Top 5 of all time.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Who are your top 5 favorite former or current WWE wrestlers of all time. We have done polls of sorts in the past but I want to hear who YOU guys like and why

(Must have spent at least 1 year in WWF/WWE to qualify)


Here are mine in no order:


Chris Jericho

Easily one of the most charimatic guys to ever step through any wrestling curtain. Although I was sold on Jericho the second I saw him in WCW, I was even more hooked with his new found fame and proper treatment, plus besides maybe a couple other guys hold no belt better than anyone in the business.


Undertaker

Over 12 years with the same company. Essentially one gimmick that was altered numerous times. No other person has been able to hold a gimmick that long and make it work some 15 years later and be as sucessful if not more so than from the beginning. Some say Undertaker is past his prime and its time to hang em up. I personally think he has a few good years left in him even if the rumors of retiring after Mania are true.


Christian

Believe it or not. He is one of my top 5 favorite performers ever. Not many people are capable of making you laugh by simply making a facial expression. Not many people are capable of still being over despite the many misjudgements of creative. Call me a mark. Call me whatever you want, but thats why its my list and you can make your own. I love this guy.


Randy Savage

I worshiped this guy as a kid. He was easily my favorite wrestler growing up. ELBOW DROP !!!!!! Now you watch his matches and wonder what you were thinking really. But it was before kayfabe really broke out and I thought his stuff with Elizabeth and the Mega Powers were just brilliant.


There are lots of people I would like to put in the last spot, most notably Austin, The Rock and HHH. But there is only room for 5 so here we go......


Triple H.

I was pretty sold on him even as a Blue Blood, but I began to like him even more when he was with the Corporation. I was never really as into the D-X stuff as many others were, but it was still great stuff. I just love a heel that can win because he is good. HHH was the first and looks like the last that is capable of pulling the title off the Face without cheating.



Discuss or make your own list. Either way.

Thanks

Simon

Tyler Durden

In no particular order -

Randy "Macho Man" Savage

He could cut a promo, he had quality matches that easily stand up today and which were years ahead of where WWE were at the time. Sure he completely sucks now but he was the man at the time and always a way more rounded competitor than Hogan.

"Mr Perfect" Curt Hennig

I was always a sucker for the cool heels in WWE and even when you go back to this guys original promos (with him shooting hoops from the halfway line, that kinda thing) I couldn't wait to see him perform. He was an incredibly natural, and I believe, amateur trained performer. One of my biggest mark outs ever was when he appeard in the Rumble a few years back and went to the last four looking absolutely awesome on the way. I really hoped this would lead to a feud with Angle and SCSA who would have both been "on the money" opponents for his style, but alas it was never to be.

The Rock

Mick Foley's performances may have been the ones to get me back to WWE in the mid to late 90's but The Rock was the one that made me stay. Sure his promos grated after a few years and came over as "samey" but his initial breakthrough as a World Champion heel and even as a face (which is rare for me) I loved his stick work, his ring work was much maligned but never shoddy and I can't remember ever thinking of a real bad performance but many very good ones.

Mick Foley

The guy that got me back into it with his unbelievable first two or three years in WWE, from the initial Undertaker feud, unbelievable PPV match at Mind Games with HBK, to his first Hunter feud, unleashing Dude Love and Cactus Jack back into the fray, corporate Dude against SCSA, the obvious off the cage incident, the tag battles with Terry Funk against New Age Outlaws to finally bowing out of his full time career with an adequate HITC match but an even better streetfight at MSG the month before at the Rumble. It's no wonder his star burnt out so quick, he did a careers worth of work in the WWE in about four years.

"Ravishing" Rick Rude

The guy was another that was ahead of his time, an incredible (albeit enhanced) physique accompanied with terrific mic work and an under rated ability in the ring. I loved Rudes matches and never grew tired of the "for all you fat" speeches pre-match. This is the guy that Val Venis should have become!!

K Jay

Undertaker - Combines the best gimmick of all time with unparrelled mobility for a guy his size. Possibly over time the greatest draw in the WWE ever.

Ric Flair - You dont use his catchphrase everytime you see a knife-edge chop for no reason. Flair is possibly the only wrestler ever that was able to be a draw in the terrotries, a draw in WCW, a draw in the late 80's early 90's WWF a draw again whilst the nWo were at their peak and has then re-invented himself into a marketable commodity now. Truly the last bridge back to the old-school.

The Rock - A true blueprint for how a modern wrestler must be a true 'tweener. Combining physiche, intense promo and comedic mic skills and a almost uncanny bond with an audience as to were a match needs to go The Rock truly bears his "Great One" mark with authority.

Mick Foley - Triumph over the fact that modern wrestlers have to be a 6 ft 4 adonis to get over. Micks hardcore status is sometimes focused on too much as Mick's overwhelming best quality was to find a way to get an audience to react to him. A close worker with talent relations in the WWE, Mick never let his character be compromised by a bad angle and always found a way to get heat or pops at preceisly a level to make his opponent get the opposite reaction. Thus Micks greatest legacy is quite simply the number of other guys he got over.

Chris Benoit - An absoloute consumate professional who could "work a match with a broom". Amazing work-rate and consistancy over a long career finally got this man to the top of the ladder proving nice guys dont finish last.

Shawn Michaels and Kurt Angle were right on the bounds as of course was Stone Cold. Hogan's legacy has gone somewhat to remove him from my list as anything after around 1998 has tarnished what would have been an awesome career.

PS Great thread Simon, someone sticky this.

I had a sig, once.

ICEMAN

Triple H
While I don't like the political games he plays, I've always respected his in-ring work. He's been in more big matches over the last 5 years than anyone else. His theme music is great and his entrance always gets me hyped up.

The Rock
He was great as a face, but I loved when he was a heel. He's cut some of the best promos in WWE history and was a good worker and never had a problem with putting guys over. He understood the business and realized he didn't have to win every match to stay over. His feud with Austin could go down as the best in WWE history, IMO.

Shawn Michaels
I've been a fan of HBK ever since he entered WWE as a member of the Rockers. He was a great tag-team wrestler and made the transition to singles very well. He missed the 4 years when WWE was on fire, but he helped start the Attitude era. To comeback from his back injury is great. I didn't think he'd still be wrestling...or at least no wrestling full-time, today. I think it's great that young fans are getting a chance to watch him work, because he's one of the best in-ring workers of all-time. He's better as a heel, though. Aside from the problems he had with Hogan prior to SS, I give HBK props for growing up, finding God and leaving his immaturity in the past.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin
He's the guy that helped get me back to watching WWE after I took a break from 93-96 and switched over to WCW. His feud with McMahon was legendary and he was so over, it's something I don't think we'll see anytime soon. I remember being in attendance in Albany, NY in March 1999 when Austin came down to the ring driving a Coors Light beer truck and doused Vince, Shane and The Rock with beer. It's the loudest I've ever heard a crowd at any event I've been too and it's something I'll never forget. It's a shame his neck injuries cut his career short, though.

Kurt Angle
This guy can do it all. He's a master in the ring, can cut good promos (both comedic and serious). I love watching Kurt wrestle because he's one of the few guys who can have a good match with anyone on the roster. He's only been with WWE for 6 years and in that span he's had so many classic matches that you could release a 3-disc set on his career up to this point. He's also changed his style to protect himself more in the ring, as his neck injuries nearly forced him to retire. He's been the co-MVP of WWE in 2005 along with HBK.


--------------------
It was hard to narrow this down to 5. I felt bad leaving guys like Hogan, Benoit, Flair, Undertaker off the list.

angle does not suck

Mick Foley: Out of all the wrestlers I've ever seen I have more respect for this man than all the rest combined. One of the best, if not THE best promo guys to ever grace the wrestling world. He may not have been the best looking man physically but he could sure put on better matches than almost anyone. I love this man and all his incarnations.

The Rock: From the second they planted the seeds of the Rock leaving the NoD I was a mark. Although over time the millions of catch phrases grew tiresome for the first year or two I ate that crap up like there was no tomorrow. Other than my Mick Foley books, the only other WWE merchadise I own are a few Rock shirts. No I don't wear them in public, but I once did, pretty pathetic eh. I'm still a mark for the Rock in movies which is apparent because I will actually watch them and even if they suck, will convince myself they weren't that bad.

Kurt Angle: Angle is definitely my favourite wrestler that is still going today. He is priceless on the microphone and has some of the best promos and mannerisms out there. In the ring I'm not sure there is anyone, EVER, who I enjoy watching more, Benoit may be a close second. I'm pretty sure he could wrestle himself in a match and it would be better than 90% of the other crap we are spoonfed on a weekly basis. Didn't Al Snow wrestle himself once in a hardcore match? Just terrible. ANGLE DOES NOT SUCK!

Bret Hart: I was always a closet Bret Hart fan. I would never mark out for him like I would for others but inside I always wanted him to win. He always put on a good match and was great with the promos. I was sad to see him go to WCW but at least he got some good bank. I loved the whole Canada vs. USA angle. He's a man of integrity and for that alone I respect this man a whole lot. Sure he may sound like an idiot or a whiner on occasion but he's genuine and sincere.

Chris Jericho: I had a lot of different guys I wanted too chose for a spot but Jericho won the battle. Sure Jericho is a great performer and a great promo man but what I love about him the most is he reminds me of myself. How can I not love the guy. I love myself. EVERY NIGHT. So naturally, I will love Jericho.

<A HREF="http://www.mmadb.com/">www.mmadb.com</A>
I know, I'm working on it...

Crocker

STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN This is the guy who changed wrestling forever in the mid to late ninties when I was starting to move away from it a bit, his (original)feud with Vince was legendary and even after his neck injury he had some classic matches with Rock, Triple H, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Mick Foley etc....

THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR I was 10 when he won the WWF Championship, and what 10 year old lad wouldnt like him

THE UNDERTAKER After Warrior first left the WWF taker took over as my favourite wrestler (even though most of his matches at the time sucked {King Kong Bundy, Giant Gonzalez etc}) and for a man to keep going strong(despite a few lengthy breaks) for almost 15 years now is incredible(He debuted for the WWF in 1990)

MICK FOLEY This is a guy who always did the best for the company, who else would have put Randy Orton over as well as he did last year he also helped establish Triple H as a megastar as Trip was starting his main event career also nobody could take a bump like the Mickster and he is the best interview ever in my opinion

SHAWN MICHEALS The showstopper, the mainevent, this is the man who could drag a great match out of a broomstick even now 10 years after his peak and after a career threatning back injury 90% of his matches are classics and in my opinion is the greatest wrestler ever

Knyte

Shawn Michaels
He was my childhood Idle. I love his tag team matches in the rockers, then once he became a singles heel, the WWE finally let him show that his charisma matched his in ring abilities. He is one of the rare performers who not only looks awesome in the ring, but can make any of his opponents look just as good. I don't think he is capible of having a bad match.

Kurt Angle
When Kurt first arrived on the scene, I remember JV constantly talking about how much he liked Angle and how big he would be. I thought Angle was this anoying rookie, that I hated to have to listen to. But, soon his talent and abilities started to shine through. Nobody has risen through the ranks quicker than Angle, and nobody deserved more than Angle. They couldn't keep belts off the guy. In less than a year, he held the Intercontinental title and the European title at the same time, then won the King of The Ring, and topped it off by beating The Rock for the world title. I am still waiting for WWE to put the belt back on him!!!

HHH
He is the guy you love to hate. He is probably one of the top 3 heels of all time. He has the talent, the charisma, and the work ethic to be where he is today. Look at his Title history, whenever he lost the belt it was huge for the person who beat him. HHH can make anyone a top star by simply fueding with them. By the time they finally win, everyone in the crowd and at home are 100% behind them.

Mick Foley
Mick took a "thimble full of talent" and turned it into one of the greatest and most memorable careers in history. Even when his body was at it's worst, and nothing but willpower held it together, he would go out and give the fans everything he had.

Kurt Henning
Another one of my childhood heroes. He add awesome in ring skill, and mike abilities to match. With the exception of maybe Ted DiBiase, he is the one star who should of held the WWE belt at some point, but never did. I remember all of my friends thought I was crazy because I would mark out for him whenever he wrestled, even when he was suppose to be the bad guy. His candle burned out way too soon. RIP, Mr. Henning.

"The Fire Still Burns!!!"
youtube.com/watch?v=4WXTI20W-ms

3D

Man, the top two was tough to call.. but I've gone with in first place..

1st: Resident WWE Olympic Gold Medallist, Kurt Angle
What do you need to say? Kurt is without a doubt the best all-round wrestler to ever live. Awesome on the mic, awesome facials, awesome in the ring, awesome look, awesome background, awesome feuds, everything about this guy screams brilliance. His in-ring ability is so varied too - he has the mat skills like no-one else, but he can do high-flying moves (The moonsault Kurt does is the best ever), can be speedy, and whilst not renowned for his strength, he's a tough son of a bitch. He has the best finisher in WWE at the moment - who here doesn't mark for the Ankle Lock? He can feud with anyone, and look good, whilst making them look good. Kurt's one weakness is that he's never truly proven himself as a great face - But in my opinion, he is undoubtedly the greatest heel ever, so none of that matters. It's true, it's damn true.

2nd: 'Latino Heat', Eddie Guerrero
Well, I've long proclaimed this guy to be my favourite guy ever, but I think I say that due to my feelings he's under-utilized. No one can beat Kurt, but Eddie comes close. He's quick as lightning, great technical abilities, and really good on the microphone. I think he works better as the lovable face, but he can pull off the heel role very well too. He's got the wrestling heritage, and he deserved to get the World Strap long before he ever got the recognition his obvious talents deserve.

3rd: 'The Game', Triple H
Sure, I hate the guy for hogging the title. He annoys the piss out of me for constantly needing to be the focal point of Raw. But you can see why the guy might think it - along with Kurt and Eddie, he's a great all rounder. An intense heel who can give some brilliant promos, he has proven himself good in the ring too. Shame he never seems to wrestle enough to prove that. From 2000 to 2002, he along with Kurt helped carry WWE. And for that, I applaud the man.

4th: 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin
Right guy at the right time with the right gimmick. Austin is probably my favourite 'brawler' wrestler, as I tend to go for the more technical wrestlers personally, but I love the guy. The 'Stone Cold' character just seemed a mere extension of himself, and as a result, it worked trememdously well. Austin vs Mcmahon will go down as one of the most infamous feuds in wrestling history, and at the time, he carried the whole 'crash-tv' phenomenon.

5th: 'Quote the Raven, Nevermore' - Raven
A strange choice, I know. Raven's run in WWE was disappointing to say the least. But Raven is an astonishing performer. A truly unique gimmick, great on the mic, and I really like his style in the ring. He's different, and that's what marked him out for me. And that's why, despite his lack of a push in WWE, I gave him 5th spot anyway.

3D. Wrestling Clique, Monksdiner, JimmyVan and KnowYourNews' Crafty Old Veteran.

3D

I feel guilty for omitting the Nature Boy, but these were the guys I wanted to choose.. so sorry Naitch!

3D. Wrestling Clique, Monksdiner, JimmyVan and KnowYourNews' Crafty Old Veteran.

Goofball

1 - The Ultimate Warrior: because he was intense.
2 - Mick Foley: because he was nuts and funny.
3 - The Rock: because he was the coolest.
4 - Bret Hart: because he was the best there was.
tied 5 - Kurt Angle: because he is the best today.
tied 5 - Shane McMahon: because he had heart.