Vance's List: Top 30 Wrestlers
Professional wrestling may or may not be considered a sport, but the guys that go out there and put their bodies on the line every week are athletes, and great ones at that. They're also entertainers and storytellers, The best not only get our attention and tell visual tales that draw us in, but they perform awesome feats and keep us on the edge of our seats to see what happens next.
The following wrestlers are ones that not only entertained me, both as a child and an adult, but demanded that I tune in to see where things would go from there. They are guys who, whether "good" or "bad" told a story that I couldn't help but follow.
30. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan: He was an accomplished wrestler and champion before he joined the WWE, but that's where he became a star. Though he didn't win championships in the WWE (he did win a Royal Rumble), he became iconic for his patriotism and his unwavering support of the all things American. His ever-present 2 x 4 was always ready to bash those who had the nerve to attack the USA, and he was loved for it.
29. Lita: Though she wasn't a long-time member of the WWE, her star shined brightly while she was there. The combination of athleticism, wrestling acumen, and sex appeal (see: "Live Sex Celebration" with Edge) made her must see TV. She was fearless in the ring, performing any move the male wrestlers could do, and often better. Female wrestlers are often derided for their lack on in-ring ability, and often deservedly, but Lita broke the mold.
28. Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake: Sure, it's a fairly ridiculous concept, but it was so, so fun. His relationship with Hulk Hogan helped him along the way, but his persona was entertaining and hilarious, and good enough to stand on his own. As a kid, watching him go after the heel opponents with his brightly colored shears, or even better, what happened once he caught up to them, was fantastic and made him one of my favorites.
27. Razor Ramon: Scott Hall will probably be best remembered for his time in the NWO, and his subsequent personal issues, but to me he'll always be Razor Ramon. His slicked back hair, the toothpick, and his Tony Montana-esque speech pattern made him likable, even as a heel. He was a terrific wrestler, with a great finisher, and his ladder match with Shawn Michaels was a classic. His career may have prematurely ended, but I'll fondly remember "The Bad Guy".
26. Koko B. Ware: Another guy who helped form my future love of professional wrestling, Koko was as entertaining as they came. His flair was evident, from his attire, to his wacky dance, to the parrot he brought with him to ringside. He was easy to enjoy, especially as a kid, and though he never attained superstardom in the WWE, he did earn a much-deserved place in the Hall of Fame. The Birdman is one of the greatest, at least for me.
25. Kane: The storyline up to and including the debut of the Big Red Machine was awesome and highly entertaining. The brother of the Undertaker came in and made a massive impact on the WWE, leaving a wake of destruction everywhere he went. He's huge, and more athletic than he looks, participating in some very good matches over his career. He's also been in some very strange stories and hasn't been able to duplicate his opening domination, but he has had a tremendous career.
24. Junkyard Dog: One of the first wrestlers that I was a fan of, JYD caught my attention with his cool entrance music, badass looking chain, and bad attitude. He was big, strong, and the fact that he enjoyed bashing his head into his opponents' heads was always good for a quick pop from me. By the time I was old enough to know what was happening, he was at the end of his WWE career, but I enjoyed watching him while I could.
23. Rick Rude: The Ravishing one was as good a heel as the WWE has ever had. He played the part of the narcissistic douchebag to perfection, with his hip-shaking tease and his airbrushed tights letting the crowd know that this guy was way too into himself. He was also a damn good wrestler who knew just how to stay on the fans' bad side. Injury cut short a magnificent career, though his return with the original DX was also classic. Sadly, he passed away while training to make a comeback.
22. Bobby Heenan: OK. Bobby Heenan's biggest fame wasn't as a wrestler. However, he might be the greatest personality in WWE history. Both as a manager, and an announcer, Heenan was without peer. His quick wit, and perfect timing made him a genius. I'd pay money to hear he and Gorilla Monsoon on commentary together. No disrespect to Good Ol' JR, but nobody ever, and never will, do it better than Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
21. Ultimate Warrior: The Warrior had a strange, but exciting career in the WWE. Having been tabbed as the next big thing to take over where Hulk Hogan would ostensibly be leaving off, he quickly ascended to the top of the industry. He had a great look and knew how to pump the crowd with his amped up entrance, making him a fan favorite right away. After his retirement and contentious relationship with Vince McMahon for many years, he finally was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and, unfortunately, died just days later.
20. CM Punk: Few are blessed with the natural mic skills that CM Punk has. If he's supposed to be a good guy, he has fans backing him completely. If he's a bad guy, he is absolutely hated. The Straight-Edged Superstar was superb in the ring, and won multiple championships, including a run as WWE champion that is the 6th longest ever. On the mic, though, he was magic. A contentious departure from WWE likely means we have been robbed of his talents in wrestling.
19. Trish Stratus: The Attitude Era produced some of the WWE's best ever wrestling, but it also produced some of the most well-known female superstars of all-time, the best of which was Trish Stratus. She was a solid wrestler, good at speaking, and drop-dead gorgeous. She was at the forefront of a surge in interest in the women's championship during her time in WWE. My undying crush on her not withstanding, she earned a spot on this list.
18. Jeff Hardy: Everybody loves a guy who can hit the splash moves. Hardy could fly like few others in the history of wrestling, and was willing to sell out his body for his fans. Whether it was TLC matches, cage matches, or just flying off of the Titantron in a regular match, Hardy's willingness to take risks was unmatched by anyone not named Mick Foley. He wasn't great on the mic, and personal demons took their toll, but there aren't a lot of guys more fun to watch.
17. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat: This is another guy who I wish I had gotten to see more of. I was fortunate enough to get to see his classic match, and feud, with Randy Savage. Steamboat may have been the victim of Vince McMahon egomania, as he was kept from big-time matches after asking for family time when his first child was born as punishment. He was one of the best in-ring wrestlers ever to put on tights, and I was a huge fan.
16. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka: When I first began to watch wrestling, one of my first memories is of The Superfly springing from the top ropes and flying so high it seemed impossible, only to crash down on his opponent. I proceeded to climb up on my bed, couch, or anything else I could find, and dive down on my own "opponents". I did not, however, strip down to my underwear to do it. The Superfly was one of the original high flyers, and I loved it.
15. Jake "The Snake" Roberts: Cool nickname aside, Roberts was one of the best wrestlers in the game during his run. The master of the DDT was equally good as a face and a heel, and entertaining either way. As a kid, watching him unleash his snake Damien was always one of the highlights of his matches. Especially funny was Andre the Giant's reaction to the big python. He also had a big hand in the "birth" of Stone Cold Steve Austin, so that helps.
14. Road Warriors: Some may know them as the Legion of Doom, but either way, they were it as far as tag teams were concerned. With the big spiked shoulder pads, the facepaint, and the high impact moves, including the awesomely named Doomsday Device finisher, everything about them spelled coolness. They won countless championships, and fans adored them, including me. They'll always be the best tag team ever in my eyes.
13. Mr Perfect: Few wrestlers were as talented as Curt Hennig, and even fewer played the part of the heel better. He was a superior athlete who was as technically sound as a man can get in the ring. His undefeated streak in the WWE, and the arrogance it inspired, had fans tuning in praying for him to lose. The ire he drew from fans shows just how good he really was. Injuries affected a great career, and his life ended too soon due to a cocaine overdose.
12. Bret Hart: How could any kid not love Bret Hart. He was a great wrestler, but more importantly, aside from a few heel turns, showed his love for his fans on a nightly basis by giving away his glasses before matches. Obviously, he's most remembered for the screwjob he was on the end of, but during his prime, he legitimately could call himself, without exaggeration, "the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be."
11. Mick Foley: Most fans remember him as Mankind, but he's an icon worldwide under many personas. The hardore legend was willing to do anything for the fans, including allowing himself to be thrown off the top of the cage through a table in Hell in a Cell with the Undertaker. Jim Ross screaming "Good God almighty! Good God almighty! That killed him! As God as my witness, he is broken in half!" gives me goosebumps to this day. Go watch this match...NOW!
10. Hulk Hogan: Anybody who says Hulk Hogan wasn't their favorite wrestler growing up, assuming they're old enough, is lying. Hulkamania was everywhere, and the love of the Hulkster was unstoppable. His heel turn in WCW as the head of the NWO was as shocking a heel turn as has ever been. It's easy to think about Hogan as he is now, but during the 1980s, Hulk Hogan was wrestling. He captured his audience like no wrestler has before, and possibly never will again.
9. Ric Flair: Nobody embodied the pomp and circumstance of professional wrestling more than The Nature Boy. He took showmanship to another level with his robes, famous strut, and signature "woooo", and though he was the perfect heel, crowds loved him. His ability to work the mic was another thing in his favor. I was lucky enough to be watching his "retirement" match vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania, and even at 137 years old, Flair was spectacular, and the ending to the match gave goosebumps to my goosebumps. It's on YouTube. Go find it.
8. Goldberg: The NWO dominated WCW storylines in the late 1990s, but the appearance of Goldberg had nearly as big an impact. The emphasis is on the word impact, as everything the man did had plenty of it. He smashed opponents like he smashed lockers. As he mowed through every wrestler on the roster, he gained a massive following, and became the must-see part of WCW. His look, his incredible strength, and his attitude were perfect for that era of wrestling, and though his career wasn't a long one, he was the most popular wrestler on the planet for a time.
7. HHH: I would have never guessed that Hunter Hearst Helmsley would become one of the best ever when he debuted. As he evolved as a personality, he took the world by storm. He is another guy with the innate ability to make fans feel any way he wanted them to about him. He could do intense violence, playful goofball, inhumane heel, giant douchebag, and hero all with equal aplomb, and though his relationship with the McMahon family may have helped him get going, he deserves everything he has gotten along the way.
6. "Macho Man" Randy Savage: Savage might have been the greatest all-around combination of skills the WWE has ever seen. When he spoke, his quirky mannerisms, and his gravely voice seemed perfect for his character. In the ring, he could do it all. No matter who he was going against, he could make the match watchable, even exciting. Every match seemed destined to be a classic. He could wrestle today, and fit right in, as a top draw.
5. Undertaker: He might not be the greatest technical wrestler of all time, and he may not be the greatest speaker in WWE history, but you'll be hard-pressed to convince me that he's not the coolest ever. There is nothing more awesome than for the lights to go out with no warning and to hear that ominous bell toll. Instant goosebumps. The Dead Man is unstoppable. Watching him in his early days when he would take everything his opponent had, only to sit straight up was awe-inspiring. I have been told that his entrance, in person, is one of the most badass things a person can experience. I highly recommend finding his two most recent Wrestlemania matches with Shawn Michaels.
4. The Rock: Who knew the awful Rocky Miavia would become the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. From Nation of Domination lackey to mega-stardom, his star rose quickly, and he became a household name. His feuds with HHH and Stone Cold Steve Austin were fantastic, but it was his work on the mic that stood out. "The People's Champ" was intense, smooth, and hilarious all at the same time, and even as a heel, he received loud cheers from adoring fans. Chants of his name were a common occurrence, and even after he retired, and had been away for a while, he returned to huge pops, and it was if he never left. The Rock put the E in entertainment, and very few wrestlers can electrify a crowd the way he did, and still can, when he wants to.
3. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin: Nobody defined the Attitude Era better than Stone Cold. He spoke his mind without fear. He fought back against authority. He cursed, drank beer, and didn't give a damn what anybody else thought about it, and fans couldn't have possibly loved him more for it. His ongoing feud with Vince McMahon was one of, if not the, greatest and most entertaining in WWE history. From driving large vehicles to ringside, to filling Vince's car with cement, to attacking him with a bedpan in the hospital, he did large. Nobody cared that he didn't have many actual wrestling moves. The Stone Cold Stunner was enough, and he hit it on anybody at any time, and it didn't matter if you were a face or a heel. He was just as likely to drop it on you either way. The Texas Rattlesnake was a freight train of popularity, and on the tracks was every other wrestler on the roster. Why? Because Stone Cold said so.
2. Edge: Another guy who defied expectations and became a superstar and multiple-time champion, Edge carved out quite a career. His inauspicious start as a loner evolved into a terrific tag-team competitor, then into one of the best singles wrestlers of all time. His time with Christian as a tag-team was defined by a terrific feud with the Hardy Boyz, resulting in some exciting, high-flying matches. As he became the Rated-R Superstar, he showed he was a versatile wrestler who had all the moves in the ring, and the mic skills to make him a worthy champion. I even loved his entrance. Injuries ended his career early, and his retirement was a sad day for me. I followed him from start to finish, and he is my favorite wrestler ever to climb in the ring.
1. Shawn Michaels: I could write three pages about the greatness of Shawn Michaels and still not have enough. First off, he's the best in-ring wrestler the WWE has ever seen, able to take even the most stiff opponent and make it into a classic match. Google the greatest matches of all time and see how many of them involve Michaels. It's astounding. Everything about him is cool personified. Just look at his various nicknames. They're all awesome. The Heartbreak Kid. The Show Stopper. The Main Event. The Icon. Mr Wrestlemania. He also shined as a personality. He was great on the mic. He has poses and showed the attitude that made him stand out. He also had a great skillset in the ring, including one of the best finishers ever in Sweet Chin Music, that he pumped the crowd up for beforehand perfectly. From the Rock n Roll Express, to DX, he also worked well in a team format. For my money, Shawn Michaels is the greatest all around performer in wrestling history.
The following wrestlers are ones that not only entertained me, both as a child and an adult, but demanded that I tune in to see where things would go from there. They are guys who, whether "good" or "bad" told a story that I couldn't help but follow.
30. "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan: He was an accomplished wrestler and champion before he joined the WWE, but that's where he became a star. Though he didn't win championships in the WWE (he did win a Royal Rumble), he became iconic for his patriotism and his unwavering support of the all things American. His ever-present 2 x 4 was always ready to bash those who had the nerve to attack the USA, and he was loved for it.
29. Lita: Though she wasn't a long-time member of the WWE, her star shined brightly while she was there. The combination of athleticism, wrestling acumen, and sex appeal (see: "Live Sex Celebration" with Edge) made her must see TV. She was fearless in the ring, performing any move the male wrestlers could do, and often better. Female wrestlers are often derided for their lack on in-ring ability, and often deservedly, but Lita broke the mold.
28. Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake: Sure, it's a fairly ridiculous concept, but it was so, so fun. His relationship with Hulk Hogan helped him along the way, but his persona was entertaining and hilarious, and good enough to stand on his own. As a kid, watching him go after the heel opponents with his brightly colored shears, or even better, what happened once he caught up to them, was fantastic and made him one of my favorites.
27. Razor Ramon: Scott Hall will probably be best remembered for his time in the NWO, and his subsequent personal issues, but to me he'll always be Razor Ramon. His slicked back hair, the toothpick, and his Tony Montana-esque speech pattern made him likable, even as a heel. He was a terrific wrestler, with a great finisher, and his ladder match with Shawn Michaels was a classic. His career may have prematurely ended, but I'll fondly remember "The Bad Guy".
26. Koko B. Ware: Another guy who helped form my future love of professional wrestling, Koko was as entertaining as they came. His flair was evident, from his attire, to his wacky dance, to the parrot he brought with him to ringside. He was easy to enjoy, especially as a kid, and though he never attained superstardom in the WWE, he did earn a much-deserved place in the Hall of Fame. The Birdman is one of the greatest, at least for me.
25. Kane: The storyline up to and including the debut of the Big Red Machine was awesome and highly entertaining. The brother of the Undertaker came in and made a massive impact on the WWE, leaving a wake of destruction everywhere he went. He's huge, and more athletic than he looks, participating in some very good matches over his career. He's also been in some very strange stories and hasn't been able to duplicate his opening domination, but he has had a tremendous career.
24. Junkyard Dog: One of the first wrestlers that I was a fan of, JYD caught my attention with his cool entrance music, badass looking chain, and bad attitude. He was big, strong, and the fact that he enjoyed bashing his head into his opponents' heads was always good for a quick pop from me. By the time I was old enough to know what was happening, he was at the end of his WWE career, but I enjoyed watching him while I could.
23. Rick Rude: The Ravishing one was as good a heel as the WWE has ever had. He played the part of the narcissistic douchebag to perfection, with his hip-shaking tease and his airbrushed tights letting the crowd know that this guy was way too into himself. He was also a damn good wrestler who knew just how to stay on the fans' bad side. Injury cut short a magnificent career, though his return with the original DX was also classic. Sadly, he passed away while training to make a comeback.
22. Bobby Heenan: OK. Bobby Heenan's biggest fame wasn't as a wrestler. However, he might be the greatest personality in WWE history. Both as a manager, and an announcer, Heenan was without peer. His quick wit, and perfect timing made him a genius. I'd pay money to hear he and Gorilla Monsoon on commentary together. No disrespect to Good Ol' JR, but nobody ever, and never will, do it better than Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
21. Ultimate Warrior: The Warrior had a strange, but exciting career in the WWE. Having been tabbed as the next big thing to take over where Hulk Hogan would ostensibly be leaving off, he quickly ascended to the top of the industry. He had a great look and knew how to pump the crowd with his amped up entrance, making him a fan favorite right away. After his retirement and contentious relationship with Vince McMahon for many years, he finally was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and, unfortunately, died just days later.
20. CM Punk: Few are blessed with the natural mic skills that CM Punk has. If he's supposed to be a good guy, he has fans backing him completely. If he's a bad guy, he is absolutely hated. The Straight-Edged Superstar was superb in the ring, and won multiple championships, including a run as WWE champion that is the 6th longest ever. On the mic, though, he was magic. A contentious departure from WWE likely means we have been robbed of his talents in wrestling.
19. Trish Stratus: The Attitude Era produced some of the WWE's best ever wrestling, but it also produced some of the most well-known female superstars of all-time, the best of which was Trish Stratus. She was a solid wrestler, good at speaking, and drop-dead gorgeous. She was at the forefront of a surge in interest in the women's championship during her time in WWE. My undying crush on her not withstanding, she earned a spot on this list.
18. Jeff Hardy: Everybody loves a guy who can hit the splash moves. Hardy could fly like few others in the history of wrestling, and was willing to sell out his body for his fans. Whether it was TLC matches, cage matches, or just flying off of the Titantron in a regular match, Hardy's willingness to take risks was unmatched by anyone not named Mick Foley. He wasn't great on the mic, and personal demons took their toll, but there aren't a lot of guys more fun to watch.
17. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat: This is another guy who I wish I had gotten to see more of. I was fortunate enough to get to see his classic match, and feud, with Randy Savage. Steamboat may have been the victim of Vince McMahon egomania, as he was kept from big-time matches after asking for family time when his first child was born as punishment. He was one of the best in-ring wrestlers ever to put on tights, and I was a huge fan.
16. Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka: When I first began to watch wrestling, one of my first memories is of The Superfly springing from the top ropes and flying so high it seemed impossible, only to crash down on his opponent. I proceeded to climb up on my bed, couch, or anything else I could find, and dive down on my own "opponents". I did not, however, strip down to my underwear to do it. The Superfly was one of the original high flyers, and I loved it.
15. Jake "The Snake" Roberts: Cool nickname aside, Roberts was one of the best wrestlers in the game during his run. The master of the DDT was equally good as a face and a heel, and entertaining either way. As a kid, watching him unleash his snake Damien was always one of the highlights of his matches. Especially funny was Andre the Giant's reaction to the big python. He also had a big hand in the "birth" of Stone Cold Steve Austin, so that helps.
14. Road Warriors: Some may know them as the Legion of Doom, but either way, they were it as far as tag teams were concerned. With the big spiked shoulder pads, the facepaint, and the high impact moves, including the awesomely named Doomsday Device finisher, everything about them spelled coolness. They won countless championships, and fans adored them, including me. They'll always be the best tag team ever in my eyes.
13. Mr Perfect: Few wrestlers were as talented as Curt Hennig, and even fewer played the part of the heel better. He was a superior athlete who was as technically sound as a man can get in the ring. His undefeated streak in the WWE, and the arrogance it inspired, had fans tuning in praying for him to lose. The ire he drew from fans shows just how good he really was. Injuries affected a great career, and his life ended too soon due to a cocaine overdose.
12. Bret Hart: How could any kid not love Bret Hart. He was a great wrestler, but more importantly, aside from a few heel turns, showed his love for his fans on a nightly basis by giving away his glasses before matches. Obviously, he's most remembered for the screwjob he was on the end of, but during his prime, he legitimately could call himself, without exaggeration, "the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be."
11. Mick Foley: Most fans remember him as Mankind, but he's an icon worldwide under many personas. The hardore legend was willing to do anything for the fans, including allowing himself to be thrown off the top of the cage through a table in Hell in a Cell with the Undertaker. Jim Ross screaming "Good God almighty! Good God almighty! That killed him! As God as my witness, he is broken in half!" gives me goosebumps to this day. Go watch this match...NOW!
10. Hulk Hogan: Anybody who says Hulk Hogan wasn't their favorite wrestler growing up, assuming they're old enough, is lying. Hulkamania was everywhere, and the love of the Hulkster was unstoppable. His heel turn in WCW as the head of the NWO was as shocking a heel turn as has ever been. It's easy to think about Hogan as he is now, but during the 1980s, Hulk Hogan was wrestling. He captured his audience like no wrestler has before, and possibly never will again.
9. Ric Flair: Nobody embodied the pomp and circumstance of professional wrestling more than The Nature Boy. He took showmanship to another level with his robes, famous strut, and signature "woooo", and though he was the perfect heel, crowds loved him. His ability to work the mic was another thing in his favor. I was lucky enough to be watching his "retirement" match vs Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania, and even at 137 years old, Flair was spectacular, and the ending to the match gave goosebumps to my goosebumps. It's on YouTube. Go find it.
8. Goldberg: The NWO dominated WCW storylines in the late 1990s, but the appearance of Goldberg had nearly as big an impact. The emphasis is on the word impact, as everything the man did had plenty of it. He smashed opponents like he smashed lockers. As he mowed through every wrestler on the roster, he gained a massive following, and became the must-see part of WCW. His look, his incredible strength, and his attitude were perfect for that era of wrestling, and though his career wasn't a long one, he was the most popular wrestler on the planet for a time.
7. HHH: I would have never guessed that Hunter Hearst Helmsley would become one of the best ever when he debuted. As he evolved as a personality, he took the world by storm. He is another guy with the innate ability to make fans feel any way he wanted them to about him. He could do intense violence, playful goofball, inhumane heel, giant douchebag, and hero all with equal aplomb, and though his relationship with the McMahon family may have helped him get going, he deserves everything he has gotten along the way.
6. "Macho Man" Randy Savage: Savage might have been the greatest all-around combination of skills the WWE has ever seen. When he spoke, his quirky mannerisms, and his gravely voice seemed perfect for his character. In the ring, he could do it all. No matter who he was going against, he could make the match watchable, even exciting. Every match seemed destined to be a classic. He could wrestle today, and fit right in, as a top draw.
5. Undertaker: He might not be the greatest technical wrestler of all time, and he may not be the greatest speaker in WWE history, but you'll be hard-pressed to convince me that he's not the coolest ever. There is nothing more awesome than for the lights to go out with no warning and to hear that ominous bell toll. Instant goosebumps. The Dead Man is unstoppable. Watching him in his early days when he would take everything his opponent had, only to sit straight up was awe-inspiring. I have been told that his entrance, in person, is one of the most badass things a person can experience. I highly recommend finding his two most recent Wrestlemania matches with Shawn Michaels.
4. The Rock: Who knew the awful Rocky Miavia would become the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. From Nation of Domination lackey to mega-stardom, his star rose quickly, and he became a household name. His feuds with HHH and Stone Cold Steve Austin were fantastic, but it was his work on the mic that stood out. "The People's Champ" was intense, smooth, and hilarious all at the same time, and even as a heel, he received loud cheers from adoring fans. Chants of his name were a common occurrence, and even after he retired, and had been away for a while, he returned to huge pops, and it was if he never left. The Rock put the E in entertainment, and very few wrestlers can electrify a crowd the way he did, and still can, when he wants to.
3. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin: Nobody defined the Attitude Era better than Stone Cold. He spoke his mind without fear. He fought back against authority. He cursed, drank beer, and didn't give a damn what anybody else thought about it, and fans couldn't have possibly loved him more for it. His ongoing feud with Vince McMahon was one of, if not the, greatest and most entertaining in WWE history. From driving large vehicles to ringside, to filling Vince's car with cement, to attacking him with a bedpan in the hospital, he did large. Nobody cared that he didn't have many actual wrestling moves. The Stone Cold Stunner was enough, and he hit it on anybody at any time, and it didn't matter if you were a face or a heel. He was just as likely to drop it on you either way. The Texas Rattlesnake was a freight train of popularity, and on the tracks was every other wrestler on the roster. Why? Because Stone Cold said so.
2. Edge: Another guy who defied expectations and became a superstar and multiple-time champion, Edge carved out quite a career. His inauspicious start as a loner evolved into a terrific tag-team competitor, then into one of the best singles wrestlers of all time. His time with Christian as a tag-team was defined by a terrific feud with the Hardy Boyz, resulting in some exciting, high-flying matches. As he became the Rated-R Superstar, he showed he was a versatile wrestler who had all the moves in the ring, and the mic skills to make him a worthy champion. I even loved his entrance. Injuries ended his career early, and his retirement was a sad day for me. I followed him from start to finish, and he is my favorite wrestler ever to climb in the ring.
1. Shawn Michaels: I could write three pages about the greatness of Shawn Michaels and still not have enough. First off, he's the best in-ring wrestler the WWE has ever seen, able to take even the most stiff opponent and make it into a classic match. Google the greatest matches of all time and see how many of them involve Michaels. It's astounding. Everything about him is cool personified. Just look at his various nicknames. They're all awesome. The Heartbreak Kid. The Show Stopper. The Main Event. The Icon. Mr Wrestlemania. He also shined as a personality. He was great on the mic. He has poses and showed the attitude that made him stand out. He also had a great skillset in the ring, including one of the best finishers ever in Sweet Chin Music, that he pumped the crowd up for beforehand perfectly. From the Rock n Roll Express, to DX, he also worked well in a team format. For my money, Shawn Michaels is the greatest all around performer in wrestling history.
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