Hmmmm, while I agree the 1992 roster was very strong indeed if we compare it to today's roster there isn't a lot of difference in terms of quality. .
I don't think todays roster compares at all.
Todays roster is better than it has been in recent years... but we are comparing all time rosters in this thread.
I just feel that the class of 92 packs in a lot more in terms of star names, entertaining wrestlers and significance.
Considering that there were 2 major wrestling companies at the time thats an impressive feat
. (As opposed today where WWE could appoint any talent they want- as there are no major alternatives (TNA is nowhere near the size WCW was before anyone raises this)
Hogan, Piper, Savage, Flair, Jake
. I cant think of one guy on todays roster than comes anywhere near their mic work ability.
Though the comparison may draw closer for in ring workers
1992 still had Bret, Shawn, Flair, Savage, Owen and Hening!... in their primes I must add!
Face of the company
Hulk Hogan vs John Cena
Yes, Hogan is the biggest name ever but in 1992 Hogan was spent as a top face in the company and was on his way out. Cena still has a lot to offer WWE and when his career is over who knows where he will be ranked. .
You could argue Cena has peaked. At 38... he is the same age Hogan was in early 1992.... and Cena might possibly be being phased out of the main event picture (won't say it has totally happened yet... but I think the WWE are now looking elsewhere for stars).... given his demotion to US titles rather than world titles. Cena might soon be in the position of making new stars rather than being the main star.
Hogan was a much much bigger star than Cena ever was or could be.
It was leading up to WM8 that Hogan announced he was leaving
a decision that was not known at the time I am alluding to here (the 92 Rumble).
It was actually only a month after Hogan held the world title.
Special Attractions
Nobody vs The Rock, Brock Lesnar, Sting
3 gentlemen above who appear from time to time. I don't remember the 1992 roster having these special attractions.... .
Does this even matter? Rock shouldn't be considered part of todays roster - he hasn't wrestled in 2 years.
Having a strong mix of stars such as Hogan, Flair, Savage, Taker as permament fixtures on the roster is much more appealing than part timers.
Legends
Ric Flair vs Triple H
Macho Man vs Daniel Bryan
Roddy Piper vs Randy Orton
Sgt Slaughter vs Big Show
Iron Sheik vs Kane
In terms of talent, is there really a huge difference here? I would say with everything Triple H has achieved in the business he is almost on an equal footing to Ric Flair and his career isn't even over. Neither was never 'the man' but they will be respected for what they have done for the business for years to come. Triple H has certainly done more in WWE than Flair ever did.
I also thought Macho Man was a great worker and very popular, but he never achieved what Daniel Bryan did at Wrestlemania 30. Again that one is subjective. Orton has been at the top of the WWE pile for nearly a decade now, Piper was nowhere near the top apart from a short stint at the first Wrestlemania. And today's fans are bored of Show and Kane but they have been excellent for the business the last 15 years (do not forget their attitude era run), just like Slaughter and Sheik were.
.
Daniel Bryan is by no means a legend... yet!
Sure he has the potential to be ... but as it stands in 2015... Randy Savage has left a bigger stamp in the wrestling industry. Savage is often considered top 10 of all time! Its not really fair on Bryan to compare him to Savage at this point in his career.
Future
Bret Hart - Dean Ambrose
Shawn Michaels - Seth Rollins
Undertaker - Roman Reigns
Hart, Michaels and Taker wins hands down. There is no doubt about that as things stand but we cannot predict the future. Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns will find it almost impossible to surpass these three but they could certainly close the gap, or at least Rollins could. But while they quality is better in 1992, the quantity is certainly better in 2015. Just look at the talent on NXT to see what the future holds for WWE. Much more exciting than 23 years ago... .
The WWE have since swallowed up the wrestling business- they have to focus more on developing their own talent as they
Back in 1992- the AWA hadnt long folded- and of course there was WCW. At the time, there wasnt the same dependency on their own developmentals as they focused more on acquiring talent from WCW (and later ECW).
Even that strong roster in 92- Hogan, Shawn, Henning, Martel, Santana, Slaughter came from AWA.
Flair, LOD, Piper, Undertaker, Sid came from WCW/NWA
Bret, Davey, Savage, Jake, Dibiase came from smaller territories that Vince bulldozed through.
The topic of the thread is strongest ever roster
as it was!
not potential roster in 5 years time.
With Bret, Shawn and Taker you have 3 guys who became huge stars- all 3 would make a top 10 list of WWE greatest stars.
Supporting Cast
Ted Dibiase vs King Barrett
Curt Hening vs Dolph Ziggler
Davey Boy Smith vs Sheamus
Jake Roberts vs Bray Wyatt
Rick Martel vs The Miz
Tito Santana vs Cesaro
Jimmy Snuka vs Ryback
Warlord vs Rusev
Earthquake vs Mark Henry
We look back at the class of 1992 very fondly I get that, but in terms of achievements and career it simply cannot be compared now. What I will say is characters aside, I think in terms of talent there is an argument for both sides. .
The midcard in the 90s... Shawn. Bret, Davey, Jake, Ted Dibiase, Owen, Snuka? That is one heck of a strong supporting cast in terms of depth and quality.
Though I find Bray Wyatt entertaining
. He is one of the few of the current era that I would put on the same pedestal as those names from 92.
. Miz is simply irritating, Ryback is a poor mans Goldberg. Mark Henry is way past his prime.
Jobbers
Those at the bottom of the pile were simply appalling in 1992. Todays jobbers like Heath Slater, Zack Ryder, etc are much more interesting.
This really doesn't matter. Who watches wrestling primarily to watch the jobbers?
