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For decades, the world of professional wrestling has entertained fans from all over the world. The sport is essentially a live stage performance amalgamation between acting and athleticism. You get drama, intrigue, jaw-dropping feats, and everything in between. While it may be tough to properly rate wrestlers from different eras, the job had to be done.
25. Bruno Sammartino
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I had to include a figurehead from the older generations of professional wrestling. Paying respect to Sammartino just seems like the right thing to do. His unparalleled reign as the WWF (World Wrestling Federation, now WWE) Heavyweight Champion for over 11 years remains unmatched, solidifying his status as a true wrestling legend. Beyond his incredible in-ring achievements, Sammartino’s impact extends to his role as a cultural icon, particularly among Italian-American communities who saw him as a symbol of strength, determination, and pride. His matches at Madison Square Garden drew record-breaking crowds and helped elevate wrestling to new heights of popularity (he sold out MSG a whopping 188 times). Sammartino’s legacy as a trailblazer continues to be felt today.
24. Rey Mysterio
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Rey Mysterio continues to work in 2024 at the age of 49. Growing up in a wrestling family based out of Mexico, Mysterio quickly became a professional. He is a poster boy for the lucha libre movement — and for good reason. Rarely do you see a wrestler cultivate a skill set with such a combination of natural fluidity and technicality in the ring. Mysterio often puts his body on the line — springing off ropes and functioning as a pseudo-acrobat. But, there’s so much more to his performance. Mysterio wrestles much bigger than his 5’6″ frame would indicate. He knows how to get over with the crowd, and his showmanship in the ring is simply phenomenal. Few — if any his size have been as naturally gifted as Mysterio.
23. Randy Orton
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Following in the footsteps of other family members in the business, Orton has carved out a nice career for himself. Without a doubt, Orton has been a pillar within the business over the last two decades. He’s a very fluid, explosive athlete for his size. The nimbleness with which he moves around the ring is impressive. In terms of portraying a heel, Orton is excellent. All he needs to do is unveil that iconic devilish grin for the audience to know exactly what he’s thinking. Plus, the RKO is easily among the most popular finishing moves in the history of the sport.
22. Triple H
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The Game was a seminal figure in the Attitude Era — and remains now as one of the brains behind the entire WWE Universe operation. His original gimmick as a preppy equestrian from his native region of New England didn’t land. When D-Generation X exploded onto the scene, we got to see Triple H function as a heel with antagonistic rhetoric and a charm people gravitated towards. His physicality in the ring was immense, and many consider him to be one of the more professional workers of the era. Eventually becoming a gigantic singles star, his iconic spitting of water into the air as he entered the ring will forever be attached to him.
21. Andre The Giant
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Standing over seven feet tall and weighing more than 500 pounds, there was a reason why the French wrestler was referred to as a giant. However, it was more than just his physicality which made Andre special. He was a giant when it came to his charisma and personality in the ring. Andre was exceptionally likable to both the audience and the boys in the back. The plethora of high-profile matches he participated in remains some of the best the company has ever produced. Then, there’s the ‘legend of Andre’ stories speaking about the copious amounts of liquor he’d allegedly consume at hotel bars and on flights. Andre paved the way for a host of larger wrestlers (The Big Show, Kane, Omos, The Great Khali, Viscera) to all flash in their own right. If anything, Andre was a performer in the truest sense of the word.
20. Edge
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The Rated-R Superstar had a very fascinating career arc leading up to his reign as the WWE World Champion. Pairing with Christian, the Canadian duo became one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history. Eventually, both went their separate ways — with Edge developing into a main event-level talent. The natural ability he had on the mic was accentuated by his strong ability in the ring. He went from being an athletic goof into a powerful, respected, and motivated champ. With his days in the company now over, Edge — wrestling under his real-life name Adam Copeland — is now performing (with buddy Christian) in AEW as of 2024.
19. Antonio Inoki
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Antonio Inoki’s legacy in professional wrestling is nothing short of legendary. As the founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Inoki revolutionized the industry in Japan and beyond, introducing innovative wrestling styles and techniques that have influenced thousands of his peers. Renowned for his unparalleled athleticism and mastery of various martial arts disciplines, Inoki’s matches were spectacles of skill and showmanship, drawing millions of fans to arenas and television screens. His historic bout against Muhammad Ali in 1976 was wildly entertaining. Inoki’s influence continues to resonate throughout the wrestling world, with his legacy serving as an inspiration for future generations of wrestlers and promoters.
18. Mick Foley
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Whether it be Dude Love, Cactus Jack, Mankind, or simply Mick Foley, the rugged wrestler remains one of the most popular figures in the history of professional wrestling. While not the most technical performer in the world, no one put their body on the line — literally — like Foley did. We’re talking about being launched off the top of a steel cage onto an announcer’s desk, routinely having hardcore matches with a myriad of objects, and also taking bumps that would make the toughest people in the room cringe. All the while, he operated with immense joy — and the fans loved him for it. Long live Mr. Socko!
17. Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat
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Throughout his illustrious career, Steamboat captivated audiences with his electrifying performances. Stylistically, he could be characterized by his lightning-fast pace, precision execution, and phenomenal storytelling. Renowned for his classic encounters with the likes of Ric Flair, Randy Savage, and others, Steamboat set the standard for excellence in wrestling, earning the respect and admiration of fans and peers alike. Beyond his in-ring achievements, Steamboat’s dedication to his craft and unwavering professionalism made him a role model for aspiring wrestlers around the world. A true technician, young wrestlers should go and study tapes of Steamboat before stepping foot in the squared circle.
16. Chris Jericho
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Jericho has enjoyed a very successful career which is currently continuing into his 50s. During the prime of his career, he was absolutely electric. Athletically, he moved like a cruiserweight — though was muscular and quite powerful despite being on the shorter end relatively speaking. On the mic, we were treated to numerous noteworthy promos. His delivery was fantastic, and the humor he brought to the table was quite good. Jericho’s ability to constantly execute a picture-perfect lionsault was also very special. To this day, The Walls of Jericho remains an iconic submission hold.
15. Brock Lesnar
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Lesnar is unparalleled when it comes to sheer athletic ability. There’s no one in the history of this sport with his combination of power and speed. The quickness with which Lesnar wrestled was otherworldly. He moved around the ring like a tiger stalking his prey. He does get dinged a bit due to the fact he didn’t wrestle all that much towards these latter stages of his career. However, there’s no denying the impact he’s made on the sport. The seven-time WWE World Champ was also the youngest to earn the distinction (at only 25 years of age).
14. Dusty Rhodes
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“The American Dream” deserves his flowers. The father of Dustin and Cody, Dusty was an endearing figure during his career. What made Dusty special was his ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level, embodying the hopes, dreams, and struggles of the working-class everyman. With his charismatic persona, colorful promos, and undeniable charm, Dusty captivated fans across the globe. In the ring, he was a master storyteller — utilizing his unique blend of athleticism, brawling style, and cunning intellect to captivate audiences and create unforgettable moments. Without a doubt, Rhodes was pivotal in shaping the direction of professional wrestling from a storyline and innovation standpoint.
13. Kurt Angle
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Angle is not only an Olympic hero, but also a phenomenal wrestler. His background catered to the fact that he’d be exceptionally good technically grappling with fellow performers. However, no one expected him to be immensely funny with comedic timing. There were times when Angle CRUSHED it — both as a baby face and as a heel. As a performer, his combination of belly-to-belly suplexes, the Angle Slam, and a sky-high moonsault made him a truly captivating figure. He did struggle with some issues out of the ring and his career in WWE was probably cut shorter than it should’ve been. Regardless, he’s one of the best to ever lace up a pair of boots.
12. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper
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Roddy Piper’s legacy in professional wrestling is defined by his unparalleled charisma, boundary-pushing antics, and timeless contributions to the industry. With his signature kilt, piercing wit, and unapologetic persona, Piper blazed a trail as one of the most captivating and controversial figures in wrestling history. His gift for mic work and ability to engage audiences with his cutting promos made him a standout performer of his era. Piper’s in-ring skills were equally impressive, as he showcased his versatility as both a technical wrestler and a cunning strategist.
11. Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart
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Hart will forever be associated with the ‘Montreal Screwjob’ incident, but that doesn’t tell the whole story as to what made him an all-time great in the industry. Under the tutelage of his famed father Stu, Bret developed into a true rockstar — wearing a leather jacket and shades to the ring with accents of pink for a bit of flair. His technical ability was fantastic. Hart also knew how to tell a story with both his body and facial expressions. Essentially, he paired old-school knowledge with a new-school feel. As such, he was a transcendent figure in the business.
10. Sting
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“The Icon” is a consummate professional. His career has spanned over 40 years — and will culminate in his final match set for March of 2024. The black and white face paint made him menacing. Stinger’s look was even more intimidating when he’d fly down from the rafters into the ring with his patented black baseball bat. Notably, his rivalry with the nWo in WCW solidified his status as a bonafide superstar and helped elevate WCW to unprecedented heights in the Monday Night Wars.
9. John Cena
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Cena might be corny to some. He was commercialized, packaged, and shoved down your throat for years during an era in wrestling that became more kid-friendly. Cena has a plethora of catchphrases he’d often rattle off which equally irked some of wrestling’s purest fans. However, you cannot knock his in-ring performance. Pound for pound, he might’ve been the strongest wrestler in the world during his prime. A true showman in the ring and on the mic, Cena remains a 16-time WWE World Champion.
8. Roman Reigns
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As of February 2024, Reigns is still the current belt holder. It has been a fascinating transition for Reigns, who was once in a stable alongside Seth Rollins and the guy now referred to as Jon Moxley. Reigns was a soft-spoken enforcer with a lack of comfortability on the mic. Now, being the reigning champ for years, he’s grown into his role as one of the company’s longest-standing heels. The Tribal Chief relishes the chance to get on the mic and roast fans from all over the place. Reigns doesn’t perform a whole lot, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with ‘a better look’ as the belt holder. Being a central figure in The Bloodline storyline has also been tremendous for his career.
7. The Rock
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The only thing keeping The Rock at this spot is a lack of longevity. His career was much shorter compared to virtually everyone on this list. He made the jump into film and has since become the hardest-working man in Hollywood. You can make a case he was prepped for his acting roles by participating in the WWE internship of promo work. There was no one better than Rocky on the mic during the Attitude Era. He’s up there with Ric Flair as being the best with his words. While not the most fluid wrestler, his signature moves — The Rock Bottom and The People’s Elbow — are forever embedded into the fabric of this company.
6. Randy “Macho Man” Savage
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‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage wanted to make every match a spectacle. He brought immense energy to every performance, and that was accentuated by his colorful outfits. Savage captivated audiences with his larger-than-life personality. His intense rivalries with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, and Ricky Steamboat produced some of the most memorable matches in wrestling history. These matches showcased Savage’s incredible athleticism and storytelling prowess.
5. Hulk Hogan
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A man truly larger than life, Hulk Hogan was the face of wrestling for decades. His colorful persona included a bright color scheme of red and yellow. Sometimes, he’d saunter towards the ring with a boa before annihilating his opponent. With his immense physical presence, charismatic persona, and unparalleled connection with the audience, Hogan transcended the sport to become a global icon. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Hogan’s matches were must-see events, drawing record-breaking crowds and skyrocketing television ratings. Essentially, he’s one of the only old-school wrestlers that the average human — with no connection to wrestling whatsoever — would probably recognize.
4. Shawn Michaels
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Talk about a charismatic person. HBK (The Heartbreak Kid) was in a class all by himself. Michaels loved playing up the raunchiness with DX. He and Triple H had a very apparent chemistry with one another. It led to HBK becoming an icon. In terms of in-ring performance, Michaels had the stamina and athleticism to hold his own against any opponent. If you were on the receiving end of a Sweet Chin Music superkick, you probably weren’t getting off the mat anytime soon.
3. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
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Even with multiple injuries that zapped some of his athletic ability, you still came away thinking that Stone Cold Steve Austin was the baddest man on the entire planet. He’d show up to the ring in jean shorts, a gigantic knee brace, and a black vest with some sort of glittery skull on the back. From there, Austin would maul you with a combination of stomps and punches. Just as you were ready to give up, he’d give you the Stone Cold Stunner for good measure before cracking open two beers over your head in celebration. This is the type of authentic character that cannot ever be replicated again. Austin is one of one in this business.
2. The Undertaker
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I use the term “character” loosely here, but the work Mark Calaway did in creating The Undertaker was simply brilliant. We saw several iterations of ‘Taker over the years — from his Goth phase to the motorcycle-drivin’ Limp Bizkit bopping period. Seeing him virtually float down the ramp towards the ring in darkness with the faintest illumination of purple light and hazy fog was truly remarkable. From there, at 6’10”, he was a terrific athlete. Go watch him expertly walk the top rope before jumping down and landing a shoulder blow. Between the Chokeslam and the Tombstone Piledriver, The Undertaker had it all.
1. Ric Flair
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The Nature Boy represents the essence of wrestling at its core. It’s theater mixed with physicality, charisma, and entertainment. Flair isn’t the biggest nor the most athletic guy in the world. He looks like an ordinary person you’d see walking down the street. However, when you hear him speak on the mic your world changes. He’s a gravitational figure, making you feel — and hang on every word. In the ring, the exhaustion and anguish on his face are akin to reading a 1,000-page novel. Peacocking toward the ring in diamond-encrusted robes was his signature. Lastly, whenever you hear anyone let out a “Wooooo” call, you know where that comes from.
