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Feb 17, 2021 · Junkyard Dog. 99. Tully Blanchard. 100. Paul Orndorf. The 100 greatest of all-time, in real-time. Up-to-date ranking of the 100 greatest professional wrestlers of all-time.
- The Miz
- Frank Gotch
- Wild Bill Longson
- Christopher Daniels
- JBL
- Big Show
- Christian
- Lita
- Batista
- Kevin Nash
You might snort at this, but I actually think The Miz has become a truly idiosyncratic part of the WWE. Yeah he’s never going to be great in the ring, but Miz is a fantastic heel who has reinvented himself a number of times over his 12 years in the WWE. Is he an all-timer? No, that’s why he’s up here at 101, but I feel like someday we’ll look back ...
We have to include one guy from the carnival era, andthat guy is Frank Gotch. To give you some perspective, Gotch died in 1917, so his version of wrestling is sort of like Naismith’s version of basketball, but it was still important! Someone had to invent the idea of fixed fights, okay?
We have to give it up to Wild Bill. He came up in the Vaudeville days, back when wrestling was trying to be as realistic as possible, and invented the Piledriver, which might be the least realistic looking wrestling move ever. It’s also super iconic, which is why he’s on the list.
[youtube:https://youtu.be/e9-azR3pLkI] Daniel Bryan, Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles eventually made it to WWE, but Christopher Daniels is one of the few remaining standouts of his generation yet to make it to the main event. It’s a shame because he’s great in the ring and capable of a solid promo. At 46, we hope he has one last renaissance left in him.
JBL was a great character. I know we forget that when he was being a blight on commentary, but the exaggerated stock-market billionaire gimmick made him immensely hateable, and a great foil for a kid in jean shorts named John Cena. Hopefully as time goes on, we give JBL the Lawler treatment, where we forgive his sins in the announcer’s booth for hi...
Big Show is underrated. Underrated on the mic, in the ring, athletically, technically and emotionally. He has had a bona fide Hall of Fame career, and even when he’s given nothing—like that Roman Reigns match from last year—he still puts a unique spin on things.
This might be one of the few times that a wrestler gets on this list for his work in TNA, but after a solid single’s career and a great tag-team run in WWE, Christian proved he could be a title holder in a place careers usually go to die. We’re still a little sore about the Randy Orton feud, but hey, no big deal I guess.
While she was never an elite wrestler, Lita showed young girls around the world that one doesn't need to be a blonde fitness model to succeed in the business. Instead, one really could grow up loving wrestling and make it their life. This video of a young A.J. Leemeeting her idol says it all.
His latest return has soured us (and that’s both his and WWE’s fault) but Batista was a really good wrestler who had a lot of great matches. His streak match with Undertaker is enough to be on this list alone. Sure he was never as popular as Vince McMahon probably wanted him to be, but Big Dave absolutely made an impact, and I hope he makes it back...
[youtube:https://youtu.be/Ku3blzaN2IA] I know, it’s Kevin Nash. But I love the weird little niche he’s carved out in wrestling. He’s always been kinda self-deprecating and acutely aware of his limitations. He once tossed an arm-dragin TNA to this hilariously shocked pop. I know it’s weird to put someone on a list of the greatest wrestlers because ...
- Luke Winkie
- The Undertaker. 32,557 votes. Few wrestlers evoke the same sense of awe, fear, and respect as The Undertaker has throughout his illustrious career. With an unparalleled and generational career spanning over three decades, Mark Calaway has crafted a legacy that will forever be remembered in the annals of professional wrestling history.
- "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. 31,756 votes. Austin 3:16 says it all – Stone Cold Steve Austin is without a doubt one of the most influential and captivating wrestlers to ever step foot inside a ring.
- Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. 27,554 votes. Before he became the global icon we know today, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was electrifying audiences around the world as one of the most charismatic and talented professional wrestlers in history.
- Ric Flair. 25,784 votes. To be the man, you've got to beat the man, and few have ever come close to beating the legendary career of generation professional wrestler Ric Flair.
- John Smith. John Smith’s wrestling career started out well enough. He was a two-time state champion for Del City High School and placed fourth at Junior Nationals in 1982 and 1983.
- Jordan Burroughs. Given all Jordan Burroughs has accomplished, it’s hard to believe he was only a one-time New Jersey state champion. His college options were limited.
- Bruce Baumgartner. If there was ever a doubt that Bruce Baumgartner is the greatest heavyweight in American history, just take a look at the numbers. Baumgartner made 15 straight World and Olympic teams from 1982 through 1996 – an all-time U.S. record.
- Helen Maroulis. No matter what happens in wrestling from this point going forward, Helen Maroulis will always be known as the first. You can say she is the first four-time WCWA champion in women’s wrestling history and you’d be right to a degree.
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- Ric Flair. This list was always going to end here. As there was never anyone like Ric Flair and there never will be. When many of the other stars on this list made it big when wrestling became a TV juggernaut, Flair became a star in the days where holding the NWA title mean traveling from region to region, proving you were the man.
- Steve Austin. No one had a run like Stone Cold during his WWE peak. He was the biggest star during the biggest time in professional wrestling history. But there’s more to Steve Austin than just that.
- Hulk Hogan. Who knew so much could be done with boot to the face and a leg drop. Hulk Hogan didn’t do much when he was in the ring in terms of moves. With a simple hand to his ear, Hogan could whip a crowd into a frenzy.
- The Undertaker. What began as a chilling gimmick turned into the most astonishing thing WWE had ever seen. The Undertaker didn’t just enter an arena, he consumed it.
Apr 23, 2023 · Some of its greatest stars have crossed over into mainstream culture, while others have kept their careers inside the squared circle. Former pro wrestling participants include the highest paid actor in the world, a former U.S. president, and Dennis Rodman. Among all this talent are some historic standouts worthy of being remembered and celebrated.
