These are my top 10 wrestlers of all time. This list spans from my childhood until now. The criteria for me is the personal effect, stardom, longevity, significance, skill, entrance music, attire, mic, character, legend and dedication. I think most kids had experience with professional wrestling
10. Sting
The biggest star of WCW, and the man who almost never came to WWE. He is an icon, he has been a star in every company he’s touched, WWE, WCW & TNA.
He was the silent Hero that saved WCW from the NWO.
9. Chris Jericho
Jericho has evolved his character more than any other person on this list, from luchador, Y2J, The List and the first WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. He is a great technician, great talker, great look, excellent entrance and great mind.
8. Mick Foley
The Three Faces of Foley. He was in the Royal Rumble 3 fucking times, man!!! He sold his body to get him over as well as his opponent more than almost anyone else in history. Feuds with top guys, popped ratings, transcended the business. He is an author, stand up comic, guest host on the daily show, etc.
7. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold was the man who revolutionized the wrestling business in 90’s for the WWF now WWE. He SAVED the company by feuding with Vince McMahon, and having matches with The Rock, Mick Foley, Triple H, The Undertaker, Kane, Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle, Bret Hart among other greats. He is hugely responsible for where they are today as a company.
Drinking beer, kicking your bosses ass, not giving a damn, flipping the bird, stunning everyone and anyone in sight.
6. Bret Hart
The dedication and the love for the art came through in his matches. The face of the company when the stars had left. Great match after great match. Sadly, the only living member of the Hart Foundation. Arguably the greatest ring technician ever.
5. Shawn Michaels
Mr. WrestleMania, The Showstopper, The Heart Break Kid, sweet chin music, DX and just list of nicknames to go down. He was a better version of Ric Flair athletically
4. The Undertaker
The most loyal employee for WWE maybe ever. The character the music, the finishers, the look, the matches…..THE STREAK. THE PHENOM. THE UNDERTAKER. He has transformed himself to the modern day Andre The Giant. That speaks volumes. There will never be another Taker.
3. The Macho Man Randy Savage
Arguably the most complete package of a wrestler ever; mic, wrestling skill, entrance music, manager, stardom, attire, intensity, madness, heel, face, matches etc. Shall I go on?
2. Hulk Hogan
The biggest star in the history of the wrestling business. Biggest money maker for WWE, WCW hell even a stint with TNA spiked company revenues. He is the Babe Ruth of professional wrestling. Without Hogan wrestling wouldn’t be where it’s at. The right guy at the right time.
No one in the history of the business except for maybe Vince McMahon has ever had had the Midas touch like Hulk Hogan.
1.Ric Flair
Hogan may be the Babe Ruth of Professional Wrestling, but The Nature Boy Ric Flair is the Micahel Jordan of the business. He is the greatest. He is the greatest & last real world heavyweight champion in history. According to the WWE’s record, he holds the record for 16 title reigns, however, its disputed to be 25 World Heavyweight Championship title reigns.
He consumed himself as a character, he talked the talk and walked the walk. The greatest talker in sports history, at least the top 3. He has been quoted by rappers worldwide and beloved by millions and I believe at this stage surpassing Hulk Hogan’s popularity, but it’s well deserved. He just had Metro Boomin and Offset name a song after him, Ric Flair Drip that became a number one hit with almost 200 million hits on YouTube alone.
My favorite quote and perhaps his, “ To be the man you gotta beat the man.” then he told Bret Hart, “ It’s not just being the man brother, it’s staying the man.” if you think about life in that way it speaks volumes. Don’t ever get comfortable, keep fighting the good fight.