# @thewrestlingclassic on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DcJT5osGxLp
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69173323-thewrestlingclassic-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/57d305a0a3.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-17T15:00:01.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Justin Dhillon (@thewrestlingclassic) — https://gondola.cc/thewrestlingclassic

## Caption

Long before wrestling became a global industry, stars and promoters around the world were building styles, territories, and traditions that still influence the business today.

Antonio Inoki — A transformative Japanese star and promoter who founded New Japan Pro-Wrestling and helped popularize wrestling against other combat sports.

Giant Baba — One of Japan’s defining wrestling icons who founded All Japan Pro Wrestling and helped establish a distinctly Japanese main-event style.

Jumbo Tsuruta — An Olympic wrestler who became one of Japan’s first true homegrown heavyweight superstars and influenced generations that followed.

Johnny Doyle — An influential Los Angeles promoter who helped turn Southern California into one of wrestling’s hottest markets during the television boom.

Al Haft — A wrestler turned promoter who controlled an important Columbus, Ohio territory and became an influential figure during the early NWA era.

Don Eagle — A major Indigenous star whose technical ability and popularity made him one of wrestling’s biggest attractions of his generation.

Ciclon Negro — A Venezuelan-born powerhouse who became an international star, competing throughout North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.

Mark Lewin — A remarkably versatile territory star who reinvented himself throughout his career, evolving from young babyface to one of wrestling’s most memorable sinister heels.

Haystacks Calhoun — A massive attraction whose size, overalls and trademark horseshoe necklace made him one of wrestling’s most recognizable personalities of his era.

Bob Caudle — The longtime voice of Mid-Atlantic wrestling whose credible announcing style helped tell the stories of one of America’s greatest territories.

Different countries. Different territories. Different roles. All part of the history that built professional wrestling.

#WrestlingHistory #TerritoryEra #Puroresu #OldSchoolWrestling #TheWrestlingClassic

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## Tags

wrestlinghistory, puroresu, oldschoolwrestling, territoryera, thewrestlingclassic

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