10 Most Renowned Trainers In Wrestling History

There is an old adage that those "Who can, do, and those who can't, teach." But that saying doesn't really apply when it comes to the world of professional wrestling. There have been many of those who took the time to pass on their skills to up and coming superstars.

Just like in the ring, there are those who have gained more success in the training world than others. It's not easy to pass on these traits, and many trainers just won't teach anyone who walks into their ring. Here's a look at 10 of the most renowned wrestling trainers.

10 Danny Davis

When it comes to Ohio Valley Wrestling, former manager and now popular wrestling podcaster Jim Cornette is usually the name the comes to mind. However, Danny Davis played just as an important role in the success of the former WWE developmental system.

The names Davis played a part in training reads like a Hall of Fame ballot, such as John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, and Dave Batista, just to name a few.

9 The Fabulous Moolah

For a time, there was very little chance of becoming a known female wrestler without getting trained by the Fabulous Moolah. The longest-reigning WWF women's champion held a virtual monopoly on women's wrestling from the mid-'50s to the mid-'80s. She's best known for playing a part in training many great female wrestlers, but she also trained men and little people as well.

Unfortunately, after her death in 2007, many allegations of abuse came out against Moolah from her former students and associates. This has since tarnished her legacy, reducing her to more of a polarizing figure in the wrestling industry instead of a respected legend.

8 Larry Sharpe

Although only having a mediocre career himself, Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory became one of the first officially recognized wrestling schools, opening in 1983. True to its name, Sharpe trained a number of colossal superstars including Bam Bam Bigelow, King Kong Bundy, Giant Silva, and The Big Show.

He also molded the careers of other superstars such as D'Lo Brown, Sonjay Dutt, Chris Candido, Raven, and Sheamus. Although Sharpe died in 2017, the school remains open and continues to train new wrestlers.

7 Eddie Sharkey

Eddie Sharkey might not be a familiar name to newer wrestling fans, but he trained some of the greatest superstars in history. Sharkey wrestled throughout the '60s and '70s in the AWA and NWA but really made his mark as a trainer.

He'll forever be remembered as the man who broke The Road Warriors into wrestling, but he also trained wrestlers such as Bob Backlund, Ravishing Rick Rude, Nikita Koloff, Sean Waltman, and Rick Steiner, just to name a few.

6 Afa Anoai

The extended Anoa'i family is wrestling royalty, with names such as The Rock, Roman Reigns, Umaga, Yokozuna, and The Usos having ties. Known as a tough teacher, one-half of the WWE Hall of Fame team The Wild Samoans, Afa, is a respected trainer.

In addition to training members of the family including Rikishi and others, he also helped to teach superstars such as Bautista, Terry Gordy, Michael Hayes, and Chris Kanyon.

5 Harley Race

After a distinguished wrestling career where he won the NWA title a then-record seven times, and also enjoying some success in the WWE and as a manager for Big Van Vader in WCW, Harley Race has also made his mark in professional wrestling as a trainer.

The Harley Race Wrestling Academy has been open since 1999, with alumni such as Trevor Murdoch, Ted Dibiase Jr., and Joe Henning (the former Curtis Axel). In fact, Kenny Omega once scored a WWE developmental contract after taking part in training at Race's school.

4 Dory Funk Jr.

The lesser-known of the famous Funk Brothers, Dory Funk Jr. has nonetheless made an impact on the business both in the ring and outside of it. His training school, the Funking Conservatory, once had a branch affiliated to WWE called the Funkin' Dojo.

Some of the names he played a part in training include Christian, Edge, The Hardys, Kurt Angle, Rhyno, Test and Bayley. Even now at the age of 79, Funk Jr. continues to help wrestlers learn their craft in the industry.

3 Killer Kowalski

Killer Kowalski WWE — via Pro Wrestling Illustrated

One of the most imposing heels in the history of wrestling, Killer Kowalski is probably best known for accidentally ripping off a piece of an opponent's ear with a flying knee drop in the '50s.

After his retirement, Kowalski opened a wrestling school in 1977 and served as a teacher to several generations of future wrestling superstars including Big John Studd, Perry Saturn, Fandango, and Damien Sandow just to name a few. His most notable students have to be future WWE Executive Vice President Triple H and his former girlfriend Chyna.

2 Verne Gagne

The founder of the American Wrestling Association (AWA) and former competitor to both the NWA and WWE, Verne Gagne was a multiple world champion and considered one of the greatest draws in the history of the sport. As the owner of the company, Gagne also served as the trainer of many of its biggest superstars.

The list of those trained by Gagne is a who's who of the some of the greatest wrestlers of all-time including Ricky Steamboat, Curt Henning, Sgt. Slaughter, and The Iron Sheik. However, at the top of the list has to be perhaps the greatest wrestler of all-time, and "The Dirtiest Player in The Game," Ric Flair.

1 Stu Hart

When it comes to wrestling lore, the tales of The Dungeon in the Calagary's Hart family mansion are among the most remembered. Stu Hart is known for once wrestling a bear, so it can only be imagined how brutal some of the sessions his trainees went through, including his own sons.

Not only were Bret Hart and Owen Hart graduates of the Dungeon, so were The British Bulldog, Chris Jericho, Roddy Piper, and Chris Benoit. In today's politically correct and more progressive world, though, it's very unlikely there will ever be another trainer as hardcore and unforgiving yet undeniably effective and talented as Stu Hart.

NEXT - 10 Wrestlers You Didn't Know Were Trained At The Hart Family Dungeon