Now, for those of you who don't read my other blog, or who don't remember, here are the guidelines I set for myself on this very difficult list:
1. Everyone on the list had to compete in WWE at some point in their career. The reason for this is simply that my knowledge of Pro Wrestling before WWE is very limited, and I knew I'd be leaving out too many great wrestlers just because I didn't know them. The negative aspect of this is that some of those I do know are left out as well.
2. The achievements considered, however, did not have to take place in WWE.
3. The following achievements were considered:
a. Titles (Especially for the older generations, when titles meant more)
b. Impact on the Business
c. Mainstream Exposure
d. In-ring Talent
e. Mic Work
f. Charisma
This list was very difficult, and some of the rankings seem to change based on my mood. So this certainly isn't the ultimate list. It is just mine, and you might disagree. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment sections.
So now, I present The Top 100 WWE Superstars of All Time!
Special Mentions:
I have to make three special mentions. These wrestlers never wrestled in WWE, but had such a great impact on the business that they can’t be ignored.
Ed “The Strangler” Lewis
Strangler was the top wrestler in the 1920s. He was so good that nobody could beat him. He realized that it would be better for business if someone beat him, so he jobbed (lost on purpose), and virtually created professional wrestling as we know it today.
Lou Thesz
Lou Thesz is the greatest wrestler to ever lace up a pair of boots. He carried the NWA in the early days. He held 6 World Titles, 2 of which overlapped to form an almost 8-year title reign. Without Thesz, there would be no Flair, Hogan, Austin, NWA, AWA, WWE, or WCW.
Gorgeous George
Like Thesz and Strangler, George changed the business forever. He was the first to bring real flair to the ring. He paved the way for the great talkers and flamboyant dressers, like Flair, Hogan, and later, Goldust.
100. Nikolai Volkoff
Nikolai was one of the best Russian heels in the ‘80s. He teamed with The Iron Sheik and one the WWF Tag Team Titles.
99. Ivan Putski
Polish Power!!! Ivan Putski’s Polish Hammer was one of the most devastating finishers in the 19’70s, and has been used recently by his son, Scott, and by Chris Masters. Putski spent his career in the WWWF/WWF, and had a very successful one.
98. Chief Jay Strongbow
Jay Strongbow was one of many Native American wrestlers, and probably the greatest of them all. He was a WWWF Tag Team Champion. He was known for his Tribal War Dance, which was equal to, if not more electrifying than, Hulk Hogan’s “Hulking Up.”
97. Ken Patera
This Olympic weightlifter went on to have a great WWF career. He was an early Intercontinental champion. He was hated by fans, as he used his full-nelson to injure his opponents.
96. Lance Storm
Lance Storm became known for his in-ring abilities while in ECW. While there, he won the tag titles on several occasions. He then went to WCW, where he won the United States, Hardcore, and Cruiserweight Titles- all at the same time. He renamed them The Canadian Title, The Saskatchewan Hardcore International Title, and the 100 Kilos and Under Title. Sadly, the names didn’t stick. When the WWF bought WCW, Storm was the last to leave the WCW locker room. In WWF, Storm won the Intercontinental Title and the Tag Title. He now runs his own wrestling school.
95. Don Muraco
Don Muraco was the original “Rock,” but is better remember as “The Magnificent Muraco.” He was a great heel in the early 19’80s, and he won the WWF Intercontinental Title.
94. Dean Malenko
Dean Malenko is a former WCW Cruiserweight Champion, WWF Light Heavyweight Champion, WCW United States Champion, Horseman, and Radical. As an in-ring performer, he never made it big. But his influence can be seen EVERYWHERE in wrestling. He was “The Man of 1000 Holds,” and the name rang true. He invented many moves that are still used today, including the 3D, the Jack Hammer, the Texas Cloverleaf (pictured), and the Crippler Crossface. He is the only surviving member of the trio of friends that traveled from ECW to WCW to WWF together (the other two being Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit).
93. Haystacks Calhoun
Haystacks was one of the biggest men in wrestling history. He was widely known, and highly respected.
92. Christian
Christian has won many titles in the World Wrestling Federation, but none compared to his achievements outside of the WWF, when he became the NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Christian is innovative in the ring, and entertaining on the mic. I can’t forget to mention that he won the WWF Light Heavyweight title in his first ever WWF match. Since his return to WWE, he has won the ECW Title.
91. Mike Rotundo
Mike Rotundo made his wrestling debut in the early 1980s, and is most remembered as a multiple time tag team champion. In fact, he held the WWF Tag Team Titles 5 times. The first two were with Barry Windham, and the last three were with Ted DiBiase. Don’t remember him? Maybe you would if I called him by his alias: Irwin R. Schyster (IRS).
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