Dude read the list again. Triple H is there. He's not even on the bubble. He really has no business being on this list whatsoever. I can think of at least 30 wrestler entertainers who would rank higher in charisma, ability and drawing ability. That, to me, is way more important than booked title wins and self-imposed main event runs and top of the WM card matches...
Fox Sports 11 greatest WWE superstars
- Thread starter Radical Canadian Goose
- Start date
Dude read the list again. Triple H is there. He's not even on the bubble. He really has no business being on this list whatsoever. I can think of at least 30 wrestler entertainers who would rank higher in charisma, ability and drawing ability. That, to me, is way more important than booked title wins and self-imposed main event runs and top of the WM card matches...
You have absolutely no clue what you're talking about. Savage IS NOT number 11. He is no lower than number 6, strong case could be made for him being #1! This list isn't about 'faces' it's about 'wrestlers'. And it's about WWE (Flair spent most of his 35 year career outside of WWF). It is not about Hollywood in Rock's case or overall impact/legacy in Austin's case. It's the list of the 11 best wrestlers (overall entertainers) Michaels is pound for pound the greatest wrestling entertainer of all time after Savage in overall everything. He's Mr. Wrestlemania, you clown! Undertaker is fantastic but he's a GIMMICK. He's not on this list because of his charisma or because of wrestling ability. He's on this list because of how epic his character has been booked by a booking team. Savage and Michaels relied on their ability as performers. They were not booked to win piles of titles or to carry the company although they both easily could have. Combined they won less titles than the immortally booked Triple H because they DIDN'T need them to get over. And Savage was a massive draw!How old are you anyway? 14? You're telling me Andre sold more Tshirts and merchandise at any point in his WWE career compared to Savage? How about compared to the Miz? Andre sold out the independent circuit in the 70s, not the big stage at WM 4or 5 or 8 let alone WM 7 or 3 (Hogan drew the biggest gate ever, and Savage wrestled the greatest two of three matches ever..at both those WMs..Andre did none of the above!) Rock transcended wrestling sure. He was in and out of the WWF, and all of wrestling on a full time basis, after just 7 years! And he sucked bad his first year. Austin only got big near the very of his 13 year career and could only stun people and drink beer for his final 3 or 4 years. Freaking Savage and Michaels wrestled 25 plus years! And Michaels wrestled 20 of those years for the WWF! Both Savage and Michaels put on the absolute greatest matches in wrestling history! Savage was legendary all over the territories in the US and Canada before his WWF career even began! And he had a more than decent WCW run where he padded his amazing career resume.
You cannot drop Bret or Shawn because they are two of the greatest wrestler entertainers of all time. It's beyond easy to see who on this list doesn't belong..Triple H. Who on earth in their right mind truly believes he ranks in the top 10 of all time let alone the top 30 or 40? Absolutely mind boggling how so many of you wrestling 'fans' have been conned into believing that guy can wrestle, entertain or draw. Absolutely mindboggling! And while we're on the topic of wrestlers who could be replaced, so could Andre. Yeah sure he was larger than life and was a major draw all over the world outside the WWE. But Andre would just be another Great Khali today. He was a terrible wrestler. He was just scary looking. I would replace both he and Jean Paul Levesque, lol, with any one of the following: Piper, Warrior, Kurt Angle, Bob Backlund or Brock Lesnar. Maybe even Cena.
I'd put in Cena over Ric Flair, actually. In the WWE, Flair didn't do all that much in the grand scheme of things. Won a couple of WWF titles, then pissed off. Then returned in his 50s and worked as a midcarder for a couple years. And since a list of the greatest WWE superstars shouldn't include someone who had all his best years in NWA and WCW, take Flair out, put Cena in.
Man, people are insane when it comes to lists of greatest wrestlers.
Man, people are insane when it comes to lists of greatest wrestlers.
As much as i love both Flair and HHH, they have nothing to do on that list.
HHH has been a great great heel on the 2000`s, but theres no way he is on that list league.
Ric Flair is one of the greatest of all time, but still to this days i dont see him as a WWE superstar.
Like it or not, CENA should be on the list. Hell, even Randy should be there.
HHH has been a great great heel on the 2000`s, but theres no way he is on that list league.
Ric Flair is one of the greatest of all time, but still to this days i dont see him as a WWE superstar.
Like it or not, CENA should be on the list. Hell, even Randy should be there.
mancini999
Dark Match Winner
agree with the 2 posters above. If this a wwf/wwe list Rick has no business on it. Doesn't change the fact he is 1 of if the not the best ever.
enviousdominous
Behold my diction
Really OP; if we don't feel like reading? I clicked the link, and that "list" was a fucking slide show with captions that appeared to have been written by an eight year old. There's nothing to read, it's just some bullshit click-bait.
Arguing the merits of this list with any of the shitheads who crafted it would be like giving dating tips to a porn site's spam-bot. They snatched up some names from what was probably a google search of "best WWE performers of all time" and cashed whatever paycheck posting useless bullshit online can apparently earn.
Is John Cena on of the top eleven WWE performers of all time? Sure, I suppose. Whatever. *jazz hands*
Arguing the merits of this list with any of the shitheads who crafted it would be like giving dating tips to a porn site's spam-bot. They snatched up some names from what was probably a google search of "best WWE performers of all time" and cashed whatever paycheck posting useless bullshit online can apparently earn.
Is John Cena on of the top eleven WWE performers of all time? Sure, I suppose. Whatever. *jazz hands*
Sean Valjean
Lets Bitch About This Thing We Love
Love him or hate him, Cena being excluded is a travesty. He's been the undisputed face of WWE for over a decade, has defined an entire era, and has transcended wrestling in a way that only Hogan, Austin, and Rock have. Everyone knows who John Cena is. And that's before you dive into his miles-long list of championships and great matches.
I'd personally remove either Flair or Triple H to get Cena in there. Flair is one of the best ever, but much of his success and fame was achieved in other companies. This list is the best of WWE, and Flair's run consist of a nice run in the early 90's and the "Old Flair" era of the 2000's, which makes up the majority. Still good, but not great compared to the rest of his career.
As for Triple H, he's definitely great (one of the best heels ever) and his NXT work merits mention, but he is no John Cena in terms of sheer star power and impact.
I'd personally remove either Flair or Triple H to get Cena in there. Flair is one of the best ever, but much of his success and fame was achieved in other companies. This list is the best of WWE, and Flair's run consist of a nice run in the early 90's and the "Old Flair" era of the 2000's, which makes up the majority. Still good, but not great compared to the rest of his career.
As for Triple H, he's definitely great (one of the best heels ever) and his NXT work merits mention, but he is no John Cena in terms of sheer star power and impact.
mral82
The D.G.A.F.F.O.O.O. Champion
So this is the list of Fox Sports 11 Greatest WWE Superstars (Imo This List Doesn't Exsist in a way as it was the WWF,E then not the WWE but I'll humour you by these names of Pre-2000 WWF Wrasslers):
Andre The Giant (Should be on the list of what he did for the biznizz)
Hulk Hogan (Jut Cause it's Hogan)
Randy Savage (Was the Greatest Thing to come from the Mid-Cards to MAin Events in the late 80's- Early'90s
Ric Flair (Should not be here as he only had technically a about 2 year run that did nothing so Flair would be Removed here as he was basically all WCW pre 2000)
Shawn Michaels (Same As Randy Savage)
Bret Hart (Another Same As Savage)
The Rock (From 1996-2000 he became a Main Stream legend in the Making)
The Undertaker (from Debutin til 2000 he had one of the Best Streaks Ever)
HHH (Proved that he had what it took to make it)
Stone Cold (From a Jobbing Ringmaster to a Stone Cold Stunner same as The Rock Main Stream Wise)
Bruno Samartino (Just cause he's Bruno and Carried the WWWFE for almost A decade like John Cena has done today but Bruno got Loved for it while John got Jeered as same G-Dang thing and build)
So I would replace Ric Flair w/ Either Mick Foley and his 4 Faces , 'The $1,000,000.00 Man" Ted DiBiase-Senior, Jake Roberts, Bob Backlund, or idk whom else but Replace Flair cause he shouldn't be on the list due to his WCW and List seems so Pre-2000.
Andre The Giant (Should be on the list of what he did for the biznizz)
Hulk Hogan (Jut Cause it's Hogan)
Randy Savage (Was the Greatest Thing to come from the Mid-Cards to MAin Events in the late 80's- Early'90s
Ric Flair (Should not be here as he only had technically a about 2 year run that did nothing so Flair would be Removed here as he was basically all WCW pre 2000)
Shawn Michaels (Same As Randy Savage)
Bret Hart (Another Same As Savage)
The Rock (From 1996-2000 he became a Main Stream legend in the Making)
The Undertaker (from Debutin til 2000 he had one of the Best Streaks Ever)
HHH (Proved that he had what it took to make it)
Stone Cold (From a Jobbing Ringmaster to a Stone Cold Stunner same as The Rock Main Stream Wise)
Bruno Samartino (Just cause he's Bruno and Carried the WWWFE for almost A decade like John Cena has done today but Bruno got Loved for it while John got Jeered as same G-Dang thing and build)
So I would replace Ric Flair w/ Either Mick Foley and his 4 Faces , 'The $1,000,000.00 Man" Ted DiBiase-Senior, Jake Roberts, Bob Backlund, or idk whom else but Replace Flair cause he shouldn't be on the list due to his WCW and List seems so Pre-2000.
To me the guy who does not belong is Ric Flair.....now let me explain ...If this was a greatest wrestling Superstars I fell his place would be there but his WWF/E time is not quite there. His first time with the W was short and alright but nothing special and when he returned he was in his declining years. He is a WCW guy To me guys like Brock, Piper and yes Even Cena desrve that spot over him
BestSportsEntertainer
I Don't Need No User Title
John Cena definitely needs to be added.
I'm not a huge fan of him, but he has carried the company for the last 10 years.
I would replace Bret Hart. He's good but not as good as Cena.
I'm not a huge fan of him, but he has carried the company for the last 10 years.
I would replace Bret Hart. He's good but not as good as Cena.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
I'm sorry I can't let this slide. Bret Hart was not "good" he was one the GREATEST of ALL TIME. I'm sorry you can't compare Cena's era to Bret's. Let's see
Bret vs Hennig at '91 SummerSlam absolute classic.
Bret vs. Davey at 'Slam '92 one of the greatest matches of all time!! The backstory (how Bret carried Davey the entire way) made Bret even greater in my mind.
Bret vs. Owen at in a cage at 'Slam 94 Match of the Year
Bret vs Diesel at Survivor Series '95 a masterpiece considering who he worked with (Kevin Nash)
Bret vs Davey Boy Smith Dec. '95 IYH - classic
Bret vs. Shawn Iron Man - 'nuff said
Bret vs Stone Cold WM 13 - 'nuff said
Do I need to go on?
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
Plus I didn't even count the Hard Foundation stuff vs. the likes of the Bulldogs, the Rougeaus, Powers of Pain, Demolition, the Nasties etc.....
Bernkastel
Reaper of Miracles
11.) Andre the Giant
10.) Hulk Hogan
9.) Randy Savage
8.) Ric Flair
7.) Shawn Micahels
6.) Bret Hart
5.) The Rock
4.) The Undertaker
3.) Triple H
2.) Steve Austin
1.) Bruno Sammartino
This was the list Fox Sports gave in the order that I read it. I don't know if the rankings were in any order or if they were random, but all the big names seem to be there, with a few exceptions.
The list is missing...
John Cena
Bob Backlund
Billy Graham
I agree with the arguments about kicking Savage for Cena. As good as Randy Savage was, John Cena is solidly better across the board. He's got the accolades, the longevity, the consistency, and the popularity to boast and the fact that he was not on the list really makes me question the criteria that Fox Sports used. Maybe current stars from the last decade were exempt.
I personally would bump Bret Hart for Bob Backlund. Bob was better than Bret in every way imaginable, and while I do think the Hitman was great I don't think he's good enough to make a top 11. Bob was, and I don't have any clue how Fox Sports could have overlooked him. Bruno just feels like a novelty on their list now.
I'd bump Flair. Flair made his name in other promotions outside the WWE and didn't really start becoming relevant until he was already past his prime, coasting on reputation that he didn't forge in the WWE. It would be like having Sting or Harley Race on a WWE list.
Billy Graham I'd have on there for his influence. It was his image and personality that laid the foundation for the huge, musclebound larger than life characters that WWE would soon peddle in bulk in the years to come.
10.) Hulk Hogan
9.) Randy Savage
8.) Ric Flair
7.) Shawn Micahels
6.) Bret Hart
5.) The Rock
4.) The Undertaker
3.) Triple H
2.) Steve Austin
1.) Bruno Sammartino
This was the list Fox Sports gave in the order that I read it. I don't know if the rankings were in any order or if they were random, but all the big names seem to be there, with a few exceptions.
The list is missing...
John Cena
Bob Backlund
Billy Graham
I agree with the arguments about kicking Savage for Cena. As good as Randy Savage was, John Cena is solidly better across the board. He's got the accolades, the longevity, the consistency, and the popularity to boast and the fact that he was not on the list really makes me question the criteria that Fox Sports used. Maybe current stars from the last decade were exempt.
I personally would bump Bret Hart for Bob Backlund. Bob was better than Bret in every way imaginable, and while I do think the Hitman was great I don't think he's good enough to make a top 11. Bob was, and I don't have any clue how Fox Sports could have overlooked him. Bruno just feels like a novelty on their list now.
I'd bump Flair. Flair made his name in other promotions outside the WWE and didn't really start becoming relevant until he was already past his prime, coasting on reputation that he didn't forge in the WWE. It would be like having Sting or Harley Race on a WWE list.
Billy Graham I'd have on there for his influence. It was his image and personality that laid the foundation for the huge, musclebound larger than life characters that WWE would soon peddle in bulk in the years to come.
I_Like_All_Wrestling
Championship Contender
The list is more of a "ask anyone if they know these people and they will" type of list. Everyone knows Hogan. Most people know Ric Flair. Most people know the Undertaker. If they don't know them by name, they at least know them as "oh the wrestling guy who does..." You could probably take off HHH, Shawn or Bret (in that order for me). I don't think they're that iconic. I do think Piper needs to be on the list.
If you're trying to put Cena on that list, you're insane. Absolutely insane. He's the top guy in an era when wrestling isn't that big. That doesn't make him bigger than past stars. Half of the 80s roster would probably be more popular and recognizable than Cena is. And Macho Man, he's probably a top three all time name. Everyone know Macho Man.
As for the argument that Warrior should be in there. I think his time was too short for him to make the list.
If you're trying to put Cena on that list, you're insane. Absolutely insane. He's the top guy in an era when wrestling isn't that big. That doesn't make him bigger than past stars. Half of the 80s roster would probably be more popular and recognizable than Cena is. And Macho Man, he's probably a top three all time name. Everyone know Macho Man.
As for the argument that Warrior should be in there. I think his time was too short for him to make the list.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
No the current stars are not exempt they just don't belong.
Accolades? What accolades are we talking about? The number of championships? The WWE title dosn't mean nearly as much today as it did 25 years ago. It trades hands so much it's hard to keep up on who is the Champion. Hulk Hogan was WWF Champion for 4 years. Savage for one year. Warrior for one year. Triple H and Cena are like 20 time WWF Champions. It's a joke. I remember Savage's first and second run with the title more than Cena's 20.
The only reason Cena has longevity is because WWE is the only game in town. There is no WCW or territories. He has no choice but to stay in WWE. Savage has options. As far as "longevity' Savage's career is on par with Cena's. Brooklyn Brawler has "longevity."
Savage was a consistent main event player for the WWF from the time he was brought in '86 all the way up to time he left in 1994. And as far as popularity Macho Man was as popular as they get. The fans turned him babyface in 1987 and he was still popular even as a heel.
Bob Backlund over Bret Hart?!? Are you kidding!! Better than Bret in what way? He wasn't as entertaining, he wasn't as charismatic, Bob was a better amateur wrestler but as far as "telling a story" in the ring there is no one better than Bret Hart. I'm sorry Bret was corvette to Backlund's yugo. There is no comparison.
Accolades? What accolades are we talking about? The number of championships? The WWE title dosn't mean nearly as much today as it did 25 years ago. It trades hands so much it's hard to keep up on who is the Champion. Hulk Hogan was WWF Champion for 4 years. Savage for one year. Warrior for one year. Triple H and Cena are like 20 time WWF Champions. It's a joke. I remember Savage's first and second run with the title more than Cena's 20.
The only reason Cena has longevity is because WWE is the only game in town. There is no WCW or territories. He has no choice but to stay in WWE. Savage has options. As far as "longevity' Savage's career is on par with Cena's. Brooklyn Brawler has "longevity."
Savage was a consistent main event player for the WWF from the time he was brought in '86 all the way up to time he left in 1994. And as far as popularity Macho Man was as popular as they get. The fans turned him babyface in 1987 and he was still popular even as a heel.
Bob Backlund over Bret Hart?!? Are you kidding!! Better than Bret in what way? He wasn't as entertaining, he wasn't as charismatic, Bob was a better amateur wrestler but as far as "telling a story" in the ring there is no one better than Bret Hart. I'm sorry Bret was corvette to Backlund's yugo. There is no comparison.
Bernkastel
Reaper of Miracles
In this huge rambling post of mostly ignorance this stood out. Savage was not a huge draw by any means. He was a decent draw, but not a huge one. In fact, of the names listed if you were to base the rankings just off drawing power Savage would be on the bottom along with Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Selling tee shirts and whatnot is not drawing power. That's called being marketable. Savage was definitely more marketable than most, but he's still a far cry from Hogan, Rock, Austin, Andre, or Cena.
Bernkastel
Reaper of Miracles
Cena does. Absolutely. I would seriously question your criteria otherwise. Though I'd agree that wrestlers like Batista and Randy Orton, despite being outstanding, do miss the cut.
In that case we can bump Rock, Austin, Bret, and Shawn from the list. Cena has won the WWE title 12 times and has held it combined for over 1,200 days.2 to 3 times longer than any of those other guys. Rock is an 8 time world champion had held the strap for a combined 367 days. So trying to discredit John Cena for the hot potato concept is a piss poor argument. If anything it makes him look even more impressive.
Cena had a year long title reign in 2006. It was, up to that time, the longest title reign since Savage's in 1988. And Cena's was still longer.
And because of that Cena faces overexposure in ways that 1980's and 1990's stars didn't. And despite that he's still managed to be WWE's biggest draw and most marketable star of the past 8 years.
Despite that Savage wasn't quite the drawing card that Cena has been, and Cena works in an era where the WWE name brand provides the majority of the drawing power. Savage was no where near as marketable as Cena is either.
Nope.
How so? Bob may not have been as entertaining to you as Bret was, but to the masses he certainly was. Bret was no where near the drawing card that Bob was. That speaks very loudly to his popularity.
Uh, how exactly do you figure? Bob had plenty of charisma. He also had plenty of presence. Bob could talk and play multiple roles.
How do you figure? Bob was a great worker. Not only that but he adapted his style in order to succeed in two different eras. Bret could barely succeed in one.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
We don't add Stone Cold, Rocky, or Shawn based on the NUMBER of titles they have won but of the IMPACT they have had. Stone Cold was driving force behind the Attitude Era, THE most financially successful period in WWE history. Rock is a mega cross over star. When was the last time he won a championship? Shawn Michaels was one the greatest in-ring performers of ALL TIME. I don't know how many titles he has won nor I do I care. Don't give me numbers. You sounds like a mark. It's about the IMPACT. Macho Man still has a lasting impact TO THIS DAY and he hasn't set foot in a WWE ring in over two decades!!
Really? I don't remember much of Cena's "reign" did he have an all-time great feud/angle like The Mega Powers? Or how about a legendary feud with Ric Flair that culminated at WrestleMania 8?
Ummm have you ever heard of Slim Jim?? How about the movie Spider Man? Baywatch? Or how about the litany of Macho Man impersonations that resonate to this very day! Have you heard the catch phrase "ooooh yeah" when someone says that who is the first person you think of? Savage was gold my friend PURE gold.
No where near the drawing card? How do you figure that? You have gate receipts from 1978-1984?
Yeah because when we think of Bob Backlund we think of charisma. All you have to do to go on youtube and look at the difference in "pops" between Backlund and when the Hitman came out. That is charisma,
Succeed in two eras? When was the second era? You're not speaking about his 'comeback". That was a joke. What's even MORE of a joke if the statement "Bret could barely succeed in one." Let's see 1980's with Hart Foundation; New Generation and Attitude Era. Thats' three eras. I think he did pretty well.
Radical Canadian Goose
Getting Noticed By Management
Ok so by your assessment, "the ask anyone if you know these people" rule, I asked my non wrestling fan wife, the one who goes upstairs when I turn on wrestling, to tell me if she had heard of the names of certain wrestlers. Her response,
Hulk Hogan - Ummm, yeah.
Andre The Giant - Oh the big guy in Princess Bride
Randy Savage - Oh Macho Man? You wear his shirt a lot, yes?
Bret Hart - I heard he has cancer.
Shawn Michaels - Never heard of him
Ric Flair - Nope
Undertaker - Is that the guy that you said your dad looks like?
HHH - Somebody is actually called "Triple H?"
The Rock - We just watched San Andreas last night, dumbass.
Stone Cold - You mean Steve Austin, the cop is named after him.... (small town humour)
Bruno Sammartino - Nope. Are we done?
John Cena - Yeah, he's hot. I saw him in Daddy's Home mmmmmmm.
Ok honey, I asked, since you said No to 4 wrestlers (Michaels, Flair,HHH,Sammartino), can you name 4 wrestlers that you know?
That guy up there on your pop bottle (Roddy Piper)
Who was in that awful Christmas movie that we turned off (The Miz)
That guy with the jersey you have (Chris Jericho)
Bo,Bo Bo, someone. He says Bolieve. (Bo Dallas)
By your logic then, my wifes top 11 wrestlers would exclude, Sammartino, HHH, Flair, and Michaels but include The Miz, Bo Dallas, Roddy Piper and Chris Jericho. I get what you were trying to say, unfortunately when I put it to the test, it didn't work well. Actually, now that I am writing this I realize that I made her name 12. We can argue whether or not Bo or Miz should make the 11 spot lol
Bernkastel
Reaper of Miracles
And John Cena hasn't had any impact? How exactly do you figure? He's the most polarizing WWE superstar of all time. Cena has demonstrated that it is possible to become big enough to move the "needle" even when the WWE name brand has become the "needle" itself.
If you are approaching this solely from a moneymaking standpoint, the WWE makes more money every year today than they ever did 15 years ago. 2008 was WWE's most profitable year to date.
Cena is WWE's flagship star as they expand their company into a global promotion. The first of its kind. They were still a national promotion when Austin was top dog.
2012. Not that long ago.
Numbers are objective. They are rooted in facts. Just saying "well Savage was cheered allot therefore he was popular" is subjective and means little. Cena was a bigger drawing card than Randy Savage. WWE has made more money marketing Cena than they did marketing Savage. Therefore Cena is more popular than Savage.
We are both wrestling fans discussing a product and wrestlers that we love. We are both marks. Or do you not understand what the term "mark" means?
Randy Savage is dead. Kinda hard for him to step foot in the WWE again. But WWE still talks about him allot, as they should. But do you REALLY think that once Cena retires that WWE isn't going to continue touting him as one of the greatest ever? Because LOL to that.
Sounds like a personal problem.
Cena put over Umaga, Khali, and Bobby Lashley, had the match of the year against Shawn Michaels in April, before main eventing Wrestlemania 23. Mania 23 set a new gate record for ticket sales to a WWE event, pumped $25 million into the Detroit economy, and drew 80,000 people. Second only to Mania 3.
And that was only one of the Mania's has headlined. He's headlined 5 of them. How many Wrestlemania's did Randy Savage headline? How many of them set new records?
have you ever heard of Fruity Pebbles?
Sisters? Trainwreck? 12 Rounds? Parks and Recreation? You act as if it's impressive that Savage appeared in crossover media and act as if Cena hasn't. Cena already has 13 movie credits to his name.
Someone already beat Savage to that catchphrase.
Nope, but Matt Farmer sure does. Dave Meltzer too. On the all time drawing card list that Farmer constructed Cena clocks in at #34. Savage at #36. So while they aren't that far apart, Cena works in an era where the WWE brand has far more recognition than its individual stars. Savage did not. Despite that Cena still managed to draw more big gates to his name than Savage.
Oh yeah, pops. Right.
How about the fact that Bob was able to draw huge gates for numerous years all over the world for several years, while Bret struggled domestically. That tells me fans were drawn to Backlund in ways that they were not drawn to Hart. And the way that the industry worked during the 70's, Backlund had to have been extremely charismatic and appealing in order to pull off the level of success that he did.
Hardly. It showed that Backlund had the ability to reinvent himself for a new era and connect to a different audience. He adapted. WWE let him have the world title as a result, not only due to his capabilities but from his ability to connect with people. I'd say his run was very successful.
Bret was only the top during the New Generation, and he struggled as a champion. He was overshadowed heavily by Austin and co by the Attitude Era. WCW didn't even use him when he went to WCW, not that he would have made any difference in their ratings if they had.
Backund had longevity as a top star and consistency at the top and popularity that Bret couldn't even begin to touch.
BestSportsEntertainer
I Don't Need No User Title
John Cena has plenty of great matches and feuds What is your point?
Cena carried the company 10 years. Bret Hart didn't have the same impact Cena did.
Sean Valjean
Lets Bitch About This Thing We Love
I agree with keeping Bret on, but for me it's more because he, along with Shawn, opened the doors for smaller guys as main eventers. Guys like CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, Finn Balor, and so, so many more all owe a measure of gratitude to Hart and Michaels. That's Bret's defining legacy IMO.
Where I disagree with you is keeping Cena off. As great as Bret was, and he's one of my favorites, Cena > Bret in overall impact. John Cena IS the WWE, and has been for over a decade. He's a legitimate pop culture icon and has transcended wrestling, something only Hogan, Austin, and Rock can boast.
Bret was A guy. Cena is THE guy. Now, I wouldn't necessarily replace Bret with Cena (see my earlier post for my picks), but make no mistake: John Cena is a bigger deal than Bret Hart.
Oh, and if we're talking great match-ups? Well off the top of my head:
Cena vs JBL - Judgment Day 2005
Cena vs HBK- Wrestlemania 23/Hour-long Raw match
Cena vs Umaga - Royal Rumble 2007
Cean vs Edge - Unforgiven 2006/Backlash 2009
Cena vs Batista - Summerslam 2008/Wrestlemania 26
Cena vs Punk - Money in the Bank 2011/Raw early 2013 (where Cena's Rumble shot was on the line)
Cena vs Rock - Wrestlemania 28
Cena vs Lesnar - Extreme Rules 2012
Cena vs Bryan - Summerslam 2013
Cena vs Rollins vs Lesnar - Royal Rumble 2015
Cena vs KO - Elimination Chamber 2015
I'll go ahead an toss in the entire US Open Challenge stuff as one entry as it regularly produced good to great matches and made the US title more prestigious than it has been in years.
Oh, and he's also 15-time world champ, has held the WWE title more times than anyone else ever (one of them a year+ reign), has held the WWE incarnation of the US title more than anyone else, is a 2-time Rumble winner, MITB winner, and bangs Nikki Bella on a regular basis. He even has a rap album. A RAP ALBUM, dammit.
So like I said, Cena's a bigger deal than Bret.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
I'm talking about BOOM periods. Where the current era VASTLY surpassed the previous era in terms of popularity, financially, overall product etc.... I can only count two "BOOM" periods; the 1980's golden age (of which Savage is a part of) and the Attitude Era. The WWE has remained stagnant for the last 10 years. The "needle" hasn't moved.
I'm approaching it from a creative standpoint, a popularity standpoint, a historical standpoint. Of course they made more in 2008 look at all the different vehicles of revenue generation!! It's a different world from 2008 to 1998 and ever FAR more different than in 1988. It's comparing apples to oranges in terms of finances but what I DO know the product was FAR superior in 1988 and 1998 in terms of creativity, popularity, etc....
Randy Savage was ALIVE for most of the past two decades smart ass. The WWE talks alot NOW but they didn't for a LONG time. For most the past two decades they were SILENT on Savage. Leading to an outcry from fans about WHY the silent treatment for Savage.
No you're just a mark.
And who was on 'Mania 3? Savage
I'm sorry when I think of "Fruity Pebbbles" I don't think of John Cena and vice versa.....maybe you do.
You obviously haven't heard King Curtis Iaukea. Look him up..
Also in a era where WWE has 12 PPv's compared to four and two weekly programs on network and cable TV
OK smart ass so let's compare Backlund's three best years to Bret's three best years in terms of 'gate" numbers or is that not in Meltzer's book? How about it tells you business was DOWN in Bret''s years.
Who cares about "at the top". Hogan was AT THE TOP in those yearts but Bret was still SUCCESSFUL. He was part of one of the greatest tag teams of ALL TIME. Overshadowed by Austin?!? He was Austin's MAIN rival. There would be no Stone Cold if not for Bret Hart. Look up WrestleMania 13 an get back to me.
Makaveli31
Championship Contender
Bret Hart was A guy on THE deepest roster in WWE history. Shawn Michaels. Stone Cold, 'Taker, Razor, Diesel, you had the Godwinns, Yokozuna, Owen Hart, Savio Vega need I go on?
I will take Bret's matches over Cena's anyday.
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