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.
First of all, when you start engaging in name calling, it is a sign that you lost the argument. It is very obvious that you are a Savage fanboy. I get that. You may have your opinion, but not your own facts. As for me? take a look at the upper left hand corner. You will see my age. I have been watching wrestling since your mother was still probably in grade school. I can stand here and actually say that I remember Eddie Einhorn's IWA. What was the IWA? It was the first attempt at a "National" federation. It predated Vince Jr.'s attempt by 10 years. I remember the Mighty Igor coming down the aisle eating a big piece of kielbasa. Gino Brito and Dino Bravo in their wars with the Mongols. Oh, and I remember when WWWF Championship Wrestling was only seen in New York on Channel 47 (Spanish language) at 11:30 on a Friday night.
As for Savage: No, he was not a draw. Not like Backlund. Not like Hogan. Definitely not like Bruno or the Rock. He had his fans, yes. But, there were many a Monday night in Madison Square Garden during Savage's title reign when you had 9,000-13,000 show up. This was BEFORE the big stages that WWE now employ. The wrestlers came down the same aisle that the Knicks and Rangers came down. No set. No fireworks. No Titantron You might think that this was great. For now? Maybe. For a venue that used to sell out with 25,000 EVERY third Monday for Backlund, Hogan, Graham and Sammartino? Not so much. Granted, he made his forays into the mainstream with his Slim Jim commercials. But, so did King Kong Bundy and George "The Animal" Steele with their commercials as well. They are not in anyone's Top 11.
You also have to take into account, since you are the one who mentioned "Savage being a legend in other areas", the six years he spent in his Father's "Vanity project": the International Championship Wrestling promotion (Not to be confused with Mario Savoldi's version). You know, the one he set up because he felt his sons were being "misused". The one that had Lanny Poffo as its World Champion, and Randy Savage fighting him for over 6 years, winning the ICW strap 3 times in the process. I mean, why would he not? That was his father's intention, right? Again, I am looking at the whole body of work here.
That said, let us look at Andre the Giant: Andre was a "special attraction". They had these in the days of the Territories. Until the early 80's, you could have an card at an arena in the South that would announce Christ's Second Coming. And the King of Kings himself would confirm his attendance. However, if Andre was booked for the same card on the same night. guess who would get to billing? Safe to say it was not the Lord. Now, back in those days, there were no foam fingers, shirts, hats, wristbands. They had programs and photographs for sale. Usually, they were 5x7's. Sometimes, you would also have 8x10's. you would buy a photo, and go up to the ring after the match, and get it signed. That was the extent of the marketing in those days. Andre was all over the USA. And, he drew all over until the early 80's. His legacy is very much intact.
As for Flair: Granted, most of his career was in the NWA. I remember being on vacation in Virginia Beach with my Dad and my Aunt and her family. We drove to the Norfolk Scope to see Tony Atlas wrestle Flair in '79. Great night. Back to my point, since WWE took over much of JCP's library and history, they added his NWA history. Though you MAY have an argument for Shaun Michaels, he transcended eras. And, he performed at a top level AFTER coming back from his injuries. Furthermore, he also helped develop young wrestlers. One of his students was someone from some place called Aberdeen, Washington.. I believe his name is Danielson. Or is it Bryan. I forget in my old age.
As for Trips: As I have said before and will say again, the book on Trips is STILL being written. You may argue that he had the same benefit as Savage did as Trips married into the McMahon family. However, unlike Savage, you can credit Trips with the development of the future in NXT. Savage was mostly about himself. Case in point was when Savage interfered in a match between Flair and Alex Wright. He got into Wright's face and told him "If you have a problem with what I just did to Flair, you have a problem with me!" Though it was storyline, it also showed the contempt the WCW vets had for the younger generation. Unlike Savage, Trips is constantly pushing the next generation. How many wrestlers had Savage developed?
Now, with THAT list is concerned, Savage brings up the rear. No disgrace, mind you. But number 6 is not happening. Maybe you were not born yet and are just listening to the stories. Maybe you watching the WWE Network, and saw only his stuff and proclaim Savage to be greater than he really was. Would I replace him with Cena? Negative. Backlund, Graham, Morales maybe. But not Cena. That said, before you start the age and name calling, read some posts from the one you are going to attack. Maybe you might learn something. Peace.
