There are some names that simply shouldn't be named, like Ric Flair. Sure he's probably the biggest name in the wrestling comunity itself, but outside that, he's a nobody.
And if you name Steve Austin, anyone over the age of 30, that hasn't watched wrestling is going to think of Steve Austin The Six Million Dollar Man if they've heard the name at all.
Bret Hart people probably won't know, but if you say The Hitman Bret Hart people are more likely to associate him with the guy that is the namesake of NHL team The Calgary Hitmen.
Shawn Michaels is another guy no one knows.
The Undertaker is another one very few people know outside the wrestling world.
However there are names out there that people are likely to know, like Mike "The Miz" Mizanin for all his reality shows, and talk shows, and game show appearances and commercials he's made.
Especially among senior citizens people know Stacy Keibler as one of the best dancers ever on dancing with the stars, and in that same vein people know Chris Jericho.
To be honest, I don't think you can get more well known than Jesse Ventura, Hogan & Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson are probably the only two that could give him a run for most well known wrestler of all time.
Gorgeous George is also a great answer as he's the guy who inspired Muhammed Ali to be the character he was.
Bill Goldberg is surprisingly well known as well. I mean, he's hosted a number of meh tv shows, and played for the Atlanta Falcons, and was in a couple of movies... but IMO his level of celebrity far outpaces his exposure. And I certainly don't think it's because of his wrestling career. Maybe his car shows are more widely watched than I would have expected.
John Cena is a media powerhouse in the making. He's still getting bigger, and by the time he's done he may just rival Hogan & The Rock (though I have my doubts). People know John Cena from countless appearances from guest hosting TMZ, to interviews on latenight and morning talk shows, and as a presenter on award ceremonies. Oh and he's done movies too.
I do not think Andre makes this list anymore. Too many young people would likely have no idea who he was. The idea that Taker would be known by people that have never watched wrestling is amusing.
The Princess Bride is a classic. Andre was immortalized because of this movie. This movie is what got my 6 year old son to ask to watch older wrestling matches rather than just John Cena.
And thanks for bringing up Vince. A lot of people know of Vince McMahon like they know of Ted Turner & Donald Trump.
