10 WWE Wrestlers Who Had Unimpressive Physiques In The Golden Era

The Golden Era of WWE seemed to start with the birth of HulkaMania and ran through 1992. During that time period, professional wrestling boomed all over popular culture. The Rock and Wrestling craze that WWE produced would make sports entertainment a mainstream media sensation. During that time period, WWE would focus on pushing talent that was larger than life. Stars like Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior had muscular physiques that jumped off the screen.

The Golden Era was most definitely the era of the Superman. Yet, even in the midst of muscles upon muscles, some talent found a place on the card without larger-than-life biceps. Even with unimpressive physiques, these stars were part of the Golden Era.

10 The Genius

Lanny Poffo was a mainstay in WWE during the Golden Era. Poffo, as a babyface, was the first North American wrestler to perform a Moonsault in WWE. Yet, his most notorious run in the Golden Era was as the hated, Genius. As The Genius, Poffo would win a match with the Immortal Hulk Hogan on Saturday Night's Main Event in 1989.

Poffo was billed as 6' and 235 pounds, but compared to the stars of the Golden Era his physique was not up to par. Many suggest Poffo's longevity was tied to his brother Randy Savage's backstage pull.

9 The Rockers

The Rockers, Shawn Michaels, and Marty Jannetty were called tag team specialists during their Golden Era run. That moniker was because of their size.

Both Rockers were billed to weigh under 235 pounds. Compared to teams like Demolition or Powers of Pain the Rockers' physique didn't match up. Even against teams like the Hart Foundation and the British Bulldogs the Rockers were outmatched in power.

8 Koko B. Ware

Koko B. Ware is a WWE Hall of Famer. His run as a mid-card wrestler in the WWE Golden Era made him a household name. Coming to the ring with his pet bird, Frankie made him a huge babyface with the kids in attendance.

Yet, Koko's physique did not match up with the surrounding supermen. The Birdman was 5'7 and weighed 227 pounds. During the end of the Golden Era, Koko's physique even added some more heft. Yet, the former Pretty Young Thing was a great in-ring act.

7 Red Rooster

Terry Taylor would compete as the Red Rooster during the WWE Golden Era. Terry Taylor is 6'1 and weighs 225 pounds. He was built like an athlete, yet during the Golden Era, his physique did not match up to the other superstars in WWE.

Taylor stood out in Mid South Wrestling, but around the hulking stars of WWE, Taylor would look scrawny on screen. His physique was not enhanced by his red Mohawk on top of his head. The Red Rooster would leave WWE in June 1990.

6 Dusty Rhodes

The American Dream Dusty Rhodes would compete in the WWE Golden Era from 1989 through the 1991 Royal Rumble. The 6'2 near 300-pounder was never known for his body, but that lack of physique was enhanced in WWE.

WWE would put the Common Man in yellow polka dots that would not be flattering on any performer. During the WWE run, Rhodes would have memorable feuds with Randy Savage and Ted DiBiase. Yet, at the end of the run, Rhodes lost matches to Sgt. Slaughter, Virgil, and Rick Martel.

5 Boris Zhukov

Boris Zhukov was a 6'2 and 260-pound Russian character in the WWE Golden Era. Truthfully, the man playing the Zhukov role was American James Harrell. Yet, playing the evil Russian heel would keep Zhukov on the WWE roster from 1987 to 1991.

During that 4 year run, Zhukov's physique was never up to par with the other wrestlers on the roster. Even his Bolsheviks partner, Nikolai Volkoff was 6'4 and well over 300 pounds. Zhukov's character work kept him in WWE.

4 Sam Houston

Sam Houston would compete in WWE during the late 1980s and early 1990s. While Houston never got above the mid-card in WWE, he is still a memorable cowboy character. By the end of his WWE run, Houston was nothing more than a jobber to the stars.

His 6'1, 220-pound physique was unremarkable, yet Houston still hung around the roster for almost half a decade. Similar to Lanny Poffo, Houston's longevity was tied to his more famous (half) brother Jake The Snake Roberts.

3 Bobby Heenan

While Bobby Heenan was nothing more than a part-time in-ring performer during the WWE Golden Era, he still belongs on this list. The Brain would reach legendary status as a manager during the era, but before managing Heenan was an in-ring performer.

At 5'10 and 240 pounds, Heenan never looked like a professional wrestler, yet his gift for gab would make him a great wrestling heel. During the Golden Era, Heenan's in-ring performances were few and far between, but they did happen.

2 Honky Tonk Man

The Honky Tonk Man will always be a memorable character in the WWE Golden Era. During the era, Honky would become the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time. Honky's ability to enrage a crowd and cheat in the ring made him an ideal professional wrestling heel.

Yet, Honky's physique did not match up with the other performers at the top of the card. At 6'1, 243, Honky was far from the most muscular performer. Yet, physique withstanding, Honky was a huge Golden Era star.

1 Jake Roberts

Jake The Snake Roberts is one of the most memorable characters of the Golden Era. Roberts is on the short list of most successful wrestlers to never win the World Heavyweight Championship.

During his heyday, Roberts stood 6'6 and weighed 250 pounds. Yet, even in his prime, Roberts was known for his in-ring psychology and promos and not his physique. Roberts lacked a refined physique even during his top WWE performances. Jake The Snake Roberts would leave a lasting impression on all WWE Golden Era fans.