Wendi Richter – Occupational Therapist
Wendi Richter was one of the biggest names in women’s wrestling in the 1980s. She had a high profile during the WWF’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling era and worked closely with pop star Cyndi Lauper onscreen. However, a fateful decision made by McMahon led to Richter being screwed out of the championship by The Fabulous Moolah, and she subsequently left the company.
Richter continued wrestling for years after that and was eventually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2010. After working as a real estate agent, Richter now works as an occupational therapist. In the summer of 2025, Richter reportedly lost her home in a fire, with the Cauliflower Alley Club establishing a fundraiser to help the former WWE star.
Bob Backlund – Retired in Florida
Bob Backlund was one of the top stars in the WWF from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. However, when Vince K. McMahon took over the company, Backlund found himself on borrowed time, as Hulk Hogan was destined to become the next face of the company.
After dropping the world title to the Iron Sheik in 1983, Backlund left the WWF. He continued to wrestle on and off for several decades, including returns to the WWF and an eventual Hall of Fame induction. In 2016, he made a more substantial return to WWE TV, acting as the manager for wrestler Darren Young.
Today, Backlund is living in quiet retirement in Florida. Unfortunately, reports have emerged that the WWE Hall of Famer is suffering from dementia and has started living with his sister.
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Ted DiBiase, also known as “The Million Dollar Man,” built a reputation as an excellent wrestler and talker in the 1980s. He worked across the NWA and around the world before joining the WWF in 1987. DiBiase became a top star in the company, known for his charismatic personality and iconic theme song.
However, in recent years, DiBiase has been embroiled in a welfare fraud scandal. Reports emerged in 2020 claiming that his son Brett DiBiase, who was deputy administrator of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, handed out over $2 million in welfare funds to Ted’s ministry. The scandal has involved several high-profile figures, including former NFL quarterback Brett Favre, and members of the DiBiase family could still face jail time over the incident.
