Kurt Angle is right about one thing. WWE's 50 greatest wrestlers dvd was a joke. But he's wrong about his own ranking. Frankly, Kurt's ranking was pretty generous. Hogan, the biggest WWE attraction of all time was #23? Shawn & Undertaker 1 & 2? What a coincidence they just happened to be main eventing Wrestlemania the year the dvd came out. So anyhoo, I used a 7 point criteria system to objectively figure out who truly was the best. WWE's list only featured WWE/F wrestlers, but mine features anyone from any era. I put my own personal bias aside and went by the cold hard facts. A wrestler received 1 point for each piece of criteria he met. Only a few got a perfect 7. I'll only go into detail about the top 25. So who will be #1? Hogan? Flair? Tugboat? Let's find out. "QUIT STALLING! WHAT'S THE PLAN?" (simpsons reference).
CRITERIA:
Professional success
Importance to history
How good they were in the ring
How good they were on the mic
Their drawing power
The mainstream status they achieved
Ability to put on a great match each night
(everyone 50-26 scored a 2 or 3 out of 7)
50)Jimmy Snuka 49)Road Warriors 48)Nick Bockwinkel 47)Dory Funk Jr. 46)Stan Hansen 45)The Great Muta 44)Jushin Lyger 43)Bruiser Brody 42)Curt Hennig 41)The Undertaker 40)The Dynamite Kid 39)The Sheik 38)Mick Foley 37)Danny Hodge 36)Harley Race 35)George Hackenschmidt 34)Dusty Rhodes 33)Jumbo Tsurata 32)Misuharu Misawa 31)Riki Choshu 30)Giant Baba 29)Verne Gagne 28)Blue Demon 27)Tiger Mask 26)Kurt Angle
25)TERRY FUNK (score:4)
Professional Success: Hardcore icon and former NWA champion.
Importance in History: Helped establish hardcore ECW-style wrestling as a force to be reckoned with. Famous for his garbage matches.
How Good in the Ring: In his youth, he was a talented wrestler but as he got older, he turned to brawling.
Drawing Power: If they didn’t think he could draw, he wouldn’t have been NWA champion.
Mainstream Status: Known for his roles in movies such as Paradise Alley and Road House. That's right, Peter Griffin, I said ROADHOUSE.
24)ANTONIO INOKI (score:4)
Professional Success: Most popular wrestler in Japan in the post-Rikidozan era. The most politically savvy wrestler since Bill Muldoon.
Importance to History: Rescued Japanese wrestling scene after the scandals involving the late Rikidozan and the Yakuza were made public. Fought Muhammad Ali in the most hyped boxer versus wrestler match in history.
How Good in the Ring: Credible performer already hyped by the con of his ability. Met his Waterloo as a serious performer in the Ali bout. Could anyone see Lou Thesz ducking Ali the way Inoki did? So it turned into a shoot. Thesz would have licked his lips and taught Ali a quick lesson in real wrestling.
Drawing Power: Considerable in Japan and throughout Asia. In the U.S., it was another matter entirely. When he bought the NWF in 1973 and put himself over as champion, crickets could be heard at the arenas where he defended the belt.
Mainstream Status: Uncontested in Japan. In the U.S. he is best known as the wrestler who fought Ali in Japan.
23)JERRY LAWLER (score:4)
Professional Success: Dominated the Mid-South wrestling scene, where he was by far its most popular performer.
How good in the ring: A great worker and apt psychologist
How good on the mic:Seemlessly made the transition into color commentary and went toe to toe, mouth to mouth, with Hollywood loud mouth Andy Kaufman.
Mainstream Status: best known for his feud with Andy Kaufman, which briefly put wrestling on the national map and even made marks out of the wrestlers themselves.
22)ROWDY RODDY PIPER (score:4)
Importance to history: The original anti-hero. Paved the way for other trash talking villians that were just so cool you had to like them. He's also responsible for the revolutionary Pipers Pit segment which has been often imitated but never duplicated.
How good in the ring: Not exactly a great technician, but better than people give him credit for. For the most part he was just a brawler, albeit an entertaining one, but he could also hold his own against the Bret Harts of the world.
How good on the mic: Maybe the best. Definitely the best trash talker of his era. Genuinely funny. Made for a great heel or babyface. But his best work was as a mean, rotten, no good, aggravating bully heel. He came off as a genuine big mouth asshole.
Drawing power: Helped to headline the very first Wrestlemania.
mainstream status: One of the few succesful crossover stars who made the leap to television and movies. 'They Live" is a cult classic. Can't say the same for Mr.Nanny. Part of the MTV rock'n'wrestling 80's boom.
21)SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM (score:4)
Professional Sucess:Defeated Bruno Sammartino to usher in a new, more colorful era in the WWWF.
Importance to history: A clear inspiration for many who followed him from Jesse Ventura to Hulk Hogan to Scott Steiner. His patentent flexing, tie dye attire, and ripping of his shirt has been ripped off by many immitators.
How good on the mic: He was wrestling's Ali. Way ahead of his time.
Drawing Power: The WWF finally found the man for Bruno to pass the torch to with Superstar. After Graham things took a turn for the worse in the relatively dull Backlund era until Hogan came around in the mid 80's.
20)SHAWN MICHAELS (score:4)
Professional Success: Mr.Wrestlemania. One of the most consistent big show performers.
How good in the ring: Let's put it this way, Shawn Micheals wrestled an aluminum ladder at Wrestlemania X and it became one of the greatest matches of all time. Razor Ramon was inconsequential to that match. It was all Shawn.
How good in the mic: Good. But Shawn is best known for his work in the ring. He could do the occasional funny skit with DX but his promos were nothing extraordinary. It was his in ring ability that made him a star.
Drawing power: Unfortunately, Shawn Michaels never drew. Much like Bret Hart, HBK suffered from a lackluster wwf roster that provided little compelling competition for him to work with. He was the number one guy during the WWF's dry spell of the mid 90's. Shawn was custom made for the attitude era but unfortunately for him he did not get to reep the rewards for the ground he laid in the buildup to that era. Injuries got the best of him and temporarily derailed his career.
Mainstream Status: Other than Playgirl magazine readers, virtually none.
Ability to put on a great match every night: He may not have been the biggest draw, but every match he was in was pretty much a must see. Especially come Wrestlemania. Shawn always put on a show. Just a shame there werent many people watching that show.
19)RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT (score:4)
Professional Sucess: Multiple time champion in nearly every promotion going.
Importance to history: Won the Intercontinental Championship in one of, if not the, greatest and most influential match in WWF history at it's biggest PPV in history, during a period when wrestling was at the pinacle of it's popularity.
How good in the ring: High flyer, technician, power, you name it The Dragon could do it.
Ability to put on a great match every night: Whether in was in WWF against Savage, NWA against Flair, or WCW against Steve Austin, from the beginning to the middle to the end of his career he put on spectacular match after spectacular match.
18)BRET THE HITMAN HART (score:4)
Professional success Multiple time champion who's won just about every title there is to win. Gave the WWF title some much needed credibility and almost single handedly kept the WWF afloat during it's dry spell in the mid 90's.
Importance to the industry: No one should underestimate the effect the Hart Family and Stampede wrestling have had on wrestling. The story of the hart family is one of the most interesting, and at times, most tragic real life stories the wrestling world has to offer. And the montreal screwjob still lives in infamy to this day.
How good in the ring: Maybe the best ever. And he always did it without any gimmicks. Very rarely was he in a street fight or cage match or ladder match. The matches with Austin, Bulldog, Owen, Mr.Perfect and so many others were straight up wrestling matches. No gimmicks necessary.
How good on the mic: Better than people think. Certainly not one of the great talkers, but anyone who can hold their own with the likes of Stone Cold and Shawn Micheals, can't be all that bad. He was one of the first to break kayfabe when he verbally and physcially assaulted Vince on RAW in early 97, pre screwjob.
Drawing power:Unfortunately Bret never drew a whole lot. By the time Bret got to the top, the roster in the wwf was completely depleted. I dont think he nor Shawn can be blamed for the poor numbers in the mid 90's while they were at the top, as they were the only things keeping the company afloat. But the fact remains Bret was not a big draw.
Mainstream status: In Canada he is an icon, but elsewhere not so much.
Ability to put on a great match every night: In the WWF, yes. Mr.Perfect, Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels, 123 Kid, British Bulldogs, Demolition, Steve Austin, the list goes on and on. But he spent the rest of his career in WCW, where he gave uneven performances
17)BRUNO SAMMARTINO (score:4)
Professional Success: THE WWF champion. No Bruno, no WWWF, no WWF, no Vince McMahon Jr. Bruno Sammartino was by far the most dominating pro wrestler of the 1970s. He had four of the decade’s PWI’s Match of the Year, (1972, 1975, 19976, 1977) despite closing out the decade wrestling with a broken neck. And he was the WWWF World Champion for 5 of the ten years.
Importance to History: The dominant wrestler of his generation. Also established the big man as a champion, for better or worse. Also, he is a class act in every sense of the word.
How Good in the Ring: Better than a lot of people thought, especially before his back injury limited him. Great ring psychologist; could make the most hard-hearted fan sympathetic to his plight in the ring. When he lost the title to Ivan Koloff, fans were shocked, many of whom were seen crying.
Drawing Power: Call him Mr. Madison Square Garden, where he headlined forever and set a record for sellouts. So necessary to the fiscal health of the WWWF that they brought him back after Pedro Morales turned out to be less of a draw than expected. After the next three champions were having troubles drawing and maintaining a crowd, the WWWF world title was placed around Bruno Sammartino’s waist once again.
Mainstream Status: Well-known still in the Northeast, thanks to personal appearances. Other than that, he is primarily only know to those in the wrestling world.
16)JIM LONDOS (score:4)
Professional Success: Multiple holder of various world titles. He was the dominant wrestler/gate attraction of the Thirties.
Importance to History: Lengthy career spanned from about 1916 to 1960. He was the first non-hooker to hold the championship for any appreciable amount of time. His acrobatic style helped take the game off the horizontal confines of the mat.
How Good in the Ring: Credible worker who made fans believe they were seeing the real thing.
Drawing Power: First wrestler to bring large numbers of women fans to the arenas. Londos even sold a beefcake calendar of himself in wrestling togs with a muscleman pose at the beach. The fact that he could draw sellouts against lesser caliber opponents in the Fifties is a testimony to his charisma.
15)FRED BLASSIE (score:5)
Importance to History: Made his mark as both a wrestler and manager. Fondly remembered in Japan where he boasted he caused a number of heart attacks because of his style.
How Good in the Ring: A cross between Rogers and Kowalski in style, flamboyant with a psychotic edge, and one of the great ring psychologists.
How good on the mic: his interview style was the best in the history of the game.
Drawing Power: Filled arenas in the Atlanta area in the late Fifties, then went on to become the leading draw in California’s WWA during the Sixties. His series against Bruno Sammartino in 1964 helped establish the WWWF. In Japan he had the lure of Dracula – frightening, but they paid by the droves, especially in his series with Rikidozan.
Mainstream Status: A frequent television guest, whether sitcom or a talk show, he is also a pop-culture icon, with his record, “Pencil Neck Geek,” a phrase he made into a mainstream quip.
14) MIL MASCARAS (score:5)
Professional Success: Most popular crossover Mexican wrestler of all time.
Importance in History: Champion of the IWA, the first time a Mexican wrestler headed a mainstream U.S. promotion.
How Good in the Ring: A 230 pounder who moved like a flyweight. It amazes me that he was still working as of a few years ago; Mascaras was born in 1938.
Drawing Power: One of the best draws ever in the WWF; his persona held the IWA together.
Mainstream Status: Followed Santo and Blue Demon onto the silver screen in Mexico as an action hero.
13)THE ROCK (score:5)
Professional Success & Importance to history: The first black wrestler to gain wide acceptance, and the WWE title. I give him all the credit in the world for stepping aside when he was at the pinacle of his career. We will never see the Rock fighting in the indies or down in orlando with his man boobs reaching his knees. He left when he was at the top. In any other sport he'd be applauded for doing something like that. But in wrestling you're criticized. If he hadn't left, future stars like Cena, Orton, Batista would have never existed. The only reason they were in main events was because Rock left. If Rock stuck around, who in the blue hell would want to watch Cena and Batista? They should be thanking him, not criticizing him.
How good in the ring: slightly better than average. The peoples elbow may have been electrifying, but from a wrestling perspective it's one of the worst moves in history.
How good on the mic: his real gift was his ability to grab the microphone and dazzle the crowd. One would almost think he was the child of Fred Blassie rather than Rocky Johnson. He and Bobby Heenan are the two funniest personalities in the history of wrestling. Whoever is third is a distant third. And I mean distant. The Rock has forgotten more catchphrases than most wrestlers are able to come up with.
Drawing Power: he had great drawing power when hot and when given the right opponent. However, his long absences from the ring to make movies have hurt. Unfortunately in wrestling, absence does not make the heart grow fonder.
Mainstream status: most successful crossover star pro wrestling has ever seen finding success in everything from TV to movies.
12)ED “THE STRANGLER” LEWIS (score:5)
Professional Success: The dominant wrestler of the Twenties. His reputation was such that he survived the many scandals about wrestling during the decade. The consensus was that wrestling may be fake, but the Strangler was the Real Thing.
Importance in History: Led a wrestling renaissance after the attendance doldrums of World War 1. Lou Thesz credits Lewis with polishing his style in the ring.
How Good in the Ring: He could fake it with the best of them, but no one wanted to face him in a shoot. If he grabbed you with those arms, the next step was being squeezed into unconsciousness with that famous headlock.
Drawing Power: His reputation drew the crowds. In his later years, he reaped good crowds as a “living legend” type of attraction.
Mainstream Status: Featured in personality pieces and guest-starred on popular radio programs of the day.
11)EL SANTO (score:5)
Professional Success: The God of Lucha Libre. Movie Star extraordinare.
Importance to History: The right man at the right time for Mexican wrestling. His influence is still strong.
How Good in the Ring: His acrobatic style set the standard for others to follow. More than just another hero in a mask.
Drawing Power: In Mexico and anywhere else his fame was known, he was money in the bank.
Mainstream Status: A household name in Mexico, a cult hero in the U.S.
10)FRANK GOTCH (score:5)
Professional Success: Dominant wrestler during the turn of the century. His matches with George Hackenschmidt made the front page on the sports pages throughout the country.
Importance in History: As the man who made professional wrestling into a worthy news item, his place in history is assured. The best thing about the career of Frank Gotch is that he merely retired and left the game, unlike other wrestlers in his position, who used the championship as a power base.
How Good in the Ring: The real deal. Worked a strong style; so strong, in fact, that I believe it led to his early death from kidney failure.
Drawing Power: Great until the second Hackenschmidt bout, which dulled his box office appeal.
Mainstream Status: It was a different world for wrestlers back then. Gotch was idolized like any other mainstream athlete. There was no distinction. It's real to me dammit!
9)ANDRE THE GIANT (score:5)
Professional Success: The greatest freak act in the history of wrestling. Bar none.
Importance to History: “Giants” before his tenure and after have all been disappointments. Andre is the only one who ever made the freak act work. He headlined the biggest ppv in the biggest promotion in the world while it was at it's peak in popularity.
How Good in the Ring: Not good. But better than one would expect, until his acromegaly and alcoholism wore him down to the workrate of a slug.
How good on the mic: I suppose most would say he wasn't that great seeing as how Bobby Heenan did most of the talking for him during his most succesful run in WWF, but to me he has arguably the most recognizable voice in the history of wrestling. Even if he hadn't been a Giant, his voice alone was enough to intimidate anyone. And with a little help from Bob Euker, he was a part of one of the most memorable promos in wwf history at Wrestlemania 4.
Drawing Power: Tremendous, provided he wasn’t a steady diet. Vince McMahon Sr., who booked him, knew that and kept his appearances in each territory at a minimum.
Mainstream Status: As with Hogan, even non-wrestling fans know who he is; a pop culture icon.
8)HULK HOGAN (score:5)
Professional Success: Are you kidding? The biggest attraction in wrestling history and the man who made Vince McMahon king of the hill. Without Hulk, Vince would be in the poorhouse. It's a disgrace WWE ranked him 23 on their top 50 list. Silly and petty. The most dominate wrestler of the 1980s. Hulk Hogan was the WWF’s world champion for five of the ten years and without a doubt the flagship for the company.
Importance to History: Wrestling history from 1984-1990 will always be known as “The Hogan Era” for better or worse.
How Good in the Ring: Fantastic until he actually had to wrestle. The wrestling always seemed to be an unnecessary interruption of his posing. In other words, not so great. Despite achieving the dubious distinction of the “Worst Match of the Year” by the Wrestling Observer, his 1987 match with Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania is known as the slam that changed the wrestling world forever. Even though Harley Race slammed Andre before. But why let facts get in the way of a good story.
How Good on the mic: Well you know something, Mean Gene, no matter how bad his in ring performance was, his promos building up to said bad match, were always entertaining. Brother.
Drawing Power: The best draw in history. It is said Steve Austin drew even more, but I'm not sure about that.
Mainstream Status: Even non-wrestling fans know who Hulk Hogan is. Hulk Hogan ushered in a huge era in wrestling known as the Rock ‘n Wrestling Connection with MTV. This put wrestling out there for pop culture to eat up and it led to both the first ever Saturday Night Main Event and the first ever Wrestlemania. Hogan crossed over to movies, and even music, and quickly became a household name as he toured the late night and early morning talk show circuits regularly. Hogan is one of the most recognized people in the world, and wrestling’s first cover on Sports Illustrated.
7)RIC FLAIR (score:5)
Professional Success: Umpteen-time NWA/WCW champion. Also held WWF belt, no small feat when we consider the fate of most NWA stars who jumped to the WWF during the Hogan era. Dusty, Tully, Arn, Luger didn't fair well. But Flair did. Now that's fair to flair.
Importance to History: Last believable NWA/WCW champ. Once the nWo took over WCW, the title became meaningless. See finger poke of doom.
How Good in the Ring: One of the best who ever donned a pair of tights. In later years became somewhat predictable and an unfortunate caricature of himself. He didn't do himself any glory being Preparation H’s caddy during his second WWF run. And he's ruining his legacy even more by working for TNA. Whenever I see him I can't help but think of Mandelbaum from Seinfeld. "You think you're better than me? It's go time!"
How good on the mic: Woooooooooooooo! At one point Ric Flair was The man on the mic. Only Jake The Snake would rank higher in that department. Over the years, much like his in ring work, his mic work has become more of a comedy act. But during the Horseman years and even during his first WWF run, he was one of the better actors when it came to delivering realistic promos.
Drawing Power: Considerable by NWA/WCW standards, but not at the same level as a Hogan or even the more popular Japanese wrestlers.
Mainstream Status: Practically none outside the Southeast.
Ability to put on a great match every night Even in his old age he's able to take a suplex off a ladder from Shelton Benjamin, or put on a clinic with HBK at Wrestlemania, which should have been his farewell match.
6)GORGEOUS GEORGE (Score:5)
Professional Success: The right man at the right time for the right medium. Television made George a superstar and George did more to sell television sets than any other athlete. Had an amazing run at the top, from about 1944 to 1955.
Importance to History: Every bleached blond baddie owes a debt of gratitude to The Gorgeous One. Jack Pfeffer copied George’s use of a valet and began the career of one Fabulous Moolah, a trend that has lasted to this day. Was the first to do the freak act without actually being a freak, which opened the door to future flamboyant wrestlers.
How Good in the Ring: No Lou Thesz, that’s for sure.
Drawing Power:Because he had to be seen to be believed, he had to be seen. No one even remotely like him had ever been seen before; remember that he debuted in the staid Forties and lasted into the conservative Fifties. Now we take his imitators for granted. Nothing shocks anymore.
Mainstream Status: Mention Ric Flair to a non-wrestling fan you know. Then mention Gorgeous George. Case closed. Comedians of the time such as Bob Hope and Jack Benny always had a Gorgeous George joke or two in their monologue; the last time I heard a Ric Flair joke was never. George was also one of the first wrestlers to have a movie vehicle in Alias the Champ.
5)RIKIDOZAN (score:6)
Professional Success: The God of Puroresu.
Importance to History: His ability built professional wrestling in Japan; his persona kept it together and respected.
How Good in the Ring: Could match styles with anyone.
Drawing Power: A given in Japan. Drew extremely well in California with his only gimmick being his ring ability.
Mainstream Status: Still a God in Japanese sports.
Ability to put on a great match each night His matches with Thesz were classics.
4)LOU THESZ (score:6)
Professional Success: without a doubt the most dominate wrestler of the 1950s. Six-time NWA World’s Champion at a time when the belt meant something. Known as “the greatest pro wrestling champion". Wrestling in an era when professional wrestling was deemed a legit sport, the shooter was said to accumulate 936 straight wins as he went undefeated for seven years, 1948–1955. Lou Thesz was so good he wasn’t content with simply being the world champion. He wanted to unify all the titles so that the NWA world title was the only recognized heavyweight championship.
Importance to History: The glue that held the NWA together. No Thesz, no Flair, period. Wrestlers still use the “Lou Thesz press.” Thesz invented and made famous numerous moves that are now as common as the clothesline including the belly to back suplex, STF, powerbomb and, of course, the Lou Thesz press. Thesz became the first NWA champion to defend his title in Japan, and his series of matches launched the pro wrestling craze in the Land of the Rising Sun. After his 61 min time limit draw against Rikidozan, pro wrestling soon became as popular in Japan as samurais and sushi. Few men can say they were truly a world champion.Hero and role model of Kurt Angle, his solid style will always outlast the performance art of the moment. Though he didn’t found the NWA, he gained his fame by reigning as its champion, being at the same time an ambassador for the sport and a role model in bringing in collegiate wrestlers. Without Thesz there is no NWA, and without the NWA there is no Flair, because being NWA champion got Flair out of the Mid-Atlantic ghetto and provided him with a worldwide presence
How Good in the Ring & Ability to put on a great match each night: On a scale of 1 to 10, he was a 12.
Drawing Power: Good enough to keep the NWA financially viable during bad economic times.
Mainstream Status: Considerable in Japan. Accepted as the real deal in the US by the amateur wrestling community, no light accomplishment.
3)MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE (score:7)
Professional Success: The only man other than Hulk Hogan to hold the WWF Championship during the wrestling boom of the mid 80's.
Importance to History: Had one of the most imporant matches in WWF history at it's most important and biggest event to date. Savage gave much needed credibility to the rather circuls like roster the WWF was sporting at the time.
How good in the ring: Participated in what most consider the greatest match of all time at the greatest Wrestlemania of all time. The chemisty between himself and Steamboat has been often imitated but never duplicated. Incredibly believable wrestler. In my opinion, other than Bret Hart, the most believable and realistic wrestler ever. Nothing schticky or corny with Savage. No superhero comeback routine like most of his larger than life counterparts used. Nothing formulaic about Savages in ring work.
How good on the mic: Arguably the most recognizable voice in the history of wrestling, other than Andre's. No one else sounded like Macho Man. Had a sound and a promo style all his own. Could be intense, dramatic, or even comedic. He oozed charisma. Fantastic heel but an even better face.
Drawing Power: He was Intercontinental Champion in 1987 and WWF Champion in 1988 while the WWF was at the pinacle of its popularity in the 80's wrestling boom.
Mainstream Status: Snap into a slim jim! Ooooh yeah! One of the few modern day wrestlers to make it into mainstream commercials and pop culture. He may not be a movie star like the Rock or even a bad movie star like Hogan, but he still broke through in his own unique way.
Ability to put on a good match every night: I never saw a bad Randy Savage match. Even if he had a dud opponent like Warrior he still managed to put on a great show.
2)NATURE BOY BUDDY ROGERS (score:7)
Professional Success:AWA, NWA and WWWF champion. Considered one of the greatest workers of the postwar era. First WWWF Champion ever, at the height of what is deemed the “Golden Years” of professional wrestling. The Nature Boy was the first wrestler ever to hold both the NWA and the WWWF titles. The most dominate wrestler of the 1960s, “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Importance to History: He’s noted as the inventor of the figure-four leg lock and was one of the best at being a cocky, arrogant heel as opposed to the angry, yelling, and monster bad guy. He established himself the “Nature Boy” a title that would go on to be almost as prestigious as the gold he wore around his waist. A bleached blond blowhard who was the macho version of Gorgeous George. Every blowhard afterward, from Fred Blassie to Ric Flair, is in his debt.
how good on the mic: Practically invented the art of the interview. One of the few wrestlers who knew how to use the tube to his advantage. If you weren’t privileged to see him in action, just take a look at the man he passed the torch to, Ric Flair, and think of his persona turned up a notch.
How Good in the Ring & Ability to put on a great match each night: One of the smoothest and most consistent workers. His ego led to more than a few locker room skirmishes.
Drawing Power: Women loved his arrogant bluster with a sense that they knew it was no act. Men hated him but came out in droves to see him anyway. Along with Thesz, the drawing card of the Fifties.
Mainstream Status: Featured in many magazine articles and appeared on quite a few television shows. Even made the pages of Mad Magazine in 1964, in a parody entitled “Angry Magazine.” Buddy shares a round-table forum with boxer Sonny Liston, labor leader Walter Reuther, and U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater. Highlight was a drawing of Rogers trapped in a leglock by Goldwater.
1)STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN
Professional Success: THE dominant wrestler of the 1990's. He single handedly did more to turn the fortunes of the WWF around than anyone else. Not only did he single handedly ressurect the WWF's popularity, he more than any other WWF performer, is responsible for WWF regaining the lead in the monday night wars and thus killing WCW.
Importance to History: The most important wrestler of his generation. No one has can make the claim that they changed the entire industry. There was wrestling pre Stone Cold Steve Austin and then there was wrestling post Stone Cold Steve Austin. He is the fork in the road in the timeline of wrestling. And those two worlds look nothing a like. The first half of the 1990s was very lackluster. Wrestling was in a slump, partially due to a steroid scandal that almost permanently crippled the WWF and the WCW was just hanging around. But at the end of the 1990s came a time that more than made up for the previous six years. The Attitude Era was born.
How good on the mic: The greatest trash talker of all time. And it all started at the King of the Ring in 1996 when Steve Austin flipped a Bible script on Jake Roberts that a star was born. Steve no longer felt stunning and couldn’t get over with help of a million bucks, he reinvented himself taking the demeanor from a killer he saw on TV. Stone Cold ushered in his reign as America’s favorite heel with his now notorious Austin 3:16 line that was aimed for a recovering alcoholic, but caught on with fans around the world. Stone Cold led the charge for the WWF during the most successful era in pro wrestling history. He is proof that wrestling could survive in popularity without Hogan at the helm. Hogan owes alot of his success to Vince McMahons marketing machine. Austin is a different case entirely. He was headed to Mid-Card Land until he took it upon himself to change his image. Vince wanted him to be Ringmaster with a buzzcut and the million dollar belt. Steve had other ideas. And since he came up with Stone Cold name, the look, and the 3:16 promo, he deserves most of the credit for his own success. Only 4 men can make the claim that wrestling was one thing before they arrived, and became something else after they left, and those 4 men are Hulk Hogan, Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, and Steve Austin. That's it. And when you break those 4 men down using the 7 point criteria system that I used, only Steve Austin hits a perfect 7 out of 7.
How good in the ring: A fantastic worker early in his career and despite being slowed over the years by very serious injuires was still a decent worker even in his final years.
Drawing power: He is said to be the biggest moneymaker in the history of the promotion, I don't have the numbers to say whether or not thats true, but he is certanily at the very least the second biggest draw in WWF history. The pop this man would get when he entered an arena in the attitude era is unparallel. Not even Hogan himself could match. Thats a fact. Little kids just don't holler as loud as college and high school kids. Period. Austin’s t-shirts remain popular among fans and non-fans alike. Austin 3:16 shirst are the biggest selling WWF merchandise ever.
mainstream status: One of only a handful of wrestlers who is well known amongst the general public outside the wrestling fan base.
ability to put on a great match every night: His matches in WCW were never the main event, but whether against Pillman or Steamboat, he always seemed to steal the show. Unfortunately he hit the creative pinacle of his career in the WWF right when his body was slowing down. Yet that didnt prevent any of his matches against Bret Hart or The Rock from being classics.
So there you have it, Stone Cold is #1. Stats don't lie. And that's the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so!
CRITERIA:
Professional success
Importance to history
How good they were in the ring
How good they were on the mic
Their drawing power
The mainstream status they achieved
Ability to put on a great match each night
(everyone 50-26 scored a 2 or 3 out of 7)
50)Jimmy Snuka 49)Road Warriors 48)Nick Bockwinkel 47)Dory Funk Jr. 46)Stan Hansen 45)The Great Muta 44)Jushin Lyger 43)Bruiser Brody 42)Curt Hennig 41)The Undertaker 40)The Dynamite Kid 39)The Sheik 38)Mick Foley 37)Danny Hodge 36)Harley Race 35)George Hackenschmidt 34)Dusty Rhodes 33)Jumbo Tsurata 32)Misuharu Misawa 31)Riki Choshu 30)Giant Baba 29)Verne Gagne 28)Blue Demon 27)Tiger Mask 26)Kurt Angle
25)TERRY FUNK (score:4)
Professional Success: Hardcore icon and former NWA champion.
Importance in History: Helped establish hardcore ECW-style wrestling as a force to be reckoned with. Famous for his garbage matches.
How Good in the Ring: In his youth, he was a talented wrestler but as he got older, he turned to brawling.
Drawing Power: If they didn’t think he could draw, he wouldn’t have been NWA champion.
Mainstream Status: Known for his roles in movies such as Paradise Alley and Road House. That's right, Peter Griffin, I said ROADHOUSE.
24)ANTONIO INOKI (score:4)
Professional Success: Most popular wrestler in Japan in the post-Rikidozan era. The most politically savvy wrestler since Bill Muldoon.
Importance to History: Rescued Japanese wrestling scene after the scandals involving the late Rikidozan and the Yakuza were made public. Fought Muhammad Ali in the most hyped boxer versus wrestler match in history.
How Good in the Ring: Credible performer already hyped by the con of his ability. Met his Waterloo as a serious performer in the Ali bout. Could anyone see Lou Thesz ducking Ali the way Inoki did? So it turned into a shoot. Thesz would have licked his lips and taught Ali a quick lesson in real wrestling.
Drawing Power: Considerable in Japan and throughout Asia. In the U.S., it was another matter entirely. When he bought the NWF in 1973 and put himself over as champion, crickets could be heard at the arenas where he defended the belt.
Mainstream Status: Uncontested in Japan. In the U.S. he is best known as the wrestler who fought Ali in Japan.
23)JERRY LAWLER (score:4)
Professional Success: Dominated the Mid-South wrestling scene, where he was by far its most popular performer.
How good in the ring: A great worker and apt psychologist
How good on the mic:Seemlessly made the transition into color commentary and went toe to toe, mouth to mouth, with Hollywood loud mouth Andy Kaufman.
Mainstream Status: best known for his feud with Andy Kaufman, which briefly put wrestling on the national map and even made marks out of the wrestlers themselves.
22)ROWDY RODDY PIPER (score:4)
Importance to history: The original anti-hero. Paved the way for other trash talking villians that were just so cool you had to like them. He's also responsible for the revolutionary Pipers Pit segment which has been often imitated but never duplicated.
How good in the ring: Not exactly a great technician, but better than people give him credit for. For the most part he was just a brawler, albeit an entertaining one, but he could also hold his own against the Bret Harts of the world.
How good on the mic: Maybe the best. Definitely the best trash talker of his era. Genuinely funny. Made for a great heel or babyface. But his best work was as a mean, rotten, no good, aggravating bully heel. He came off as a genuine big mouth asshole.
Drawing power: Helped to headline the very first Wrestlemania.
mainstream status: One of the few succesful crossover stars who made the leap to television and movies. 'They Live" is a cult classic. Can't say the same for Mr.Nanny. Part of the MTV rock'n'wrestling 80's boom.
21)SUPERSTAR BILLY GRAHAM (score:4)
Professional Sucess:Defeated Bruno Sammartino to usher in a new, more colorful era in the WWWF.
Importance to history: A clear inspiration for many who followed him from Jesse Ventura to Hulk Hogan to Scott Steiner. His patentent flexing, tie dye attire, and ripping of his shirt has been ripped off by many immitators.
How good on the mic: He was wrestling's Ali. Way ahead of his time.
Drawing Power: The WWF finally found the man for Bruno to pass the torch to with Superstar. After Graham things took a turn for the worse in the relatively dull Backlund era until Hogan came around in the mid 80's.
20)SHAWN MICHAELS (score:4)
Professional Success: Mr.Wrestlemania. One of the most consistent big show performers.
How good in the ring: Let's put it this way, Shawn Micheals wrestled an aluminum ladder at Wrestlemania X and it became one of the greatest matches of all time. Razor Ramon was inconsequential to that match. It was all Shawn.
How good in the mic: Good. But Shawn is best known for his work in the ring. He could do the occasional funny skit with DX but his promos were nothing extraordinary. It was his in ring ability that made him a star.
Drawing power: Unfortunately, Shawn Michaels never drew. Much like Bret Hart, HBK suffered from a lackluster wwf roster that provided little compelling competition for him to work with. He was the number one guy during the WWF's dry spell of the mid 90's. Shawn was custom made for the attitude era but unfortunately for him he did not get to reep the rewards for the ground he laid in the buildup to that era. Injuries got the best of him and temporarily derailed his career.
Mainstream Status: Other than Playgirl magazine readers, virtually none.
Ability to put on a great match every night: He may not have been the biggest draw, but every match he was in was pretty much a must see. Especially come Wrestlemania. Shawn always put on a show. Just a shame there werent many people watching that show.
19)RICKY THE DRAGON STEAMBOAT (score:4)
Professional Sucess: Multiple time champion in nearly every promotion going.
Importance to history: Won the Intercontinental Championship in one of, if not the, greatest and most influential match in WWF history at it's biggest PPV in history, during a period when wrestling was at the pinacle of it's popularity.
How good in the ring: High flyer, technician, power, you name it The Dragon could do it.
Ability to put on a great match every night: Whether in was in WWF against Savage, NWA against Flair, or WCW against Steve Austin, from the beginning to the middle to the end of his career he put on spectacular match after spectacular match.
18)BRET THE HITMAN HART (score:4)
Professional success Multiple time champion who's won just about every title there is to win. Gave the WWF title some much needed credibility and almost single handedly kept the WWF afloat during it's dry spell in the mid 90's.
Importance to the industry: No one should underestimate the effect the Hart Family and Stampede wrestling have had on wrestling. The story of the hart family is one of the most interesting, and at times, most tragic real life stories the wrestling world has to offer. And the montreal screwjob still lives in infamy to this day.
How good in the ring: Maybe the best ever. And he always did it without any gimmicks. Very rarely was he in a street fight or cage match or ladder match. The matches with Austin, Bulldog, Owen, Mr.Perfect and so many others were straight up wrestling matches. No gimmicks necessary.
How good on the mic: Better than people think. Certainly not one of the great talkers, but anyone who can hold their own with the likes of Stone Cold and Shawn Micheals, can't be all that bad. He was one of the first to break kayfabe when he verbally and physcially assaulted Vince on RAW in early 97, pre screwjob.
Drawing power:Unfortunately Bret never drew a whole lot. By the time Bret got to the top, the roster in the wwf was completely depleted. I dont think he nor Shawn can be blamed for the poor numbers in the mid 90's while they were at the top, as they were the only things keeping the company afloat. But the fact remains Bret was not a big draw.
Mainstream status: In Canada he is an icon, but elsewhere not so much.
Ability to put on a great match every night: In the WWF, yes. Mr.Perfect, Owen Hart, Shawn Michaels, 123 Kid, British Bulldogs, Demolition, Steve Austin, the list goes on and on. But he spent the rest of his career in WCW, where he gave uneven performances
17)BRUNO SAMMARTINO (score:4)
Professional Success: THE WWF champion. No Bruno, no WWWF, no WWF, no Vince McMahon Jr. Bruno Sammartino was by far the most dominating pro wrestler of the 1970s. He had four of the decade’s PWI’s Match of the Year, (1972, 1975, 19976, 1977) despite closing out the decade wrestling with a broken neck. And he was the WWWF World Champion for 5 of the ten years.
Importance to History: The dominant wrestler of his generation. Also established the big man as a champion, for better or worse. Also, he is a class act in every sense of the word.
How Good in the Ring: Better than a lot of people thought, especially before his back injury limited him. Great ring psychologist; could make the most hard-hearted fan sympathetic to his plight in the ring. When he lost the title to Ivan Koloff, fans were shocked, many of whom were seen crying.
Drawing Power: Call him Mr. Madison Square Garden, where he headlined forever and set a record for sellouts. So necessary to the fiscal health of the WWWF that they brought him back after Pedro Morales turned out to be less of a draw than expected. After the next three champions were having troubles drawing and maintaining a crowd, the WWWF world title was placed around Bruno Sammartino’s waist once again.
Mainstream Status: Well-known still in the Northeast, thanks to personal appearances. Other than that, he is primarily only know to those in the wrestling world.
16)JIM LONDOS (score:4)
Professional Success: Multiple holder of various world titles. He was the dominant wrestler/gate attraction of the Thirties.
Importance to History: Lengthy career spanned from about 1916 to 1960. He was the first non-hooker to hold the championship for any appreciable amount of time. His acrobatic style helped take the game off the horizontal confines of the mat.
How Good in the Ring: Credible worker who made fans believe they were seeing the real thing.
Drawing Power: First wrestler to bring large numbers of women fans to the arenas. Londos even sold a beefcake calendar of himself in wrestling togs with a muscleman pose at the beach. The fact that he could draw sellouts against lesser caliber opponents in the Fifties is a testimony to his charisma.
15)FRED BLASSIE (score:5)
Importance to History: Made his mark as both a wrestler and manager. Fondly remembered in Japan where he boasted he caused a number of heart attacks because of his style.
How Good in the Ring: A cross between Rogers and Kowalski in style, flamboyant with a psychotic edge, and one of the great ring psychologists.
How good on the mic: his interview style was the best in the history of the game.
Drawing Power: Filled arenas in the Atlanta area in the late Fifties, then went on to become the leading draw in California’s WWA during the Sixties. His series against Bruno Sammartino in 1964 helped establish the WWWF. In Japan he had the lure of Dracula – frightening, but they paid by the droves, especially in his series with Rikidozan.
Mainstream Status: A frequent television guest, whether sitcom or a talk show, he is also a pop-culture icon, with his record, “Pencil Neck Geek,” a phrase he made into a mainstream quip.
14) MIL MASCARAS (score:5)
Professional Success: Most popular crossover Mexican wrestler of all time.
Importance in History: Champion of the IWA, the first time a Mexican wrestler headed a mainstream U.S. promotion.
How Good in the Ring: A 230 pounder who moved like a flyweight. It amazes me that he was still working as of a few years ago; Mascaras was born in 1938.
Drawing Power: One of the best draws ever in the WWF; his persona held the IWA together.
Mainstream Status: Followed Santo and Blue Demon onto the silver screen in Mexico as an action hero.
13)THE ROCK (score:5)
Professional Success & Importance to history: The first black wrestler to gain wide acceptance, and the WWE title. I give him all the credit in the world for stepping aside when he was at the pinacle of his career. We will never see the Rock fighting in the indies or down in orlando with his man boobs reaching his knees. He left when he was at the top. In any other sport he'd be applauded for doing something like that. But in wrestling you're criticized. If he hadn't left, future stars like Cena, Orton, Batista would have never existed. The only reason they were in main events was because Rock left. If Rock stuck around, who in the blue hell would want to watch Cena and Batista? They should be thanking him, not criticizing him.
How good in the ring: slightly better than average. The peoples elbow may have been electrifying, but from a wrestling perspective it's one of the worst moves in history.
How good on the mic: his real gift was his ability to grab the microphone and dazzle the crowd. One would almost think he was the child of Fred Blassie rather than Rocky Johnson. He and Bobby Heenan are the two funniest personalities in the history of wrestling. Whoever is third is a distant third. And I mean distant. The Rock has forgotten more catchphrases than most wrestlers are able to come up with.
Drawing Power: he had great drawing power when hot and when given the right opponent. However, his long absences from the ring to make movies have hurt. Unfortunately in wrestling, absence does not make the heart grow fonder.
Mainstream status: most successful crossover star pro wrestling has ever seen finding success in everything from TV to movies.
12)ED “THE STRANGLER” LEWIS (score:5)
Professional Success: The dominant wrestler of the Twenties. His reputation was such that he survived the many scandals about wrestling during the decade. The consensus was that wrestling may be fake, but the Strangler was the Real Thing.
Importance in History: Led a wrestling renaissance after the attendance doldrums of World War 1. Lou Thesz credits Lewis with polishing his style in the ring.
How Good in the Ring: He could fake it with the best of them, but no one wanted to face him in a shoot. If he grabbed you with those arms, the next step was being squeezed into unconsciousness with that famous headlock.
Drawing Power: His reputation drew the crowds. In his later years, he reaped good crowds as a “living legend” type of attraction.
Mainstream Status: Featured in personality pieces and guest-starred on popular radio programs of the day.
11)EL SANTO (score:5)
Professional Success: The God of Lucha Libre. Movie Star extraordinare.
Importance to History: The right man at the right time for Mexican wrestling. His influence is still strong.
How Good in the Ring: His acrobatic style set the standard for others to follow. More than just another hero in a mask.
Drawing Power: In Mexico and anywhere else his fame was known, he was money in the bank.
Mainstream Status: A household name in Mexico, a cult hero in the U.S.
10)FRANK GOTCH (score:5)
Professional Success: Dominant wrestler during the turn of the century. His matches with George Hackenschmidt made the front page on the sports pages throughout the country.
Importance in History: As the man who made professional wrestling into a worthy news item, his place in history is assured. The best thing about the career of Frank Gotch is that he merely retired and left the game, unlike other wrestlers in his position, who used the championship as a power base.
How Good in the Ring: The real deal. Worked a strong style; so strong, in fact, that I believe it led to his early death from kidney failure.
Drawing Power: Great until the second Hackenschmidt bout, which dulled his box office appeal.
Mainstream Status: It was a different world for wrestlers back then. Gotch was idolized like any other mainstream athlete. There was no distinction. It's real to me dammit!
9)ANDRE THE GIANT (score:5)
Professional Success: The greatest freak act in the history of wrestling. Bar none.
Importance to History: “Giants” before his tenure and after have all been disappointments. Andre is the only one who ever made the freak act work. He headlined the biggest ppv in the biggest promotion in the world while it was at it's peak in popularity.
How Good in the Ring: Not good. But better than one would expect, until his acromegaly and alcoholism wore him down to the workrate of a slug.
How good on the mic: I suppose most would say he wasn't that great seeing as how Bobby Heenan did most of the talking for him during his most succesful run in WWF, but to me he has arguably the most recognizable voice in the history of wrestling. Even if he hadn't been a Giant, his voice alone was enough to intimidate anyone. And with a little help from Bob Euker, he was a part of one of the most memorable promos in wwf history at Wrestlemania 4.
Drawing Power: Tremendous, provided he wasn’t a steady diet. Vince McMahon Sr., who booked him, knew that and kept his appearances in each territory at a minimum.
Mainstream Status: As with Hogan, even non-wrestling fans know who he is; a pop culture icon.
8)HULK HOGAN (score:5)
Professional Success: Are you kidding? The biggest attraction in wrestling history and the man who made Vince McMahon king of the hill. Without Hulk, Vince would be in the poorhouse. It's a disgrace WWE ranked him 23 on their top 50 list. Silly and petty. The most dominate wrestler of the 1980s. Hulk Hogan was the WWF’s world champion for five of the ten years and without a doubt the flagship for the company.
Importance to History: Wrestling history from 1984-1990 will always be known as “The Hogan Era” for better or worse.
How Good in the Ring: Fantastic until he actually had to wrestle. The wrestling always seemed to be an unnecessary interruption of his posing. In other words, not so great. Despite achieving the dubious distinction of the “Worst Match of the Year” by the Wrestling Observer, his 1987 match with Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania is known as the slam that changed the wrestling world forever. Even though Harley Race slammed Andre before. But why let facts get in the way of a good story.
How Good on the mic: Well you know something, Mean Gene, no matter how bad his in ring performance was, his promos building up to said bad match, were always entertaining. Brother.
Drawing Power: The best draw in history. It is said Steve Austin drew even more, but I'm not sure about that.
Mainstream Status: Even non-wrestling fans know who Hulk Hogan is. Hulk Hogan ushered in a huge era in wrestling known as the Rock ‘n Wrestling Connection with MTV. This put wrestling out there for pop culture to eat up and it led to both the first ever Saturday Night Main Event and the first ever Wrestlemania. Hogan crossed over to movies, and even music, and quickly became a household name as he toured the late night and early morning talk show circuits regularly. Hogan is one of the most recognized people in the world, and wrestling’s first cover on Sports Illustrated.
7)RIC FLAIR (score:5)
Professional Success: Umpteen-time NWA/WCW champion. Also held WWF belt, no small feat when we consider the fate of most NWA stars who jumped to the WWF during the Hogan era. Dusty, Tully, Arn, Luger didn't fair well. But Flair did. Now that's fair to flair.
Importance to History: Last believable NWA/WCW champ. Once the nWo took over WCW, the title became meaningless. See finger poke of doom.
How Good in the Ring: One of the best who ever donned a pair of tights. In later years became somewhat predictable and an unfortunate caricature of himself. He didn't do himself any glory being Preparation H’s caddy during his second WWF run. And he's ruining his legacy even more by working for TNA. Whenever I see him I can't help but think of Mandelbaum from Seinfeld. "You think you're better than me? It's go time!"
How good on the mic: Woooooooooooooo! At one point Ric Flair was The man on the mic. Only Jake The Snake would rank higher in that department. Over the years, much like his in ring work, his mic work has become more of a comedy act. But during the Horseman years and even during his first WWF run, he was one of the better actors when it came to delivering realistic promos.
Drawing Power: Considerable by NWA/WCW standards, but not at the same level as a Hogan or even the more popular Japanese wrestlers.
Mainstream Status: Practically none outside the Southeast.
Ability to put on a great match every night Even in his old age he's able to take a suplex off a ladder from Shelton Benjamin, or put on a clinic with HBK at Wrestlemania, which should have been his farewell match.
6)GORGEOUS GEORGE (Score:5)
Professional Success: The right man at the right time for the right medium. Television made George a superstar and George did more to sell television sets than any other athlete. Had an amazing run at the top, from about 1944 to 1955.
Importance to History: Every bleached blond baddie owes a debt of gratitude to The Gorgeous One. Jack Pfeffer copied George’s use of a valet and began the career of one Fabulous Moolah, a trend that has lasted to this day. Was the first to do the freak act without actually being a freak, which opened the door to future flamboyant wrestlers.
How Good in the Ring: No Lou Thesz, that’s for sure.
Drawing Power:Because he had to be seen to be believed, he had to be seen. No one even remotely like him had ever been seen before; remember that he debuted in the staid Forties and lasted into the conservative Fifties. Now we take his imitators for granted. Nothing shocks anymore.
Mainstream Status: Mention Ric Flair to a non-wrestling fan you know. Then mention Gorgeous George. Case closed. Comedians of the time such as Bob Hope and Jack Benny always had a Gorgeous George joke or two in their monologue; the last time I heard a Ric Flair joke was never. George was also one of the first wrestlers to have a movie vehicle in Alias the Champ.
5)RIKIDOZAN (score:6)
Professional Success: The God of Puroresu.
Importance to History: His ability built professional wrestling in Japan; his persona kept it together and respected.
How Good in the Ring: Could match styles with anyone.
Drawing Power: A given in Japan. Drew extremely well in California with his only gimmick being his ring ability.
Mainstream Status: Still a God in Japanese sports.
Ability to put on a great match each night His matches with Thesz were classics.
4)LOU THESZ (score:6)
Professional Success: without a doubt the most dominate wrestler of the 1950s. Six-time NWA World’s Champion at a time when the belt meant something. Known as “the greatest pro wrestling champion". Wrestling in an era when professional wrestling was deemed a legit sport, the shooter was said to accumulate 936 straight wins as he went undefeated for seven years, 1948–1955. Lou Thesz was so good he wasn’t content with simply being the world champion. He wanted to unify all the titles so that the NWA world title was the only recognized heavyweight championship.
Importance to History: The glue that held the NWA together. No Thesz, no Flair, period. Wrestlers still use the “Lou Thesz press.” Thesz invented and made famous numerous moves that are now as common as the clothesline including the belly to back suplex, STF, powerbomb and, of course, the Lou Thesz press. Thesz became the first NWA champion to defend his title in Japan, and his series of matches launched the pro wrestling craze in the Land of the Rising Sun. After his 61 min time limit draw against Rikidozan, pro wrestling soon became as popular in Japan as samurais and sushi. Few men can say they were truly a world champion.Hero and role model of Kurt Angle, his solid style will always outlast the performance art of the moment. Though he didn’t found the NWA, he gained his fame by reigning as its champion, being at the same time an ambassador for the sport and a role model in bringing in collegiate wrestlers. Without Thesz there is no NWA, and without the NWA there is no Flair, because being NWA champion got Flair out of the Mid-Atlantic ghetto and provided him with a worldwide presence
How Good in the Ring & Ability to put on a great match each night: On a scale of 1 to 10, he was a 12.
Drawing Power: Good enough to keep the NWA financially viable during bad economic times.
Mainstream Status: Considerable in Japan. Accepted as the real deal in the US by the amateur wrestling community, no light accomplishment.
3)MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE (score:7)
Professional Success: The only man other than Hulk Hogan to hold the WWF Championship during the wrestling boom of the mid 80's.
Importance to History: Had one of the most imporant matches in WWF history at it's most important and biggest event to date. Savage gave much needed credibility to the rather circuls like roster the WWF was sporting at the time.
How good in the ring: Participated in what most consider the greatest match of all time at the greatest Wrestlemania of all time. The chemisty between himself and Steamboat has been often imitated but never duplicated. Incredibly believable wrestler. In my opinion, other than Bret Hart, the most believable and realistic wrestler ever. Nothing schticky or corny with Savage. No superhero comeback routine like most of his larger than life counterparts used. Nothing formulaic about Savages in ring work.
How good on the mic: Arguably the most recognizable voice in the history of wrestling, other than Andre's. No one else sounded like Macho Man. Had a sound and a promo style all his own. Could be intense, dramatic, or even comedic. He oozed charisma. Fantastic heel but an even better face.
Drawing Power: He was Intercontinental Champion in 1987 and WWF Champion in 1988 while the WWF was at the pinacle of its popularity in the 80's wrestling boom.
Mainstream Status: Snap into a slim jim! Ooooh yeah! One of the few modern day wrestlers to make it into mainstream commercials and pop culture. He may not be a movie star like the Rock or even a bad movie star like Hogan, but he still broke through in his own unique way.
Ability to put on a good match every night: I never saw a bad Randy Savage match. Even if he had a dud opponent like Warrior he still managed to put on a great show.
2)NATURE BOY BUDDY ROGERS (score:7)
Professional Success:AWA, NWA and WWWF champion. Considered one of the greatest workers of the postwar era. First WWWF Champion ever, at the height of what is deemed the “Golden Years” of professional wrestling. The Nature Boy was the first wrestler ever to hold both the NWA and the WWWF titles. The most dominate wrestler of the 1960s, “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Importance to History: He’s noted as the inventor of the figure-four leg lock and was one of the best at being a cocky, arrogant heel as opposed to the angry, yelling, and monster bad guy. He established himself the “Nature Boy” a title that would go on to be almost as prestigious as the gold he wore around his waist. A bleached blond blowhard who was the macho version of Gorgeous George. Every blowhard afterward, from Fred Blassie to Ric Flair, is in his debt.
how good on the mic: Practically invented the art of the interview. One of the few wrestlers who knew how to use the tube to his advantage. If you weren’t privileged to see him in action, just take a look at the man he passed the torch to, Ric Flair, and think of his persona turned up a notch.
How Good in the Ring & Ability to put on a great match each night: One of the smoothest and most consistent workers. His ego led to more than a few locker room skirmishes.
Drawing Power: Women loved his arrogant bluster with a sense that they knew it was no act. Men hated him but came out in droves to see him anyway. Along with Thesz, the drawing card of the Fifties.
Mainstream Status: Featured in many magazine articles and appeared on quite a few television shows. Even made the pages of Mad Magazine in 1964, in a parody entitled “Angry Magazine.” Buddy shares a round-table forum with boxer Sonny Liston, labor leader Walter Reuther, and U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater. Highlight was a drawing of Rogers trapped in a leglock by Goldwater.
1)STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN
Professional Success: THE dominant wrestler of the 1990's. He single handedly did more to turn the fortunes of the WWF around than anyone else. Not only did he single handedly ressurect the WWF's popularity, he more than any other WWF performer, is responsible for WWF regaining the lead in the monday night wars and thus killing WCW.
Importance to History: The most important wrestler of his generation. No one has can make the claim that they changed the entire industry. There was wrestling pre Stone Cold Steve Austin and then there was wrestling post Stone Cold Steve Austin. He is the fork in the road in the timeline of wrestling. And those two worlds look nothing a like. The first half of the 1990s was very lackluster. Wrestling was in a slump, partially due to a steroid scandal that almost permanently crippled the WWF and the WCW was just hanging around. But at the end of the 1990s came a time that more than made up for the previous six years. The Attitude Era was born.
How good on the mic: The greatest trash talker of all time. And it all started at the King of the Ring in 1996 when Steve Austin flipped a Bible script on Jake Roberts that a star was born. Steve no longer felt stunning and couldn’t get over with help of a million bucks, he reinvented himself taking the demeanor from a killer he saw on TV. Stone Cold ushered in his reign as America’s favorite heel with his now notorious Austin 3:16 line that was aimed for a recovering alcoholic, but caught on with fans around the world. Stone Cold led the charge for the WWF during the most successful era in pro wrestling history. He is proof that wrestling could survive in popularity without Hogan at the helm. Hogan owes alot of his success to Vince McMahons marketing machine. Austin is a different case entirely. He was headed to Mid-Card Land until he took it upon himself to change his image. Vince wanted him to be Ringmaster with a buzzcut and the million dollar belt. Steve had other ideas. And since he came up with Stone Cold name, the look, and the 3:16 promo, he deserves most of the credit for his own success. Only 4 men can make the claim that wrestling was one thing before they arrived, and became something else after they left, and those 4 men are Hulk Hogan, Lou Thesz, Gorgeous George, and Steve Austin. That's it. And when you break those 4 men down using the 7 point criteria system that I used, only Steve Austin hits a perfect 7 out of 7.
How good in the ring: A fantastic worker early in his career and despite being slowed over the years by very serious injuires was still a decent worker even in his final years.
Drawing power: He is said to be the biggest moneymaker in the history of the promotion, I don't have the numbers to say whether or not thats true, but he is certanily at the very least the second biggest draw in WWF history. The pop this man would get when he entered an arena in the attitude era is unparallel. Not even Hogan himself could match. Thats a fact. Little kids just don't holler as loud as college and high school kids. Period. Austin’s t-shirts remain popular among fans and non-fans alike. Austin 3:16 shirst are the biggest selling WWF merchandise ever.
mainstream status: One of only a handful of wrestlers who is well known amongst the general public outside the wrestling fan base.
ability to put on a great match every night: His matches in WCW were never the main event, but whether against Pillman or Steamboat, he always seemed to steal the show. Unfortunately he hit the creative pinacle of his career in the WWF right when his body was slowing down. Yet that didnt prevent any of his matches against Bret Hart or The Rock from being classics.
So there you have it, Stone Cold is #1. Stats don't lie. And that's the bottom line cause Stone Cold said so!
