RINGKINGS: History Forums 150 Greatest Wrestlers

[RINGKING]

The long wait is over. I would first and foremost like to thank all of you who PM/Emailed your lists, 89 in all. All were fine lists, some of the picks chosen I wouldn't have on my list, but it is those opinions that make these lists so great. It shows the versatility of the passion each one of us have for the sport we love to follow.

The system, a computer program, that a friend of mine helped me come up with is a big help as well. If I personally had to tabulate all these lists, it would have taken 6 months. The way it works, I'll sum it up in a nutshell, is say Dick Murdoch is on 80% of the lists, ranking between numbers 65-110. The system would put him at the most correct slot.

The list itself is interesting. There will be picks many will argue, and those that will agree. The top 5 may cause some controversy, but thats why I did this. To just see what wrestlers would appear where on a list tabulated by those of us in the History Forum. If you didn't send me a list, then don't be too hard on those that did. I didn't expect all the lists to have 150 picks on them, a low percentage didn't, but we all have very productive lives outside of our time on PW and in the History Forum. I personally did not enter a list, to keep this from being more unbias.

Now, with no further a due:

HISTORY FORUMS TOP 150 GREATEST WRESTLERS OF ALL-TIME!
Disclaimer--The views posted in this list are those of posters in the History Forum as a group, and not any one individual. The thread starter is not held liable for those views and opinions of stated posters, and has left this as a total unbias selection process. The picks were chosen for mostly overall aspects from wrestlers, but ranged from the aspects of versatility, charisma, longevity, impact, ability, and as stated, overall. The lists will not be shown at any time due to the thread starter not deeming fit the acknowledment of any one poster. No wrestling organization, website, or outside company was used in the tabulation of this list. Again, it is the respected opinions of posters through PMs/Emails that contributed to the list as a whole. Selections on the list will be posted as the threadstarter has time to do so.


-There will be a seperate thread for your comments and discussion. Please refrain from making comments in this thread, to save space for me to post the selections, due to time restraints I have and will only be able to post selections as I have time.







150.

RAY TRAYLOR

From Prison Guard to the WWF, Ray Traylor was one of the most gifted big men in the 80's during his time in the AWA, NWA, UWF, and the WWF. He began his career in Verne Gagne's AWA being used as mostly a jobber to other big men. He was soon contacted by Jim Cornette and the NWA. He would first just be used as Cornette's "bodyguard", but soon after he participated in the 2nd WAR GAMES match as part of the Horsemens team, he left the NWA and traveled to Bill Watts UWF. He made a big impact immediantly. In April of 1987, he defeated their UWF World Champion, the One Man Gang , who he would later be tag partners with as the Twin Towers in the WWF, and held the UWF title for 3 months until losing to "Dr. Death" Steve Williams in July. He would then bounce back and forth between the WCW and WWF under a few different gimmicks. His wrestling career would become full circle as he finished his career training wrestlers for the WWF's Ohio Valley Wrestling.

Ray Traylor passed away Sept. 22, 2004 from a massive heartache.

Titles:
UWF World Title
WWF Tag Titles w/Test
WWF Hardcore Title

Feuds:
One Man Gang/Akeem
The Mountie
Big Van Vader
Nailz
Albert
Mr. Perfect Curt Henning

Notable Match:
Big Boss Man vs One Man Gang-UWF World Title





149.

JINSEI SHINZAKI/HAKUSHI


Starting his career overseas in Japan, Shinzaki traveled to the States and began his American in the WWF. He was managed by Shinji a had a number of singles matches, but most notably against one of WWF's finest, Bret Hart. He would soon be paired in a short lived tag team called "The Shoguns" with Kwang, but they ended up feuded rather than getting along. Shinzaki left the WWF and had a very short stint in ECW, and had a pretty good tag match pairing with Hayabusa taking on the tag champs in RVD & Sabu. Shinzaki is also known for his "praying walk" is a version of Undertakers top rope walk. Shinzaki actually performed the moved once in a barbed wire match.

He is currently held in high regards in Michinoku Pro and is an ambassador of sorts, and still wrestles in All Japan as well.


Titles:
NA

Feuds:
Bret Hart
Mitsharu Misawa
Great Sasuke

Notable Match:
Jinsei Shinzaki vs Bret Hart




148.

CHRISTIAN CAGE

Starting his career in Canada in a faction known as "Thug Life" which is where he initially started tagging with his WWF partner in crime, Sexton Hardcastle (Edge). He and Edge would then journey to the WWF but not as partners, but enemies as Edge was feuding with Gangrel, who brought Christian in as a deturrent as he was supposed to be Edge's "brother" for the storyline. Christian, under Gangrels guidance, won the Lightheavyweight Title from Taka. Edge soon joined this tandem and they would become known as the Brood. Christian & Edge would break ties with Gangrel and go on to hold WWF/WWE Gold 7 times as a pairing, Christian would win it 2 other times with Lance Storm & Chris Jericho. An unprecedented 9 times. Cage would then go on to 'greener' pastures to TNA, where he won the TNA World Title from Jeff Jarret almost immediantly.

Cage is currently active in TNA and just signed a multi-year contract.


Titles:
WWE/WWF Tag Team Titles w/Edge (7 times)
WWE/WWF Tag Team Champion w/Chris Jericho
WWE/WWF Tag Team Titles w/Lance Storm
WWF Light Heavyweight Title
WWF European Title
WWE IC Title (2)
TNA/NWA World Title (2)

Feuds:
Edge
DDP
Hardy Boys
Dudleys
Sting
Jeff Jarrett

Notable Match:
Wrestlemania X7--TLC Match vs Hardys vs Dudleys




147.

"BIG CAT" ERNIE LADD


One of the first NFL players to become a wrestler Ladd at 6'9 350 lbs was recruited by one of wrestlings greatest heels, Freddie Blassie. Ladd had an undenaible charisma whether he was loved or hated. He began his career tagging with the ever popular Bobo Brazil, until he made the fateful heel turn to become one of the best during hte 60's. During this time he actually got a NWA World Title shot at then champ, Lou Thesz. Ladd was a gypsy of sorts not settling for one company, until he made a brief home in Mid-South where he was the manager for the Wild Samoans, who eventually turned on him and joined Devastation Inc. Ernie Ladd has been inducted into both the AFL Hall of Fame and the WWE Hall of Fame.

Ernie Ladd passed away from cancer March 10, 2007.


Titles:
None. But he did beat NWA World Champion Dory Funk Jr. in a mean game of chess.

Feuds:
Waldo Von Erich
Bruno Sammartino
Dory Funk Jr.
Gorrilla Monsoon

Notable Match:
Ernie Ladd vs Dory Funk Jr.-NWA Title Match




146.

JOHN TOLOS


Better known as the Coach in the WWF managing Mr. Perfect and the Beverly Brothers, Tolos actually started his career in the mid 50's, most successfully tagging with his brother Chris, better known as the Canadian Wrecking Crew, and winning tag team gold on seperate occasions. Had an outstanding feud in the 70's taking on Freddie Blassie, who won the prestigious Wrestler of the year award. Tolos was one of the biggest heels during his 70's run, just behind the Sheik.

After his brothers passing from cancer in 2005, Tolos has now left wrestling aside.


Titles:
AWA World Tag Team Titles w/Chris Tolos
NWA Florida Tag Team Titles w/Chris Tolos
WWWF Tag Team Titles w/Chris Tolos
NWA Vancouver Tag Team Titles w/Chris Tolos

Feuds:
Freddie Blassie
Greg Valentine
Ernie Ladd

Notable Match:
John & Chris Tolos vs Gorilla Monsoon & Killer Kowalski-WWWF Tag Title Match

[RINGKING]

145.

BARRY DARSOW

Taking on being a Russian was no easy task for American born Darsow, but he did so in order to become part of Bill Watts UWF as Krusher Krushev. He got his first taste of gold here defeating Terry Taylor for the UWF TV Title. He would then have a short stint in Florida, but then traveled to Jim Crocketts NWA where he joined in as part of the Russians winning the 6 man tag titles, along with tag team gold with Ivan Koloff. He would also win, the Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title. His biggest success was soon to come though once he left the NWA for the "other" company, the WWF. Here he paired with another outsider, and they would be called Demolition. One of the greatest tag teams ever in the WWF.

Darsow returned to WCW after a few "lost" gimmicks in WWF and WCW, but never would reach the pinnacle he did as part of Demolition.

Titles:
WWF Tag Titles w/AX
WWF Tag Titles w/Crush
NWA Mid Atlantic Title
NWA 6 Man Tag Titles (2) w/Ivan & Nikita Koloff
NWA US Tag Titles w/Ivan Koloff

Feuds:
British Bulldogs
Dustin Rhodes
Powers of Pain

Notable Match:
Wrestlemania IV-vs Strike Force-WWF Tag Team Titles






144.

KEN SHAMROCK

Being trained by Buzz Sawyer is no easy task, but it was one that Ken Shamrock took a hold of, and ran with it. Part of what he thought would be good training was that he took part in Tough Man Competitions, where he won 3 very credible tournaments. He got his first break in South Atlantic Pro Wrestling. He went from being a face to being a heel named "Mr. Wrestling" Vince Torelli. After a failing attempt here, he joined in Japans UWF Shoot fighting organization. Ken would wrestle in a few other smaller territories before getting his big break in the WWF. After a small tour on house shows, he got his first big match at the PPV In Your House against Big Van Vader, defeating him by his ankle lock submission hold.

Shamrock is still active training wrestlers and cage fighters alike, but his biggest task is helping train the Marines in hand to hand combat

Titles:
South Atlantic Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title
WWF IC Title
WWF Tag Titles
NWA World Title

Feuds:
Chris chavis
Jeff Jarrett
Big Bossman
Steve Blackman
HHH

Notable Match:
In Your House 15 vs Big Van Vader





143.

OLE ANDERSON


Al Rogowski began his wrestling career shortly after his term in the military, with a Verne Gagne promotion under the name "Rock" Rogowski. Rogowski started tagging with Lars & Gene Anderson, and they were soon billed as brothers, and Rogowski changed his wrestling name to, "Ole Anderson". They were then called the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. From here they started working cards in Mid Atlantic and won the tag titles there. They would soon wrestle in singles matches in which Ole beat then NWA World Champ Jack Brisco for the Florida TV Title as well as defeating his brother Jerry for the Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title. The Crew went on to win numerous tag titles splitting their time between Georgia & Mid Atlantic, until Genes health caused him to retire. After this Ole wrestled many matches on his own until teaming up with Thunderbolt Patterson in Mid Atlantic, who in which he eventually turned on and joined his other family member, Arn Anderson. They would then help form a little group known as the Four Horsemen.


Titles:
Florida Tag Titles w/Ron Garvin
Florida TV Title
Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title
Mid Atlantic Tag Titles w/Gene Anderson
World tag Titles w/Stan Hansen
NWA Tag Titles w/Arn Anderson

Feuds:
Thunderbolt Patterson
Arn Anderson
Greg Valentine
Ric Flair
Ernie Ladd

Notable Match:
Ole & Gene Anderson vs Greg Valentine & Ric Flair-Mid Atlantic Tag Title Match




142.

MANNY FERNANDEZ


One of the toughest hombres to ever lace up a pair of boots, and with good reason. Before turning to wrestling, The Ragin Bull was in the Navy as a member of the elite, Navy Seals. Most of his known wrestling career was in the NWA, but before this time he was known for something else. After the death of the great Bruiser Brody, whic was rumored to have been killed by Invader 1, Fernandez to a length of payback against Invader 3, which had the match stopped due to Invader coughing up blood. Fernandez would go on to do other great things in wrestling, but forever will be respected behind locker room doors for this.

Titles:
NWA Tag Titles w/Dusty Rhodes
NWA Tag Titles w/Rick Rude

Feuds:
Terry Funk
Dusty Rhodes
Wahoo Mcdaniel
Abdullah the Butcher

Notable Match:
AWA Superclash III- vs Wahoo Mcdaniel-Indian Strap Match





141.

ROBERT GIBSON


Robert Gibson as a tag wrestler was one of the finest to ever stand in someones corner, especially Ricky Mortons. Arguablly one half of one of the best tag teams in the 80's, maybe ever, Robert Gibson was a great performer. The R & R Express would go on to have one of the greatest tag feuds ever in the Midnight Express. These teams put on a show and could sell out arenas with just this two tag teams on the card opposite each other.


Titles:
SMW Tag Team Titles w/Ricky Morton (10)
USWA Tag Team Titles (2)
NWA Tag Team Titles (4)

Feuds:
Heavenly Bodies
Midnight Express
Tully Blanchard
Arn Anderson

Notable Match:
StarrCade '86- W/Ricky Morton vs Ole & Arn Anderson-NWA Tag Title Match





140.

RAVEN

Originally wanting to be a lawyer, Scott Levy decided to leave the life of studying, to a life full of trash cans and barbed wire. Scott broke into wrestling in the Northeast and eventually made his way to the Memphis promotion headed by Jerry Lawler. His first high profile match was against Lawker himself in I believe was a "win a date with Missy" (referring to Missy Hyatt) match, in which Scott lost, but some say he won with her in the lockerroom...He headed to Vancouver where he quickly got over with the crowds, but the promotions head man, thought he was outdoing his sons and stealing their spotlight so was set up to look as if he was harassing a girl backstage, which this was proven false when Scott used his prior Law skills, and the case was thrown out before it got anywhere. He went to the WWF for a short stint as "Johny Polo" where eventually he became more useful on their Saturday Morning show All American Wrestling hosting it and also as one of the WWF's creative heads. He left WWF and finally got his big break in ECW where of course, the Raven gimmick occured, and the rest is history, "Quote the Raven Nevermore".

Titles:
NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title (3)
NWA Pacific Tag Team Titles (3)
NWA Pacific Northwest TV Title
WCW US Title
WCW Tag Team Title
ECW Heavyweight Title (2)
ECW Tag Team Titles (2)
NWA/TNA World Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Tommy Dreamer
Jeff Jarrett
Shane Douglas
Abyss
Sandman

Notable Match:
ECW World Title- vs Sandman





139.

BILL LONGSTON


St. Louis biggest draw during the 40's wasn't the Arc, it wasn't The Cardinals, it was a wrestler by the name of Bill Longston. Longston was the St. Louis Territories long time champion and actually defeated Lou Thesz in 1947 for the non unified NWA World Title. Some say he would have been held in higher regard if he would have manned up and took on another non unified NWa World Champ, in Orville Brown. Who in which ironically became the NWA's first all inclusive territory wide recognized Champion. But, Longston instead chose higher ground and eventually lost his title back to Thesz.

Titles:
NWA (non-unified) World Title (3)

Feuds:
Lou Thesz
Ed Lewis
Dick Shikat
Man Mountain Dean

Notable Match:
NWA World Title vs Thesz





138.

SHANE DOUGLAS


I can think of no better job to pay my way through college, than to be a wrestler. And that is exactly what Troy Martin set out to do, little did he know that would end up being his career. Although he ended up getting his MA in Education, which later played a role in his Dean Douglas gimmick in the WWF, he sought out to become a wrestler rather than an educational teacher in the field he worked os hard to achieve in. He got one of his first breaks working as "Troy Orndorff", the cousin to Paul Orndorff but it wasn't until his break in the UWF winning the TV Title from Eddie Gilbert that he would start making a name for himself. He would go on to other accomplishments, but none as shocking as when he won the now defunct NWA World Title in ECW in a tournament, only to take the title and throw it to the ground like a piece of garbage.

Titles:
UWF TV Title
WCW Tag Team Titles w/Ricky Steamboat
WCW Tag Team Titles w/Buff Bagwell
ECW World Title (4)
WWF IC Title (Awarded)

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Tazz
Razor Ramon
Raven

Notable Match:
WCW Tag Title Match- Shane Douglas/Ricky Steamboat vs Barry Windham/Dustin Rhodes





137.

DICK HUTTON


There isn't too many wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots, that Lou Thesz himself handpicked to lose to, but Hutton was one of them. And there wasn't anyone ever that ws cheered as much against Americas Champion Thesz, as Hutton was. Thesz himself once said that Hutton was the best damn wrestler in the world. Bakc when $1,000 bills were still being made, Hutton was one of the first pro wrestlers to use money as part of his gimmick. He would award $1000 bill to anyone who could last in the ring with him a certain time limit. This became a major attraction for Hutton throughout his wrestling career and alot of fans would pay just to see if someone could take it from him. Few ever claimed that bounty.

Titles:
NWA World Title

Feuds:
Lou Thesz
Whipper Watson
Pat O Conner

Notable Match:
NWA World Title vs Lou Thesz





136.

JESSE "THE BODY" VENTURA


If ever a man could deemed fit to be in any top 10 just for making you believe he was great just by telling you, Jesse Ventura would be the greatest wrestler alive. There may never have been someone during his era that could work the mic and the crowds with a few exceptions, than Ventura could, who got his wrestling name from a highway in California. He could make an enemy, or get a girl with just his use of his words. The ex-Navy Seal modeled himself after another mic legend in Superstar Billy Graham. Ventura used his profound attitude and chissled body in not just wrestling, but in movies as well. Landing himself side by side by future Governor pal Arnold Schwarzanegger, in the movie The Predator.

Titles:
Pacific Northwest Tag Titles w/Buddy Rose (2)
Pacific Northwest Tag Titles w/Jerry Oates
Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title
AWA Tag Titles w/Adrion Adonis

Feuds:
Bob Backlund
Jimmy Snuka
Tito Santana
Other Government officials

Notable Match:
Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title vs Dutch Savage





135.

RON GARVIN


Hands of Stone, a name given to him by the late great Gordon Solie made wrestling not just part of himself, but his family as well. Marrying at a young age to Jimmy Garvins mother, Ron begat himseld to a life billed around wrestling. He was also the first "One Man Gang" a nickname that only stuck with him throughjout his time in Georgia. The pinnacle of Garvins career didn't come, and it didn't last long, until he defeated Ric Flair for the NWA World title. One of the few title losses of Flairs that made alot of us think "It isn't April 1st is it?"

Titles:
AWA TV Title
NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title
NWA US Tag Titles w/Barry Windham
NWA Florida Tag Titles w/Ole Anderson
NWA World Title

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Ox Baker
Jake Roberts
Randy Savage
Boris Malenko

Notable Match:
NWA World Title vs Ric Flair





134.

CHIEF JAY STRONGBOW

Joe Scarpa was an Italian born American born in Philadelphia, PA. He started his career in the late 40's wrestling mostly in the Florida territories, winning a few championships on the way. After making a name for himself, and getting over with the fans, he got the call from the "big" company up North in the 60's, the WWWF. He entered the company as Joe Scarpa, but was soon molded into a Native American named Chief Jay Strongbow. This is where his popularity really took off. During his matches, if he was down and out, the fans would chant his name and get behind him, and ala "Hulking up", he would go on a warpath dance and that was a sign the end was near for his opponent. He also participated in several gimmick matches from Indian Strap Matches to matches in a shark tank. But, no matter what match he was in, he was always cheered by his adoring fans, which is why he was voted wrestlings most popular wrestler in 1973.

Titles:
Georgia TV Title
Georgia Heavyweight Title
Florida Tag Titles
WWWF Tag Titles w/Billy White Wolf
WWWF Tag Titles w/Sonny King
WWWF Tag Titles w/Jules Strongbow (2)

Feuds:
Greg Valentine
Harley Race
Ivan Koloff
Paul Demarco
Billy Graham

Notable Match:
Indian Strap Match vs Greg Valentine





133.

KANE

Glen Jacobs has gone through many transformations during his wrestling career, but one that will stand out as an unforgettable gimmick is Kane. His noteriety as an intense monster has faded lately in his current staus in the WWE, but there was a time when no one man was more feared than Kane. He has carried numerous tag team titles, but the team with his brother Undertaker, will go down as one of the most dominant tag teams in WWE history.

Titles:
SMW Tag Titles w/Al Snow
WWF World Title (sorta)
WWF Tag Titles w/Mankind (2)
WWE Tag Titles w/'Taker (3)
WWF IC Title (2)
WWE Tag titles w/RVD
WWE Tag Titles w/Hurricane
WWE Tag Titles w/Xpac
WWE Tag Titles w/Big Show

Feuds:
Undertaker
Vader
Steve Austin
Mankind

Notable Match:
Unforgiven 1998-Inferno Match vs Undertaker





132.

PAUL JONES

Jones will be more remembered for his leadership in the Paul Jones army to most, but what they don't know is there was a time when he was a damn good wrestler. He was a prominent mainstay in the Florida territory winning pretty much all their titles, even at one time was the first to hold the Florida Brass knuckles, TV, and Heavyweight title at the same time. Had several good matches with a young Ric Flair during this time period. Was a great tag team technician forming a formable team with Baron Von Raschke as well with a young Ricky Steamboat.

Titles:
NWA Tag Titles (5)
NWA US Title (2)
CWF Florida Heavyweight Title (4)
CWF Florida TV Title (2)

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Buddy Colt
Jimmy Valiant
Ivan Koloff

Notable Match:
Florida Heavyweight Title vs Jack Brisco





131.

RICK STEINER

Rick, before becoming a full fledged pro wrestler, was an All American wrestling standout at Michigan. After graduating with a BA in education, he signed on with the AWA working numerous shows in Montreal. He was soon noticed and offered a contract with the UWF territory being paired with Buzz Sawyer. He would win tag team gold with several partners, but it wasn't until his brother broke into the business that he would reach one of wrestling great tag team pinnacles.

Titles:
WCW Tag Titles w/Scott Steiner (5)
WWF Tag Titles w/Scott Steiner (2)
NWA World Tag Titles w/Scott Steiner
WCW TV Title (2)
WCW US Title
NWA US Tag Titles w/Eddie Gilbert
UWF Tag Titles w/Sting

Feuds:
Money Inc.
Scott Steiner
Chris Adams'
Terry Taylor

Notable Match:
UWF Tag Titles Match- Rick Steiner & Sting vs Terry Taylor & Chris Adams





130.

RON SIMMONS

DAMN! Mr. Simmons was one of the most athletic wrestler of his era, and it showed when he defeated Vader for the WCW Title. Simmons will be known to most of todays fans as part of the APA with JBL, but those of us who followed him throughout his career will always remember the heart and effort he put into all of his matches in the NWA and WCW. A standout football player in Florida, Simmons carried that intense ability over into the squared circle.

Titles:
WCW World Title
WCW Tag Titles w/Butch Reed
WWF Tag Titles w/Bradshaw (3)
Florida Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Steiners
Butch Reed
The Rock
Jeff Jarrett
Tony Atlas

Notable Match:
Halloween Havoc: WCW World title Match vs Lex Luger

[RINGKING]

129.

KING KONG BUNDY

Who would have thought Uncle Irwin from the hit sitcom Married With Children, was one of the most feared men in professional wrestling. Bundy was one of the best big men during his run in the WWF, maybe ever for that matter. He was qucik and very agile for his size. Many don't know this but. if it wasn't for Hulk Hogan, we may have never seen Bundy in the WWF. They met at a chance meeting in Japan, soon after Bundy was part of the WWF's Heenan family. He brought with him part of his gimmick he used in the UWF, by having the referee count to 5 instead of 3, just to prove how much he just pulverized his opponent.

Titles:
WCCW American Heavyweight Title
AWA Southern Heavyweight Title
NWA National Tag Titles

Feuds:
Andre the Giant
Hulk Hogan
Jake Roberts
Hillbilly Jim

Notable Match:
Wrestlemania II-WWF World Title Match- vs Hulk Hogan





128.

JACQUES ROUGEAU


The Canadian born wrestler comes from a prominent wrestling family, and it showed in his matches. Jacques has held gold from the States to Canada, singles and tag, but had his greatest success with Pierre Ouelette as the Quebecers in the WWF, holding tag team gold 3 seperate times. Some say that his pairing in the tag team of the Rougeau brothers were one of the greatest tag teams not to win the WWF Tag Titles.

Titles:
WWF Tag Titles w/Pierre Ouelette (3)
Mid America Heavyweight Title
Alabama Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Killer Bees
Terry Taylor
The Rockers
Bret Hart

Notable Match:
SummerSlam '88-Rougeau Brothers vs British Bulldogs

[RINGKING]

127.

JYD

Most know the lovable JYD from his ring work, but what most don't know he actually has a BA in Political Science. Outside of his tough, almost ignorant in ring persona, JYD is actually a very intellegent man. He first broke into the business in the South for a Jerry Jarrett promotion in Tennesee. He went on to win many titles, from the States and crossing borders into Canada, but in the one federation he never won a title for (WWF) he will most be remembered as the barking bad ass with the teddy bear side, especially for the kids.

Titles:
Mid South Tag Titles (7)
Mid south North American Title
Mid South Louisianna Title
WCW World 6 man Tag Titles

Feuds:
Ernie Ladd
Ted Dibiase
Eddie Gilbert
Tully Blanchard

Notable Match:
Wrestlemania I-JYD vs Greg Valentine





126.

RAY STEELE (US)

Ray Steele was the name of two professional wrestlers throughout history, but the one with the best career was Americas version that wrestled throughout the 30's and 40's. He won the NWA Title in the 40's from Bronko Nagurski and the whole time he carried it was a top draw. During this time he helped many up and comers. including a young and brash Lou Thesz. Steele was one of the most knowledable men of our sport, and someone of his stature could have taught alot of todays stars about the sport, inside and out.

Titles:
NWA World Title

Feuds:
Bronko Nagurski
Bill Longston
Antonio Rocca

Notable Match:
NWA World Title vs Bronko Nagurski





125.

MASATO TANAKA

Tanaka is recognized as one of the great "young" lions in Japan. He got his start in Japans version of the ECW, although started years before Heymans group, in Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling (FMW). In Japan, you can be the best technical wrestler in the world but, if you can't show that your really tough they look at you as nothing more than a jobber. Tanaka had no problem of winning the fans over with his series of matches with Mike Awesome, Terry Funk and Mr. Gannosuke established him as the premier hardcore king in Japan.

Titles:
FMW World 6 man Street Fight Titles (3)
NWA IC Tag Team Titles
ECW World Heavyweight Title
World Brass Knuckles Title

Feuds:
Mike Awesome
Jerry Lynn
Mr. Gannosuke
Mr. Pogo

Notable Match:
ECW World Title Match- Vs Mike Awesome

[RINGKING]

124.

YUJI NAGATA

Nagata began his career in the early 90's in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He crossed borders in the mid 90's in WCW having a couple of exceptional matches with Ultimo Dragon. He returned to Japan shotting for the IWGP Title, but in a tournament lost to American Scott Norton in the finals. He focused himself on the tag ranks winning tag team gold with then friend Manabu Nakanishi. Later the next year he had one of the best matches in G-1tournament history with Keiji Mutoh in the finals, winning the match by submission.

Titles:
IWGP Tag Titles w/Manabu Nakanishi
IWGP Heavyweight Title (2)

Feuds:
Ultimo Dragon
Keiji Mutoh
Yoshihiro Takayama

Notable Match:
G-1 Tornament Finals: vs Keji Mutoh




123.

COWBOY BOB ORTON JR

The man with the longest active injury next to Iron Mike Sharpes, was Bob Orton Jr. Wearing a cast for nearly a year in the WWF using it to seal many victories, caused Gorilla Monsoon to comment on this frequently. Bob Orton Jr. was one of the best at what he did in the WWF, being a heel. His pairings with Roddy Piper was one the best 1-2 combinations of heels at that time. He got his start many years before this though after graduating from Missouri University and being trained by the great Hiro Matsuda. He was a gypsy of sorts traveling through many territories in the south and the AWA before landing in the WWF.

Titles:
ICW TV Title
Florida Heavyweight Title
Florida Tag Titles
NWA Southwest Heavyweight Title
NWA Missouri Title
AWA Midwest Tag Titles

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Ric Flair
Ricky Steamboat
Don Muraco

Notable Match:
Starrcade 83- Orton & Dick Slater vs Mark Youngblood & Wahoo Mcdaniel--billed as a "Cowboys vs Indians" match.





122.

JOHN BRADSHAW LAYFIELD

Alot will argue that JBL should not have held the WWE Title for as long as he did, but that doesn't matter to JBL. The "longest reigning champion" in over 10 years. He went from being a cheered tag team member in the APA to one of the most hated heels in recent memory. Most don't recall when he broke into the WWF and had a manager by the name of Uncle Zebediah (Dutch Mantel), but all will remember his latest run as an egotistical heel of a champion.

Titles:
GWF Tag Titles w/Bobby Duncam Jr
NWA North American Heavyweight Title
WWE Hardcore Title
WWE US Title
WWE Tag Titles w/Farroq (3)
WWE World Title

Feuds:
Eddie Guerrero
Kurt Angle
Booker T
The Hardys
The Dudleys

Notable Match:
GAB 2004-Bull Rope Match/WWE Title- vs Eddie Guerrero




121.

MR. WRESTLING II

Johny Walker began his carrer wrestling in Hawaii in 1956 before moving to the States and southern Canada using his real name. But, it wasn't until he went to the Sothern States territories and became Mr. Wrestling II that he would achieve his greater successes. He was a favorite to many fans all over the US, including President Jimmy Carter who became good friends with Johny.

Titles:
NWA North American Title
NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
NWA Florida Tag Titles
NWA Tag Team Titles
Mid Atlantic Tag Titles
NWA Southern Tag Titles

Feuds:
Magnum TA
Arn Anderson
Ole Anderson

Notable Match:
NWA Georgia Heavyweight title vs Sputnik Monroe





120.

BUZZ SAWYER

One of the best feuds in wrestling history involved Tommy Rich and the Mad Dog Buzz Sawyer. Buzz was hardly ever pinned on national TV as well, not even during this 18 month feud with Rich. Sawyer spent a stint in WCCW where he had an equally bloody feud with Kevin Von Erich. Buzz was one of the best hardcore wrestlers off all-time, and passed away in 1992 from an apparent Heroine overdose.

Titles:
UWF TV Title
WCCW Texas Title
NWA Gorgia Heavyweight Title
NWA Southeastern Title

Feuds:
Tommy Rich
Kevin Von Erich
Paul Orndorff
Pez Whatley

Notable Match:
Last Battle of Atlanta: Cage Match: vs Tommy Rich




119.

PEDRO MORALES

Puerto Rican born Morales got his big break in the WWWF against Buddy Gilbert. But would soon become more the "peoples champion" of sorts. He fought his way up the ladder all the way to getting a title shot from the man who took down the "Brune", Ivan Koloff. Pedro went into the match the underdog, but came out the champ! Morales continued his career in the WWF even wrestling well into the 80's making up a pretty good pairing with Tito Santana.

Titles:
WWWF World Title
WWWF Tag Titles w/Bob Backlund
WWF IC title (2)
WWA Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Ivan Koloff
Don Muraco
Bob Orton
The Islander

Notable Match:
WWWF Title Match vs Ivan Koloff




118.

ROB VAN DAM

Who would have thought that a kid who once kissed the Million Dollar Mans feet on National TV for $100 would become one of the premier hardcore wrestlers of today. RVD wrestled in many territories coming up, but got his big break when he met up at a young age with the original Sheik. Soon after wards in Florida, where Rob was going by his real last name Szatkowski, he was given the Rob Van Dam named by Florida promoter Ron Slinker. He would soon join Heymans ECW, and the rest is history.

Titles:
ECW TV Title
ECW Tag Titles
ECW(E) Heavyweight Title
WWE IC Title -6-
WWE Tag Titles
WWE Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Eliminators
Sabu
Ricki Nelson
Ric Flair

Notable Match:
ECW One Night Stand: WWE Title Match vs John Cena





117.

BIG JOHN STUDD

Alot of fans wonder sometimes where the WWE gets ideas for their gimmick matches, well one idea may have been introduced to them by John Minton. Part of the big mans gimmick while his wrestling days in Florida was to bring a stretcher to ringside, and after brutally defeating his opponents, have them carted out on it. But he had to go through a few transformations before getting to this point. He was known as Chuck o'Connor (named after the TV series star on "The Rifleman), Captain USA, and Masked Superstar II (not to be confused with Eadie's gimmick). But, his big break came in the WWF when he was paired with Freddie Blassie, and with the help from wrestlings pinnacle of heels, he became a star.

Titles:
NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
NWA American Title
NWA Tag Team Titles
WWWF Tag Titles w/Killer Kowalski

Feuds:
Dusty Rhodes
Blackjack Mulligan
Andre the Giant
Bruiser Brody

Notable Match:
NWA American Heavyweight Title vs Bruiser Brody




116.

TITO SANTANA

Mercid Solis began his wrestling career not using his real name, but another WWF/NWA legends instead, Richard Blood (which is Ricky Steamboat birth name). But, something must have worked for him as he started his career early on tagging with Ted Dibiase, but soon turned his attention t osingles competition in his first major fed, the AWA. Once there, now under the name Tito Santana, got a number of World Title shots at then champ Nick Bockwinkle, but to no suprise to Nick, Tito never could attain the gold. Tito was one of the first signees in the WWF right befoore the "big bang" of wrestling. Many don't know this but before the ECW went gold, Tito was the champ of the then named Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), but some say didn't like the new "owner" Paul Heyman and his direction for the company, forfeited his ECW Title and went back to the WWF to retire.

Titles:
WWF IC Title (2)
WWF Tag Titles w/Rick Martel
WWF Tag Titles w/Ivan Putski
ECW (NWA) Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Greg Valentine
Danny Davis
Don Muraco
Jimmy Valiant

Notable Match:
AWA World Title Match: vs Nick Bockwinkle




115.

GORILLA MONSOON

The New York born and breed mainstay broke into the business not hailing from the Big Apple, but instead was given the nickname "The Manchurian Giant" and billed from Manchuria, China. After several good matches at Shea Stadium, and seeing a big potential in future best friends WWWF, "Gorilla" as he is now billed, bought quite a few shares of the company, enough so that he owned about 20% of the company, and got himself not just on the weekly lineup of McMahons, but also took over major bookings for Vince Sr. Of all the great matches and title shots Monsoon got during his stay, his most memorable in ring moment may have been when he picked the original "Great One" Muhammed Ali up in an airplane spin. But ot us all, he will go down in the books as maybe the best wrestling commentator of all-time.

Titles:
WWWF US Tag Titles (2)
WWC North American Heavyweight Title (2)

Feuds:
Bruno Sammartino
Ken Patera
Killer Kowalski
Bobby Heenan (sorta)

Notable Match:
WWWF Showdown at Shea: vs Ernie Ladd




114.

EDGE

If you want to get attention real quick in the wrestling world, especially in Canada, take your wrestling name from some name that belongs in a cheap porn, Sexton Hardcastle. That is exactly what Adam Copeland did, but it wasn't his name that was getting him attetnion, it was his abilities in the ring. He got his big break, well after a lowsy couple of jobber matches in the WCW, in the WWF as a "mysterious fan" of sorts who stalked then WWF's resident vampire, Gangrel. After many years of life in the midcard, Edge finally started making a name for himself, and other body parts, when he became the Rated R Superstar, and is currently one of the WWE's fan favorites, although he is supposedly a heel.

Titles:
WWF Tag Team Titles w/Christian (7)
WWF Tag Team Titles w/Hulk Hogan
WWE Tag Team Titles w/Chris Benoit
WWF IC Title (5)
WWE World Title (3)

Feuds:
Hardy Boys
Gangrel
Christian
John Cena
Kurt Angle

Notable Match:
Rock Bottom '98: 6 man tag match-The Brood (Gangrel/Christian/Edge) vs The J.O.B. Squad (Bob Holly/Al Snow/Scorpio)




113.

DUSTIN RHODES

The son of a plumbers, plumber. Dustin Rhodes may be one of the most underrated gifted wrestlers in NWA/WWF history. He got his start, thanks to his dads overseas friend Giant Baba, in Japan. He toured there for a couple of years before hitting the States in the NWA's Florida Territory. He broke into the big time in the NWA thanks again to his dad, the legendary Dusty Rhodes, at Wrestle War 91 defeating Buddy Landell. He had a good run in the WCW picking up gold, but then went to the WWF in maybe the most outlandish wrestling gimmick of all time, Goldust. The hollywood formed freak, possibly wrestlings first metrosexual, took the WWE by storm and fastly becoming a fan favorite attraction, eve nmaking Jay Leno's the Tonight Show, in what Jay still looks at as one of his strangest guest appearances ever.

Titles:
WCW Tag Titles w/Ricky Steamboat
WCW Tag Titles w/Barry Windham
WCW US Title
WWF IC Title
WWF Tag Titles w/Booker T

Feuds:
Rick Rude
RVD
Val Venis
Undetaker

Notable Match:
Halloween Havoc '91 vs Steve Austin




112.

AJ STYLES

After getting a lot of recognizition on the indy scene, Styles got his big break at the wrong time in WCW pairing with fellow Indy wrestler Air Paris in the WCW Tag Team CruiserWeight Title tournament, to only be quickly ousted. He hit the Indy scene again, but not long before another fed, TNA soon took notice nad signed him on as one of their premeir stars. Alot of fans think he is overrated, but at the same time his name is mentioned in tons of "Fantasy Matches" with wrestlers from around the globe.

Titles:
NWA/TNA World Title (3)
ROH Tag Titles
NWA/TNA X Division Champion (4)
NWA/TNA Tag Team Titles

Feuds:
Jerry Lynn
David Young
Christopher Daniels
Paul London
Jeff Jarrett
Rhyno

Notable Match:
Tojo Yamamoto Memorial Show: vs David Young




111.

ADRIAN ADONIS

A majority of wrestling fans will remember Adonis as a much larger version of wrestlings legendary George Wagner, but before this time Adonis was an exceptional wrestler in many other territories across the country, as well as over seas. After a match with Japans legendary Tatsumi Fujinami, he gained alot of respect from Japanese wrestlers and fans alike. He then returned to the States hitting the WWF and taking a turn for his, uh, more feminine side. And on an added note, his last big match in the WWF against Roddy Piper in the infamous hair vs hair match, their feud started many, many years before that in the NWA after Piper and he won the NWA Americas Tag Titles. Adonis turned on Piper who never got payback due to Adonis leaving and heading to the AWA.

Titles:
NWA American Tag Titles
AWA World Tag Titles
WWF World Tag Titles

Feuds:
Roddy Piper
Buddy Rose
Victor Rivera
JYD

Notable Match:
IWGP League tournament Match vs Tatsumi Fujinami




110.

GINO HERNANDEZ


If Jose Lothario would have known his pride student, would be the one to cause his retirement, he probably would have thought twice before taking the cocky youth under his wing and training him. Gino's legend started with his retirement causing match with Lothario and carried over with him to the WCCW where he began to make a big name for himself, again as a cocky arrogant heel, who the men loved to hate and the women hated to love. He paired up with Chris Adams in the 2nd incarnation of the "Dynamic Duo", and would go down as possibly the best tag team in WCCW history, right behind the Von Erichs and the Freebirds.

Titles:
NWA Americas Tag Titles w/El Gran Markos (2)
NWA Americas Tag Titles w/Chris Adams (2)
NWA Americas Tag Titles w/Gary Young
Southwest Tag Titles w/Tully Blanchard -6-
American Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Von Erichs
Jode Lothario
Ricky Morton
Wahoo Mcdaniel

Notable Match:
Southwestern Tag Titles: Dynamic Duo (Hernandez/Blanchard) vs Ricky Morton/Ken Lucas





109.

KENSUKE SASAKI

Apart from being held upon celebrity like status in Japan, Kensuke is also held in high regards in the oreint as a phenomanal wrestler. He has wrestled and beat the best that there has been in Japan. He even teamed as part of the Road Warriors in Japan as Power Warrior with legendary Legion of Doom member Hawk. He has held titles from Japan to Hawaii, but one thing is for certain, no matter who Sasaki wrestles, the fans will be more than happy to pay the ticket price to see it.

Titles:
WCW US Title
IWGP Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Sting
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Shinya Hashimoto

Notable Match:
Yuji Nagata vs Kensuke Sasaki (2004)






108.

DON MURACO

Alot of men have layed claimed to the WWF IC Title, but arguablly the best champion may have been the original "Rock". Getting his start in the NWA's Florida territories, Muraco would vastly become a major player there before entering the realms of superstardom in the WWF. Within a year of signing, he defeated long reigning IC champ Pedro Morales for the IC Title under the guidance of Lou Albano. Muraco in front of the lights was a heel during his early years in the WWF, but on the road the "Rock" was notorious for being one of the fan friendliest wrestler during his time in the WWF.

Titles:
WWF IC Title (2)
ECW (Eastern Championship Wrestling) Title (2)
Florida Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Ricky Steamboat
Bob Backlund
Sandman
Cactus Jack

Notable Match:
WWF Superstars vs Bob Orton Jr






107.

FRITZ VON ERICH

"BOOO!" That is a sound that Fritz Von Erich heard on a nightly basis during his premise of being a Nazi sympathizer during the wrong time to be one. Fritz during his wrestling career basically laid claim to the NWA American Heavyweight Title holding it an unprecidented 13 times. After his wrestling career, and a falling out with the NWA, Fritz solely took command of WCCW and brought it to the forefront in pro wrestling. But, Von Erichs legacy, along with his sons would soon be overshadowed by the Von Erich curse.

Titles:
NWA American Heavyweight Title (13)
NWA American Tag Titles -6-
AWA World Title
NWA World Tag Titles (3)
NWA US Title (3)
NWA Texas Heavyweight Title (3)

Feuds:
Giant Baba
John Henning
The Freebirds
Wild Bill Curry

Notable Match:
Fritz Von Erich vs Giant Baba





106.

BARON VON RASCHKE

From becoming only the 2nd American to get at least a bronze medal in the olympic games for Greco-Roman Style wrestling to a 2 time All American wrestler, Von Raschke was a pure wrestler through and through. He tried wrestling under his given name of James, but it wasn't until Maurice Vachon mentioned to him that he looked German and should use it as his gimmick, did his wrestling career take off. He went traveling to many territories perfecting his in ring abilities after AWA owner Verne Gagne told him he wasn't ready for the big time. This is whre he would run into a legend in the making, Pat o'Connor who taught Raschke his signature move, and one he would later use as his legendary catchphrase, The Claw.

Titles:
WWA Heavyweight Title (5)
NWA Tag Titles (3)
Georgia Heavyweight Title
AWA Tag titles

Feuds:
Jerry Blackwell
The Crusher
Verne Gagne
Dusty Rhodes

Notable Match:
WWA Heavyweight Title Match: vs Dick the Bruiser





105.

SABU

From early beginnings Sabu was trained from the get go to be homicidal, genocidal, lunatic from his legendary uncle Ed Farhat, which is widely known as The Sheik. Sabu, whose real name isn't that mean sounding Terry Brunk, became a legend in the making in the oracles of Hardcore in the now famous ECW. Some wonder, how after all the intense matches, that Sabu is still able to walk. Giving a hard time about doing nothing more than high "spots", Sabu still proves time and time again, that there is no way to prepare for a match against the modern day "King of Crazy" Sabu.

Titles:
FMW Tag Titles
ECW World Heavyweight Title
ECW Tag Titles
ECW TV Title
XPW World Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Tazz
Terry Funk
Sandman
Tommy Dreamer

Notable Match:
Hardcore Heaven 1996 vs RVD






104.

OWEN HART

Learning under his father and brothers, Owen Hart got a kickstart in a sport that he cherished at the tender age of 16. His father would send him to promotions to feel in for wrestler who would no show events, but to keep anyone from knowing, Owen would be forced to wear a mask. He started his career in his fathers promotion, but something alot of casual fans do not know is this. He toured Japan in the late 80's and started making a name for himself. Enough so he got a shot at Hiroshi Hase's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title. Owen beat Hase to become the first westerner to hold that title. Something that Hase would respect Hart for until Owens tragic death.

Titles:
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title
WWF IC Title (2)
WWF European Title
WWF Tag Titles

Feuds:
Bret Hart
HBK
HHH

Notable Match:
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title vs Hiroshi Hase






103.

SCOTT STEINER

Scott Rechsteiner started his pro wrestling career in WWA based out of Indiana. He won tag team and their respective Heavyweight Title which he held for nearly a year. His big break came when he met up wit hhis brother Rick, in the NWA. Scott took his brothers last name of Steiner, and from there the two would become one of the top tag teams of all-time.

Titles:
WWA Tag Team Titles
WWA Heavyweight Title
CWA Tag Team Title (3)
WCW World Tag Titles -6-
NWA US Tag Titles
WCW TV Title
WCW US Title (2)
WCW World Title

Feuds:
Road Warriors
Harlem Heat
Hulk Hogan
HHH

Notable Match:
Clash of the Champions 14: NWA World Title vs Ric Flair





102.

JEFF JARETT

Starting your wrestling career as a referee is harder than most think. And that is exactly what Jarett found out in his fathers CWA promotion. After a wrestler by the name of Tony Falk finished off one of his opponents, he felt the referee (Jarrett), wasn't doing his job. So he called Jeff out, and to the suprise of the crowd, took Falk to the time limit! Over the years, Jarrett would pretty much perfect his craft, and win many, many titles throughout his career.

Titles:
USWA Tag Titles (13)
USWA World Title (3)
WCW World Title (4)
NWA/TNA World Title (3)

Feuds:
Tommy Rich
Billy Travis
Barry Windham
Dustin Rhodes

Notable Match:
USWA World Title Match: vs Dick Slater





101.

DICK MURDOCH

Tough. Look it up, and you will understand exactly what Dick Murdoch was. After trying to pull of being a masked wrestler for the first couple of years of his career, both failed attempts since he couldn't keep them on losing one to Chief Little Eagle and the other to Bruno Sammartino, Dick Murdoch decided just to take his wrestling name, and leave the masks for others to part take in. There wasn't a promotion in the south that Murdoch didn't wrestle in, or for that matter, not win a title in. Everywhere he went, there was gold around his big Southern waste.

Titles:
NWA Gulf Coast Tag Titles
NWA American Title
NWA Brass Knuckles Title
NWA American Tag Titles
NWA Tri States US Tag Titles
Mid South North American Title (3)
NWA Missouri title
All Japan United National Heavyweight Title
WWF Tag Team Titles

Feuds:
Dusty Rhodes
Stan Hansen
Killer Karl Kox
Steve Williams

Notable Match:
NWA Florida Tag Titles: Dick Murdoch/Dusty Rhodes vs Jose Lothario/Argentina Apolla




100.

TERRY GORDY

When once asked about this big man from Tennessee, Jim Ross said: "There is no doubt in my mind, that if he was in his prime in todays era, he would have main evented at least 2-3 Wrestlemanias, he was that damn good!"
Even Dave Meltzer agreed. There are few athletes that go to Japan, work for 10 straight years, and are able to keep the fans happy night after night, but Gordy did it. His tag matches with partner Steve Williams are legend in Japan.

Titles:
SMW Heavyweight Title
All Japan Triple Crown (2)
NWA American Heavyweight Title
NWA Tag titles
WCW Tag Titles
All Japan Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Steve Williams
Doug Furnas
Kevin Sullivan
Von Erichs

Notable Match:
All Japan-Steve Williams/Terry Gordy vs Doug Furnas/Dan Kroffat

[RINGKING]

99.

CHRIS ADAMS

From being a national Judo Champion in England, to one of the top stars in WCCW, Chris Adams was the definition of a wresters wrestler. He began his career in England, but quickly came to the States and began a great career for the Von Erichs in World Class. During his early years he also took a brash up and comer under his wings, and trained him to become one of the top stars in WWF history. That young mans name was Steve Austin. From his bitter rivalry with Jimmy Garvin to his great run with Gino Hernandez in the 2nd incarnation of the Dynamic Duo, Adams was one of the greatest in ring workers during his era.

Titles:
World Class American Heavyweight Title (2)
World Class TV Title
World Class American Tag Titles (2)
World Class Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Sting
Jimmy Garvin
Iceman King Parson
Terry Taylor

Notable Match:
WCCW Heavyweight Title- vs Rick Rude





98.

RICKY MORTON

Beginning his career tagging with Ken Lucas and Eddie Gilbert, and holding tag titles with both, his biggest success in the tag ranks didn't come into he went to Mid South and began tagging with Robert Gibson. They went on to be known as the Rock & Roll Express and became one of the biggest tag team draws during the 80's, especially when they were wrestling long time rivals the Midnight Express.

Titles:
AWA Southern Tag Team Titles (2)
SMW Tag Titles (10)
NWA World Tag Titles (5)
USWA World Heavyweight Title (unified)

Feuds:
Bobby Eaton
Brian Pillman
Ric Flair
Heavenly Bodies

Notable Match:
Capitol Combat:1990-R & R Express vs Freebirds





97.

LEX LUGER

Lawrence Pfohl started his pro sport life in the Canadian Football League, becoming the youngest player to ever play in the league. But, he would quickly find a new pro career in sports, wrestling. He was taught wrestling, and for what it matters, by Hiro Matsuda and was managed early on by Percy Pringle. Soon after he hit his first big territory in Florida and was now managed by the insane, Kevin Sullivan. Here, now going by the name of Lex Luger, started a decent rivalry with legend Wahoo Mcdaniel.

Titles:
Florida Heavyweight Title (3)
NWA US Title (4)
NWA World Tag Titles
WCW US Title
WCW World Tag Titles
WCW Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Nikita Koloff
Wahoo Mcdaniel

Notable Match:
Battle of the Belts III ('86): vs Ric Flair





96.

KURT ANGLE

Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA. Kurt Angle was a phenomanal amateur wrestler winning Olympic Gold and always made the cut, but, he didn't make the cut when he tried out for hometown NFL team Pittsburgh Steelers. Angle then began training with Tom Pritchard and was sent to Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis, TN. He made a unique appearance in ECW before going to the WWE where he would make a name for himself and his "Three I's". Angle, recently caused alot of controversy when he jumped ship from the WWE to TNA.

Titles:
Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title
WWF European Titles
WWF IC Title
WWF Heavyweight Title (2)
WCW(E) US Title
WCW(E) World Title

Feuds:
Edge
Rock
Chris Benoit

Notable Match:
No Way Out 2000: IC Title Match vs Chris Jericho





95.

HIROSHI HASE

Hase, like many other wrestlers, started his career as an amateur wrestling, and represented Japan in the 1984 Summer Olympic games. He then decided to carry this as a professional career and headed to Calgary. Hase had many memorable matches throughout his career, but none as memorable as his 1992 match with Keiji Mutoh, where the label "Muta scale" was invented for blood loss in Japan.

Titles:
IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title (2)
IWGP Tag Titles (4)
WCW Heavyweight Title (sorta)

Feuds:
Great Muta
Yuji Nagata
El Samurai

Notable Match:
1992 All Japan: vs Great Muta

94.

DINO BRAVO

Not to be confused with the original Dino Bravo from the 50's and early 60's, but Adolfo Bresciano would adapt the name and make it one of the biggest throughout Canada's elite wrestling history. Bravo would travel to many territories early on, including his first stint in the WWWF in the early 70's, but made his mark in Canada winning Frank Tunneys inaugrial tourny for the NWA Canadian Title, in which I believe he beat Canadians self proclaimed "Greatest Athlete" Gene Kiniski. After creating a legacy in Canada, he then traveled back to the States to a company making big waves, the WWF. At one point, his name alone got a WWF show canceled in Canada when he was set to face WWF's resident Icon Hulk Hogan, but the show was canceled because the WWF didn't want Hogan getting booed out of the stadium.

Titles:
NWA Canadian Heavyweight Title (2)
IWA International Heavyweight Title -6-
AWA Canadian Heavyweight Title
WWWF Tag Titles

Feuds:
Gene Kiniski
Hulk Hogan
Brutus Beefcake
Rene Goulet

Notable Match:
IWA International Title Match: vs Billy Robinson





93.

PAT PATTERSON

One of the overlooked legends in the 1st Wrestlemania was the referee for the Main Event pitting Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs Roddy Piper & Paul Orndoff w/Bob Orton Jr., and that was the referee. He was one of wrestlings great legends, Pat Patterson. Born Pierre Clemont in Canada, Patterson would soon become one of the US's premier wrestler in the California Territories. He won over 15 titles in the San Francisco area alone (which would later on become a sad running joke due to Patterson's personal lifestyle). He defeated Ted Dibiase for what was at the time the North American Title, (brought with Dibiase from Mid South). The title was then renamed the WWF Intercontinental Title, and it was said Patterson won the new title in a tournament, which never actually occurred, but it was the WWF's way to cover up the renamed title.

Titles:
NWA Sanfrancisco World Tag Titles (9)
NWA San Francisco US Title (5)
WWF IC Title
WWF Hardcore Title

Feuds:
Rocky Johnson
Ted Dibiase
Ken Patera
Angelo Mosco

Notable Match:
AWA Tag Title Match: Verne Gagne/Mad Dog Vachon vs Pat Patterson/Ray Stevens





92.

JIMMY SNUKA

Snuka began his wrestling career in Hawaii sometime in the late 60's, where he quickly started making a name for himself. He then traveled into the homeland and started wrestling for the NWA Territories as well as making trips to Japan where he had some decent singles matches as well as tag matches with legendary Bruiser Brody. In the meantime he made a few appearances on then Vince Sr. ran WWWF, where he would later make his biggest mark, as he signed with the WWF, now billed as a heel, in the early 80's. Snuka brought with him his unique ring style never seen before in front of a WWF crowd. The top rope ban, used in many territories during this time, was lifted because of the crowd favorite Body splash performed by Snuka.

Titles:
NWA Pacific Northeast Heavyweight Title -6-
NWA National Tag Titles
ECW Heavyweight Title (2)
ECW TV Title

Feuds:
Col. Debeers
Honky Tonk Man
Jesse Ventura

Notable Match:
Mid Atlantic Tag Team Title Match: Jimmy Snuka/Paul Orndorff vs Greg Valentine/Baron Von Raschke

91.

MICK FOLEY

Michael Foley grew up loving wrestling, especially the high "spots" of it. His love for the unimaginable came when he went and saw a Jimmy Snuka match in Madison Square Garden. As the match went on, Foley awaited the big splash from the top rope onto his opponent at the time, Don Muraco. But, to the astonishment of Foley and the crowd as a whole, Snuka dove from the top of the cage onto Muraco. From there, it was Foley's goal and dream to become a wrestler. He started his career as Jack Foley in the WWF, bur was told he needed some work to become a WWF wrestler. They sent him packing. Foley hit the independant circuit, perfecting his now hardcore style, rejoined the WWF, and made his mark as one of his era's most known "characters", each and every one of his.

Titles:
WWF World Title (3)
ECW Tag Titles (2)
WWF Tag Titles (8)
WCW Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Rock
Terry Funk
Undertaker
Kane

Notable Match:
Superbrawl II: vs Ron Simmons





90.

JOHN CENA

During an open challenge from Kurt Angle, a young man appeared and accepted the offer. His name was John Cena. Angle would defeat Cena, but the young star put up a big enough effort that once backstage Cena was congradulated by long time WWF mainstay, Undertaker. Who would have known that brash young wrestler, would become the face of the WWE just a few years later.

Titles:
WWE US Title (3)
WWE World Title (3)
WWE World Tag Titles

Feuds:
HHH
Khali
HBK
Kurt Angle

Notable Match:
Wrestlemania 21: WWE Title Match vs JBL

89.

MR WRESTLING TIM WOODS

Maybe the biggest icon in the historic Florida and Georgia territories was none other than Tim Woods. Wrestling aside, he also indulged himself in his motorcycle collection and playing the saxaphone. As far as wrestlings concerned, Woods holds maybe the most unique record for his era, unmasking fellow opponents. One of which was future UWF Promoter, Bill Watts.

Titles:
NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
NWA Florida TV Title
NWA Florida Tag Titles
NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title
AWA World Title (upheld)

Feuds:
Bill Watts
Dick Murdoch
Maurice Vachon

Notable Match:
Tim Woods & Hiro Matsuda vs Bob Orton Jr & Dennis Hall





88.

BERT ASSIRATI

Alot of new school wrestlers may not know who Assirati is, but would probably be a fan of his if he was around today. He was maybe the most well known wrestler in England in the 30's through the 50's. He was also well known for his brutal offensive style brutally beating his opponents senseless. So well known, that outsider used to hire Assirati to collect debts and bountys. He was maybe the most feared in ring perfomer for his era, if not ever, in prowrestling. Bruno Sammartino has once said that he knew of not another wrestler that was as tough as "Bad" Bert.

Titles:
British Empire Heavyweight Champion
European Heavyweight Champion

Feuds:
George Gregory
Ivor Martinsen
Arnold Corlen

Notable Match:
British Empire Championship: vs George Gregory

87.

ANTONIO ROCCA

There may not be a wrestler as influental as Antonio Rocca. At the peak of his fame he wasn't just a well known name in wrestling, but any sport. His popularity was on uncharted levels. Starting his sports career as a soccer player, but had a fateful leg injury that complicated his performance, and joined on as a pro wrestler. If you were an Eddie Guerrero fan for his in ring antics, you would have loved Rocca. One of his favorite things to do was slap his opponents on the face to get them wound up......with his feet!
He once told a eastern promoter when asked if he ever wanted a major title reign, he said "Nah....I love the fans, as they love me. Thats all that matters."

Titles:
International Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Lou Thesz
Buddy Rogers

Notable Match:
Antonio Rocca vs Edouard Carpentier

86.

SAMOA JOE

Who would have known that a wrestler who once jobbed to Essa Rios on WWF TV, would become the competition's most talked about wrestler. It took Joe Seannoa a few years on the independant scene to cause enough commotion for TNA to sign him to a contract. Here he began to excel and had a win streak that may have been one of the best on wrestling's storied history.

Titles:
ROH Heavyweight Title
NWA X-Division Title (2)
UPW Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Kurt Angle
CM Punk
Jay Briscoe
Scott Steiner

Notable Match:
ROH June 2004: vs CM Punk





85.

WAHOO MCDANIEL

There has been many cult legends in pro-wrestling, and only a few were bigger than Ed Mcdaniel. Heck, even George Bush Sr would agree, I mean the former president was once Wahoo's baseball coach. As a pro wrestler, there wasn't a territory that Mcdaniel wrestled in that he didn't hold a title. Maybe one of the biggest stars not to ever have a WWWF or WWF contract. Dory Funk Sr, who has trained thousands of wrestlers wishing to make it in the big time, once said that he never second guessed for one second if Mcdaniel was going to be a big star, and neither did his legion of fans.

Titles:
NWA US Title (4)
NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title (4)
NWA World Tag Titles (4)

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Johnny Valentine
The Spoiler

Notable Match:
NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title (1975): vs Ric Flair





84.

MICHAEL HAYES

Michael Seitz began his wrestling career, not as a wrestler, but as a referee. But, they way he would give fake promos in the lockerroom area, caught the ear of a southern promoter and thought that should carry over into the ring. Seitz, quickly changed his last name to Hayes, which has been rumored he got from a Jimmy Hendrix song. He vastly became a rising star, and when he met up with a couple of other southern boys, Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts, they would soon become one of the most influental stables of all time, The Freebirds.

Titles:
NWA US Title
WCW World Tag Titles
NWA World Tag Titles
WCW 6 Man Tag Titles

Feuds:
The Von Erichs
Terry Gordy
Buddy Jack Roberts

Notable Match:
AWA Wrestlerock: Steel Cage Match- Hayes/Garvin vs Road Warriors

83.

BOBBY EATON

Robert Lee Eaton began his wrestling carrer as a singles wrestler, but would soon become one half, and most consistent member, of maybe the best tag teams of the 80's, The Midnight Express. The mullet wearing high flyer was one of the 80's premier talents. Arn Anderson once said in the early 90's, that if he could pick one last match with anyne outside of Flair, who would it be? Anderson response, with no hesitation, was Bobby Eaton.

Titles:
NWA Tag Titles (2)
NWA US Tag Titles (3)
WCW TV Title
NWA Mid America Titles (5)

Feuds:
Road Warriors
R & R Express
Arn Anderson
The Fantastics

Notable Match:
NWA TV Title vs Arn Anderson





82.

KERRY VON ERICH

The Modern Day Warrior as he was billed, was once due to be in the Olympics, but then President Jimmy Carter called for a boycott. But, that wouldn't keep Von Erich from continuing on his families legacy in the world of wrestling. Kerry, had some big shoes to fill after his brother Davids passing, but did a phenomanl job. The guys payed to see him wrestle, and the ladies payed just to catch a glimpse of Von Erich. Sadly, in 1993 Kerry Von Erich left the wrestling world due to an apparent suicide, some say its because he was set to face jail time due to a probation offense, and some say it was because of accident.

Titles:
NWA World Title
NWA Missouri Title
World Class Heavyweight Title (4)
WWF IC Title

Feuds:
Freebirds
Jerry Lawler
Gino Hernandez

Notable Match:
Summerslam 1990: IC Title Match vs Mr. Perfect





81.

REY MYSTERIO JR

There may not be a cruiserweight in the wrestling world as phenomanal as Rey Jr. Injuries have hampered him as of late, but there is no arguing that Rey Jr. may be one of the best Lightweights in the history of pro wrestling. He started his career in AAA winning gold there, but soon caught the eye of some WCW agents and signed. He quickly won the first of many of his Cruiserweight Title runs from legend Dean Malenko.

Titles:
WWA Lightweight Title (3)
WWA Welterweight Title (3)
WCW Cruiserweight Title
WCW Tag Titles
WWE World Title

Feuds:
Juventud Guerrero
Eddie Guerrero
Kurt Angle

Notable Match:
Souled Out '98: Cruiserweight Title- vs Chris Jericho

80.

GREG VALENTINE

There should be no other father in wrestling, that had a son follow so greatly in his footsteps. Valentine started making a name for himself in NWA and the Mid-Atlantic territory, where his father was one of the territories legendary heros. A couple of funny "cover-ups" was when Greg first started wrestling he used the last name Fargo and later, now under the last name Valentine, was billed as Johnny's younger brother to cover-up Johnny's real age.

Titles:
AWA Mid west Tag Titles
WWF IC Title
WWF Tag Titles
Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title (2)

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Brutus Beefcake
Tito Santana

Notable Match:
NWA US Title Match: vs Ric Flair





79.

CHRIS JERICHO

Chris Irvine, the self titled "Iatola of Rock & Rolla", tried a few different gimmicks (was once even Doink the Clown) and name changes, before finally settling with Chris Jericho and making a name for himself in WCW. Here is where his fan following started to grow, but it wasn't until his much anticipated debut in the WWF that his popularity began to skyrocket.

Titles:
WCW Cruiserweight Title (5)
WWF IC Title (8)
WWE Undisputed Heavyweight Title
WWF Tag Titles

Feuds:
Rock
HHH
John Cena
Rey Mysterio

Notable Match:
Hardcore Heaven '96: vs Pitbull #2





78.

PAUL ORNDORFF

Hiro Matsuda had the luxury of training two future legends at the same time, Hulk Hogan and Paul Orndorff. Little did he know they would go on to have a great feud in the mid 80's. Orndorff, not well known for his humorous side, actually agreed to get his hair cut after a match with Ken Mantell after they had a match in the Mid South territory. Paul may have very well been the most hated wrestler in the world during his feud with Hulk Hogan.

Titles:
Mid South Tag Titles
WCW TV Title
WCW Tag Titles

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Ken Mantell
Bob Orton Jr.

Notable Match:
Mid South North American Title: vs Jake Roberts





77.

KARL GOTCH

Long after the "shooter" style had passed in the US, Karl Gotch attempted to make a name for himself, to no avail. He did go on to have many memorable matches inside the ring, but his most memorable may have been backstage at one certain wrestling event. Buudy Rogers was set to face Antonio Rocca in a non-title affair, but Gotch who had been pleading with the champ for a shot, attacked, and pretty much kicked Rogers butt for declining for so long.
Gotch would go on to train some of wrestlings greatest in ring talents of all time in: Antonio Inoki, Hiro Matsuda, and Satoru Sayama.

Titles:
WWA World Tag Titles
WWWF World Tag Titles
AWA World Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Rene Goulet
Spiros Arion

Notable Match:
AWA World Title (Ohio) : vs Don Leo Jonathon





76.

GEORGE WAGNER

There may be no other wrestler that has been so influental for gimmicks pushing the envelope as Wagner. "The Human Orchid" didn't start out using his most famous gimmick until 10 years into his career. This is where he started using future WWF star's Randy Savage, "Pomp and Circumstance" as his intro music. He was ridiculed alot in the general public for his appearance, and once even got into a fight (and won) with some cowboys at a bar he frequented.

Titles:
AWA World Title

Feuds:
Lou Thesz
Manuel Garza
Bruno Sammartino

Notable Match:
WWWF: vs Bruno Sammartino

75.

MIL MASCARAS

Aaron Rodriguez, Mexico City born, got his persona not as a wrestling gimmick but, to be a movie star in Mexico. At the time Rodriguez was just you ordinary run of the mill guy. In 1965 movie producer Enrique Vergara was making a horror/wrestling movie and needed someone for his lead role. Rodriguez, having a judo and wrestling background, tried out for the part. And got it. So, Mascaras wasn't a gimmick originating in wrestling, but in the movies. It just so happened Rodriguez wasn't that bad of a wrestler either.

Titles:
IWA Heavyweight Title
NWA Americas Tag Titles (2)
WWA Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
John Tolos
El Nazi
Bull Ramos

Notable Match:
Mil Mascaras vs The Sheik

74.

MAGNUM TA

I can say I have met TA and he must be on of the nicest wrestlers to ever live. We talked for well over a hour and some of the stories he told me were great, especially of Kamala and how Andre the Giant gave him his wrestling name. In the ring, Magnum TA was building a fan following like nobody else in the NWA in the 80's. In a "test" match, at AWA Superclash, he was pitted against Ric Flair to see what reaction TA would bring from the crowds. And it was enormous. He lost that match, but afterwards it was decided that TA would be booked champion within a year, that sadly, would never happen due to the tragic accident.

Titles:
NWA US Title (2)
NWA Mid South Tag Titles
NWA Mid South North American Titles

Feuds:
Tully Blanchard
Ric Flair
Kamala
Butch Reed

Notable Match:
1985 Steel Cage I Quit Match: vs Tully Blanchard

[RINGKING]

73.

SGT SLAUGHTER

Bob Remus began his wrestling career using his real name and did so during his first run in the AWA. And for a few years he did so, but during this time he also used the gimmick of Super Destroyer II for awhile before breaking into the WWF where he was billed as Sgt Slaughter, although a heel at first became one of the fan friendliest faces during the 80's.

Titles:
WWF World Title
NWA US Title
NWA Canadian Heavyweight title

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Iron Sheik
Bob Backlund
Pat Patterson

Notable Match:
NWA US Title Match: vs Ricky Steamboat





72.

BRIAN PILLMAN

Brian Pillman started his sports career aspiring to be a pro football player, but chance would have it, he would become a pro wrestler instead. He became one of the premier athletes of his time, and doing alot of things not seen during his era in a US wrestling ring. Brian Pillman was also apart of one of the most shocking angles ever televise on RAW TV. He began an angle with Steve Austin, in which part of it was for Austin to break into Pillmans house, which Austin did, and Pillman pulled a gun on him.

Titles:
WCW Lightheavyweight Title (2)
WCW Tag Titles
NWA US Tag Titles

Feuds:
Steve Austin
Jushin Liger
Ricky Morton
Lex Luger

Notable Match:
Loser Leaves WCW: vs Barry Windham





71.

RIKI CHOSYU

Mitsuo Yoshida represented South Korea once in the Munich Olympic games. He would soon take on his adopted name and begin his pro wrestling career as Riki Chosyu. During this time he became on of the most influental wrestlers in Japan. He once once an admired booker in New Japan, but would soon jump ship along with many other wrestlers at the time, and go to All Japan.

Titles:
All Japan PWF World Title
NJ IWGP Heavyweight Title (3)
NJ IWGP Tag Titles

Feuds:
Tatsumi Fujinami
Antonio Inoki
El Canek

Notable Match:
Antonio Inoki/Riki Chosyu vs Hulk Hogan/Perro Aguayo

70.

AKIRA TAUE

Not alot of wrestlers are respected enough from their early starts to team up with a legend like Giant Baba in their first match, but Akira was. Akira would go on to have many great matches and be influental in his own right, but no other tag team may have ever been as famous as Akira and his partner Toshiaki Kawada.

Titles:
AJPW Tag Titles -6-
Triple Crown
All Asia Tag Titles

Feuds:
Stan Hansen
Gary Albright
Kenta Kobashi

Notable Match:
Triple Crown Match: vs Mitsuharu Misawa





69.

MIKE ROTUNDA

Starting his wrestling career at an early age, Rotunda would go on to be a stand out at Syracuse University and later on professionaly in the world of pro wrestling. He soon, after a short stint in some minor feds, would sign on with WWF in the early 80's. He became one half of a very successful tag team with Barry Windham. Which is ironic because later on he would be billed as "VK Wallstreet" for a short stint mocking WWF owner Vincent Kennedy.

Titles:
WWF Tag Titles -6-
NWA US Tag Titles (4)
NWA TV Title

Feuds:
Brutus Beefcake
1-2-3 Kid
Undertaker

Notable Match:
1989-Mike Rotunda/Steve Williams vs Road Warriors





68.

DEAN MALENKO

Some say if he would have just been a foot and a half taller, he may have very well been the best wrestler in the last 20 years in the US. But, due to his size, limited him in his opponents. He has wrestled mainly in Japan and Mexico, and having hundred of classics in these regions, but he is best known to most for his time in the US. Dean Malenko comes from a storied wrestling family, and has kept up the tradition nicely.

Titles:
WCW Cruiserweight Title (4)
WCW US Title
WWF Lightheavyweight Title
ECW TV Title

Feuds:
Chris Benoit
Sabu
Taz

Notable Match:
Suncoast Professional Title: vs Bob Cook





67.

RAY STEVENS

The Crippler got his nickname after, in an angle, he broke the leg of Dick Beyer. Ray Stevens has gone through more name changes than someone in the governments protection program. He has used the last names of Fargo, Stephensen, Shire, and Mathis, before finally settling with his birth name Stevens. He had his share of just as many great tag team partners as well. With Don Fargo in San Fransisco, Jimmy Snuka winning tag team of the year, and Pat Patterson and Nick Bockwinkle in the AWA. Ric Flair himself has said that no body may have been as infliuental in his in ring style, than Stevens himself.

Titles:
AWA Tag Titles (5)
NWA Tag Titles (3)
Hawaii US Title

Feuds:
Ole Anderson
Lou Plummer
Pedro Morales
Pepper Gomez

Notable Match:
Toronto: vs Ric Flair





66.

TOMONI TSURUTA

Maybe never has someone in Japan as far as wrestlers go, that has been as sought after as Tsuruta was after his showing in the All Japanese Championships and an Olypic appearance in Munich. "Jumbo" was one of the first wrestlers to be picked up by Giant Babas All Japan group. He also made waves when he wrestled quite a few matches in the NWA amirillo promotion.

Titles:
NWA International Tag Titles (3)
NWA International Heavyweight Title (3)
AJPW Tag Titles (3)

Feuds:
Dory Funk Jr
Mitsuharu Misawa
Mr Perfect

Notable Match:
Jumbo Tsuruta/Haku vs Mr Perfect/Rick Martel





65.

BIG VAN VADER

Leon White began in humble beginnigs in the US as far as his wrestling career was concerned, but he would soon become a legend along side good friend Stan Hansen in Japan. A statement was made when Vader defeated Japan Icon Antonio Inoki in December of 1987, shortly after Vader debut. Although now, still trying to perform, Vader is only a shell of what was once the most feared man in Japan.

Titles:
NJPW IWGP Title (3)
AJPW Unified Triple Crown

Feuds:
HBK
Hulk Hogan
Kane
Golddust

Notable Match:
Sumo Hall 1987: vs Antonio Inoki





64.

JERRY LAWLER

The King is one of the most decorated wrestlers in the history of pro wrestling. He was also involved in one of the most publizised matches in wrestling, when Andy Kauffman talked a little smack to King, and he put him in his place on national TV. King is now an announcer in the WWE alongside JR on Monday nights as part of RAW.

Titles:
A whole lot
AWA World title
AWA World Tag Titles

Feuds:
Jack Fargo
Jimmy Valiant
Tommy Dreamer

Notable Match:
AWA World Title Match: vs Curt Henning





63.

RODDY PIPER

Getting expelled from school and having a falling out with his father at a young age may have played a role in Roddy Piper going on to become one of wrestlings most charismatic heels. He had his first match at 15 years old with Larry Henning and lost in just a matter of seconds, but his historic ru nin the WWF would span a lifetime.

Titles:
WWF IC Title
WCW US Title
NWA Mid Atlantic Title

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Ric Flair
Ricky Steamboat
Adrion Adonis

Notable Match:
NWA US Title: vs Greg Valentine





62.

DEWAYNE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON

"If you smellll-lalalal---owwww! What the Rock....is....cooking!" may be the most famous one line of one liners in all of pro wrestling history. The Rock reinvented the promo after he became a major star in Vince Mcmahon Jr.'s WWF in the mid 90's. He was a standout football player in Florida, and became an even biggerstar in the WWF. The Rock has gone on to do bigger and brighter things in the movie industry, but will be cherished in the hearts of wrestling fans worldwide as "The Peoples Champ".

Titles:
WWF World Title (7)
WWF IC Title (3)
WWF Tag Titles (5)

Feuds:
HHH
Steve Austin
Undertaker
Mankind

Notable Match:
In Your House 13: IC Title- vs HHH





61.

BARRY WINDHAM

The son of legendary wrestler Blackjack Mulligan would soon become one of the NWA's elite. Windham began his career in the WWF but would soon become a star in the NWA's Florida territory. Windham was the first to use the "Yellow Dog" gimmick when he was forced to leave Florida in a loser leaves match, the ironic thing is, the same angle would be used on his years later.

Titles:
NWA World Title
NWA World Tag Titles
NWA Florida Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Sting
Ron Bass

Notable Match:
NWA World Tag Title: Barry Windham/Lex Luger vs Arn Anderson/Tully Blanchard

[RINGKING]

60.

BILLY WATSON

Escaping war ridden England, Billy Watson came to the US escaping the tragedies, leaving behind a wrestling legacy, but starting one a new in the US.
His first major break happened in Toronto going to work for Frank Tunney. Watson was one of the first wrestlers there to become a mainstream icon. One of the best and most storied matches he had was with Gorgeous George, which in the end left Wagner with a shaved head.....along with his wife.

Titles:
NWA World Title
Canada British Empire

Feuds:
George Wagner
Dick The Bruiser
Earl Mcready

Notable Match:
Hair Match: vs George Wagner

59.

JAKE ROBERTS

There have been alot of what the wrestling world has called "tweeners", but none no bigger than Jake Roberts during the 80's. Sure, he revolutionized being a heel for most of his time in the WWF. But, when he first appeared in 1986 he was supposed to be a heel with his bone chilling promos, but, the fans actually liked this new type of "persona", and cheered Roberts! He began his career in Mid South, but gained a little noteriety with his run in the original Legion of Doom. Which is fitting, his opponents after being defeated by Roberts mostly by his patented DDT, would find themselves lying beneath his best friend, his snake.

Titles:
SMW Heavyweight Title (2)
NWA National TV Title (2)
WWA World Title

Feuds:
Honky Tonk Man
Randy Savage
Undertaker

Notable Match:
NWA TV Title: vs Ron Garvin





58.

JUSHIN LIGER

Beginning his career under his real name Keichi Yamada, but soon the young 20 year old superstar changed his persona and his name to that of a Japanese based Comic Book Hero, Jushin Liger. He would soon become one of wrestling premier cruiserweights, not just in Japan, but all over the world holding titles in many different countries, including the US when he defeated Brian Pillman for the WCW Lightheavyweight Title.

Titles:
WCW Lightheavyweight Title
New Japan IWGP Lightheavyweight Title (11)
British Empire Middleweight Title (2)

Feuds:
Brian Pillman
Tiger Mask
Minoru Tanaka

Notable Match:
New Japan: vs Koji Kanemoto





57.

UNDERTAKER

Possibly no other character through the oracles of wrestling, will be as memorable as Mark Calloways Undertaker. It was a long road before Mark got his break with the WWF, wrestling in Mid South, USWA, WCW. Soon after his release from WCW, Calloway signed on as Kane the Undertaker in the WWF, and one of the most spine tingling debuts of all time. One of the most talked about items in the wrestling world today, 'Taker also lays claim to. His undefeated streak at Wrestlemania. If, he does lose, it has been one nice "Last Ride".

Titles:
WWF Title (3)
World Title
WWF Tag Titles -6-
WWE Undisputed Title


Feuds:
Kane
Steve Austin
Cactus Jack
Brock Lesnar

Notable Match:
Masked Red (Taker) vs Bruiser Brody





56.

CHRIS BENOIT

If you make it through Stu Harts dungeon, chances are your going to make it big in the wrestling world. And Stu should be damn proud of one of his finest graduates, Chris Benoit. Getting his start soon after in Stu's Stampede wrestling, Benoit traveled to Japan for a short stint. Here though, he was known not as Chris Benoit, but as the Pegasis Kid. He returned to Stu's Stamped but soon after left for bigger and brighter things in the WCW before finally landing in the WWE as part as the Radicals.

Titles:
WCW World Title (held up)
WCW Tag Titles (3)
WCW US Title

Feuds:
Johnny Smith
The Rock'
Kurt Angle
HHH

Notable Match:
WWF/UWA Light Heavyweight Title (1991) vs Villano III

55.

SHAWN MICHAELS

From his humble beginnings in Mid South to his HBK days of the WWF, Shawn Michaels has lived by his moniker of "The Showstoppa". I remember watching one of his earliest matches against Jake Roberts in Mid South around 1985-1986 and thinking "There is no way this kid is going to make it..." Boy, was I wrong. He got his first big break in Verne Gagnes AWA teaming with Marty Jannety as part of one of that feds biigest tag teams, The Midnight Rocker. But, it wasn't until later on when Michaels turned on Jannety that his wrestling career would skyrocket in the WWF.

Titles:
AWA Tag Titles (2)
WWF Tag titles (2)
WWF World Title (3)

Feuds:
Marty Jannety
Buddy Rose
HHH
Steve Austin

Notable Match:
Texas Tag Titles: American Force (Shawn Michaels/Paul Diamond) vs Ricky Santana/Tony Torres





54.

GIANT BABA

Shohei Baba began his illustrious sports career not in wrestling, but professional baseball......pitching?! Luckily for Japanese wrestling fans, his headlock was better than his fastball, as he was cut for too many bad outings. He went on to have a pretty damn good wrestling career, but really made a name for himself when he started All Japan Pro Wrestling, going head to head with another Japanese wrestling legend, Antonio Inoki's New Japan.


Titles:
NWA World Title (3)
Asia Tag Titles (3)

Feuds:
Dory Funk
Antonio Inoki
The Sheik

Notable Match:
1974-NWA World Title: vs Jack Brisco





53.

ORVILLE BROWN

Maybe one of the most overlooked World Champions in wrestlings history, was the first territory wide NWA Title holder, Orville Brown. He grew up in very humble begginnigs on his parents ranch in Kansas, but soon at a young age broke into the wrestling business. A wrestling caoch seen how big the now blacksmith had gotten, and talked Orville into letting him train him. Orville began his training running 6 miles a day and wrestling on a mat thrown in a barn on a sod floor. His noteriety began to grow in the midwest as he defeated nearly all comers, and when he was awarded the NWA (unified) Title, he carried it for nearly 7 years, without a loss and retired undefeated as Champion due to a car accident. Orville sadly passed in 1981.

Titles:
NWA (unified) World Title
Kansas Title

Feuds:
Dick Shikat
Ray Steel
Lou Thesz

Notable Match:
1947: vs John Pesak





52.

BRUISER BRODY

Playing pro football for the NFL's Wasshington Redskins along with a stint in the Canadian Football League may have prepared someone who would become maybe wrestlings biggest cult figures, Bruiser Brody. Brody began his career in Mid South, but would soon wisen up to the wrestling political game, and become a gypsy of sorts, traveling fromn territory to territory and country to country without really ever settling for one contract, on his way to becoming one of wrestlings highest paid participants, even rivaling that of 80's mega star, Hulk Hogan.

Titles:
WWA World Title
NWA Florida Heavyweight Title
WCCW TV Title

Feuds:
Abdullah the Butcher
Jeep Swensen
Jerry Blackwell

Notable Match:
SCW Tag Titles: Bruiser Brody/Dick Slater vs Gino Hernandez/Tully Blanchard





51.

STING

Steve Borden, California born and breed, got his wrestling start as part as a tag team called "Power Team USA" with Jim Hellwig, both would soon get signed as part of Verne Gagne's AWA but would now be called the Bladrunners. They traveled through many territories together, both landing in the UWF where Sting stayed and Hellwig left. Both men would go on to have fantastic careers, but Stings time in the NWA/WCW was one of the biggest face runs during the late 80's and early 90's. "Little Stingers" started popping up everywhere, enough so at one point it rivaled the WWF's "Hulkamaniacs", not as many, but just as faithful.

Titles:
UWF Tag Titles (3)
NWA World Title
WCW World Title -6-
NWA/TNA World Title

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Ric Flair
Great Muta

Notable Match:
NWA TV Title: vs Mike Rotunda

[RINGKING]

50.

KILLER KOWALSKI

From factory worker, to one of wrestlings all time greates heels. Killer Kowalski learned many traits of automobiles from his father, but he would later become one of wrestlings all time greatest teachers schooling the likes of HHH, Perry Sturn, Richard Byrne, Big John Studd, and others. But hard times later caught up with the legend, as he even had to sell his ring, that he taught so many in, on EBAY. Kowalski also was on the first televised wrestling match in Montreal.

Titles:
NWA Texas Heavyweight Title
WWWF Tag Titles
WWWF US Tag Titles

Feuds:
Bruno Sammartino
John Tolos
Buddy Rogers

Notable Match:
1953 Montreal: vs Yukon Eric





49.

EDDIE GUERRERO

Never maybe has someone been loved and adored by fans so much as Eddie Guerrero. And Eddie loved performing for them. I spoke with Tracy Smothers a few months back, and he told me a story about Eddie. There was an independant show which Smothers was a part of, and Eddie was headling against one of the feds top stars. The fed owner had a heart attack a few hours before the show was to start, and in financial binds, therefore the wrestler weren't going to get paid and were saying they were going to cancel the show. Instead, Eddie spoke up and said that he himself would pay everyone so that they would stay and wrestle so the fans, about 75-100, would leave happy. The wrestlers stayed and wrestled, but passed on the pay from Eddie, stating that maybe they all learned why he is as over as he was. Its all about the fans.

Titles:
WWE Heavyweight Title
WWE Tag Titles (4)
WWE US Title

Feuds:
Dean Malenko
Rey Mysterio Jr
JBL

Notable Match:
When World Collide 1994: Guerrero/Art Barr vs El Hijo del Santo/Octagon





48.

CURT HENNING

Little did the WWF know that in 1981 that one of their jobbers would later become one of the federations great heels. Curt Henning may have got his first big break in the AWA where he won their World Title, but it wasn't until he went to the WWF in 1988 that he would become a major player.

Titles:
NWA pacific Tag Titles (3)
AWA World Title
AWA Tag Titles
WWF IC Title (2)

Feuds:
Nick Bockwinkle
Hulk Hogan
Buddy Rose

Notable Match:
NWA Pacific Tag Titles: Henning/Pat Mcghee vs Dynamite Kid/The Assassin





47.

HHH

As a boy, Paul Levesque grew up watching Harley Race and Ric Flair almost idolizing them, little did he know that he would grow up and maybe some day be listed alongside them as one of the all time greats. He may have got his start in smaller feds, and even once labled as a cruiserweight in the WCW, but HHH has set his name in stone as one of the WWE's greatest champions.

Titles:
WWE IC Title (3)
WWE(F)(World)Undisputed) Title's (10)
WWE Tag Titles

Feuds:
Steve Austin
Rock
Ric Flair

Notable Match:
IWF Heavyweight Title vs Tony Roy





46.

DICK THE BRUISER

Dick The Bruiser began his sports career as a tough linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, but would soon go on to be one of wrestling toughest ot ever lace up a pair of boots. Once labeled as wrestling "World Toughest Man", few and far between was matches in which the Bruiser lost due to getting pinned. And you could say that Steve Austin and the Sandman owe a bit of grattitude to the original beer guzzling, cussing, smoking bad ass who also formed one of wrestlings most dominant tag teams with the Crusher. It wasn't nothing to see Bruiser and Crusher come to the ring carrying a keg and smoking a good ol cigar.

Titles:
NWA (omaha) World Title
AWA World Title
AWA Tag Titles (8)

Feuds:
Nick Bockwinkle
Ray Stevens
Harley Race
Larry Henning

Notable Match:
WWWF Tag Title Match: Bruiser/ original Sheik vs Luke Graham/Tarzan Tyler





45.

GENE KINISKI

Dory Funk Sr seen a lot of potential in Canadian born Kiniski. Contrary to popular belief, Kiniski was later trained by Funk and not Stu Hart. Kiniski got his big break in the AWA but began his illustrious career in Texas. He defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA World Title, but lost the belt later back to Gagne. Gene's greatest succes was in the NWA however, when he defeated long time NWA Champ, Lou Thesz. Kiniski solidified himself as a true legend in doing so and holding on to the title for 3 years, before being defeated by his teachers son, Dory Funk Jr.

Titles:
AWA World Title
NWA World Title
AJPW Tag Titles (all Asia)

Feuds:
Lou Thesz
Dory Funk Jr
Bruno Sammartino

Notable Match:
NWA World Tag Titles: Kiniski/Dick the Bruiser vs Roy & Ray Shire





44.

SATORU SAYAMA

Satoru Sayama debut in 1976 using his borth name, but it wasn't until Antonio Inoki approached him with an idea which would catapult him as one of Japans all time legends. He began one of the greatest in ring crowd pleasing feuds with the Dynamite Kid in 1981. He walked away from the ring in 1996 after becoming "burnt out" wit hte industry leving behind a career that would influence generations to come. He has made a few wrestling appearances since, but has said that he is glad he walked away when he did.

Titles:
WWF Junior Heavyweight Title
NWA Light Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Dynamite Kid
Shouji Kai
Shinjiro Otani

Notable Match:
Almost anything with Dynamite Kid






43.

BILLY ROBINSON

There may never have been someone as fluent and efficient in the ring as Billy Robinson. He may just very well be wrestlings biggest secret, so much so when he face Antonio Inoki in 1975, Inoki to this days labels Robinson as one of the best he has ever worked with. Robinson has held many titles in his time in the ring, but he holds the compliments of his opponents above any of them. When once asked what he wanted to be remembered for, title reigns, specific matches, feuds, etc, Robinson said "No. Not any of that stuff, I would rather just be remembered as one of the greats who always put up a good match,"....well I feel he accomplished just that.

Titles:
British Heavyweight Title
IWA World Title
AWA Tag Titles (3)

Feuds:
Nick Bockwinkle
Verne Gagne
Antonio Inoki
Killer Karl Kox

Notable Match:
1975: vs Antonio Inoki





42.

DAVID VON ERICH

David Von Erich, in a short time, starting making enough waves in the wrestling industry, that some were even stating this kid will someday be next to Lou Thesz, Ed lewis, Ric Flair, Harley Race, and others as one of the all time greats. Harley Race didn't buy into it, well, until he faced David in 1977 and Von Erich wrestled him to a time limit draw! Race, afterwards backstage and not known for his compliments, congradulated the kid and he would someday like to wrestle him again. Sadly, it never happened.

Titles:
NWA Tag Titles
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title
World Class Tag Titles

Feuds:
Harley Race
Freebirds
Bruiser Brody

Notable Match:
Florida TV Title: vs Bruiser Brody





41.

TULLY BLANCHARD

Alot of wrestler think that if the wrestling world wouldn't have had Ric Flair, they would have had "Nature Boy" Tully Blanchard. Tully was seen by his fellow wrestler one of wrestlings finest not just in his era, but any. Getting his start in the Southwest Promotion, owned by his father Joe, Blanchard was one half of one of the most sought after tag teams of the early 80's, the Dynamic Duo with his partner Gino Hernandez. But, the duo split up when Hernandez went to World Class and Blanchard headed to the NWA.

Titles:
Southwest TV Title (3)
Southwest Heavyweight Title (4)
NWA TV Title (3)

Feuds:
Magnum TA
Dusty Rhodes
Hawk

Notable Match:
NWA TV Title match (Starrcade 1984) : vs Ricky Steamboat

[RINGKING]

40.

DR DEATH STEVE WILLIAMS

From Oklahoma Sooner to one of wrestlings great powerhouse wrestlers. His All American wrestling background drew the attention of Oklahoma native Bill Watts, who took Williams under his wings and groomed him for a future in prowrestling. From one of his first matches alongside icon Andre the Giant to his legacy in Japan, Williams has taken on many big tough opponents, but maybe one of his toughest opponents is when he found out he throat cancer. Today, Williams has gained some of his pride and weight back, but one thing he never lost during his fight with the disease is his legacy.

Titles:
UWF World Title
AJPW Tag Titles -6-
All Japan Triple Crown

Feuds:
Terry Gordy
One Man Gang
Mitsuharu Misawa

Notable Match:
1991-All Japan Tag Title Match-Williams/Terry Gordy vs Stan Hansen/Dan Spivey





39.

TOM BILLINGTON

Pacing and structuringa match is a handle that not all wrestlers are able to do, but Tom Billington aka Dynamite Kid was one of the best at doing this. He maybe pound for pound one of the best wrestlers the business has ever seen. Most well know in the States as one half of the legendary tag teams British Bulldogs, with Davey Boy Smith. But, what alot of fans don't know is they were once rivals in Stu Harts Stampede wrestling in Canada.

Titles:
Stampede International Tag Titles (4)
WWF Junior Heavyweight Title
WWF Tag Titles

Feuds:
Davey Boy Smith
Tiger Mask
Bruce Hart

Notable Match:
Any match with Tiger Mask





38.

FREDDIE BLASSIE

Maybe the most hated man in all of proffesional wrestlings history, as a manager and a wrestler, was Freddie Blassie. What alot of fans of the modern era doesn't know is Blassie was once one of the greatest in ring performers of the sport we love to follow. He basically laid claim to the prestigious NWA Southern Heavyweight Title carrying it over 14 times from the mid fifties into the sixties. He was also involved in one of the most legendary border crossing feuds the business has ever seen with Rikidozan over the WWA Title.

Titles:
NWA Southern Heavyweight Title (14)
NWA's Americas Heavyweight Title (5)
WWA World Title

Fueds:
The Destroyer
Rikidozan
Bobo Brazil

Notable Match:
NWA Americas Heavyweight Title: vs The Shiek





37.

STAN HANSEN

Maybe no man has transcended foreign wrestling like Stan Hansen did. There were plenty before him, but maybe no Gaijin has been as famous as Stan Hansen. He was the first Gaijin I believe to defeat both Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba for their respective titles. His name in Japan was Fuchinkan which translates into "unsinkable battleship", a name fitting to the man that was named the most famous Gaijin in Puroseu history.

Titles:
AWA International Title
NWA International Tag Titles
All Japan Triple Crown winner (3)

Feuds:
Leon White
Pedro Morales
Kenta Kobashi

Notable Match:
NWA/WWF Unification Tag Title Match: Hansen/Ole Anderson vs Ivan Putski/Tom Pritchard





36.

BOB BACKLUND

Once a NCAA amateur champion, Backlund soon moved on to pro wrestling as part of the AWA. From here he joined the NWA for a stint winning plenty of gold here. But, his big break came when he entered the WWWF defeating Biily Graham for the World Title, which led to his historic title loss to Inoki in Japan.

Titles:
WWWF Title
WWF World Title
NWA Missouri Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Harley Race
Jimmy Shuka
Greg Valentine
Bob Orton

Notable Match:
NWA Florida Tag Titles match: Backlund/Steve Keirn vs Bob Roop/Bob Orton Sr.

35.

PAT O'CONNOR

Hailing from New Zealand, O'Connor came to the states in hopes of fulfilling his dreams of becoming a wrestling legend, or at least win the world title. In 1954, he fulfilled at least part of his dream win he won the AWA International Title. He held that title on another occasion, but it wasn't until he defeated Dick Hutton for the NWA World Title that his name would forever be written in the history books. He held the title for 2 years before losing it in 1961 to Buddy Rogers. He copleted the second half of his dream when he passed away in 1990 from cancer. During his eulagy, Harley Race spoke at his funeral, declaring O'Connor a legend. His dream was fulfilled.

Titles:
AWA International Title (2)
NWA World Title
AWA World Tag Titles

Feuds:
Dick Hutton
Harley Race
Killer Kowalski

Notable Match:
NWA Tag Title (Canada): O'Connor/Billy Watson vs Ed & Bill Miller





34.

REGGIE LISOWSKI

One of the biggest stars the AWA ever had was Reggie "The Crusher" Lisowski. Steve Austin may have gotten a bit of influence from the Crusher for there in ring personas were alot a like, even down to the beer drinking tossing the bird and sharing an occasional swear word with the crowd, you could say the Crusher along with the Bruiser were the first tweeners. The Crusher along with his cousin became two of the most fan favorite wrestlers to grace a AWA ring, a in a class of their own.

Titles:
AWA World Title (3)
AWA Tag Titles (9)
NWA Tag Titles (8)

Feuds:
Harley Race
Nick Bockwinkle
Jesse Ventura

Notable Match:
AWA World Tag Titles: Crusher/Bruiser vs Verne Gagne/Moose Evans





33.

RICK RUDE

The women loved him, and the men wanted to be him. The Ravishing One was one of the, if not best, heel of his era. Spanning back to his days as part of the original legion of doom, Rude was a legend in the making. After moving through many territories, he spent a short term with Memphis where Jerry Jarrett would give him a name that would define his personality for years to come, Ravishing.

Titles:
WCW US Title
WCW Intertnational Title
WCCW World Title

Feuds:
Sting
Ricky Steamboat
Wahoo Mcdaniel

Notable Match:
Florida: vs Wahoo Mcdaniel





32.

VERNE GAGNE

While in High School, Gagne used to scrub floors and clean bathroom stalls to make some extra cash. Little did he know he would one day build a legacy, and never have to clean bathrooms again. Jack Dempsey himself once said that Gagne was one of the best athletes he had ever seen, in any sport. And he should know, the boxing legend refereed Gagnes first match Abe Kashey. Gagne wasn't the founder of the AWA, but soon bought enough shares of the company to become a big player, enough so he eventually was "the" sole owner. He has helped train hundreds of wrestlers over the years, including; Ric Flair, Bob Backlund, Ken Patera, Ricky Steamboat, and the list goes on.

Titles:
AWA World Title (10)
AWA Tag Titles

Feuds:
Ray Stevens
Billy Robinson
Nick Bockwinkle
Larry Henning

Notable Match:
AWA World Title: vs Gene Kiniski





31.

TOSHIAKI KAWADA

There have been alot of stiff and tough wrestlers through the generations of Puroseau wrestling, but maybe not as nowhere tough as Toshiaki Kawada. One half of the most decorated tag teams of all time involves Kawada and his long time ally Akira Taue. Sort of funny, that a wrestler once thought not good enough for Japan, and sent to Canada and Stu Harts organization to try and get better, would come back and become one of the most legendary tag wrestlers of all time.

Titles:
AJPW Tag Titles (8)
All Asia Tag Titles (3)
AJPW Unified Triple Crown (4)

Feuds:
Mitsuharu Misawa
Shinjiro Otani
Paul Diamond

Notable Feuds:
Japanese Force (Kawada/Hiromichi Fuyuki) vs American Force (Paul Diamond/Shawn Michaels)

30.

ARN ANDERSON

Marty Lunde began his career as a jobber. But, soon enough he would be on his way to paving a legendary career. He is considered one of the, if not best tag team wrestlers of all time, winnning gold with 4 seperate partners. He got his big break with his "uncle" Ole Anderson, as they started their tag run as the "Bone Busters" after breaking the ankle of Dusty Rhodes. They would soon rename themselves the "Minnesota Wrecking Crew" which Ole previously used. A few little known facts about Anderson are; He, along with Tully was the first tag team to win both the WCW-WWF Tag Titles, He has had the most days as NWA/WCW TV Champion, and was also the first American born wrestler to get a pin/submission over both Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan.

"for all you people put there that ever bought a ticket to see Arn Anderson wrestle, whether ya' loved me or hated me, you know when that bell rang, you got all I had that night."--Arn Anderson

Titles:
NWA/WCW TV Title (4)
Southern Tag Titles (4)
WWF World Tag Titles

Feuds:
Dusty Rhodes
Buddy Rose
Brian Pillman

Notable Match:
Georgia National Tag Titles: Arn & Ole Anderson vs Manny Fernandez/Pat Patterson

29.

BILLY GRAHAM

Wayne Coleman would later use his christian background to come up with one of the most recognized names to wrestling fans in the 70's and early 80's, Billy Graham in dedication to the evangelist with the same name. He used his awesome strength and feats he could do with all his power, in bringing people into prayer meetings when he was younger. He began his pro sports career playing football professioanlly for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers. Which is how Canadian wrestling mogul Stu Hart would come to discover him when he tried out for the Canadian Football League.

Titles:
WWWF World Title
NWA Florida Heavyweight Title (2)
CWA World Title

Feuds:
Bruno Sammartino
Larry Zbysco
Butch Reed

Notable Match:
IWA (Japan) World Title Match: vs Billy Robinson

28.

KENTA KOBASHI

One of the most popular wrestlers in Japan in the 90's, possibly ever, is Kenata Kobashi. He debut in 1988 and had to fight his way up the ladder to get in the main event, a strongly stated tradition in Japan. He had a tough time breaking out in the singles ranks losing to the likes of Gaijins Steve Williams and Stan Hansen. But, after a strong workrate and some historic mathces there after, established himself as an all time legend.

Titles:
AJPW Triple Crown
All Asian Tag Titles (4)

Feuds:
Mitsuharu Misawa
Stan Hansen
Steve Williams

Notable Match:
GHC Heavyweight Title: vs Mitsuharu Misawa

27.

KEIJI MUTOH

Keiji Mutoh is one of the most technically sound wrestlers in the world, but when he changes into his other persona, The Great Muta, he becomes one of the most vicious. If Keiji is in a match, and it isn't going his way, he has been known to leave the ring and reemerge and return to the ring as The Great Muta. He is currently the president of All Japan wrestling, but before doing so completed an accomplishment unheard of before, anywhere. He held, at one time, in early 2001 held 6 titles 3 for the Triple Crown, 2 for the All Japan Tag Championships, and one for the IWGP Tag Championships. Yeah, I would say he has left a legacy.

Titles:
IWGP Tag Titles -6-
IWGP Heavyweight Title (3)
AJPW Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Sting
Carlos Colon
Lex Luger

Notable Match:
IWGP Tag Championship: Mutoh/Hiroshi Hase vs Rick Steiner/Scott Norton

26.

JACK BRISCO

Most well known in the tag team with his brother, but Jack Brisco would become one of the best singles performers to ever hold the prestigious NWA World Title. He also held 13 different major championships a astounding total of 45 times. Known as "the fighting champ" defending his World Title 5-6 nights a week, not just in the US but Japan as well.

Titles:
NWA Junior Heavyweight Title (2)
NWA Mid Atlantic Tag Titles (3)

Feuds:
Harley Race
Buddy Colt

Notable Match:
NWA Florida Brass Knuckles Championship: vs Paul Jones

25.

JOHNNY VALENTINE

The most famous plane crash in wrestling history involved what would have been, one of wrestlings greatest ever, Johnny Valentine. If he wouldn't have switched seats with Jim Crockett, he would have been able to continue wrestling. But, in the short time he was he already established himself as one of its finest participants. I have spoke to many wrestlers over the years and one thing I have figured out is, they describe greatest wrestlers quite differently then how we, the fans do when naming the "greatest ever". They look at how they carry themselves in the ring, their backstage monikers, how well they can work in the ring, and even how well they throw a punch. And, one thing that is certain, fans and wrestlers alike, can all agree that John Theodore Wisniski Sr was one of the best ever.

Titles:
WWWF US Title (4)
NWA Mid Atlantic Heavyweight Title (2)
NWA Texas Heavyweight -6-

Feuds:
Fred Atkins
Antonnio Rocca
Danny Miller

Notable Match:
NWA Florida Heavyweight Title Match: vs Boris Malenko

24.

JIM LONDOS

The Greek Lion, born with the name Christopher Theophelus, changed his name after an interview with a well know publicist in Portland, Jim Londos. He was worldy known, and was maybe one of the first huge draws in wrestling, consistently drawing over 25,000 per event and one time, drew over 40,000 at Yankee Staduim in a bout with Ray Steel, another huge draw. He went on to sell out many staduims, even in Toronto at the Maple Leafs Staduim, and headlined the first main event at Pheonix's historic Madison Square Garden.

Titles:
NWA Wrestling Heavyweight Title
New York Heavyweight Title
Maryland Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Dick Shikat
Dick Davenport

Notable Match:
1939-- vs Dick Shikat

23.

DORY FUNK JR

In 1969 Dory Funk Sr's son, Dory Funk Jr shocked the wrestling world when he defeated Gene Kiniski for the NWA World Title, and held it an unprecedented 4 years. The West Texas University football standout, has had over 50 seperate title reigns during his tenure in wrestling.

Titles:
NWA World Title
NWA Florida Heavyweight Title (4)
NWA Missouri Title

Feuds:
Bruiser Brody
Gene Kiniski
Jack Brisco

Notable Match:
Dory Funk Jr/Terry Funk vs Jimmy Snuka/Bruiser Brody

22.

TED DIBIASE

Another West Texas standout, he dropped out of school though and hit the Oklahoma wrestling scene under the advisement of the Funks and Bill Watts. His first major win was against Killer Karl Kox, but there would be hundreds more to come. At one time he won the Mid South North American title which he took with him to the WWWF and lost it to Pat Patterson. The WWWF renamed the title the IC Title, and labeling that Patterson won it in a ficticious tournament.

Titles:
Missouri Heavyweight Title
WWF Tag Titles (3)
Mid South Tag Titles (3)

Feuds:
One Man Gang
Randy Savage
Dick Murdoch

Notable Match:
Mid South North American Title: vs The Spoiler

21.

DANNY HODGE

There may never have been a wrestler so influental on the aspect of the sport than Danny Hodge. He wasn't a high flyer, but showed size didn't matter in the world of wrestling. Recently nominated in the top 15 collegeiate wrestlers of all time. One thing he had notereity for, within the ranks of his fellow wrestlers, was his headlock. Alot of wrestlers tried to steer clear of this hold, for Hodge had exceptionally strong hands, but alot got caught in it, and it would soon be over. Hodge paved the way for many his size to come into the sport, but none will be remembered as the fore father of "junior/cruiser weights", as Hodge.

Titles:
NWA JR Title -6-
NWA US Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Leon Baxter
Haru Sasaki
Skandar Akbar

Notable Match:
1976--NWA JR Heavyweight Title: vs Hiro Matsuda

20.

ED FARHAT AKA THE SHEIK

Many have made their claim to fame wrestling a hardcore style of wrestling, but only one man can say he was the godfather of hardcore, Ed Farhat. There was a few before him, but most lay the claim of making hardcore hip was Farhat. Having legendary matches from the States into Japan. Wrestling from the 50's well into the 80's. You see, when Farhat first started wrestling in the 50's he used the ordinary set up. Rest holds and some body moves. But, something clicked in the late 50's early 60's. He started having bloodbath after bloodbath matches, with him doing most of the bleeding. This was a new style, and the name hardcore wasn't coined until years later. The fans didn't know what to call it, they just knew when the bell rang and Farhat was in the ring, they were gonna det a show.

Titles:
NWA (Detrot) US Title (12)
Japan United National Title

Feuds:
Hercules Anaya
Antonnio Rocca
Joe Blanchard

Notable Match:
NWA Americas Heavyweight Title: vs Mil Mascaras





19.

TERRY FUNK

Another man that is often associated with founding fathers of hardcore is Terry Funk. Wrestling in just about every promotion known to wrestling fans and over 4 decades, Funk has for sure etched his name in the halls of wrestlings finest. He and his brother debut together in the late 60's, although Terry had debut along in 1965. Together they would win over 11 tag titles together, and Terry would win quite a few singles titles as well.

Titles:
NWA Texas Tag Titles (3)
WCW Tag Titles
WCW US Title

Feuds:
Buddy Austin
Johnny Valentine
Dick Murdoch

Notable Match:
NWA Brass Knuckles Title: vs Dick Murdoch

18.

TATSUMI FUJINAMI

Well known as one of the foundingfathers of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Fujinami has laid claim as one of Puroresu's largest icons. He started his career in the early 70's and participated in the legendary Karl Gotch cup in Japan. He is also the innovator of the Dragon Sleeper and the Dragon Suplex. He was the first major success going from the Junior to the Heavyweight ranks in Japan.

Titles:
New Japan IWGP Heavyweight Title -6-
New Japan IWGP Tag Titles (5)
NWA Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Riki Chsyu
Ric Flair
Antonio Inoki

Notable Match:
Superbrawl 1991: NWA Heavyweight Title vs Ric Flair





17.

RANDY SAVAGE

While still playing baseball in Minor League clubs for the Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, Randy Poffo got a jumpstart on a career he would later become one of its premier attractions. During his stints in Georgia, he began wrestling under a mask as "The Spider" which later played a role in him getting his part in the highly grossing movie, "Spiderman". It wasn't until he wrestled alongside real life friends the Andersons, that he would get his WWF wrestling name. Ole Anderson commented during one of Poffos matches that he wrestled like a "savage", thus the name stuck, and is one of the most recognized among wrestling fans.

Titles:
WWF Heavyweight Title (2)
WCW World Heavyweight Title (3)
WWF IC Title

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
Sting
Ricky Steamboat

Notable Match:
ICW World Title: vs Lanny Poffo (1979)





16.

ANDRE THE GIANT

Maybe no other big man in our sport will be as remembered or well loved worldwide, than Andre Rousimoff. Working at a furniture store at 17 years old, Andre was discovered and later trained by French legend Frank Valois. Andre would go by a few different alias's depending on where he wrestled. In Canada and some parts of the States he was known as Jean Ferre, and in Japan as Monster Rousimoff. But, he will be forever remembered in the hearts of American wrestling fanatics, as Andre the Giant. Rousimoff was also the very first inductee into the WWE Hall Of Fame, as well he should.

Titles:
IWA Tag Titles
WWF Tag Titles
Florida Tag Titles

Feuds:
Big John Studd
Hulk Hogan
Jake Roberts

Notable Match:
1981: vs Stan Hansen

15.

DUSTY RHODES

West Texas University has had many graduates and non graduates become proffesional wrestlers, but none maybe as well loved as Dusty Rhodes. Beginning his career as heel, but in the legendary face turn against Pat Song and Gary Hart in 1974, it would forever change the direction of Dusty Rhodes. There may have been no other wrestler as popular as Rhodes in the 80's, except for Hulk Hogan than Rhodes. The American Dream held many titles throughout his illustious career, but no title may not had ever been as highly regarded to Rhodes than the love of his fans.

Titles:
NWA World Title (4)
NWA Florida Tag Titles (4)
NWA TV Title (2)
NWA Florida Title (10)

Feuds:
Dick Murdoch
Tully Blanchard
Ric Flair

Notable Match:
1985: NWA TV Title vs Tully Blanchard

[RINGKING]

14.

RIKIDOZAN

His name inside US borders may mean nothing to some, but to Puroresu fans worldwide, he is held on maybe the highest of pedastools. Some say if not for Rikidozan, there may have never been Puroresu. He began training and performing in Sumo, but soon after a "wrestling" match with Bobby Bruns in Tokyo on October 28, 1951 the former Sumo would almost single handily establish and start building what we now call Puroresu. After losing WWII, there was little heroes to help lessen the depression of the Japanese people, but soon one would arise in Rikidozan, or Kim Sin-Nak his birth name. He defeated American after American, who were labled the villans. His place in the oracles of pro wrestling would for always be established when he defeated world known legend, Lou Thesz for the NWA International title. Rikidozan said that Thesz was the only wrestler he truly respected, and the feeling was mutual.

Titles:
WWA World Title
NWA International Title

Feuds:
Lou Thesz
Freddie Blassie
Masahiko Kimura

Notable Match:
WWA World Title: vs Freddie Blassie

13.

RICKY STEAMBOAT

Richard Blood got his start in wrestling in a strange way. In the mid 70's his girlfriend at the time was going to Airline school in Minnesota, and her roomate was Donna Gagne, the AWA tycoon Verne Gagnes daughter. His girlfriend told Gagnes daughter about his wrestling background and that he was a former Florida State Champion. After Verne recieved Steamboats resume, he set him up in his next training camp. Getting his start in the AWA, but was sent to many different territories. His first major match is when he defeated Rookie of the Year in 1977, Ric Flair. They would go on and have one of wrestlings most heated feuds.

Titles:
NWA US Title
NWA World Title
WCW US Title

Feuds:
Randy Savage
Ric Flair
Jake Roberts

Notable Match:
1977: Mid Atlantic Tag Titles--Steamboat/Paul Jones vs Ric Flair/Greg Valentine

12.

EL SANTO

No other wrestler is as legendary, or may never will be, in Mexico as Rodolfo Guzman Huerta. He began his wrestling career at the age of 16 and used many alias like Rudy Guzman, El Enmascarado, El Hombre Rojo, El Demonio Negro, El Murcielago 2. He didn't debut under El Santo until 1942 and continued wrestling over the next 40 years! He started his career as a "rudo" or a bad guy. He would soon decide that being a "technico" or good guy, that it would enhance his career. Which it did tremendously, including roles in movies where he would become a legend in the mainstream media. One of the biggest moments in Mexicos film industry, or TV for that matter came when the longtime maksed wrestler, took his sacred mask off on a TV show called "Contrapunto." He ironically passed away from a heart attack one week later.

Titles:
Mexican National Welterweight
Mexican National Middleweight (4)
NWA World Welterweight

Feuds:
Blue Demon
Ciclon Veloz

Notable Match:
vs Tarzan Lopez (1943)

11.

NICK BOCKWINKLE

There is only one man who can say he may be more remembered as AWA Champion than the great Verne Gagne, and that is Nick Bockwinkle. He started out in wrestling teaming with his father Warren before his debut in Georgia. Here he was involved in one of Georgia biggest feuds against El Mongol over the Georgia TV Title. After his stint in Georgia, Bockwinkle entered Gagne's AWA as part of the legendary tag team alonside Ray Stevens. They won many titles together, but the big break and one that would last over 2 decades, came when Bockwinkle defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA Heavyweight Title.

Titles:
AWA World Title (5)
AWA Tag Titles (3)
NWA Pacific Heavyweight Title (3)

Feuds:
Verne Gagne
Curt Henning
Lou Thesz
Pat Patterson

Notable Match:
NWA Pacific Heavyweight Title: vs The Destroyer

10.

BRET HART

Maybe the best technically sound wrestler in the lst 15 years is none other than Canad's Bret Hart. Bret started out as a kid by handing out flyers for wrestling shows his father would be putting on. Even though he was a pretty good amateur wrestler in high school, he had other aspirations mostly having to with movies, being an actor (which he just starred in a play called "Alladin the Magical" a family musical), and even a director. But, fate would have it that he would start training in his father training facility, "The Dungeon." From here he would start a remarkable career in which his legacy to him was that he never injured anyone in the ring. "The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be...", and he might just be right.

Titles:
WWF Tag Titles (2)
WWF World Title (4)
WCW US Title (4)

Feuds:
Hulk Hogan
HBK
Demolition
Dynamite Kid

Notable Match:
Calgary Commonwealth Mid-Heavyweight Title (June 1, 1979) : vs Dynamite Kid

9.

BRUNO SAMMARTINO

There may be many legends throughout the history of the WWWF, but not so many as big as "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino. Bruno Laopardo Franceso Sammartino may have been a construction worker by trade, but would soon emerge as pro wrestler Bruno Sammartino. He debut in 1959, but soon after his up coming in Vince Sr's WWWF, shortly after in 1963 he defeated Buddy Rogers to begin the longest single reign in WWWF history. He held the title for 8 straight years until he was defeated by Ivan Koloff, who had to drop it a month later because of death threats he was recieving for defeated the well loved Italian. He defeated Stan Stasiak to carry the title another 3 years.

Titles:
WWWF Title (2)
WWWF US Tag Titles

Feuds:
Ivan Koloff
Larry Zybysco

Notable Match:
1976 MSG: vs Stan Hansen

8.

MITSUHARU MISAWA

Nobody thought possible that anyone could follow up after the original Tiger Mask dropped the gimmick, but one man stepped up and filled those shoes nicely, Mitsuharu Misawa. He would rival many as a great tag worker in the lower ranks, but it was when he unmasked and stepped up to the land of the heavyweights that he really started to make his mark. At the time, Jumbo Tsurta was the big gun in Japan and already had 3 Triple Crowns under his belt. The first of these significant run ins was in 1991. He lost to Jumbo and then teamed with his partner of choice Kawada and took on all of Japans best, including Stan Hansen and Terry Gordy. In one of the most intense matches in his early career came against Hansen, who he defeated for the Triple Crown and held it for nearly 2 years. Later on his former partner, Kawada, and himself would become heated foes, putting on many classics. Alot of Puroresu's american fans say he is like Japans version of Steve Austin in the aspect he brought a new evolution to Japan and brought in many foreign fans who had never watched up to this point. And almost all agree he may be the best to ever step inside a ring, not just in Japan, but worldwide. Misawa is currently lead dog in NOAH and still has a good relationship with New Japan.

Titles:
All Japan Tag Titles -6-
Triple Crown (5)
All Asia Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Toshiaki Kawada
Kenta Kobashi
Stan Hansen

Notable Match:
3/6/1994: Triple Crown vs Toshiaki Kawada

7.

STEVE AUSTIN

As Steve Williams was growing up watching the Von Erich family wrestle on TV in Dallas and thinking to himself these guys were the biggest thing for their time in wrestling, little did he know that he would grow up to be maybe that same sports biggest name of all-time. On his way home from work one day, a dock loading job, he seen an advertisement for Gentleman Chris Adams wrestling school. He thought to himself "What the hell, doesn't hurt to try..." He learned the ropes quickly and accelerated so fast in his training he had his first match just 5 months later. He began a feud with his teacher and changed his name so he wouldn't be confused with then wrestling icon "Dr. Death" Steve Williams, so he changed it after a character in one of his favorite TV shows, the 6 Million Dollar Man, Steve Austin. He had success in WCW, but would soon move on to the WWF, a place he would bring to the forefront in wrestling. After a short stint under Ted Dibiase as the RingMaster, Austin came up with a new character based on a serial killer, but had no name. But, with the help of his then wife, came up with the Stone Cold name. And after he defeated Jake the Snake Roberts, a born again christian at King of the Ring, he uttered these words that changed his wrestling career and the sport as we know it,; "You talk about Psalms, you talk about John 3:16.....well Austin 3:16 says I just wooped your ass!"

Titles:
WWF World Title -6-
WWF Tag Titles (4)
WCW TV Title (2)

Feuds:
Chris Adams
HHH
The Rock

Notable Match:
1991 USWA Heavyweight Title Match: vs Jeff Jarrett

6.

HARLEY RACE

A former farm worker on the Zybysco brother farm, after a long day on the farm, Stan and Wladek would take him off for practice and "stretch" him. After his time at the farm, he took up such a liking he continued his training with Buddy Austin and Ray Gordon. He came in under the alias od Jack Long and winning the Southern Tag Titles in Tennesee. After an injury and some time at home, his father told him to make his own name famous not someone elses. So, that is when he stated using Harley Race, and the name stuck. I think he did his father proud, because his name is now famous.

Titles:
NWA World Title (8)
WWA World Title
Missouri Heavyweight Title (8)

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Dory Funk Jr
Dick The Bruiser

Notable Match:
NWA Georgia Heavyweight Title: vs Mr Wrestling II

5.

BUDDY ROGERS

Not many wrestlers can say that they had an entire wrestling federation started and built around them because of a subtle disagreement, except for Buddy Rogers. Herman Rohde broke into the wrestling business while working 2 other jobs. In his hay day wrestling was a night job, and then you had your day time jobs to pay the bills. Herman used his real name for a few years, and it wasn't until he took the name of an actor he liked, Buddy Rogers, that he would become a huge success. Back when large crowds were unheard of on a regular basis, Rogers set a new standard. Almost anywhere he would go it would sell out. One of the most talked about matches during his era was the one he had with Pat O'Connor in Comiskey Park. It sold out, 50,000 seats and the match was worth the ticket price of $5.75.

Titles:
WWWF World Title
WWWF US Tag Titles (2)

Feuds:
Pat O'Connor
Dizzy Davis
Jim Casey

Notable Match:
NWA Title Match: Buddy Rogers vs The Sheik





4.

ANTONIO INOKI

Kanji Inoki broke into the wrestling world with help from Puroresu legend Rikidozan. Kim Sin-Nak took him under his wing and in his wrestling organization Japan Wrestling Association. Later on, in almost a turn of espionage, Inoki was fired from JWA when conspiracies started to come forward that he was going to try and take over JWA. So in 1971 he started his own federation, New Japan Pro Wrestling. Inoki had many great matches over the years including Americans Hulk Hogan Bob Backlund, and even a one time meeting with Ric Flair.

Titles:
NWA International Tag Titles (2)
NWA North American Tag Titles
IWGP Heavyweight Title

Feuds:
Masa Saito
Tatsumi Fujinami
Bob Backlund

Notable Match:
Antonio Inoki/Riki Chosu vs Hulk Hogan/Perro Aguayo





3.

RIC FLAIR

It seems everywhere Ric Flair has gone in his wrestling career he has found success. Even at a young age in high school he won his States Championship in wrestling. Getting notice from AWA tycoon Verne Gagne, Flair took lessens from the AWA owner and had his first pro match in the AWA against George Gadiski that went the time limit of 10 minutes. He left the AWA just after a couple of years then headed to Mid Atlantic, where he would help put their US Title on the map. Flair has always proven to be a fighter and someone who never gives up. He was involved in a plane crash that almost took his life, and was told that he would never wrestle again. Will, Flair took that as a challenge and made one of wrestlings biggest comebacks, and on September 17, 1981 he won the NWA World Title in what would be the start of one of the most decorated runs in pro wrestlings historical legacy.

Titles:
NWA Mid Atlantic Tag Titles (5)
Mid Atlantic TV Title (2)
NWA US Title (5)

Feuds:
Sting
Hulk Hogan
Greg Valentine

Notable Match:
1980-NWA US Title: vs Greg Valentine





2.

LOU THESZ

Starting professional wrestling as a teenager is no easy task, but one that Alouysius Martin Thesz would take a hold of and run with it. At the young age of 16 Thesz made his pro debut in East St. Louis. just 5 years later he would win his first Championship. He would win championships around the world, but mostly made a name for himself in the US. As an ambassador to the sport along with Karl Gotch, could be credited for helping Puroresu become a respected sport in American eyes. He has held the NWA Unified Title almost as long in years than anyone, almost as long as most careers, an unprecedented 13 years! He is known as a perormer with the heart that the world could stand on. He even wrestled his last wrestling match at the age of 74 in 1990 against foreign star Masa Chono. Lou Thesz will forever go down in the history books as the sports most respected wrestler of all time, and maybe its greatest inside and out of the ring.

Titles:
NWA World Title
NWA Southen Title (2)
UWA (Mexico) World Title

Feuds:
Rikidozan
Buddy Rogers
Everett Marshall

Notable Match:
1957-Japan: vs Rikidozan





1.

HULK HOGAN

It is really hard to define the greatest wrestler of all time, but one name that really put wrestling on the map and a name that almost everybody in the US knows, is Hulk Hogan. Baseball has Babe Ruth, Basketball has Michael Jordan, Hockey has Wayne Gretsky, and wrestling has Hulk Hogan. At a young age, wrestling is something Hogan didn't look as if he would never excel in and was probably the furthest from his mind, since he was nearly 200 lbs at 12 years old. Years later that all changed with an encounter of the Brisco Brothers. After getting some tutalage under Hiro Matsuda, he started his career near home in the Florida independant circuit. He started making a name of sorts for himself with his overwhelming brute strength.

In 1977 he wrestled his first known match against Don Serrano in Florida as "Super Destroyer." he also used the ring names "Sterling Golden", and "Terry Boulder" (a play off his legit last name). But, it wasn't until good friend Sylvester Stallone gave him a smal role in Rocky III that his career would take off. After a stint overseas and in the AWA, Vince Mcmahon Sr was able to coax the huge Georgian to sign with his up and coming money monger, the WWF. From here Hogan's career and life would take a huge change of direction, for the better. Hulkamania would be born, and the wrestling world as we know it would change forever.

Titles:
WWF World Title (5)
WWE Undisputed Title
WWE Tag Titles

Feuds:
Ric Flair
Bill Goldberg
Sting

Notable Match:
NWA Southeastern Heavyweight Title (1979 as Sterling Golden) : vs Dick Slater

[HusseinArab]

Krikeeee!!!! Rogers is #5??? Behind inoki and Flair??? Are these ratings based on the total package of wresters? I cant necessarily argue Hogan as its hard to argue with greatness but Londos was actually considered to be a bigger draw than Hogan in his day.

[Jeff]

Krikeeee!!!! Rogers is #5??? Behind inoki and Flair??? Are these ratings based on the total package of wresters? I cant necessarily argue Hogan as its hard to argue with greatness but Londos was actually considered to be a bigger draw than Hogan in his day.

The "ratings" are based on what the posters picked them as. Everyone made their own lists and sent them in. And what your foundation for saying Londos was "actually considered to be a bigger draw than Hogan?" And yes, Rogers behind Inoki and Flair is about right.

[HusseinArab]

The "ratings" are based on what the posters picked them as. Everyone made their own lists and sent them in. And what your foundation for saying Londos was "actually considered to be a bigger draw than Hogan?" And yes, Rogers behind Inoki and Flair is about right.

Londos consistently drew more fans and for a longer period of time than Hogan did. If you go back and look at the history and drawing power between the two.

[Jeff]

Londos consistently drew more fans and for a longer period of time than Hogan did. If you go back and look at the history and drawing power between the two.

In what? Greece? Hogan did it all over the world.

[THE POPE]

the biggest crime on this list is Jumbo being 66 that is laughable.

other things that bug me is Rey and Liger the two best jr wrestlers ever are behind guys like Rude, Henning etc..

also Steamboat so high when he wasn't some great draw when other people like Kawada, Kobashi, Liger, Eddie etc.. were all just as good if not better yet there so far behind him

when all is said in done this list is better then some of the other list I have seen. for example Warrior and RVD both broke the top 40 on PWT list.

[HilaryFan]

did i miss him or is The Rock not there? if he isnt this list is laughable, the guy was a frickin icon.

[FV]

did i miss him or is The Rock not there? if he isnt this list is laughable, the guy was a frickin icon.

He was number 62 on the list.

[Emperor Spade]

Where are Finlay, DDP, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash?
Lex Luger & Kane better than Raven?

[Solie]

Lex Luger was one of the greatest US Champions of all time as well as a two time World Champion. He was on top of the NWA and WCW for years on end, in major feuds and doing strong business. So, somehow I think his placing above Raven may well be deserved.

Can I also point out that there is a seperate discussion thread for this list.

[RINGKING]

Where are Finlay, DDP, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash?
Lex Luger & Kane better than Raven?

Did you send a list Spade?

89 other posters did.

And I forgot how Raven was a multiple time NWA & WWF World Heavyweight Champion and defeated such great as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Lou Thesz, Rikidozan, Undertaker, oh and how could I forget when he defeated Bruno Sammartino in the Garden.

No offense, but an argument can be made for Kane above Raven, and Luger, although I'm not a fan of Lugers, has had more of an impact and been more successful in the business than Raven.

[Emperor Spade]

Did you send a list Spade?

89 other posters did.

And I forgot how Raven was a multiple time NWA & WWF World Heavyweight Champion and defeated such great as Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Lou Thesz, Rikidozan, Undertaker, oh and how could I forget when he defeated Bruno Sammartino in the Garden.

No offense, but an argument can be made for Kane above Raven, and Luger, although I'm not a fan of Lugers, has had more of an impact and been more successful in the business than Raven.

No I didn't send a list but I was really surprised reading the list. How can such great wrestlers be left off of so many people's lists? And I suppose my dislike for Luger and my thinking he is a crap worker have some influence on my belief that he is well below Raven.

But you guys talk about Raven like he is crap. He's a 2 time ECW champion, and former NWA champion. Just because he was never given the push he deserved in WCW and WWF doesn't mean he should 140 out of 150 on that list.

[RINGKING]

No I didn't send a list but I was really surprised reading the list. How can such great wrestlers be left off of so many people's lists? And I suppose my dislike for Luger and my thinking he is a crap worker have some influence on my belief that he is well below Raven.

But you guys talk about Raven like he is crap. He's a 2 time ECW champion, and former NWA champion. Just because he was never given the push he deserved in WCW and WWF doesn't mean he should 140 out of 150 on that list.

I agree great names were left off the list, and some should have been placed differently. I also agree that Raven at one time was a good talent, not great, but good. He could get in the ring with just about anybody and put up a good match. He knew how to work with just about anybodies style. He should have had a little longer reign with the US Title in WCW and shouldn't have lost it as quick as he did.

But, I also feel if names that should have been on the list were, Raven wouldn't even make it on a top 200 list.

[Darkn3t]

Im not one to bitch but.. Steve austins better than Bret hart according to this.. dont really see that personally

[THE POPE]

Im not one to bitch but.. Steve austins better than Bret hart according to this.. dont really see that personally

one thing you will notice about the list is that the draws were heavily favored as were the legends. most of Japan also got the shaft besides Misawa. but it was still a solid list better then some I've seen.

Kawada who has a legit case for having the best body of work ever only being 31 makes me sick.