WatchMojo

Login Now!

OR   Sign in with Google   Sign in with Facebook
advertisememt
VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
Script written by Ryan Barnett.

It takes a special kind of athlete to climb into the ring in bright spandex to throw it down with another fighter, and wrestling has no shortage of vibrant personalities. This sport's colorful figures have included deranged army sergeants, Haitian voodoo priests, mullet-sporting snake charmers, and turnbuckle-munching man-beasts. In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com counts down the top 10 wrestlers of all time. For this list, we've chosen those sports entertainers who defined, popularized and even redefined the face of professional wrestling. Special thanks to our users iamnotrickysanchez, Miroljub Milisavljevic, Daniel John and guamdeathstrike671 for submitting the idea on our Suggestions Page!
Script written by Ryan Barnett.

Top 10 Wrestlers

Also in:

Top 10 WWE Women Wrestlers Of 2017

This sport’s colorful figures have included deranged army sergeants, Haitian voodoo priests, mullet-sporting snake charmers, and turnbuckle-munching man-beasts. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 wrestlers of all time. For this list, we’ve chosen those sports entertainers who defined, popularized and even redefined the face of professional wrestling.

#10 – Sting

Also in:

Top 10 WWE Wrestlers Of 2017

Sting’s one-man war against the New World Order propelled World Championship Wrestling to a period of ratings dominance in the ‘90s. Not only were he and his signature Scorpion Deathlock finisher big draws in WCW, his high profile in TNA also made him one of the most famous wrestlers never to join the WWE. Plus, the man knows how to make an entrance.

#9 – “Macho Man” Randy Savage

Also in:

Another Top 10 Female Wrestlers

It takes a guy this gruff and colorful to shine in the World Wrestling Federation: the Macho Man, with his Flying Elbow Drops and famous feuds, was a top attraction of the ‘80s’ Golden Era. With style in the ring and on the mic, Savage was among the sport’s greatest icons. He was also part of one of the sport’s few great love stories with his manager, Miss Elizabeth.

#8 – The Ultimate Warrior

Also in:

Top 10 Female Wrestlers

“Intense” is this guy’s middle name. Following his victory against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI, the Ultimate Warrior was touted as the future of wrestling. Quick on his feet, acrobatic and jacked beyond anyone in wrestling at the time, the Warrior also had a huge fanbase despite minimal talent between the ropes. However, contract disputes derailed his career in just two years, and he never reached his full potential.

#7 – “Rowdy” Roddy Piper

With his signature kilt, bagpipes and sleeper hold, he was perhaps the biggest name never to win the title in the WWF, as it was called at the time. Not as muscle-bound as some, not as athletic as others, “Hot Rod” was pure personality. Thanks to his quick wit and big mouth, it’s no wonder that among Golden Era wrestlers, Piper had the most respectable movie career.

#6 – Ric Flair

The truest showman in all professional wrestling, “Nature Boy” Ric Flair was the entitled, self-aggrandizing prick all fans love to hate. And he loved that they hated him. Though his skills followed him to many companies, Flair never achieved the same success as Hogan or Savage; but, he parlayed his athletic prowess and gift for gab into a 40-year career full of legendary rivalries and world championships.

#5 – Bret Hart

“Excellence in Execution.” Coming from a wrestling dynasty, Bret “The Hitman” Hart was credited with bringing technical skill back to the sport. He rose to prominence as a member of the Hart Foundation, becoming one of the top baddies in the WWF. But, it’s his doublecross by WWE boss Vince McMahon during his final match for the promoter, popularly called the Montreal Screwjob, that’s the stuff of wrestling legend.

#4 – The Rock

Also in:

adidas ROCKSTARS Bouldering Competition: Rock Climbing Highlights

Like Hart, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was born into a wrestling family – in fact, he was the WWF’s first third-generation wrestler. He was ahead of the game, but his catchphrases, elbow drops, eyebrow raises and legendary microphone antics made him the People’s Champion. Even in his short career, The Great One became one of the sport’s most successful figures. Oh, and he’s a legit movie star to boot!

#3 – Shawn Michaels

That “Sweet Chin Music” sings. Universally respected within the world of wrestling, the Heartbreak Kid possessed several key qualities that made him a “showstopper:” he was agile, credibly powerful, an electrifying entertainer, and a world-class villain. As part of the Attitude Era’s Degeneration-X, Michaels showed skill as both a storyteller and technical master. And once he made his comeback after retiring due to a back injury, well fuggetaboutit.

#2 – “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

Watching WCW in the early-‘90s, who woulda predicted that “Stunning” Steve Austin would transform himself and become one of the most profitable figures in WWE history? Austin’s beer-guzzling redneck identity, signature stunner and unforgettable catchphrase drew in both casual and hardcore fans. In fact, the “Stone Cold” persona showed the drawing power of the anti-hero during the Attitude Era, and changed the tone of wrestling for the decade to follow.

#1 – Hulk Hogan

Before the reality show and sex tape, there was Hulkamania. One of the most identifiable professional wrestlers ever, the Hulkster reigned over the sport for roughly two decades and transformed it into a mainstream endeavor, despite his just-adequate in-ring skills. This real-life all-American superhero, with his tanned skin, bleach-blond hair and never-ending charisma, was the role model all children needed – and he had the merchandise to prove it. Do you agree or disagree with our list? Which wrestler would be in your top ten? Be sure to let us know and check out WatchMojo.com for more great top 10 lists!

Comments
User
Send
the undertaker should replace ric flair
macho man should be numbr 2 and the warrior should be number 3
User
Great list. But please include Undertaker and Andre the Giant next time. Andre because he held an undefeated streak for 15 years, is a one-time WWF champion and an entire battle royale was made because of him. Undertaker because he held an undefeated wrestlemania streak for 21 years, has held the WWF,WWE and world heavyweight championship several t
razor ramon goes one step under hbk
stone bald doesnt even drop kick
+ 6 comment(s)
advertisememt