WWE discovered recently that most of their fans are snot-nosed tikes who range from the ages of 6-10. Since WWE officials came to this realization, Shane McMahon (son of Vince McMahon) and his cronies aspire to corral impressionable children everywhere for the first time in wrestling history and aim to allocate a considerable marketing stake to these youngsters.

The company has started to aggressively court the youth set with the launch of WWE Kids magazine, as well as plans to create original programming for the demo on its main website and new WWEKids.com destination. A TV series could follow. The bimonthly mag, aimed at 6- to 14-year-olds, bows April 15. Company already has a successful monthly pub with WWE magazine, which has a circulation of roughly 300,000 and targets the company’s core demo of males 12-24

It’s a good thing too because YouTube isn’t riddled enough with pseudo wrestlers practicing figure-fours and smashing chairs over their unsuspecting friend’s head. Yet, discuss if we’re wrong but, if we consider the fact that two decades earlier, wrestling placed the perennial cast in the furnace that inevitably molded, well, the Johnny Knoxvilles of this generation, then WWE is a bit late, right? What better way to remind you of the glory days than by throwing out a poll and a gallery of the most notable figures from the 1980’s era who inspired us, scared us and left us perplexed. Brutus, what was your deal man?

Hulk Hogan

• Never was it cooler to tear the hell out of your clothes for no apparent reason.

Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake

• If the Bravo network was around in the 80’s, Brutus would totally have his own show.

“Macho Man” Randy Savage

• Snap into a Slim Jim?

Ultimate Warrior

• His energy came from the volatile wavering of the wrestling ring’s ropes. And he wore the baddest makeup before Mel Gibson’s interpretation of William Wallace ever existed.

Legion Of Doom

• When we quit Pop Warner ball, we thought our lives were over. Then the Legion Of Doom sprung out of the depths of hell to inspire us.

George “The Animal” Steele

• We’re not sure if it was the sick body hair or the constant gnawing of the turnbuckle that terrified us, but we enjoyed watching “the missing link.” Did you know he utilized breath mints to make his tongue green? Also, our contributing editor is convinced he was an English professor at Columbia University.

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat

• The dude’s larynx was crushed when Macho Man pile-drove the ringside bell into his neck. The Ricky came back during Wreslemania III to win the Intercontinental Belt. Those were the days.

• Canada’s favorite [wrestling] son, Bret “The Hitman” Hart wasn’t scared of the color pink. He also had one of the greatest signature moves ever in the Sharpshooter.

Junkyard Dog

• Without a doubt the inspiration for MMA fighter Kimbo Slice’s look.

Koko B. Ware

• How can you not appreciate a guy who entered the ring with a macaw on his shoulder? Also, did you know he was the first wrestler to fall viction to “The Undertaker’s” pile-driver?

Kids enter WWE ring [Variety]