Who was the best wrestler before the 80's and why?

Bruno Sammartino.

Wrestled all over the world, wore the WWWF [WWE] title for more than 11 years [2 reigns]. He was loved by everybody although he didn't have a gimmick...He never needed one.

He was very strong, and never took steroids in his life.

Sammartino wrestled until the 80's, with his son David.

Sammartino is, with Bret Hart, considered the greatest WWE champion of all-time. Bob Backlund is third.

Sammartino is now very much against the WWE and the McMahons...but what does that have to do with what he's done in the ring ?

Sammartino is a hero to many people, especially Italian people.

Billy Robinson from AWA was one of the best technical wrestlers of the era and he looks like Dan Severn...

"Sammartino is, with Bret Hart, considered the greatest WWE champion of all-time. Bob Backlund is third."

...By who? I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just wondering who you're referring to with that statement.

Anyway, Lou Thesz. He could legitimately hurt you, and was oe of the most dominant champions of his day.

I didn't start watching wrestling until 1981, but I will say Harley Race.

i didn't watch wrestling before the 80's mainly cause i wasn't born back then.