I RANKED THE 31 GREATEST WRESTLERS OF ALL-TIME

31. TRISH STRATUS

We have to give some major love to the best women’s wrestler of all-time. Trish Stratus embodied a true persona of confidence, athleticism, and unabated sex appeal. Stratus’ ability on the mic should also be majorly applauded. Her natural talent would routinely pop off the screen — particularly when having to connect with fellow personnel. Plus… there hasn’t been a single female wrestler offering anything close to her level of ‘Stratusfaction.’

30. JOHN CENA

An incredibly polarizing figure within the wrestling universe, John Cena has been a headlining act dating back to 2003. Cena wrestles with an incredible amount of energy. His personality on-camera has developed quite nicely over time. Fans of all ages are overly elated whenever the ‘Attitude Adjustment’ or ‘Five Knuckle Shuffle’ comes out. Over the course of his career, he’s held the World Heavyweight Championship three times and the WWE Championship on 13 other occasions.

29. BROCK LESNAR

Brock Lesnar’s respective placement within this list is limited by a number of factors. One, he doesn’t appear very often on RAW. It’s almost as if Lesnar is this mythical figure coming out every now and then for a match. Secondly, he’s not an overly technical wrestler. With that said, Lesnar’s physical nature is perhaps unlike anything we’ve ever seen. He’s a brute in the best sense of the term — and one which can be downright terrifying. Lesnar is currently the holder of the Universal Title.

28. KANE

Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) was a core staple within the highly popular attitude era. For a large chunk of time, Kane had no real personality. He lumbered around the ring whilst punishing fellow wrestlers. However, his character turned from a lovable rogue into a heel. This corresponded with Kane’s decision to drop the mask. To this day, Kane’s in-ring entry — complemented with shooting gusts of fire — still remains as one of the best in WWE history.

27. BUDDY ROGERS

Buddy Rogers (real name Herman Rohde Jr.) set the stage for others (such as Ric Flair) to follow in his footsteps. Rogers first started wrestling professionally in 1939. He portrayed an athletic, handsome, good looking guy with a penchant for trying to make opponents tap out. Rogers’ personality was such that he immediately endeared himself to the fan base. Physically, Rogers wasn’t afraid to take to the air — as he routinely hopped off the top rope in search of theatrics. Lastly, his most famous influence came in the form of the figure-four leg lock. Unsurprisingly, Flair was highly taken by Rogers and his ability to entertain.

26. ANTONIO INOKI

Antonio Inoki (real name Kanji Inoki) was largely responsible for popularizing wrestling in Japan. An immense presence in the ring, Inoki utilized a plethora of signature and finishing moves. While Inoki didn’t wrestle in the United States, he gained universal interest when pitted against Muhammad Ali in what turned out to be the early origins of MMA. Ali boxed whilst Inoki used leg kicks mixed with wrestling techniques. Later on, he was instrumental in creating New Japan Pro-Wrestling — a company which in all likelihood is only second to all of the WWE brands. Inoki’s lasting impact on the sport truly is impactful.

25. BRUNO SAMMARTINO

Bruno Sammartino helped tremendously in creating the strong, tight-knit fabric of this profession. One of the strongest men to ever wrestle, Sammartino routinely threw opponents around the ring like rag dolls. Throughout the course of his career, Sammartino — a native of Italy — was a two-time WWWF Heavyweight Champion, a two-time WWWF International Tag Team Champion, and was a one-time winner of the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. In 2013, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. However, Sammartino sadly passed away in 2018 at the age of 82.

24. EDGE

Edge’s career arc saw a strong upswing as he aged. Initially a part of the successful Edge-Christian tag team, the 6-foot-5 athlete (real name Adam Copeland) ultimately became a seven-time World Heavyweight Champion. His skills on the mic were decent as a tag team member. However, Edge’s proclivity for being somewhat of a heel increased even further with more exposure. Unfortunately for Edge, he was forced into early retirement due to neck issues.

23. Triple H

Paul Levesque’s rise up throughout the company has been nothing short of phenomenal. As a wrestler, Triple H was a leading influence in the infamous stable D-Generation X. From there, he headlined most events as a constant championship belt holder/contender. Triple H is a nine-time WWE/WWF Champion and a five-time World Heavyweight Champion. Currently, Levesque has taken a Vice Presidential role in terms of story development. His fingerprints have continued to be involved with the brand for nearly 30 years.

22. BOB BACKLUND

One has to appreciate Bob Backlund’s all-in mindset when it comes to his involvement in wrestling. Originally, Backlund wrestled all over the country (and even in Japan). Time after time, Backlund’s technicality as a wrestler shone brightly. The two-time WWF Champion had one of the most iconic matches in recent history when taking on Jimmy Snuka (in a steel cage). Fans today fondly associate Backlund with his patented bow tie.

21. CHRIS BENOIT

 ‘The Rabid Wolverine’ was a true professional. Chris Benoit brought loads of intensity to the table. One brief look at his face above will tell you all there is to know about Benoit’s dedication to the profession. A truly technical wrestler, Benoit routinely slung opponents around the ring with picture-perfect German suplexes. From there, the Canadian could force the opponent into submission via the sharpshooter as well as his patented ‘Crippler Crossface’ (seen above). Sadly, Benoit passed away in 2007 at the age of 40.

20. TED DIBIASE

 ‘The Million Dollar Man’ was a truly great heel. His gimmick as the rich guy with a distaste for those beneath him worked very well throughout the ’80s. Ted DiBiase was immensely technical in the ring. He relied far more on positioning and execution rather than top-notch athleticism. This allowed for DiBiase to become the ’88 King of the Ring as well as a three-time Tag Team Champion. However, DiBiase unquestionably is known for his ability with the microphone in his hand. He was excellent in getting the crowd to hate him.

19. HARLEY RACE

For 50 years, Harley Race has been known for his wrestling prowess all over the United States. He’s been in virtually every promotion imaginable. Along the same lines, the Missouri native has held title belts in companies such as WCW, NWA, AWA, and WWF. A true professional, Race worked tirelessly to sell every move in the ring. His dedication — coupled with his raw passion for the business — has made him a widely respected person for all generations of past and current wrestlers.

18. BILL GOLDBERG

Bill Goldberg is a wrestling treasure. During the height of the rivalry between WCW and WWF, Goldberg was the premier talent fighting for World Championship Wrestling. As his personality continued to grow, so did his success in the ring. At one point, Goldberg held the longest undefeated streak (173-0) in the business (though it’s up for interpretation as to how long it actually was). His sheer power was evident whenever hoisting up large men for his famed ‘jackhammer’ finisher. Goldberg enjoyed a little bit of success in (what is now) the WWE — though he’s most known for his time on WCW Monday Nitro.

17. RANDY ORTON

Orton is the total package when it comes to being a professional wrestler. His physique is tremendous, and truly fits what the ideal performer in this business would look like. Orton’s natural athletic ability enables him to move around the ring with immense fluidity. Lastly, Orton gives off the vibe that he doesn’t care about the crowd or anything having to do with wrestling. It results in him being a terrific heel. Over the course of his career, Orton had worn the WWE Championship nine times. He’s also held the World Heavyweight Championship on four separate occasions.

16. RICKY STEAMBOAT

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat (real name Richard Blood Sr.) enjoyed a professional career of nearly 30 years. From an early age, it was evident that Steamboat was built for stardom. A fantastic athlete and technically savvy, there really wasn’t anything Steamboat couldn’t do. The New York native was involved in a number of high profile matches. This included the likes of Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage, Ric Flair, and Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts. The rivalry with Flair in particular was both captivating and awesome at the same time.

15. KURT ANGLE

The real-life Olympic gold medalist was also a fixture within the WWE landscape for quite a long time. At first, Kurt Angle garnered the role as a hero. Fans loved and respected his patriotic garb. In the ring, Angle’s technicality shined. No one will forget his penchant for the suplex, or the famed ‘Angle Slam’. As he got older, Angle suddenly turned into a heel. This juxtaposition showcased Angle’s acting skills in a big way. He’s since returned to the company after spells with other promotions. Currently, Angle is an on-screen general manager for RAW.

14. CHRIS JERICHO

Charismatic and creative, wrestler Chris Jericho (real name Chris Irvine) has enjoyed a multi-decade career with WWE. Initially, Jericho was a high-flyer around the ring. His patented Lionsault was only accentuated further by the iconic ‘Walls of Jericho’ (an altered form of the Boston Crab). As he got older, Jericho’s athleticism diminished — though his in-ring skills as a heel only increased. He remains to this day as one of the most popular wrestlers in the company’s history.

13. BRET HART

Though ‘The Montreal Screwjob’ will forever be associated with Bret Hart, his ability in the ring should also be marveled at. From a young age, people knew he was going to be special. His family worked tirelessly in developing him into a viable prospect. As opposed to relying on gimmicks or props, Hart looked at the profession as a craft. He was clinical in the ring, and operated with the precision of a surgeon. In a sense, Hart broke the mold — allowing for a new generation of wrestlers to come in and focus on skill rather than substance. Hart is one of the purest sportsmen in the long history of professional wrestling.

12. MICK FOLEY

Mick Foley has no regard for his body whatsoever. Whether it be flying off of steel cages, getting smacked in the face with chairs, or being thrown back first onto a pile of thumb tacks, Foley was sure to entertain the crowd. His myriad of characters throughout the years were both funny and clever. An innately jovial human, Foley has long been synonymous with everything great about the business. Duly, he surely enjoys large amounts of adoration from fans based upon his rather normal appearance.

11. RANDY SAVAGE

There were few as electric as Randy ‘Macho Man’ Savage (real name Randy Poffo). Savage had an intensive process in learning how to become a wrestler. His father — Angelo Poffo — was also a professional. As such, Savage began climbing up the proverbial ladder rather quickly. For a decade, ‘Macho Man’ was instrumental in carrying the WWF. The eclectic personality would routinely brawl with Hulk Hogan and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler. Savage eventually transitioned over to WCW — where he won the World Heavyweight Championship. In 32 years as a professional, Savage won 29 titles. In 2011, he passed away at the age of 58.

10. STING

Sting (real name Steve Borden) is one of the few names that didn’t spend the majority of his prime with WWE. Instead, the legendary wrestler plied his trade in WCW. There’s an instant level of ‘cool’ when it comes to Sting. His distinct face paint allows for his character to stand out among the rest. A physically gifted individual, Sting’s lethal nature became even more impressive when brandishing his black baseball bat. His (bizarre) time in TNA lasted nearly a decade. We do wish he would’ve come to WWE in his prime. Had that scenario occurred, there’s no telling how far up Sting would’ve registered within this piece.

9. ROWDY RODDY PIPER

There are showmen…and then there’s Rowdy Roddy Piper (real name Roderick Toombs). Very few possessed Piper’s ability to entertain. Whether it be jabs on the mic, thrills in the ring, or overall presence, Piper was a giant in the industry. Throughout his time as a professional, he accumulated 34 titles. Those who are real fans of Piper will never listen to Scottish bagpipes the same ever again. In 2015, Piper passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61.

8. DUSTY RHODES

In many regards, Dusty Rhodes (real name Virgil Runnels Jr.) was the patriarch of professional wrestling in the United States. Professional wrestlers generally have a jacked physique with ‘desired’ physical traits. Rhodes simply did not have this appearance. Instead, he represented the average fan sitting at home on the couch. For them, it was a thrill to see a charismatic, energetic, talented man take down muscular giants. Rhodes worked in professional wrestling for nearly 50 years as a performer, producer, promoter, and trainer. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 69.

7. HULK HOGAN

Speaking of cool, Hollywood Hulk Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) was highly revered. He’s who men wanted to be, and women wanted to be with. Hogan’s garish in-ring presentation took on a life of its own. The red and yellow feathered boa became Hogan’s calling card. Additionally, the audience was treated to Hogan’s deep-rooted rivalries with Ric Flair and Andre the Giant. ‘Hulkamania’ swept all across the world — making Hogan one of the company’s largest global stars.

6. THE UNDERTAKER

The Undertaker (real name Mark Calaway) had a career characterized by longevity, success, and widespread adoration. There were multiple periods in which different variations of The Undertaker emerged. This included riding a motorcycle to the ring — or making the slow, melodic walk to the ring under clouds of smoke and darkness. Elements of mystery and intrigue surrounded the character. This made him appear to be even more of an anomaly. Calaway’s athleticism for a man 6-foot-10 cannot be overstated enough. Aside from the famed tombstone piledriver, rarely can a man tiptoe the top rope before thunderously slamming his opponent in the back of the shoulder.

5. ANDRÉ THE GIANT

There might not be a more famous wrestler than André the Giant (real name André Roussimoff). At the height of his career, the massive human registered at 7-foot-4, and (at least) 500 pounds. Though André wasn’t overly technical, he was incredibly special. This stemmed from his obvious frame — but also his professionalism and gregarious personality. He was beloved by virtually everyone. Iconic matches with Hulk Hogan during Early WrestleMania events were Earth-shattering in terms of intrigue. There’s also André’s reported drinking exploits. One story had him drinking 156 beers in one sitting. Sadly, Roussimoff passed away in 1993. He was 46 years of age.

4. SHAWN MICHAELS

Shawn Michaels (real name Michael Hicken bottom) is a true superstar. Nicknamed ‘The Heartbreak Kid’, Michaels’ theme song got the entire crowd into frenzy whenever he sauntered towards the ring. Athletic and daring, Michaels wouldn’t be afraid to throw his weight around in the ring. He enjoyed success both as an individual wrestler and a tag team participant. Michaels is a three-time WWF World Heavyweight Champion and a five-time World Tag Team Champion. Plus, his ‘sweet chin music’ finisher is immensely fun to watch. Simply put, Michaels is charisma personified.

3. THE ROCK

Before becoming the world’s biggest actor, Dwayne Johnson garnered notoriety for his portrayal as The Rock. Interestingly enough, The Rock began his career as a heel (and boy, was he a good one). From there, the audience was introduced to a number of catchphrases and Rock-isms. These traits effectively transformed his character into the biggest star in the company. While Johnson wasn’t an elite wrestler from a technical standpoint, his physical prowess helped in mitigating any deficiencies. To this day, there hasn’t been another wrestler who has come close to replicating Johnson’s skills on the mic. He’s truly unrivaled in this regard.

2. STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN

“Give me a hell yeah” became a saying synonymous with wrestling during the attitude era. This is completely attributed to the iconic Stone Cold Steve Austin (real name Steve Williams). Much like The Rock, Austin was excellent on the mic. His ability to involve the audience during live taping was simply brilliant. In the ring, Austin was both brutish and clinical. His ‘stone cold stunner’ finishing move delighted fans across the WWE/WWF universe. It was always a fun time seeing Austin crack open a couple of beers during the post-match celebration. Other noteworthy scenes included Austin beating up Booker T in a supermarket, going undercover as a nurse before beating up Vince McMahon in a hospital, and his liberal use of the middle finger.

1. RIC FLAIR

Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler in the history of the sport. There have been bigger and better athletes. There’s even been better looking participants in wrestling. However, Flair is unparalleled when it comes to in-ring presence. He had a charm about him — where women were throwing themselves at him, and men were doing everything in their power to be him. He exuded class, wealth, and unadulterated joy. His persona was in many ways larger than life. Strutting down towards the ring in a garish robe was simply Flair in a nutshell. After all, he is the “Rolex wearing, diamond ring wearing, kiss stealing, wheeling dealing, limousine riding, jet flying son of a gun.”