Who is the greatest wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots? Certainly none of the following, whose in-ring trademarks included wrestling barefoot. Whether to portray a wrestler of a particular fighting style or cultural heritage, these performers became shoeless stars in the squared circle.
The Golden Age of Barefoot Wrestling
Antonino Rocca
A pioneer of the high-flying style, Antonino Rocca dazzled audiences in the 1940s and ’50s with his speed, agility, and gymnastic grace — all while wrestling barefoot. Trained by Stanislaus Zbyszko, Rocca brought a whole new athleticism to the sport, using dropkicks, flying headscissors, and acrobatic rope maneuvers when most wrestlers were still grounded.
Rocca became a sensation at Madison Square Garden, often selling out the building thanks to his barefoot flair. His tag team with Miguel Perez was among the most popular of the era, and he also teamed with a young Bruno Sammartino. The WWWF (later WWE) even credited Rocca with helping establish its early dominance in New York. His barefoot style made him stand out visually, but it was his energy and charisma that made him one of the first truly global wrestling superstars.
Haystacks Calhoun
At over 600 pounds, Haystacks Calhoun was billed as one of the heaviest wrestlers of all time, and he leaned into his loveable “hillbilly” gimmick — complete with denim overalls, horseshoes, and of course, wrestling barefoot.
Calhoun’s sheer size made him a spectacle wherever he went, but his shoeless presentation amplified the “country boy” image. A major attraction in the 1960s and ’70s, he worked memorable programs with Bruno Sammartino, Bobo Brazil, and others. In 1973, he teamed with Tony Garea to win the WWF World Tag Team Championship, showing that despite his limited mobility, promoters trusted him as a headliner.
Outside the ring, Calhoun crossed into mainstream culture, appearing on talk shows and even alongside Jayne Mansfield and Groucho Marx. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Legacy Wing, he remains remembered as one of wrestling’s original giants — and one of its most famous barefoot stars.
Territory & WWF Boom Era Barefoot Stars
Kevin Von Erich
The barefoot look is perhaps most synonymous with Kevin Von Erich, the heart of the legendary Von Erich family dynasty. Nicknamed “The Barefoot Boy” in Fritz Von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling, Kevin chose to go without boots partly due to knee surgeries, explaining later that he felt “like you can fly taking that weight off your feet.”
Alongside brothers David and Kerry, Kevin helped make WCCW a regional powerhouse in the 1980s, filling Texas stadiums with their wild feuds against the Fabulous Freebirds. Kevin also had major singles clashes with Ric Flair and Chris Adams, showing he was more than just part of a family act.
The barefoot choice added to his mystique — a visual reminder of his natural athleticism and fiery energy. Today, Kevin is the last surviving brother, and through films like The Iron Claw, his shoeless legacy is cemented as part of wrestling folklore.
Jimmy Snuka
“Superfly” Jimmy Snuka was one of wrestling’s first true daredevils. His barefoot dives off the ropes and cages captivated audiences in the early 1980s WWF. The most famous came in 1983, when he leapt from the top of a steel cage onto Don Muraco, inspiring countless future wrestlers — including Mick Foley, who called it a life-changing moment.
Snuka’s barefoot look, combined with leopard-print gear and wild-eyed charisma, painted him as a feral islander, tapping into stereotypes but making him instantly memorable. Though he sometimes wore boots later in his career, fans remember him shoeless, climbing the cage, ready to fly.
While Snuka’s later years were marred by controversy surrounding the 1983 death of Nancy Argentino, his barefoot influence on wrestling style and spectacle cannot be ignored.
Kamala
“The Ugandan Giant” Kamala was one of wrestling’s most unique attractions. Painted head to toe in tribal markings and carrying a spear and shield, Kamala worked barefoot to further his wildman gimmick.
With handlers like Kim Chee by his side, Kamala’s matches often played on his supposed lack of understanding of wrestling rules — he sometimes needed to be shown how to pin opponents. Despite this, he became a credible threat, feuding with Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and The Undertaker.
Though rooted in problematic stereotypes, Kamala was an enduring draw across multiple promotions, and his barefoot stomps remain part of wrestling’s colourful history.
Yokozuna
As a kayfabe sumo grand champion, Yokozuna wrestled barefoot, reinforcing the legitimacy of his Japanese-inspired character. At over 500 pounds, his barefoot stance gave him a unique look, visually separating him from other giants.
Yokozuna’s run in WWF was remarkably successful: he won the 1993 Royal Rumble, became a two-time WWF Champion, and headlined WrestleMania against both Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan. Later, he defeated The Undertaker in a memorable casket match, proving even supernatural gimmicks could fall to his weight and barefoot strikes.
His health struggles and weight issues cut his career short, and he tragically died in 2000 at just 34. Still, his barefoot dominance made him one of the defining stars of the New Generation era.
The Wild Samoans & Islander Tradition
From Peter Maivia to The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika) and The Headshrinkers (Fatu & Samu), barefoot wrestling became synonymous with the Samoan wrestling tradition. The lack of boots signified primal strength and unpredictability, part of the family’s “islander warrior” presentation.
This legacy extended to wrestlers like Haku and Umaga, and even early incarnations of stars like The Usos. For decades, the Anoa’i family kept the barefoot tradition alive, intertwining heritage with character work.
Modern Barefoot Wrestlers
Haku
Haku, or Meng in WCW, is remembered as one of the toughest wrestlers ever — both inside and outside the ring. Wrestling barefoot during much of his career, Haku’s strikes felt more authentic, adding to his reputation as a dangerous competitor.
He found success as part of The Islanders, later teaming with Andre the Giant in The Colossal Connection to win the WWF Tag Team Titles. He also worked as King Haku and in WCW alongside The Barbarian. Backstage, stories of Haku’s toughness became legendary, with fellow wrestlers swearing he was nearly impossible to hurt. The barefoot look only heightened his aura as wrestling’s most feared enforcer.
Umaga
Umaga, the “Samoan Bulldozer,” brought the barefoot tradition into the 2000s. A ferocious powerhouse, Umaga’s barefoot stomps and headbutts made him feel more savage and unpredictable.
Debuting in 2006, he quickly beat legends like Ric Flair and Kane, moved into main-event programs with John Cena, and represented Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 23 in the “Battle of the Billionaires.” That match helped make WrestleMania 23 the most-bought event in the show’s history at the time.
A two-time Intercontinental Champion, Umaga’s barefoot presence was short-lived but unforgettable. He died in 2009, but his family continues his legacy through The Bloodline faction in WWE.
Matt Riddle
A crossover star from UFC, Matt Riddle brought authenticity to barefoot wrestling in WWE. He explained that fighting without boots allowed him greater balance and movement, a direct carryover from his MMA background.
Riddle thrived in NXT before moving to the main roster, where he won the United States Championship and formed the wildly popular RK-Bro tag team with Randy Orton. His goofy charisma contrasted with his legitimate fighting skills, making him a unique modern barefoot wrestler.
Though released in 2023 after controversies, Riddle remains active in Japan and the independents, keeping the barefoot tradition alive in the modern era.
Rusev
Before reinventing himself as Miro in AEW, Rusev first wrestled barefoot in WWE, his presentation drawing from his Muay Thai training. His early run saw him booked as an unstoppable force, crushing opponents and capturing the United States Championship.
After suffering a serious foot injury, he switched to boots but kept much of the barefoot aura that defined his early dominance. Later, his grassroots “Rusev Day” gimmick caught fire with fans, leading to another career resurgence.
Conclusion
From pioneers like Antonino Rocca to modern fighters like Matt Riddle, wrestling barefoot has been rare but impactful. For some, it symbolised heritage; for others, it was about freedom of movement or sheer intimidation.
Boots may be the industry standard, but barefoot wrestlers carved out unforgettable places in history — proof that sometimes, the simplest choice can leave the biggest mark.
