1865 to 1947 The Carnival Era The Carnival Era covers professional wrestling's development through traveling carnivals, music halls, athletic clubs and arena matches in Europe and North America. Frank Gotch and George Hackenschmidt became international attractions as promoters increasingly used predetermined results and ongoing rivalries. In Mexico, Salvador Lutteroth founded EMLL in 1933 and established regular lucha libre events. Most decorated Charlie Cutler | Dr. Benjamin Roller | Frank Gotch 82 years

1948 to 1984 The Territorial Era The Territorial Era featured regional wrestling markets across North America, with local television promoting regular arena shows. The NWA connected many territories through traveling champions and talent exchanges, while the AWA and WWWF operated major markets. Japan's wrestling industry expanded through Rikidōzan, Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki. El Santo and Blue Demon became Mexican icons, while televised wrestling became a Saturday tradition in Britain. Most decorated Wahoo McDaniel | Mr. Fuji | Tony Garea 36 years

1984 to 1992 The Golden Era National television, pay-per-view and expanding tours reshaped wrestling during the Golden Era. Hulk Hogan led WWF's expansion, while Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes were leading names in Jim Crockett Promotions and later WCW. Japan's NJPW and AJPW held major events, while the Crush Gals attracted a large following in women's wrestling. EMLL and UWA competed in Mexico, where AAA launched in 1992. Most decorated Bret Hart | Ric Flair | Hulk Hogan 8 years

1993 to 1997 The New Generation Era The New Generation Era featured changing headliners and growing competition between promotions. Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels led WWF, WCW launched Nitro and the nWo, and ECW developed its hardcore identity. Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi headlined AJPW, while Manami Toyota and Akira Hokuto were leading names in Japanese women's wrestling. AAA challenged CMLL in Mexico, and wrestlers increasingly appeared across international partner promotions. Most decorated Shawn Michaels | Stone Cold Steve Austin | Owen Hart 4 years

1997 to 2001 The Attitude Era The Attitude Era included the peak of the WWF-WCW television rivalry, with Steve Austin, The Rock, Goldberg and the nWo among its leading attractions. ECW combined hardcore matches with technical and high-flying wrestling, while WCW's cruiserweight division featured talent from Mexico and Japan. Mitsuharu Misawa formed Pro Wrestling NOAH in 2000 after leaving AJPW. WCW and ECW ceased operating in 2001. Most decorated The Rock | Adam Copeland | Stone Cold Steve Austin 4 years

2002 to 2008 The Ruthless Aggression Era WWE introduced separate Raw and SmackDown rosters during the Ruthless Aggression Era, while TNA and Ring of Honor launched in 2002. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe became leading names in TNA, while Bryan Danielson and CM Punk headlined ROH. In Japan, NOAH featured Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi, and Hiroshi Tanahashi rose through NJPW. CMLL and AAA continued their competition in Mexico. Most decorated Adam Copeland | Rob Van Dam | John Cena 6 years

2008 to 2013 The PG Era The PG Era included WWE's move toward family-friendly television alongside developments elsewhere in wrestling. TNA and ROH expanded their television presence, while Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada led NJPW's recovery. Stardom began holding shows in Japan in 2011, and British independent wrestling gained new promotions like PROGRESS and RevPro. Online video and social media became increasingly common ways to follow wrestlers beyond national television. Most decorated John Cena | Kofi Kingston | Chris Jericho 5 years

2014 to 2016 The Reality Era Streaming services and online fan communities became a larger part of wrestling during the Reality Era. WWE Network and NJPW World launched in 2014, while NJPW expanded its international partnerships and Bullet Club's following grew. Lucha Underground combined Mexican and American talent with cinematic storylines. British independent promotions expanded, and women received larger roles in WWE alongside established women's promotions in Japan and elsewhere. Most decorated Charlotte Flair | The Miz | Dolph Ziggler 2 years

2017 to 2022 The New Wave Era The New Wave Era featured international growth, expanded women's wrestling and renewed American television competition. Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada's rivalry attracted attention to NJPW, while All In in 2018 preceded AEW's launch in 2019. Women headlined WrestleMania, and Stardom expanded in Japan. The COVID-19 pandemic later disrupted promotions worldwide through canceled tours, empty-arena shows and travel restrictions before audiences and international bookings gradually returned. Most decorated Charlotte Flair | Jon Moxley | Seth Rollins 5 years

2023 to Present The Modern Era The Modern Era features international stadium events, ownership changes and partnerships between major promotions. AEW took All In to Wembley Stadium, WWE joined UFC under TKO, and Impact restored the TNA name. Wrestle Dynasty brought NJPW, AEW, CMLL, ROH and Stardom together in Japan in 2025. WWE partnered with TNA and announced its acquisition of AAA with Fillip, while major streaming services expanded their wrestling coverage. Most decorated Sami Zayn | Becky Lynch | Cody Rhodes Current era

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