The 1990s would see the landscape and physical shape of professional wrestlers begin to change in WWE and WCW. In the 1980s, supersized musclemen ruled the sport. The bigger the arms, the bigger the pay checks. WWE would become a global juggernaut on the muscular backs of their supermen. Yet, the desire to be bigger in the sport would lead to rampant steroid use and abuse. Yet, in the early 1990s WWE would go through a steroid scandal that would usher in the smaller superstars such as Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels.
RELATED: 13 Most Muscular Physiques In WCW History, Ranked
While musclemen were still a part of professional wrestling, the industry began to change. The ability to put on an athletic exhibition and cut an emotional promo would trump the size of a performer's arms. Yet, the 1990s still had their fair share of peaks and pecs. Some of the 90s largest musclemen are still involved in the sport, while some have stepped away.
10 Tatanka
The Native American Tatanka isn't always considered a body guy, but he was most definitely a muscular figure. Before the Native American Tatanka become a household name on WWE television he was a successful bodybuilder. The 6'2, 285 pounder would wrestle in WWE from 1991 until 1996. While Tatanka would compete regularly for WWE gold, he would not capture a title in his WWE career. He would win a Slammy for the Greediest Superstar in 1994. In 2005, Tatanka would have another short, yet popular run in WWE. In 2015, Tatanka would sign a legends contract with WWE. In 2016, he appeared in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Today, Tatanka is 62 years old and enjoys making appearances and sharing his career on social media.
9 Tony Atlas
Mr. USA Tony Atlas is more remembered for his wrestling career in the 1980s. Atlas has a WWE World Tag Team title reign with Rocky Johnson on his 1980s resume. Yet, Atlas and his chiseled physique were active in the 1990s as well. In 1990 and 1991, Atlas would perform under the somewhat racist Saba Simba gimmick in WWE. Then in 1992 and 1993, Atlas would be a part of the WCW mid card. Atlas would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. Tony Atlas is still involved with the business today. As of late fans have seen Tony Atlas add commentary to the Dark Side of the Ring episode featuring the Junkyard Dog.
8 Triple H
Triple H began bodybuilding at the age of 14. Triple H would begin training for wrestling in 1990. He would compete in WCW shortly in 1994-1995. Then, he made his debut as Hunter Hearst Helmsley in WWE in 1995. Triple H would go on to become one of the most decorated stars in the history of the company.
RELATED:10 Things Wrestling Fans Should Know About Triple H's Time In WCW
Triple H is a 14 time World Champion, 5 time Intercontinental Champion and a WWE Grand Slam Champion. Triple H also married the boss's daughter, Stephanie McMahon. His storied career is still going, as present day Triple H is the Chief Content Operator and Head of Creative for WWE.
7 Sid Vicious
The 6'9, 317 pound massively muscular Sid Vicious would start his career in 1987, but would reach his highest heights in the industry in the 1990s. Starting with being named a member of the Four Horsemen in May 1990. Vicious would go back and forth between WCW and WWE throughout the entire decade. Yet, when is career was all said and done, Sid Vicious became a 4 time World Heavyweight Champion and a 2 time United States Champion. While Vicious will still make the occasional professional wrestling appearance, today he lives in Arkansas and runs a landscaping business. Long time Sid fans probably assume he is also still playing softball!
6 Ice Train
Ice Train jumped off WCW television with his massive size in the 1990s. At 6'2 and 315 pounds, Ice Train's size and power suggested he would have a long successful career in professional wrestling. In reality, Ice Train would spend a decade in the sport and not accomplish a lot for his resume. Still his physical power and charisma make him an unforgettable WCW personality. Ice Train would retire from the sport in 2001, yet made a return to the ring in 2019. His one off match in Germany was against fellow former WCW star, Dave Taylor. Ice Train's son, Harold Hogue II would play college football at Ball State from 2009-2012. A few years ago, Ice Train revealed in an interview with Sportskeeda that he's fully embracing retirement now.
5 Ron Simmons
Ron Simmons would follow up his college football Hall of Fame career at Florida State with a professional wrestling Hall of Fame career in the 1990s. In his physical prime the 6'2, 270 pound explosive athlete dominated the professional wrestling competition. In 1992, Simmons would defeat Big Van Vader to become the first African American to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Simmons would follow his WCW career up with a great run in WWE. Simmons would win 3 World Tag Team Championships in WWE. Today, Simmons still makes the occasional WWE appearance, including appearing at RAW 25 and Raw XXX. Simmons continues to record content for WWE.
4 Scott Steiner
Big Poppa Pump would embrace his massive physique when he joined the NWO during his late 1990s WCW run. At 6'1 and 275 pounds, Scott Steiner's freakish muscles made him a huge star for WCW. Steiner's career includes being the 8th WCW Triple Crown champion. With his brother Rick by his side, the Steiner brothers still make a case for being the greatest tag team of all time. The Steiner Brothers would win multiple World Tag Team Championships in WCW, WWE and New Japan. Recently, Scott and his brother Rick were named to the WWE Hall of Fame in the class of 2022. Up until 2020, Scott Steiner ran a Shoneys in Georgia.
3 Sting
Like many on this list, Sting was a body builder before he got into professional wrestling. Sting's physique was undoubtedly one of the best in the business in the early 1990s. During his surfer Sting days, the 6'2, 250 pound neon face painted performer was chiseled from head to toe. Sting can make claim to 12 World Championships between WCW and Impact Wrestling. Sting is now 64 years old and a performer on All Elite Wrestling. Sting has paired with AEW pillar Darby Allin to make a popular brothers in paint duo. These days, Sting pops the fans by attempting some very crazy high spots for a performer, especially one of his age.
2 Lex Luger
Next on the list is Sting's former tag team and training partner, the Total Package Lex Luger. Luger would be the Pro Wrestling Illustrated 1986 Rookie of the Year. In the 1990s, Luger would compete in WCW and WWE. His resume includes 2 World Heavyweight Title runs, 5 United States Championships, 3 World Tag Team Championships and a WWE Royal Rumble victory. Luger would also become the second WCW Grand Slam Champion. In 2007, Luger would suffer a spinal stroke that would leave him nearly fully wheelchair bound. Luger was a subject of A&E's WWE Biography program in 2022. Today, Luger is fully invested in his Christian faith.
1 Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan is the personification of muscleman in professional wrestling. Hogan would sky rocket through popular culture in the 1980s and remain a constant figure in the 90s as well. Known for his 24 inch pythons, Hogan preached training and taking vitamins to the kids of WWE's Golden Era. Truth be told, the vitamins Hogan was popping, would turn out to be steroids as he admitted to during the WWE steroid scandal. Still, Hogan is an all-time great professional wrestler.
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The multi-time World Heavyweight Champion is one of the most recognizable faces of professional wrestling. Yet, in recent years Hogan has received much criticism for racial comments that came out in 2012. The comments have damaged his legacy but his importance to sports entertainment history is undeniable. Hogan still makes the occasional WWE appearance and runs his Clearwater, Florida Beach Bar.
