This is my first post here so I apologize in advance if it's not the fanciest looking post ever hehe.
While I love this topic (I'm a list fanatic for the record) it kind of always annoys me a bit whenever the subject of "The Greatest Wrestler of All-Time" comes up because the majority of people's top choices are usually a list of wrestlers that have been in the WWE in the last 15 years like that's the only wrestling in existence. There are some such as Flair, Hogan, Austin, Rock, Hart, HBK, Taker, Foley, HHH, Angle, etc. that certainly deserve to be in this discussion, but there are so many wrestlers that should be considered besides just main event WWE stars that were around only when you watched it. It's important in a discussion such as this to acknowledge wrestlers from around the world and from all eras, not just WWE of the last 15 years.
What about wrestlers such as Frank Gotch, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, George Hackenschmidt, Jim Londos, etc. wrestlers that pretty much put professional wrestling on the map here in America during the early 20th century? Their style of wrestling was completely different (much more of a legitimate form of wrestling) than the wrestlers we love today, but it's important not to forget these gentlemen who brought wrestling to the dance really.
Then there is Lou Thesz who is arguably the greatest World Heavyweight Champion ever in Professional Wrestling. From the late 1930's to the late 1950's he was the "King of Professional Wrestling." He was the top star and was a 6 time NWA Champion back when that was the only wrestling organization in the country and when the champion had to be a legitimate tough guy. He trained and inspired so many of wrestling's greats and also served as a link from the pioneers of the early 20th century (he was trained by Ed "Strangler" Lewis) to many of modern wrestling's greats (he endorsed Kurt Angle in his later years and trained quite a few of Japan's best including Masahiro Chono if I remember correctly).
Then there is Verne Gagne who was the centerpiece of the AWA and one of the greatest scientific wrestlers of all-time.
Then there was the Gorgeous George who was pretty much the first "Sports Entertainer" ever. He wasn't a tremendous wrestler (though underrated by some) but he was wrestling's first star on television and was the equivalent of Hogan and the Rock for the 1950's. He was one of the earliest wrestlers to make their personality just as if not more important as their in-ring work.
And how about Buddy Rogers who pretty much set the standard for the classic "heel character?" To many he was the true "Total Package" of a wrestler. From the looks and charisma, to his brilliant ring psychology and storytelling, to his scientific wrestling skills, he set the standard for many of the greats from Ric Flair to HHH to Harley Race, and pretty much every great heel in wrestling to emerge after him.
Then there's Bruno Sammartino who put WWE (then the WWWF) on the map and legitimized it. He was a two time champion for a total of 13 years, a feat that will more than likely never be matched again.
Then you start getting to Japanese wrestling with icons such as Rikidozan (who pretty made did for wrestling in Japan what Frank Gotch did for wrestling in America but putting on the map), Antonio Inoki, Shoei "Giant" Baba, Jumbo Tsurta, and later on Tiger Mask, Jushin "Thunder" Liger, the Great Muta, Riki Choshu, Mitsuharu Misawa, etc.
And then there's Mexican wrestling with El Santo, Gori Guererro, Perro Aguayo, etc.
And of course many of the great, classic NWA champions such as Jack Brisco, Gene Kiniski, Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes etc.
And some of the other more modern (last 30 years or so) greats that haven't been mentioned like Andre the Giant, Jerry Lawler, Randy Savage, Sting, Vader, Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, Roddy Piper etc.
And how about Terry Funk? Who has had one of the longest and most amazing careers ever. From being a classic, scientific NWA champion of the 70's, to one of the biggest hardcore icons of the 90's, he's done it all and has inspired many of the greats, from Bret Hart to Mick Foley to Steve Austin.
I guess if I were trying to make a point here, just remember that when discussing a subject such as this, keep in mind that there is more to wrestling than just WWE of the last 15 years, and that it's important to keep all of these other great wrestlers in mind.
Peace.
And I agree with you fully in regards to how much credit he does (or more importantly doesn't) get.