6.07.2011

#59: Zeus

Real Name: Thomas "Tiny" Lister, Jr.
Other Aliases: Z-Gangsta
Biggest Fan: Jon Baltos

At #59, Zeus is proof positive that you don't need to actually win a wrestling match to be considered a Top 100 Superstar of Wrestling. Despite the unremarkable win-loss record, Zeus's reputation as an unstoppable monster overshadows his lack of pinfall victories. This 6'6", 300-pounder didn't feel the need to waste precious time or energy squashing mediocre opponents. He went right after the WWF Champion, and routinely beat him to within an inch of his life.

Zeus showed up in the World Wrestling Federation demanding a match against his co-star in the movie No Holds Barred, Hulk Hogan. Able to withstand an ungodly amount of physical punishment (clotheslines, chair shots, etc.), Zeus was a force to be reckoned with for the Hulkster. Even worse for Hogan was that Zeus aligned himself with Hulk's former friend, "Macho Man" Randy Savage. This led to a tag team contest (Hulk recruiting Brutus Beefcake as his partner) to headline SummerSlam in 1989.

Even a victory at SummerSlam couldn't rid the Hulkster of his formidable new foe, and Zeus aligned himself with Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase at the Survivor Series that autumn. In all likelihood, Zeus would have won that match had he not been disqualified for shoving the referee. Unfortunately, Zeus felt that his career prospects were greater acting in films than competing in the ring, and sadly, Zeus departed the WWF shortly thereafter.

The good news is that you can still see Tiny Lister in movies like The Dark Knight, Austin Powers in Goldmember, and The Fifth Element. That's the résumé of a superstar if ever there was one.

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