#1. Shawn Michaels- Dont really see how anyone could see it any differently. He was clearly the greatest in ring performer of the last 25 years. That itself is enough to make a case, but he also did everything else well. He was great on the mic. He could be silly and cut funny promos/skits with DX, he could be intense and tell someone how he was gonna wipe the floor with them, he could be passionate and heartfelt, and ALL of it was completely believeable. He was innovative in that he helped the business move in the direction of more "wrestling based" matches, where he could lock up with Bret Hart or Kurt Angle and go technical, or go against bigger guys like Diesel or Undertaker and use his high flying ability and speed/agility. He could also match the styles of guys like Jeff Hardy or Chris Jericho. He competed in the first Hell in a Cell, the first Ladder match, the first elimination chamber, the first Iron man match, and oh yeah he won most of them. All of these matches are now staples of ppv main events. I could go on..
2. Bret Hart- simply the most sound technical wrestler the WWE ever saw. He wasnt great on the mic but he got by. He really started the wave of real wrestling in WWE, after the cartoon characters and cheesy storylines of the 80's. Like Michaels, he consistently had the best matches on the card. He took such pride in his work and being the WWE champ that he truly made it special. His matches with HBK, Curt Hennig, his brother Owen, and Davey Boy Smith are timeless.
3. Triple H- The epitome of the term "professional wrestler" Another guy that could do it all. He was underrated as a technical performer, he has been entrenched in some of the greatest feuds of all time with the likes of HBK, Mick Foley, Randy Orton, Steve Austin, & The Rock. Was always great on the mic, like HBK he could be funny with DX, or intense and intimidating as anyone. Like Hart, took tremendous pride in being the WWE champ, and he had some tremendous reigns. Is responsible for creating more stars than any wrestler alive. John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, and to an extent Jeff Hardy & Chris Benoit all owe him more than they can ever repay. Was beaten in 4 straight Wrestlemania main events putting over Benoit, Batista, Cena and Orton, even tapping out in back to back years. When Hulk Hogan returned and was getting beat by everyone like The Rock, Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, & Undertaker, HHH dropped the undisputed title to him 1 month after winning it. Has a great mind for this business.
4. Kurt Angle- Probably the most complete wrestler besides HBK, as far as technical ability, selling, high flying, and just working a match. Made every opponent look like gold. Very intense competitor, his matches with Benoit in 03/04 are unparalleled. Had a goofy side that made him likable, the olympic gold medalist gimmick (not really a gimmick it was real) was great, and no one took more pride in their ability. From 2001 to 2005 was the greatest wrestler alive. Could have equally incredible matches with Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero as he could with Undertaker & Kane. Just a brilliantly entertaining, world class athlete.
5. The Rock- What else can be said about him? The most entertaining, charasmatic man to ever hold a mic. He was underrated athletically, and always put on great matches. Had crowds of 70,000 eating from the palm of his hand. Equally entertaining as a face and a heel. Had some of the greatest matches of all time with HHH, Angle, Jericho and Hogan. Responsible along with Steve Austin for the greatest and most profitable period in the history of the sport. Had he stuck around a few more years, could be sitting at #2 behind HBK. He was what professional wrestling should be about.
