What defines a "Legend"?

[The Big Gunnzbowski]

I want to know your opinions on what qualifies somebody for "Legend" status? Aside from the fact that apparently a prerequisite is "must be unable to walk without assistance, confined to a wheelchair, or has died."

What, in your minds, must somebody accomplish to earn the honor to be called a "Legend"?



To me, a "Legend" is somebody who never grows stale or gets lost in time. Someone whose name will still receive praise at the mention of it... Someone who captivated the fans, had matches memorable enough, that we still recall them 20 years later. Someone who, after they're gone still has an impact on the players of today and tomorrow. Someone, who if you could go back in time, and watch them in the beginning, you could say "That person is gonna BE somebody!". For some reason, I find it somewhat difficult to put into words, but I think you all catch the gist of what I'm trying to say. Basically, they're somebody whose impact on the industry is not only profound, it's EPIC.

 

[FromTheSouth]

To be a legend, you have to be a name the puclic knows, whether or not they watch wrestling. Hogan, Flair, the Rock, Stone Cold, Andre the Giant, these are legends. The second way, is to be so instrumental in the lives of the hardcore fans, that your follwoing outlasts your career. Bret Hart is one of these guys. Well beyond his last match, people who have followed wrestling still talk about many of his matches as one of the best they have ever seen.

 

[NSL]

This thread may get closed, because there is a Legends Tournament asking this same thing...

But, while it's open, I'd say Hogan defines Legend, but that doesn't make him the biggest legend ever. To be a legend, you have to be recognized outside of the industry, and you have to be great at what you do. Being noticed on the streets would obviously be a plus...

 

[Tim]

What defines a legend? A legend in wrestling is someone that people will know, whetherthey actually watch the sport or not. A legend in wrestling is someone that has always done well for the business, and that people in the business model their careers on. A legend in wrestling is someone who is a great entertainer, and hardly ever fails to entertain the fans. There are many legends in the bsiness, but the biggest one is Hulk Hogan. Everybody knows Hulk Hogan, and whether you like him or not, you cannot deny that he is a legend.

 

[Gutter Phenomenon]

Undertaker.

Right now, it's hard to gauge his legend status, but that's because he's still active. Here's a few things that people will always remember about him, and why he will be THE legend someday.

Feuds:
In the 90's Taker had some of the biggest feuds. Yokozuna, Kane, Mankind, etc. He could take anyone into a feud and have gold with it.

Gimmick Matches:
Casket / Buried Alive / Inferno / Hell In A Cell. He has to be the king of the gimmick match. Even though some people might not be as entertained with the matches, he definitely changed the landscape of a match can take place.

Storylines:
He had an evil brother. A backstabbing manager. He fought himself. He kidnap Stephanie McMahon. The list could go on forever with the storylines he's been a part of.

WrestleMania:
16-0 and counting. That's enough credential all on it's own. This will probably be the most remembered thing about him, especially if the streak continues.

 

[The Big Gunnzbowski]

Undertaker.

Right now, it's hard to gauge his legend status, but that's because he's still active. Here's a few things that people will always remember about him, and why he will be THE legend someday.

Feuds:
In the 90's Taker had some of the biggest feuds. Yokozuna, Kane, Mankind, etc. He could take anyone into a feud and have gold with it.

Gimmick Matches:
Casket / Buried Alive / Inferno / Hell In A Cell. He has to be the king of the gimmick match. Even though some people might not be as entertained with the matches, he definitely changed the landscape of a match can take place.

Storylines:
He had an evil brother. A backstabbing manager. He fought himself. He kidnap Stephanie McMahon. The list could go on forever with the storylines he's been a part of.

WrestleMania:
16-0 and counting. That's enough credential all on it's own. This will probably be the most remembered thing about him, especially if the streak continues.

HOW COULD YOU MENTION HIS FEUDS AND NOT MENTION HOGAN!?!?!?!?!

 

[Milkyway!]

This is obviously Hulk Hogan. Not only is he the sole reason we have National Wrestling Television today. Everyone that is over the age of 20 knows his name (even if they've never watched Wrestling in their life.) Ask them anything about wrestling, more than likely it will be about Hulk Hogan. Hes got some of the most memorable fueds ever. He makes money, amazingly great amounts of money. Hes made Vince millions more than likely billions. You would be a fool to say, that there is one legend, greater than Hulk Hogan.

 

[Mr. TM]

A legend is a wrestler who does not let the time period he or she wrestles in define them, it is the wrestler who defines the period. It has to be a wrestler who goes out every time he is needed and puts on the match the fans and the company asks for him. They must also have a legacy that they defined, and was not defined by others.

Hulk Hogan, the easiest example of a legend defined two periods, he defined the golden period, being the golden child of wrestling. He also defined the cool heel period by decimating the other legacies, and showing that he was the new period. Hogan may not have been excellent in the ring, but he brought the charisma that was needed. When we look back at Hogan, we wont think of Andre, we wont think of Warrior, and we wont think of The Rock, we will think of what Hogan did in the ring. This is what makes Hogan a legend. Use this criteria, and if that wrestler fits the role, then you have a legend.