Buddy Rogers

Buddy Rogers's influence on professional wrestling is immeasurable. He created the Nature Boy persona that Ric Flair later took to legendary status, and he invented the figure-four leglock, one of wrestling's most iconic holds. He was a two-time world champion and headlined major events across North America. His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1994, just two years after his death, recognized his foundational role. He is also enshrined in the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and the NWA Hall of Fame. Rogers is consistently ranked among the greatest wrestlers of all time by historians and publications.