27 Facts About Don Muraco

Don Muraco was born on September 10,1949 and is an American retired professional wrestler and podcaster.

Don Muraco is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation from 1981 to 1988, where he held the WWF Intercontinental Heavyweight Championship on two occasions and was crowned the inaugural winner of the King of the Ring tournament in 1985.

Don Muraco was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004 and the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014.

Don Muraco spent the first year of his career learning the ropes in Vancouver, Portland, Florida and Los Angeles before getting his first big break, for Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association.

In 1974, Don Muraco moved to Championship Wrestling from Florida.

Don Muraco was frequently compared to the NWA World Champion Jack Brisco, whom he physically resembled.

In San Francisco, Don Muraco learned to work as a heel.

From 1977 through 1981, Don Muraco shuttled several more times between Florida, San Francisco and his native Hawaii.

Don Muraco debuted in the World Wrestling Federation in Allentown, Pennsylvania defeating Steve King on February 24,1981.

Now managed by Captain Lou Albano, Don Muraco regained the Intercontinental title from Morales on January 22,1983.

That year, Don Muraco feuded with Albano's former protege, Jimmy Snuka.

Don Muraco portrayed an arrogant villain who angrily demanded respect, while engaging in disrespectful behavior himself; in one match, he brought a submarine sandwich to the ring and ate it while dominating his outmatched opponent.

On February 11,1984, Don Muraco lost the Intercontinental title to Tito Santana.

Don Muraco went to NWA Polynesian for a short stint, and wrestled in Japan.

Don Muraco returned to the WWF in 1985, managed by Mr Fuji.

In 1986, Muraco allied with Adrian Adonis and Bob Orton Jr.

Don Muraco won almost every match in the feud, on TV and at house shows, until Orton left the WWF that year.

Don Muraco adopted Graham's tie-dye attire and changed his nickname from "Magnificent Don Muraco" to "The Rock".

Don Muraco replaced Graham on the team led by his former rival Hulk Hogan at the first Survivor Series, and had a good showing at the first Royal Rumble, where he eliminated three wrestlers and was one of the final four competitors.

Don Muraco later reached the quarterfinals of the WWF World Heavyweight Championship tournament at WrestleMania IV.

Don Muraco had his last match in the WWF against Barry Horowitz in October 1988 on a tour of Italy, but was then fired.

Don Muraco defeated Snuka on September 30,1992, for the ECW Championship, dropping it to The Sandman on November 16.

Don Muraco was the storyline commissioner of Hawai'i Championship Wrestling until 2006.

Don Muraco returned to wrestling in Hawaii where he defeated the Kodiak Bear at Hawaiian Islands Wrestling Federation on January 9,1999.

In 2004, Don Muraco was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2004 by Mick Foley, who, like Tommy Dreamer, Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley, credits the 1983 steel cage match between Don Muraco and Snuka at Madison Square Garden as his inspiration for becoming a wrestler.

In 2007, Don Muraco inducted his former manager, Mr Fuji, into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2007.

Don Muraco has three children, one of whom would follow in his footsteps as a professional wrestler, that being his son, Joe.